Ekkie trembling on hand?

[faysalitani]

Hi all,

Im hoping you could give me some insight into a behavior. My bird is a 5-month hold Ekkie, has been home with us a couple of weeks now. He's generally well-behaved though still a bit nervous, understandably.

I notice that when he's on my hand, particularly if I move, he starts trembling pretty bad. When I stop, he settles down. I'm guessing this is just nervousness. He tends to have a weak grip (age-related, or species-related?) in general and maybe he's afraid he'll fall? My question is: Am I doing anything wrong? I make it a point to move slowly and I've never dropped him. But I certainly want him to feel safe and secure. Any thoughts?

 

[clark_conure]

um...oh man I'm going to have to defer to some of the experts on here.....usually Its convincing newb humans it's ok to stand upright.... the bird is not going to fall off, this I have no experience in. I hope someone has great advice for you, I will be monitoring this thread for my own education.

 

[faysalitani]

I hear you. No I'm not afraid he's going to fall off. I just dont want him to be distressed, and associate my hand with fear

 

[LordTriggs]

it sounds like he's still scared of you and when you move suddenly the earth is moving around him which is a bit unsettling. some soft words and slower movements should help

 

[faysalitani]

Poor guy Okay, noted. Crazy little dinosaur.

 

[chris-md]

Ekkies are notorious for their weak grip. I swear when I’m holding Parker he’s standing on my hand, not perching. As example, many ekkie owners who have java trees need to wrap them in vet tape to prevent their bird from slipping off.

How old is your boy?

 

[tashawithanekkie]

Putting your thumb over his toes might give him a more stable feeling if you're going to move around while he's on your hand.

 

[clark_conure]

Actually tashawithanekkieis might be right when I first got my conure the pet store people called it the bird seat belt. I don't hardly ever do it but....might try it.

 

[faysalitani]

Ekkies are notorious for their weak grip. I swear when I’m holding Parker he’s standing on my hand, not perching. As example, many ekkie owners who have java trees need to wrap them in vet tape to prevent their bird from slipping off.

How old is your boy?

5 months You think his grip might improve a bit?

Yes, I am thinking of giving up on the Java tree for precisely this reason. He despises it and keeps slipping around on it.

 

[faysalitani]

Actually tashawithanekkieis might be right when I first got my conure the pet store people called it the bird seat belt. I don't hardly ever do it but....might try it.

Interesting. I didn't think of that. haha.

 

[Notdumasilook]

Firm believer in various size natural perches here.... and coarse texture does no harm. I use all pecan wood perches I cut myself, and leave the bark on. Gives them something to chew on. 20 years at least and no issues due to my perches.
lemme add that using these perches in order to keep the variable pressure points on the feet, I rotate them a quarter turn now and then.