Bird does not want to interact with us

[Vien]

Hey guys, everything is going pretty well and my IRN is healthy. She’s pretty used to us, just doesn’t really like us.. she rather wants to be alone on top of her cage or walks around the room. She’s not active at all, she will step up if we tell her to but she clearly doesn’t like it. She’s semi tame just a bit aggressive when it comes to her cage and she HATES being touched. Like I said, she will step up but will go the minute she has the chance. I wonder why? I try to spend a lot of time with her and play with her but she just doesn’t wants to AT ALL.

 

[SailBoat]

Using the base of: Parrots have no good reason to trust us. Thus, we have to develop that trust every day. This can take days, weeks, months and yes, sometimes years.

How the Parrot comes to you and its age has much to do with where you start in this process and how far the relationship will develop. Unless your Parrot is very young, there has likely been stops between you and when hatched. Some of those stops are wonderful, some not so wonderful. Rarely do we know their history.

Where to start:
- Dump all expectations! Far too commonly, we believe that within a very limited time, our Parrot should be all those things that we see and hear about other Parrots. Its just not that way.
- Every minute of every day, we work at providing them a safe and healthy place where only good things happen.
- Trust is the foundation and Humans assume that because we are wonderful people, our Parrots should trust us. That is just not true, When one is high on the being eaten part of the food chain, being wary assures a longer life.
- Just slow down. Its that expectation thing.
- Allow your Parrot to be the center of your home. They are where the action is and are part of what is going on around them.
- All Parrots love being read too. A comfortable voice and it doesn't matter what your reading. Sit close by and just enjoy the time together.
- Change your Vantage Point! It is never the fault of the Parrot! It is always the fault of the Human!. By changing to this vantage point, you will more quickly see what you are doing wrong and correct it.

Lots more, but they follow this general concept!

We work with older and commonly very ill Parrots. Our first year is spent pushing medications into them and visiting their Avian Professional often. I assure you it is not the best way to start a relationship. But, we love them dearly and every day, we include the above methods of build a relationship. It is commonly in year three we see the relationship change and by year five we fully enjoy what level they 'can' share whether that is a mush Parrot or an on-high overlord that enjoys loving us with a bit of separation.

But the joy of having a wild creature that by 'their choice' will be near us is a truly wonderful thing. Especially when one understands; They have No Reason to Trust Us!

 

[Scott]

Excellent overview and advice above from Sailboat!

I'd add this thread, often found useful: http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49144-tips-bonding-building-trust.html