Caique named Buckbeak

[dangernoodle]

I adopted a WBC around thanksgiving with a broken beak. A little background- someone dropped it off saying it's beak had been bitten off as a baby, it is now 3-5 years old. The owner had a ton of birds, had a heart attack, and had to get rid of them all. The store didn't know much more and I heard several different answers on age an sex and timeframes. We got a full work up from our exotic vet, put "her" on a high vitamin food, bean mix, Harrison's, fruits, veggies, etc. Blood panels look much better now. My problem:"she" doesn't seem to want to play, or wrestle, or be anywhere but the highest point in the room. I know "she" is still just starting to get energy back from her poor diet and I've been using desensitization and positive training methods to get her used to toys (touch the toy, get a treat) but she is still afraid of most things. Heaven forbid my phone comes out... she flies to the top of her cage. How do I get her to "bird". I have a cockatiel she seems to be learning from and I've gotten her to play with some toys finally and not flee at the sight of my phone. I just can't get her to jump, wrestle, explore, head bang, dance, do the hokey pokey, or look at a pen... HELP!!

"she" is currently taking the ponytail out of my hair... repeatedly...I love her...

 

[Anansi]

Hello, and welcome to the Parrot Forums family! Let me say, first off, that I think it's great that you've taken in a special needs bird. That poor caique has been through quite a bit in her young life and deserves every bit of love you can give her.

As for getting her to play and relax more, much of it really just comes down to time. Think of it. From your description, she's had her beak permanently maimed, was rehomed from her former person, and is just now being transitioned over from a diet poor enough to have negatively affected her energy level. She's probably just a bit wary right now.

At the same time, however, she's already comfortable enough around you to play with your hair. That's a big win.



My advice? Continue to develop the trust building between the two of you. (As well as any other members of your household. Socialization is also very important.) Bribe her with her favorite treats. Start interactive activities with her to encourage her out of her shell. Like training sessions Baby steps. Don't measure her against the accomplishments of your cockatiel. She'll get there eventually. Just be as consistent as you can, to help build a framework of security and a sense of safety that she can come to rely on.

In the meantime, however,... we'd LOVE some pics!

 

[Flboy]

Ditto on the above! You really are quite awesome!


"she" is currently taking the ponytail out of my hair... repeatedly...I love her...

Yep, your life as you knew it is gone!

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

I totally agree with Anansi and David (Flboy) give the little girl time to adjust,shes' been through heck in her young life..and undoing your pony tail..repeatedly,is a huge step up as far as "she" feeling comfy with you.

Try to "play" with her..read to her when she is in her house or on your shoulder.
Quite awhile ago,I thought Steven (Sail boat) was full of hogwash when he said "read to your Amazon" it DOES work! You may not have a 'zon,but reading couldn't hurt..I've even noticed my little 'tiel listens when I read stuff to him


Jim

 

[itzjbean]

Hello and welcome to the forums!! Lots of great advice and resources here. By the way I love the name, Buckbeak!! I love Harry Potter!

 

[wrench13]

I am a big fan of having training sessions with your parrot. Regularly held, best is every night, not long 15-20 min, and teach him simple tricks at first. Turning circles is the easiest. And you are not training to put on a show, but to build that bond and a sense of cooperation and familiarity with your bird. Caiques love to do tricks too.

 

[dangernoodle]

I've never thought of reading... we whistle and sing alot, I will have to try that, ty. We have been clicker training spinning, which she now randomly does on her own, I'm afraid that my "playing" with her is totally wrong. I don't want to stress her out or make her afraid. I have a dog toy she attacks, I'm having a hard time telling if she hates it or loves it. She goes looking for it and only attacks when we hold it, ignores it otherwise. She doesn't seem to like being on her back, or play wrestling. Honestly, I'm afraid to try to much because I want her to feel safe and like me and I'm so afraid it might make her "submit" to me. What other tricks are Caique appropriate? I mostly see them playing with objects and jumping online. I don't want to overwhelm her, but I want to spoil her....The first few months she really only ate a ton and slept...now that she has more energy I'd like to take her to meet people and leash train her and do all of these things but I don't feel confident in my ability to read her to make sure it isn't too much for her. She's too well behaved. The worst she does is try to push something away with her face when she doesn't like it

 

[dangernoodle]

Baby took a bath