5 month old terrified senegal

[Boniface]

Hi all,

I have recently (2 weeks ago) got a 5 month old Senegal parrot.
He has not been hand reared or tamed in any way and unfortunately he's my first bird ever.
He is literally terrified of me and my partner and wasn't clipped when we got him.
I would like some advice about what to do to help him feel more comfortable and to be able to handle him etc.
Unfortunately he escaped when we got him home and we had to manhandle him back in and he escaped his cage again we had to catch him and get him in. In both cases he was very distressed flying around eratically and crashing into the windows etc.
I need some advice with what to do to get friendlier with him etc because all the videos about taming a 'scared' bird show a fairly tame bird.
My parrot literally runs away from us in his cage.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

 

[Terry57]

Hello and welcome to the forum!
Here is a link to a great sticky with some information that I think will help you.
http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49144-tips-bonding-building-trust.html

Please keep us updated on his progress

 

[RavensGryf]

Welcome. It will just take much TIME and CONSISTENT dedication to making the little guy not feel threatened. Small steps at a time. Sit in the room with him far away enough that he feels at least somewhat comfortable. Talk softly (without staring at him like a predator), get him used to your presence doing something non-threatening like read a book or magazine.
Next step, have him accept food from you. It might take a while for him to accept it out of your hand, but how about this - pretend to eat some then put a piece of treat (millet, apple, a sunflower seed, corn) in other words, kinds of small treat foods that most birds LOVE. After you pretend to eat, drop it in his dish or cage and back off. Repeat routinely. For now just try to get him to accept your and your partner's presence as non-threatening. as he learns to accept each small step, in time you can introduce new "baby steps" to him accepting a hand close to him. You might have to do this for a while before trying to step him up. Don't be surprised if this takes a VERY LONG TIME.

This is probably much like the days when all pet parrots were wild caught. Many eventually became tame enough after some time and consistently.

Senegals are a species known to become tame handleable pets. How handleable a wild one can be will depend on the individual. Just remember, even a hand fed well adjusted Senegal (and related family members) can be naturally nervous at times. They seem to be on hyper alert and get 'freaked out' a little easier than some species. I can imagine this is intensified in a wild bird. Still, it's good he's a baby. It would be even harder in a wild adult bird.

How did you come to get your bird anyway? Good luck!

 

[Boniface]

Thanks for the advice.
My fiance decided to get me a parrot because I've been talking about wanting to get one for years. I think I would have preferred to get a hand raised one being the first time, but hey there we go.
I think we had some set backs with him being he's got out twice and stuff.
Patience is the game

 

[SoCalWendy]

Oh boy! Poor guy! When you chase them, they see you as a predator. You may want to get him clipped so if he escapes again, he may not want to leave his cage or the area around it. For now it's best to respect his space. Speak softly and move slowly. Watch his body language, if he appears over alert, looking to escape, he is nervous and scared. It's best to leave him be until he becomes more relaxed with his surroundings. So for now, just talk to him while you are providing for his daily needs. Watch what he likes the most (ie.. a favorite seed, piece of fruit, bread, or veggie, ect..) withhold it and use it later for training.