Amazons and Depression?

[Taw5106]

I've had Buddy for 24 days now. He came to live with us after his owners (my cousins) passed away. Up until this past Saturday he has been talking, whistling, mimicking, eating like a horse on fresh fruit, and veg, comes out of his cage to visit me. Since Saturday I have noticed a change, he's quiet, not eating protein but goes to town on bell pepper, and he won't come out of his cage to see me, even when I made him fresh homemade popcorn.

Last night I tried hard to coax him out and he clamped down on my finger harder than usual, no skin broken, but I told him no, he acted shocked, and I put him it bed. It was around 9:30 pm anyway but I knew getting him out was iffy. He hasn't visited with me out of his cage since Saturday morning.

It's "the season", he won't come out of his cage, let's me rub his head, neck and back, he'll step up but steps off when I get him close to the cage door.

Buddy ia between 10 - 20 years old, is this possibly related to depression, missing his previous owners or seasonal hormones? Saturday morning we had the best time together, he was chatty, on my shoulder, even flew and checked out new parts of the house. I can't get him to engage much this week. Any insight is appreciated.

 

[Kiwibird]

He could be hormonal, or is just settling in to his new home. And every bird has their "off" days where they lace into you with no apparent reason or warning. Don't take it too personal, I'm sure HE had a very good reason in his little brain, even if you can't figure out what it was (your shirt was the wrong color, it was sunny outside, the weather on venus was bad who knows??? lol). I would open the door and let him come out if he wants today. At his age and given the time of year, it is entirely possible it's the dreaded hormones too They can bring the devil out of the sweetest of birds and make them act bat crazy:52::30: Just be sure to keep your eyes on his eyes for pinning and his overall body language. Amazons usually aren't "sneaky" biters, and typically they will let you know if they're in a pissy mood through body language and their pupils. If you see him displaying clear signs of aggression, either leave him alone until he calms down, or if you *must* handle him, use a glove, stick or towel him (as a last resort).

 

[Pinkbirdy]

Ive had this experience with both the zons I got [I know what your talking about.} My Blue frnt ,I got off craigslist .Was busy and interested in everthing . Then It stopped ,its almost as if you could see him missing his previous owners . Now I just got a DBYH and she was so excited . Then started acting the same way. They both got over it and seem happy now . I guess these guys are just so intelligent and you hear how strong they bond with their people. Its almost like their thinking [hey this is cool] then realize this is their new home .

 

[Taw5106]

Thanks Pinkbirdy. He finally came out this morning, on his own, got on my shoulder and we chatted it up. I was working on my PC and he will watch the screen change and the pointer mouse. My husband is off today, I took Buddy into the bedroom to get Buddy and my husband to interact. Buddy will chatter but DO NOT TOUCH! He gets aggressive with my husband if he tries to touch him. Buddy has learned "head rub", will lean forward and did let my husband rub his head.

My sister came and he was even more aggressive with her, he was in his cage. I told my husband this evening that I was lucky that Buddy bonded with me like he did. The day we got him, 4 weeks ago after his owners had passed, day one I had him on my hand, rubbing his head, talking, talking, talking. I hope to get Buddy to be social but that will be a slow under taking. My husband says I'm nuts for interacting so close with Buddy, but the relationship is definitely different. I absolutely love Buddy and hate seeing him sad.

 

[henpecked]

Some folks call it the "honey moon" period. They seem to be happy /go lucky and then revert back to how they where ( for most of their life). Try changing his cage location or something else in his "routine". maybe a new 'challenge" will break him out of his funk. Get him a travel cage and start carrying him around.