Hand Taming

Hello all,
I have a Yellow Crown Amazon that is a rescue bird. He was obtained from a family that was about to abandon him in a cage outside because they were moving and couldn't take him. He is also my first parrot and his name is Peeko, and I've had him since December. As far as how his previous owners cared for him, I don't know too much. All I know is that he was being kept outside in a large cage most of his life and they did interact with him a little (but I don't think much.)

I've been trying to hand tame him for the longest time with no real progress. He won't come to me unless I have his favorite yogurt treats, he shies away when I put my hand near him (unless of course the treat is in my hand), or if my hand is near him with no treat he will often lunge and try to bite me. I'll sometimes let him out of his cage but he just walks around on top of it. I really want him to be a good bird that people- even if its only myself- can interact with. I know this isnt his first original home but he has been here for around 8 months now so he should have gotten used to things, but he doesn't seem much different. He hasn't even really picked up any new words from us, his vocabulary isnt very big (he mainly just says hi bird, hi, hello, wolf whistles, and sometimes he'll sing.) Also, he is my first parrot but far from my first animal, so I don't have any real parrot experience other than basic things.

So, my question is, how can I hand tame my parrot when he wont come near me? I've tried using a perch but it didn't seem too successful... I'm also afraid of getting bitten. I cant really get him off the cage to move him somewhere else to spend time with him.

Patience is the key word here.....it's apparent that trust in humans needs to be reestablished and that could take over a year...and possibly longer.....

Even though he's coming to you for treats, it sounds like he's taking his time trusting you.....also, he's probably picking up on your hesitation/fear about getting bit...companion birds are very good at recognizing our apprehension about getting bitten.

Rather than sticking your hand in his cage, just wait for him to come out.....while you're waiting, sit by the cage talking to/with him.....all the waiting may be frustrating, but it doesn't sound like his experience with humans has been very good.....

As to increasing his vocabulary, there is never any guarantee that any bird, capable of speech, will want to talk or talk any more than it already does...and there is nothing that can teach/train a bird to talk.....interaction and to what degree must be the bird's desire to interact...and here again, patience is the key word.....

Good luck.....

Here is a pretty good article that may help you: How to Tame & Train Parrot - Step by Step Taming Guide

I also work with unwanted , neglected and usually aggressive amazons. It takes years for some birds and some don't ever really become "tame". Tolerate me but but don't really trust humans. If your ever fearful of them you'll never win them over. I won't go in to why, but they need to trust a leader to be "tame".You might not ever have a cuddle bug, it might be one of those relationship where he tolerates you. Don't give up , you never know when he might "see the light". I don't think you could ever force him to like you, you'll just have to see where it goes. I would say thank you for caring enough to try and give him a good home. Thanks for joining our forum to learn how. "Taming" him could happen over night or years from now, Just try and see the world though his eyes. Read though the older post in this section and gain some insight into life with a zon. We'll be glad to help. Feel free to contact me anytime.

I wish there was a simple magical answer i could give you to solve your issues with rehoming a amazon. There's tons of things i could tell you that would help, but you'd need to understand why for it to work. Take it slow and don't expect over night miracles. Gain as much insight as you can , into why they are the way they are . Researching the older threads here would help. The members here would love to help you improve your relationship with him. Research and ask questions. Welcome to the forum.

Thank you all for the comments. SoCalWendy, I briefed over the training guide and it looks like its exactly what I need. Im going to try those tips over the next several weeks and see if I can get any progress out of him using it.

If I have any more questions, I'll be sure to ask. Thanks again!