Broken Bond :(

[Susie_Len]

Thanks guys! We were doing really well and getting back to normal, but I had to work late last night and now we've taken a good few paces back

Also, when I try to let her out of her cage in the morning, she flies out by herself in a panic, up onto the safety of our cabinet, and leaves a lovely morning deposit... *sigh* My boyfriend and I have agreed for him to let her out in the mornings until she settles.

I know she'll do ANYTHING for yeovalley butter (yes, I know birds are dairy intolerant), but it's only the tiniest drop, and I've been coaxing her out with that in the evening. I'll keep trying this as I was getting results.

We were doing so well

Head up and back to the drawing board!!! xx

 

[Carl_Power]

Keep at it there will be the odd back step, don't let it discourage you because if you were making progress then you will continue to do so x

 

[LordTriggs]

odd back-steps always happen

I'd say wait until she does her morning ablutions before opening up the cage, help contain the mess in any way you can. Also being that she hasn't done the business yet will mostly mean she's just got up. She may take a minute in the morning to acclimate to the world which could be a part of her zooming off. Have you got one of the ose cages with a "clip closing" mechanism? kind of like this if you can make it out

the sudden noise might be a bit scary for her, if you do have that type of cage perhaps an upgrade may be in store soon to one with the more modern door locking system?

 

[Susie_Len]

odd back-steps always happen

I'd say wait until she does her morning ablutions before opening up the cage, help contain the mess in any way you can. Also being that she hasn't done the business yet will mostly mean she's just got up. She may take a minute in the morning to acclimate to the world which could be a part of her zooming off. Have you got one of the ose cages with a "clip closing" mechanism? kind of like this if you can make it out

the sudden noise might be a bit scary for her, if you do have that type of cage perhaps an upgrade may be in store soon to one with the more modern door locking system?

It's always been our routine to let her out in the morning and pop her on her perch (a little project of ours with a perch attached to a speaker stand in the center of a tray filled with sand) so she can mess there.

I wouldn't like to wait for her to mess in her cage, because she holds it until we let her out. She's always been happy with what we do and will allow my boyfriend to handle her, but not me (at the moment). I think my immediate presence spooked her this morning; hence her flying and messing elsewhere.

I have a cage very similar to this, which she has always lived in (it wouldn't let me attach a picture for some reason):

Birds ? Next Day Delivery Birds from WorldStores: Everything For The Home

We cover her up at night and she's normally calling us to be let out in the morning, but lately she's been quiet and scared of EVERYTHING.

I have been meaning to open the cover up and let her acclimatise, but I forgot to give her time this morning my fault, there.

Thanks for all the advice - I do value your help xx

 

[LordTriggs]

Oh yeah I have a similar cage, they're awesome

what I did with my cover which may help is at the bottom the side where the door is I folded up halfway. It let enough light in to see and acclimatize and pop down if wanted but for sleeping the top was dark. May be an idea, maybe try talking to her before the cover is off, like when you enter the room? Will avoid the sudden change which may be part of it. Just remember she became scared and is thinking she is suddenly gonna be chased and stuffed in the small cage again, is the travel cage in sight anywhere? It could be partly behind it, or she could think it may suddenly jump out of nowhere. you just need to let her know there's nothing to be scared of, patience patience and patience is the key.

oh just thinking randomly but you haven't suddenly changed your nails or hair colour or anything? I've seen stuff of birds becoming freaked out by even a minor hair cut. Something to look out for

 

[Susie_Len]

Hi LordTriggs - I practice everything you have mentioned there, so I'll keep on and persevere. I'm sure she'll come round when she's ready.

The travel cage is not in direct view, but she knows where it is. She wanted to explore the floor, so I let her down and she walked by it without issue. It seems to be me that she's associating the fear with, but I don't know how.

I haven't changed my appearance in any way, but I know there is certain clothing that she doesn't like - so I avoid wearing those around her!

x

 

[GaleriaGila]

The Rb is a fun mimic and an entertaining character, but
I have reduced biting to almost zero over the decades... not because I've changed the bird, but I have changed me. And a lot of that has involved giving up on a lot of my desires/expectations. After years of battle, I surrendered. I don't do stuff that gets me bitten. I don't scratch his head much, ever... tail is okay. I NEVER do stuff that makes him mad... I don't touch others when he's out; I rarely try to get him to step up onto my hand first. Hand-held perch first, then hand. In some ways, I swallow my disappointment at having such a little monster for a pet, but he is what he is. I ALWAYS wear my hair down when he's on my shoulder, so all he can bite is hair. Really, I don't involve hands much... he doesn't like them. He seems to think the real ME is my head, perched on a weird moveable tree with questionable appendages.
Since he's fully flighted, the ONLY way I get him into the cage is to toss a chile pepper in and he flaps in after it. So food reward is a necessity for me. Time-out doesn't exist in the Rb's kingdom.
But please... listen to and try all the good advice you'll get here. Don't surrender until you know you've done your best. Then just accept and love whatever/whoever your bird turns out to be.
My darling is kind of a worse-case scenario, but we have it all worked out between the two of us.
Good for you for reaching out!
Oh, and... every now and then, he breaks up with me. Gets mad for no apparent reason and won't come to me, won't call my name, won't even look at me. It can last days or weeks. Then he gets over it and takes me back. Little monster.
But he's a beautiful, wonderful half-wild, amazing parrot, alive and living in my home. Sometimes that just has to be miracle enough. He'll be with me as long as I am alive. I hope you can find a way to offer your little wild-thing the same.
Best of luck.
Stick with us, okay?