Bonding with a rehomed CAG

[LakeDesire]

Does anyone have any tips for bonding with an adult rehomed CAG? As I posted in another thread, I recently adopted JoJo, a ~15 year old male from a parrot rescue. He is a nice bird with no behavior problems. He knows how to step up, and doesn't bite. Any suggestions for developing an affectionate and trusting relationship?

 

[weco]

Any suggestions for developing an affectionate and trusting relationship?

Patience, interaction, patience & more interaction.....since JoJo doesn't appear to have any behavioral problems, developing your relationship will probably be easier than some, but given that he's 15yo, his previous relationship(s) were not developed in short order, so don't expect yours to be.....

 

[BillsBirds]

Try all kinds of things, but, go at his pace. Try giving healthy treats, and talking to him a lot. Since he steps up for you, obviously he's sociable and friendly. Scratch his head & neck. See if he knows any tricks, and what words he knows. Play with his toys with him. Many birds enjoy showers and baths. Since he's already so friendly, you should have no problems getting to be his new best friend. Thanks for giving this bird a new life. I hope you both become best friends!

 

[BirdBrains2233]

Hey, glad to hear you adopted instead of buying a baby. Just way to many older birds out there that need a home. Bill and Weco are both spot on. Be patient, and interact a ton at his pace. Also, you do not have to have direct interaction, you can just have him sitting on your hand /arm /lap as you watch tv or play on the pc. Even the smallest of activities can go a long way.

 

[LakeDesire]

Thank you everyone. There are over a thousand abandoned and rescued parrots between all the rescues in my area, so I couldn't in good consciousness buy a baby bird when there were so many in need of a home. My amazon is a rescue too and an amazing bird!

Joey enjoys sitting on my shoulder and watching me cook and do chores. He doesn't like to just sit at the computer or on the couch though... he starts begging! Doesn't like head scratches yet... he'll put his head down for one, then give a warning nip when you scratch... maybe he has a way he likes to have his head-scratches that I haven't figured out yet!

 

[Blancaej]

I think everyone has given you the best advice. I would have to agree with everyone. Patience and interaction is key. Letting them take the lead and letting you know how far they are willing to come. Baby steps helps them ease into the relationship! Would love to see a pic!

 

[gccc44]

I would take my Grey out of her cage most of the time when I was home. I had several perches, both large floor models and small table top models. When I was in my office I'd just put her on a perch and she'd be happy just preening and doing whatever.... as long as she was near me she'd be happy. Put your bird on a perch when you're watching TV or cooking or getting ready in the bathroom..... they will be much more social and friendly.

Sounds like you have a social bird already and it's just a matter of time before it starts bonding with you if you make an effort to have it near you most of the time when you're home. Take it around the house with you wherever you go. It will be fun for the bird and he'll look forward to being with you then.

 

[gccc44]

Thank you everyone. There are over a thousand abandoned and rescued parrots between all the rescues in my area, so I couldn't in good consciousness buy a baby bird when there were so many in need of a home. My amazon is a rescue too and an amazing bird!

Joey enjoys sitting on my shoulder and watching me cook and do chores. He doesn't like to just sit at the computer or on the couch though... he starts begging! Doesn't like head scratches yet... he'll put his head down for one, then give a warning nip when you scratch... maybe he has a way he likes to have his head-scratches that I haven't figured out yet!

Well, I'm not sure if this will work, since you said he nips at you when you try and scratch his head..... but..... the bird can't reach the feathers too well that are right behind it's head. They are constantly getting new feathers on their heads and my grey would love it when I carefully twisted those new hard shoots between my fingers and break them up for her. They also like having their feathers brushed softly against the grain. Meaning, instead of running your hand from the top of the bird's head down towards the tail, run your fingers from the back of it's neck up towards the top of it's head.

But new feathers coming in are hard and if you can help break that hard pointy part for the bird, it will sit there and just love you for it. At least, that's what my bird did. She loved having me twist those hard new feathers and break them up.

 

[LakeDesire]

Thanks everyone! He's started letting me scratch his head. He's still fussy/fidgety half the time I am in the room and I'm not sure why (flutters like he wants to be picked up and keeps fluttering when I hold him), but he's started climbing onto our laps and sits contently when we watch TV.

He is also mischievous. Look where he managed to get himself on Friday!

ETA: Joey has been talking more, too! The rescue says this means he feels at home. He does his sound effects when I'm in the room (beeping mostly), and as soon as I leave the room he starts ringing and answering the phone, making farting noises, and playing the answering machine. He knows a few complete phone conversations, and also says "hey Joe, come here," "it's alright Joe," "give me a kiss, Joe," and "dammit Joe!" Guess we have a swearing parrot! I just heard him say, "What's that, Joe?" for the first time today. He's been gradually showing off more of his vocabulary (when I am out of the room). I've heard him quietly practicing talking in my voice, too... I am still not used to hearing my voice come out of a parrot's mouth because my other birds have "parroty" voices!

 

[Featheredsamurai]

I talk to my African that I adopted on April 14, I make fun toys in front of him, enjoy his company, and do basic trick training with him.

The biggest thing I cannot stress is to not invade their space, if he is alright with stepping up it's fine, but don't keep him out for so long that it is no longer fun. And as said above paitence

 

[Lintini]

Hey! Congrats on the adoption!

I adopted my 24 y/o CAG last year, and Chloe wasn't let out of her cage or handled in over ~15 years. It was a slow process but I eventually won her over by constantly talking to her, buying her a huge cage and showering her in toys. Bells are the best!! I also have her in my bedroom since it's where I spend a lot of time when I get home. She started talking in my voice and learning new things really quickly ....and she won't stop with the farting!!! "Chloe how are you?" FFFFFPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPTTTTHH!! "Ew....that is gross Chloe." My fiance freaks out sometimes and he thinks I am home and talking but its just Chloe now hahaha!! It's just gonna take time, but it sounds like you are already off to a great start! I love your photo of him in the fridge hahahah!