Advice for my boy Paco?

[pacoparrot]

I've had Paco, a 15 year old amazon parrot, for about 5 years. He hasn't bonded with me yet. He can be handled on his own terms as long as we don't have anyone over he doesn't like (displaced aggression) and he isn't in a bad mood. He always lunges and growls when I go near him or his cage. We call this Paco's Rage. He does this whether he is going to bite or not so it gets a little difficult to read his mood. He doesn't talk or mimic but makes many different whining, wowing, and woahing sounds. He is partial to my mother who he will behave much better for. However she isn't very interested in handling him regularly. I blame myself for him not becoming attached to me since not long after I adopted him from a rescue I began to foster for them and I didn't have much time for Paco. Then when I adopted another bird it became even worse. But now it's just Paco and the small birds. He doesn't take treats and doesn't like being touched. But I have a feeling he motivation will become being out of his cage and around people more often. Can anyone give me some advice for a better diet for him? I give him fresh foods almost everyday. He eats mostly a seed mix but also has a separate bowl with zupreem pellets in it. I'd like him to eat more pellets but I am unsure if he could be converted. Thank you everyone!

 

[MonicaMc]

You might try food management as a method of training Paco.

Bird Whisperer of Las Vegas: Taming & Training Rescue Birds

Building Interest In Food Rewards | LibertyWings.com



(more about reinforcement - a good refresher?)

http://larajoseph.wordpress.com/2011/10/22/a-bit-about-reinforcement/

 

[BirdyMomma]

Aww. He is beautiful. There are so many good resources on the Internet for helping to train birds and turn them around.
You might try watching some of Barbara Heidenrichs videos (Good Bird Inc.) for some inspiration. There are many others as well.
Please keep working with him, and being patient. He sure is lovely.

 

[pacoparrot]

Thank you for the resources and encouragement!

 

[pacoparrot]

I think I'm going to buy a small bag of zupreem nutblend for him the next time I'm out. I've read reviews, and a lot of birds like it. He really likes nuts so maybe it will be a step in the right direction.
.

 

[pacoparrot]

I just got home from the pet store. I got the zupreem nutblend food. I was a little bit hesitant since he ignores their fruity pellets and the size of the nut pellets is much bigger than what he's used to. I emptied out his bowl and filled it 1/4 of the way with the nutblend and he immediately went over and started touching them and moving them around! Then he took a peanut shaped pellet, dipped it in water and then crunched away! I'm so proud of him! This is the first time I've ever seen him eat a pellet! I think the size and the smell is what got his attention.

 

[MonicaMc]

Great news!!!!! Sounds like he at least found something of interest! And hopefully he'll continue to eat them!

 

[pacoparrot]

I got him to fully eat 3 pellets. Which is a decent amount considering how big they are. He usually drops anything I hand him but he took not one but two of the pellets out of my hand. It takes him a while to eat them, which I think is a good thing. It's time for lights out in the bird room but with any luck he'll eat some more when he wakes up tomorrow. He really likes them though, which is awesome!

 

[henpecked]

You need to take charge in his life. He feels he's calling the shots,controlling you. Maybe because he was alone and learn to be in charge because of no other options. Regardless, find small things you can be incharge of. How long scratches last.When it's time to go back to his perch/cage. When to get a treat and how many (maybe one,LOL) . Leave him wanting more of your attentions instead of him biting to tell you NO. Pick your battles and win. Be confident,outgoing and dole out affections. He won't feel like he needs to be incharge if he feels safe.The more little things you can find the better. Show him what it;s like to be in YOUR flock.When he starts to come around , the changes will come faster and faster. You need to be patient ,little baby steps, he won't want to give up control.

 

[Erivera41509]

Like everyone here said, give it time, but also take charge every once in a while. He has to learn his boundaries, but stern, but gentle, if that makes any sense.. Lol

 

[pacoparrot]

Thank you for all the advice! Something weird happened yesterday. Paco has never tolerated petting and doesn't like hands near his face. He was on my lap while I was on the computer. Then he lowered his head. I instinctively started petting his head without realizing what I was doing. Then I noticed that I just pet him! His feet were super warm and he was actually letting me pet his head. He was even making sounds! I was careful not to touch anything but his head and neck. It lasted for about 5 minutes before he stepped up to my hand and stopped wanting to be pet. I can't tell if this is progress or whether I just made a mistake.

 

[Dougc1369]

Definetly progress! If he didn't like what you were doing, he would have let you know. Just like he did when he had enough, he moved away to let you know. You have to watch them, their body language will tell you a lot as will their mannerisms.