Edgar the BG is scared of everything.

[edgarsmommy]

So I've had Edgar a few months now and hes finally adjusting but I have one problem HE IS SCARED OF EVERYTHING.
When he's out of his cage he won't leave my arms, he won't go on the couch, on the bed, on the floor, on a chair, I even bought him a portable perch to see if he would get off my arms to go on it in any room...no luck again. He's scared of new perches or toys being put in his cage (which leaves his cage some what bare and makes me feel like he's going to get bored to easy) and he's scared of most people. He's even scared of bath time. the only things he isn't scared of is me and his cage. Does anyone have any idea how to get an extra nervous parrot used to things I'm having no luck.

 

[Merlee]

Sounds just like having a new puppy to me. You will have to take baby steps and place him on whatever surface you want him on and then pick him up quickly so he doesn't have seperation anxiety attacks. As he becomes more comfortable with his perch or wherever, make the time longer that he's off your arm so he becomes more independant and try to teach him to play with toys to distract him.

 

[psychocircus91]

Try your best to introduce him to new things every day. new toys, new perches, new areas of your house, new household items, new sounds, new people, etc. It will be stressful for the both of you at first, but it will help. Keep these introductions short to minimize stress.

I think it is also important to make sure he is being independent. When you say portable perch, do you mean a play stand type of thing? That is a very good way to encourage him to be out by himself. Start with it close to his cage, and gradually move it away to other rooms.

 

[edgarsmommy]

Sounds just like having a new puppy to me. You will have to take baby steps and place him on whatever surface you want him on and then pick him up quickly so he doesn't have seperation anxiety attacks. As he becomes more comfortable with his perch or wherever, make the time longer that he's off your arm so he becomes more independant and try to teach him to play with toys to distract him.

I've tried that but he clings to me like a baby who doesn't want put down

 

[edgarsmommy]

Try your best to introduce him to new things every day. new toys, new perches, new areas of your house, new household items, new sounds, new people, etc. It will be stressful for the both of you at first, but it will help. Keep these introductions short to minimize stress.

I think it is also important to make sure he is being independent. When you say portable perch, do you mean a play stand type of thing? That is a very good way to encourage him to be out by himself. Start with it close to his cage, and gradually move it away to other rooms.

I need to get him a playstand still I know I should have one by now but I got a little low on funds so I'm saving up to get one since most I see are over 200 dollars. its like the size of just a normal perch you would put in a cage but it has legs things on it so its raised up about two feet off whatever surface you put it on and has bowls on each end. I have it on a table right now right next to where i sit so if he went on it he would still be close to me and not as scared but he wont even leave my hand to go on it.

 

[Pinkbirdy]

Sounds like he feels safe with you. Hes not ready to do more [not confident yet] .It must be to soon [ hes a rehome right?] let him develop when hes ready . Focas on the wonderful time hes allowing you to do with him now . Good luck

 

[MonicaMc]

Good Bird Inc Parrot Training Talk: How to Address Fear in Parrots
Good Bird Inc Parrot Training Talk: Get Your Parrot to Play with Toys
Positive reinforcement | Learning Parrots

These links may be of help.

 

[Blancaej]

TIme and patience is what it's going to take to move him forward. He is obviously not ready for new things quite yet. Baby steps, baby steps, baby steps. Don't give up and give him a chance to ease into things. Good luck!

 

[edgarsmommy]

Sounds like he feels safe with you. Hes not ready to do more [not confident yet] .It must be to soon [ hes a rehome right?] let him develop when hes ready . Focas on the wonderful time hes allowing you to do with him now . Good luck

Technically he was from a pet shop but he lived there for his first 4 years and I can't prove it but I think he wasn't taken extremely good care of even my vet thinks so. So you're probably right. He still even gets grumpy and bitey with me and I'm the only person he'll go to so he most likely just needs time.

 

[JerseyWendy]

It sounds to me like Edgar has no self confidence. I was in a very similar scenario when I first brought my Ripley home. He, too, was raised in a pet shop.

It took me a LONG time to even sit on the couch with him. He felt more confident with me standing, rather than sitting down. He had never seen a TV either, or steps, etc.

I supplied him with a boatload of toys, including foraging toys, and worked short sessions with him daily, each time showing him something new. But I never made a big deal about it, as I know they can pick up on our anxiety levels SO easily.

I also never forced him to do anything he wasn't ready for, I let Ripley go at his pace.

Now, 3 months into our adventure together, he's come a LONG way and has gained TONS of confidence.

(he still laughs like a hyena though when he manages to pinch me....:54

 

[edgarsmommy]

It sounds to me like Edgar has no self confidence. I was in a very similar scenario when I first brought my Ripley home. He, too, was raised in a pet shop.

It took me a LONG time to even sit on the couch with him. He felt more confident with me standing, rather than sitting down. He had never seen a TV either, or steps, etc.

I supplied him with a boatload of toys, including foraging toys, and worked short sessions with him daily, each time showing him something new. But I never made a big deal about it, as I know they can pick up on our anxiety levels SO easily.

I also never forced him to do anything he wasn't ready for, I let Ripley go at his pace.

Now, 3 months into our adventure together, he's come a LONG way and has gained TONS of confidence.

(he still laughs like a hyena though when he manages to pinch me....:54

It's been a few months with Edgar but all hes really comfortable doing is sitting on me while I sit down and even that will freak him out and he'll get nippy. But he is getting slightly better, He stopped talking as much when he came home too I'm thinking he's just freaked out about new surrounding but I'm slowly getting him to talk again.