A Little Update

[Simmons]

Hey all.
Just thought i'd give an update on how things were going with Jerry.
To start off I was glad to see this morning of some signs of new feathers!! I counted 6 new ones just starting to poke out in a lovely green. I was actually starting to wonder if it was ever going to happen.

We have been doing a lot of training and he now steps up with no hesitation and with a little help from his favorite treat the sunflower seed he actually flies to me now, though sometimes it takes a while for him to build up the courage to jump. Its really funny watching him crouch down and go to jump but then bottle it at the last second.

I can tell he has become a lot more comfortable with me touching him now as he has started to want to play fight. He will without fail every night come over to me start shaking his head and growling at me to grab him under his wings.

Shower time has become alot more fun for him now aswell as he will sing his little heart out and go through every word he knows while he sits there all fluffed up. The towel is still his arch enemy tho and patting him down is still a bit of a chore, but he is getting better with it....slowly

Thats us so far, i cant wait to see what he is going to be like this time next year

 

[JerseyWendy]

Thank you for such a wonderful update on Jerry!!!! WOW! Amazing! And what beautiful pictures you've attached!!!!

 

[Kiwibird]

What a nice update That last picture speaks volumes, you both look so happy! I'm glad you and Jerry are becoming such good friends They are funny when you bring them in the shower aren't they? Kind of makes you wonder how you ever showered without and amazon there to amuse you:54:

 

[SailBoat]

Now that is an Amazon truly enjoying the attention received.

Feather replacement is a staged event with specific feathers in specific locations (flight feathers, which includes the tail feathers) receiving priority. Feathers are expense in the energy (food intake and body stores) it takes to create them. The larger and stronger they are (compare a primary flight feather to a body feather) the more energy they require.

Body feathers are further down the list of important feathers for the survival of the parrot. For that reason, flight feathers receive priority in their replacement.

For example only, Never do this to a parrot: Our rehomed DYH Amazon's prior home came to the belief that it would be quicker to find a home for their mother's (who had past) parrot if they had his wings clipped. A quick trip to Pet Smart and that parrot went from fully flighted to the flight ability of a dropped rock (not kidding). For the last eighteen months our DYH has replaced nearly all of its primary and secondary wing feathers. Today, he is flighted. He was a health fully feathered Amazon when this happened, his body placed full effort into replacement of wing feathers and held-off on body feathers. Now that he is flighted, replacement of wing feathers has slowed (he still has several sets on each side, which need replacement) and the effort has switched to tail (second most important to wing feathers) and body feathers.

So, yes, it can seems like forever for the replacement of body feathers. However, Fall is just around the corner and they will be getting attention.

 

[Simmons]

I was thinking about trying to see if i could get a harness on him and try some out door flying. Do you think it would stress him out too much or should i go for it ? He flies round my room well enough and can land pretty much anywhere but i'm scared he might just panic and end up hurting himself

 

[SailBoat]

Lots of unknowns about your Amazon for me to advise you on flying your Amazon outside.

There are a number of European parrot groups that regularly 'free fly' their parrots outside. Others that gather in low ceiling industrial buildings for indoor free flying gatherings. In all cases, these are parrots that have flown daily from young birds. It is fair to say that they have been conditioned from early-on to fly with distance and distractions that your Amazon has not experienced.

Short list of wants:
You know how to listen to your Amazon's heart rate and can easily determine the difference between a relaxed, active, or stressed heart rate. Work with your Vet in determining these points and how to use an unaided ear to listen to your Amazon's heart rate.
You have verified that your area does not have hawks, crows, etc...
You have verified that your area does not have free roaming cats, dogs, etc...
You have an area that is large enough to see free roamers in time to get your Amazon back to you and quickly to a safe place
You have worked with your Amazon in a screened in porch with a covering roof.
You have taken the time to introduce and have placed your Amazon into a harness and flown him 'indoors' with the harness for at least several times (like ten or more).

At this point, introductions to the outdoors using 'short' walking trips in the harness (not flying) and on your lower arm or hand. Extend this 'short' walking trips until your Amazon is comfortable in the full area that you will be harness flying him. You have long walked the the outer bounds of your work area several times. The goal of all of this is to reduce Stress loading your Amazon and developing a comfort level for your Amazon to the work area. Remember, that short flights around the know rooms of your home is very different than a short flight in the great outdoors: temperature, wind, the harness, etc...

Please ensure that your Amazon has been chipped and you have registered that chip with one of the major chip sellers online site.

Watch your Amazon closely for signs of Stress, since this will be a stressful event. Any sign of Stress and its back inside.

Summer outdoor flights with a harness can result in your Amazon becoming over-heated. Be willing and ready to move him to a cool area with cool drinking water available. An area that the harness can be safely and quickly removed.

You can just rush your Amazon into the great outdoors and hope that all goes well. Please remember that the 'trust bond' that you have worked long to develop can be trashed if things do not go well.

 

[Simmons]

Thanks for all the Info SailBoat but yeah i don't think i'm gonna be doing it any time this year want to make sure he is 100% confident with me before i try taking him out. But i have found a local group who help introduce you into free flying and when i think he will be ready i'll take him along to one of there meets.

 

[Allee]

This is a great update, wonderful photos! I'm glad you and Jerry are doing so well!

 

[SailBoat]

I knew many members of England's Amazon Society when my business travels had me visiting Europe. Sadly, changing responsibilities, time and changing email addresses I have lost contact with all of them.

Side story: Over the years I had grew to loving England's dark ales. So much so, that I had changed my travel schedule to placing England at the end of my visits in place of being my first stop. This allowed for maximum recovery time on the flight home.

I look forward to hearing about the free flight group and their approaches to training parrots for free flight.

Cheers!

 

[Taw5106]

That is one very happy son. Great job!