25yr old DYH - need advice please

[lmh]

Hi everyone - I am about to bring a double yellow headed amazon into my home. It is a male and he is 25yrs old. I will be his 3rd owner. First owner had him for about 18 years, 2nd owner had him the last 7 years. Our household is 'full' of kids, adults and dogs. His owner now is a quiet elderly couple that has grandchildren over now and then. I already know it will be a huge change for him and I want it to go as smooth as possible.

I am not too familiar with the DYH so I am hoping to get some advice from other owners on how to make the transition? Or stories of how their transition period turned out? Does his age make a difference on how you think he will react/respond to another move and new owners?
Should I keep him partly covered in the cage when I get him home? Do I keep the dogs away for awhile? Do I keep the kids quiet? Do I put him in the living room or back in a quiet room for bit?
***Or do I just let him into our home/life as it is and let him adjust?? Will he adjust??

I have owned a CAG in the past (got him as a baby) so I have never been put into this position of bringing in an older parrot. I also do not know the temperament of the DYH - - I heard they can be tricky/hot to handle as they age. From what I know - Oscar is a gentleman, not a grouch.

The weather right now is ice cold - we have been waiting for it to warm up a bit before I transport him home. Tomorrow looks to be the warmest...but still COLD!

I aready have a cage for him but he is coming with a cage also. I assume I should keep him in 'his' cage until he feels a bit more comfortable with us before I try to switch cages?? How does an older DYH respond/adjust to a complete cage/home change???

The family is very excited to have Oscar in our home! I will post photos and keep you all updated on how he adjusts and his personality as he settles in with us!!

 

[EAI]

Not a an Amazon owner, first off, congratulations on your near-future addition! And it's great knowing you want the best for when he finally gets there.

I think his age would be more of an advantage because he is done with his hormonal stage and you're getting what you see. Being that you're his 3rd home, i personally feel, that he can transition quite well to a new environment.

For all my birds (so far), I've kept their cage covered except one side so they can feel safer and secured in their new environment. Then I start to uncover each side at a slow-er kind of pace not to overwhelm them.
Did his previous homes have dogs? I'd keep the dogs away for now because he'd already be going into a stressful environment and they could be adding even more stress to his move. If there have been dogs in his past it would, most likely, make an easier transition between them.
Your kids could (I suggest) they talk to him in a soothing manner and approach him in a slower pace so he can start recognizing faces and address them as friends instead of threats. Treats help a lot with that!
How active is your living room? If it's active, he could either be too scared or too eager to come out and try things. The back room could be used for him to sleep in since you're getting two cages!

It really depends on the particular bird on how well they adapt to new things like their environment or things inside of it (cages, toys, ect). For the cage, introduce it to him. Let him see it and if he decides to climb or in it that's great and your job is pretty much done! Put food in prior so it sparks his interests and get's him motivated to try his cage out.

If he has been well socialized I don't see why he can't adjust, but as a precaution, take some things slow so he can grab in everything new.

You'll be getting some great (pretty much better) advice from actual 'Zon owners but hopefully that gives a general and starter ideas.
Best of luck to your family and Oscar! I can't wait to see pics and updates of the gentleman!

 

[Amanda_Bennett]

I would take things slow and quiet for the first couple of weeks at least. Watch him and see how he reacts to people, dogs, noises and go at HIS pace.

At 25 he is NOT past his hormonal times! I have a 28 year old Orange Wing Amazon and she is still having hormonal issues, just not as bad as a younger bird would. He is one of the "hot 3" and a male, so this could be worse with him even at his age. In bird years he is "middle" aged, not old! He could live to be 60 or so if cared for properly. Then add the change in his environment, and he is more than likely molting this time of year, it's also the "hormonal" time of year for Zons.

I would use caution if/when trying to handle him, watch his body language closely! Zons are notorious for their "warnings" and are fairly easy to "read" if you pay attention. If he "fluffs" his neck feathers, fans his tail feathers, pins his eyes (the orange part getting bigger and smaller fast over and over) and/or paces, back off and try again after he calms down. This is a "warning" he is not liking whatever you are doing. It can sometimes be excitement in zons, but I would error on the side of caution until you get to know him and he gets to know you.

Also, zons are pair bond birds, so he is being taken away from whoever he has considered his "mate" for the last 7 years. He will likely go through a sort of depression time for a bit, missing his "mate". He will more than likely "choose" a person in your household to "bond" with at some point. Once he is settled in well be sure to socialize him with everyone in your family so you can try to avoid the zon jealousy issues.

Keep asking questions here, there are lots of zon owners here, many more experienced than I am. Lots of great advise and answers to be found here!

 

[EAI]

\At 25 he is NOT past his hormonal times! I have a 28 year old Orange Wing Amazon and she is still having hormonal issues, just not as bad as a younger bird would. He is one of the "hot 3" and a male, so this could be worse with him even at his age. In bird years he is "middle" aged, not old! He could live to be 60 or so if cared for properly. Then add the change in his environment, and he is more than likely molting this time of year, it's also the "hormonal" time of year for Zons.

Ai! Thank you for correcting me !

 

[Amanda_Bennett]

\At 25 he is NOT past his hormonal times! I have a 28 year old Orange Wing Amazon and she is still having hormonal issues, just not as bad as a younger bird would. He is one of the "hot 3" and a male, so this could be worse with him even at his age. In bird years he is "middle" aged, not old! He could live to be 60 or so if cared for properly. Then add the change in his environment, and he is more than likely molting this time of year, it's also the "hormonal" time of year for Zons.

Ai! Thank you for correcting me !

I'm no expert, but that is one thing I have learned! Zon hormones, not much fun! Even with a 28 year old female who is NOT one of the "hot 3"

 

[lmh]

Thanks for all of the incoming advice!!
So the hormonal phase isn't really a 'phase' its an overall issue? Is it more with certain times off the year? If so, when? I thought I just read that 'mating season is from feb/mar until june/july' - - that is 1/2 the year! lol Is that right?

I know it depends on the bird itself, but, do you still take the bird out and continue with daily interaction during this time? Again, I just read that you should not handle the bird at all during 'mating season'. I cant even start to believe that anyone would leave their bird locked up in the cage for that long of a time period!! I do understand that you wouldn't want to force him/her if he does show signs of aggression. How long does it last - days/weeks/months at a time?

When it comes to petting - do they enjoy the head rubs/scratches? No back or tail rubbing, correct (any time of the year)??

The couple that is giving me the bird is a friend of my sisters from work - - they have only talked about how sweeeeet Oscar is and that the grandkids can hold him and she holds him. Sounds like he is more bonded to her then the husband. I am hoping he likes men/boys since that is who is mostly here in the house and the kids are hoping to interact with Oscar also.

 

[Amanda_Bennett]

Thanks for all of the incoming advice!!
So the hormonal phase isn't really a 'phase' its an overall issue? Is it more with certain times off the year? If so, when? I thought I just read that 'mating season is from feb/mar until june/july' - - that is 1/2 the year! lol Is that right?

I know it depends on the bird itself, but, do you still take the bird out and continue with daily interaction during this time? Again, I just read that you should not handle the bird at all during 'mating season'. I cant even start to believe that anyone would leave their bird locked up in the cage for that long of a time period!! I do understand that you wouldn't want to force him/her if he does show signs of aggression. How long does it last - days/weeks/months at a time?

When it comes to petting - do they enjoy the head rubs/scratches? No back or tail rubbing, correct (any time of the year)??

The couple that is giving me the bird is a friend of my sisters from work - - they have only talked about how sweeeeet Oscar is and that the grandkids can hold him and she holds him. Sounds like he is more bonded to her then the husband. I am hoping he likes men/boys since that is who is mostly here in the house and the kids are hoping to interact with Oscar also.

The hormonal "phase" is for certain times of the year, not all year long (Thank God) It can last weeks or more depending on the individual bird. It's hits some birds harder than others. For some reason hormones have hit most of us earlier than normal this year it seems. It's my understanding that it's usually late Jan. or early Feb. when they hit, but it hit most of us mid-Dec. this year.

I still take my bird out and interact with her EVERY DAY and I know several people on this forum who have Zons and they still interact with their birds daily. It's just paying more attention to the birds body language and if it wants to be left alone, don't push it! They can bite very hard and cause serious injuries! Not trying to scare you, but it wouldn't be fair not to warn you.

Mine loves head and neck scritches and kisses and being on me/with me whatever I am doing. During hormonal time I wouldn't pet down his back or under his wings, or rub his beak, those are all "sexual" invitations to zons!

Sounds like he is well socialized so you should be able to socialize him with your family. I would use caution and not let the kids have him out without supervision (unless of course they are older teenagers and you know they can be trusted with him)

I'm hoping some of the more experienced zon owners chime in with their advice and opinions. My zon is not one of the "hot 3" and is very mellow compared to what I have heard about other zons.

 

[Birdman666]

Amazons are hardy. They adjust.

DYH's are the hottest of the hot 3 amazons. Which really only means they have the longest breeding seasons.

25 year olds still get hormonal, it's just that by now, they've generally learned to adjust to it. They become less moody at that age, more steady.

I had a 60 yo foster DYH who was set in his ways, and still had hormonal periods. "Leave me alone!"

Generally speaking, amazons like to be in the center of things, and they generally deal with chaos fairly well. See how he does, and if he doesn't do well with it, move him.

 

[lmh]

I had a CAG in the past so I do remember what a 'bite' feels like...OUCH! I am ready and prepared! (so I keep telling myself) lol
Back then, because of their age, I didn't let the kids hold Turbo much (CAG), but they do remember his beak! It scares them a bit. I know they will be a bit timid and I will be very cautious when it comes to them handling Oscar. They already know the rule of not letting him near the face (just in case).
Today didn't work out on bringing Oscar home, might just wait until the weekend. That will still give me more time to finish rearranging the house and I need another playstand for the other room. I assume he is full flighted - not sure yet. (I did go and tape down all of the ceiling fan switches). yikes!

The house is just about prepared - cant wait til he comes home to me!!! I almost get teary eyed thinking about it. The family thinks I am crazy, they will truly never understand the strong bond between a bird lover and his/her bird!! They are so amazing! I am SO EXCITED!!

 

[ButeoFerrous]

I have a 30 yo DYH Amazon male. When I got him last year, he was 'hot' and it lasted about 4 weeks (this was mid June-July, his season may have started before). I interacted with him everyday, he saw me as his mate (I've babysat him before, and we bonded). Once he started "clucking" and circling, I would put him up to let him cool down. He has never attacked anyone, as far as I know. Guido is an easy DYH, as I hear they can be temperamental. He seems to enjoy it when we have people over, he likes the activity and noise. But I usually keep him in his cage in case he gets startled during those times. I don't suspect Oscar to have problems, as Amazons are highly social, and live in huge colonies in the wild. But, to start, keep Oscar in a lower traffic area, so he won't potentially get startled.

As for the preening, Guido loves his head/neck scratched, and his pin feathers picked, but be careful not to twist the feather or pull, they can be sensitive. Guido's cue for petting is the word "scratch". If he wants some, he will lower his head and lean closer to my hand/fingers. He only likes scratches when I'm holding him, not on his cage. The tail is a no-no, and only on occasion will he let me stroke his belly, when he has put himself on his back in my lap. This only happens when he is very secure.

I would ask Oscar's previous owners what cue words they used for actions, like stepping onto the hand, stepping onto his perch, giving a treat, scratching, etc. And also where he liked to be scratched, etc. The best advice can be derived from the last owners, and Oscar's body language. Hope this helps.

~Buteo~

 

[Kiwibird]

My moms 45+ year old female DYH still get hormonal. I think they they can reproduce into old age. Don't get too scared about the hormones either. By age 18 he is well past his 'worst' years where he likely would have been hormonal/aggressive 1/2 the year and has likely become accustomed to the surges and learned to cope. Mature amazons typically display hormonal behavior in late winter/early spring, and it typically only lasts a few weeks. Males can be abnormally aggressive during this time of year. Stick training is suggested for male amazons (meaning they will step up to a stick as well as a hand) so you can be able to safely handle an aggressive bird. Watching for signs of aggression is also *imperative* to preventing bites. Amazons aren't shy about letting you know when they are mad and rarely bite without fair warning! Pinning eyes (pupils rapidly get bigger/smaller), flared tail, hissing, crouched low all indicate a pissed off amazon you should not bother.

Now the good stuff Amazons, as mentioned are hearty birds who love attention and want to be part of "the flock". A well socialized amazon will adapt easily to new situations and will fear little. That makes them super fun birds! You should try to include your new zon in as many activities as possible that are safe to do so. The vast majority of amazons love baths, and many owners bring them in their shower with them. They enjoy meal time at the table too, but as they have poor table manners, a portable perch on or near the table is suggested to keep them from stomping through plates and helping themselves Dinner time is flock time to a zon, and it's a great way to make a bird feel included. They also just like hanging out. I prefer a portable perch so my guy can come all over with me, whether reading on the couch, doing dishes in the kitchen, cleaning (can't use chemicals around them though), whatever it is, he wants to be part! About the only thing he can't be around is when I'm cooking, because that is just not safe. They are also inquisitive, and like exploring their home. An amazon is like a toddler, with wings, so keep a close eye on them. Many though can eventually be out and trusted not to cause trouble (after many years). Anyways, best of luck!

 

[Hawk]

I would take things slow and quiet for the first couple of weeks at least. Watch him and see how he reacts to people, dogs, noises and go at HIS pace.

At 25 he is NOT past his hormonal times! I have a 28 year old Orange Wing Amazon and she is still having hormonal issues, just not as bad as a younger bird would. He is one of the "hot 3" and a male, so this could be worse with him even at his age. In bird years he is "middle" aged, not old! He could live to be 60 or so if cared for properly. Then add the change in his environment, and he is more than likely molting this time of year, it's also the "hormonal" time of year for Zons.

I would use caution if/when trying to handle him, watch his body language closely! Zons are notorious for their "warnings" and are fairly easy to "read" if you pay attention. If he "fluffs" his neck feathers, fans his tail feathers, pins his eyes (the orange part getting bigger and smaller fast over and over) and/or paces, back off and try again after he calms down. This is a "warning" he is not liking whatever you are doing. It can sometimes be excitement in zons, but I would error on the side of caution until you get to know him and he gets to know you.

Also, zons are pair bond birds, so he is being taken away from whoever he has considered his "mate" for the last 7 years. He will likely go through a sort of depression time for a bit, missing his "mate". He will more than likely "choose" a person in your household to "bond" with at some point. Once he is settled in well be sure to socialize him with everyone in your family so you can try to avoid the zon jealousy issues.

Keep asking questions here, there are lots of zon owners here, many more experienced than I am. Lots of great advise and answers to be found here!

Hi IMH,

Amanda is quite right about the transition period with Amazons. I have 2 and am the second owner for both which are 8 and 5 years old. I would strongly advise placing the birds where they can observe from the distance, but not a high traffic area. They will spook easily and try to fly if perched on their cage. Avoid fast movement of hands. Music is soothing to amazons and relaxes them, just avoid the blaring loud music.

What Amanda mentioned about enduring the depression stage of losing it's mate ( previous owner) is very true. Think of it as losing your best friend or spouse and you'll have a very close idea what they are enduring. My Zon wanted absolutely nothing to do with me for nearly 7 months, and would nip hard to get me to stay away. I been patient, then suddenly one day she came to me and from then on we were best of buddies. I never have to question or worry about her beak or attitude, I'm her new mate.
But understand that it DOSE take quite a bit of patience and understanding them as each one is different. It could take a month or could take a year for the bond to develop....Much depends on how strong the bond was with previous owner. In my case with the Zon above, it's owner had a stroke and that owner was incredibly good to her...it just broke the birds heart, so it took a while.

 

[Hawk]

My moms 45+ year old female DYH still get hormonal. I think they they can reproduce into old age. Don't get too scared about the hormones either. By age 18 he is well past his 'worst' years where he likely would have been hormonal/aggressive 1/2 the year and has likely become accustomed to the surges and learned to cope. Mature amazons typically display hormonal behavior in late winter/early spring, and it typically only lasts a few weeks. Males can be abnormally aggressive during this time of year. Stick training is suggested for male amazons (meaning they will step up to a stick as well as a hand) so you can be able to safely handle an aggressive bird. Watching for signs of aggression is also *imperative* to preventing bites. Amazons aren't shy about letting you know when they are mad and rarely bite without fair warning! Pinning eyes (pupils rapidly get bigger/smaller), flared tail, hissing, crouched low all indicate a pissed off amazon you should not bother.

Now the good stuff Amazons, as mentioned are hearty birds who love attention and want to be part of "the flock". A well socialized amazon will adapt easily to new situations and will fear little. That makes them super fun birds! You should try to include your new zon in as many activities as possible that are safe to do so. The vast majority of amazons love baths, and many owners bring them in their shower with them. They enjoy meal time at the table too, but as they have poor table manners, a portable perch on or near the table is suggested to keep them from stomping through plates and helping themselves Dinner time is flock time to a zon, and it's a great way to make a bird feel included. They also just like hanging out. I prefer a portable perch so my guy can come all over with me, whether reading on the couch, doing dishes in the kitchen, cleaning (can't use chemicals around them though), whatever it is, he wants to be part! About the only thing he can't be around is when I'm cooking, because that is just not safe. They are also inquisitive, and like exploring their home. An amazon is like a toddler, with wings, so keep a close eye on them. Many though can eventually be out and trusted not to cause trouble (after many years). Anyways, best of luck!

That's so true, Amazons will give a fair warning that a bite is coming. Mine used to growl or hiss, and even raise her body when she was ready to bite...Now she would rarely ever bite. It's been a few years since she bitten me. Mine has a huge cage, but she is out 24/7. She'll climb up top of her cage on outside where there's a rope ring and sleep. Never have to close the door of her cage. it's a trust both the Zon and I have and she likes this freedom and has enhance our bond. Morning coffee with my Zon on my shoulder after they had their breakfast is always the " special time" in the morning, chatty time I should say.

 

[lmh]

You guys are awesome!! Love all of the advice and stories! We are having wind chills, -25 degrees, so we are waiting until next week when/if the cold breaks a bit....AND the kids will be back in school!! This will give Oscar and me some time during the day when it is quiet to get him settled down without everyone rushing at him trying to hold him, talk to him etc.
OMG! This weekend is going to drrrrrrag by so slowly...ugh! I bought some new toys, waiting on new perches until I see what all he is coming with - not sure what size he prefers or needs yet.
I will definitely stick train him if he isn't already - I do remember the importance of that.
Gosh I hope the dogs arent too much for him. They are quiet and dont mess with anyone/anything in the house, its when the doorbell rings. ugh! I know it will startle him...I just dont want him to fly and crash into something!
This house has some tighter corners to turn that the last house, but it is an open floor plan so he can fly in a huge circle from room to room. Just not sure if he can make it down the hall and turn corners? I guess we will just have to see. Most of the action is upstairs - just wanted him to be able to follow into the bedroom also if he wanted. My CAG followed me everywhere, I had a perch in every room. I would like Oscar to be able to do the same!! From what I have read so far, they seem to be able to master flying in tight spaces...I guess we will be testing this very soon!! lol