First Amazon: Bonding issues

[ForteBebe]

So I recently rescued a well behaved and young DYH Amazon. Not sure on exact age or gender. I call him male. He has been here a week so far and I'm getting really worried!
I will be moving out of my parents house at the end of the month. This is a sure thing. I think the bird will be fine, he has adjusted well, the only problem is that he LOVES my dad. He's the only male human and the bird obviously is very attracted to men, once he met my dad he was obsessed. He will actually fly to him, talk to him, and is starting to be okay with petting. When my dad goes out of the room he will call for him and my dad will give in and go to him.
When it comes to our relationship, he isn't as interested. I'll come up to him and talk, give him treats, etc. He will show off but not talk. Mostly look at me like I'm crazy. Won't step up at all. Only for my dad.
I'm very worried that once I move out he won't bond with me... It's kind of heartbreaking that I went out of my way to rescue this beauty and he wants nothing to do with me. I there any way to at least be his friend? I've never dealt with Amazons, not even seen one IRL before I was given this bird. I'm doing a lot of research but from what I know about birds I don't think he's going to change his mind about who he likes best. Any advice?
(I know it's been a week but please bare with my anxiety lol)

 

[Birdman666]

That's the amazon crush thing.

And he was probably bonded with a man at some other point in his life.

He has transferred that bond to your father.

 

[ForteBebe]

I get that... But is there any hope for our relationship?

He flew to me just now and bit my arm pretty hard...... Then promptly flew to my dad lol

 

[Birdman666]

That's displacement biting.

The trigger for the bite was the presence of the "favorite person."

Sometimes, when the favorite person isn't around, they're just fine.

You won't really know until he settles in to his new situation. (Or doesn't.)

Sometimes, it's a male/female thing. I like men, not women...

(Well... not "me"... THE BIRD... I like women just fine, thank you...)

 

[BlueFrontOwner]

Yeah your bird sounds like mine in that he choose me to bond with. What is weird is my bird will go after my father when I am around like you say your bird goes after you.

I would say that there is a possibility that when you remove your bird from the house and it is just with you that it may bond with you eventually. This will not happen with your father around.

If the bird doesn't bond with you after living with just you I would consider giving it up because why keep a bird who doesn't bond with you.

 

[Birdman666]

Have you read my amazon body language post yet?

 

[riddick07]

Personally, if your father wants the bird I would let him have it. Sounds like the amazon picked your father.

It's not weird if the bird bites you when your father is around...he wants your father. My amazon will bite other people when they try to interact with him but is perfectly fine with me because I'm the 'chosen one'. I thought he was going to jump right onto my face when I called him down from the ceiling once he was so excited I wanted him to come hang out with me. Luckily, my oh crap face and stop comment calmed him down and he climbed down instead of dived...

If he were to bite your father while he is holding him because you came over then that would be a displacement bite. He wants to bite you but your not close enough and he is telling your father that girl is coming so lets get away.

Given time and space from your father you could form some kind of bond with the bird. I doubt it would be the same bond that your father is forming right now but the bird could probably learn to tolerate you and interact with you. Even with your father around he could learn to tolerate you....just depends on how much pain your willing to take...

 

[ForteBebe]

My dad does not want the bird, he told me it wouldn't bother him if he never saw it again. We are different in that aspect. I would kill to get a bird that attached that quick! Oh well.
I did mention it to him that the bird loves him, why not keep it? However he says it's out of the question. His loss.

I'm going to just keep being the good guy and see what happens. If he ends up not liking me at all even once I move out I will try to find him a home with a male lol. He definitely won't be on the street but I want him to be as happy as possible. Right now I can't even get him to step up for me so we will see how it goes.

 

[Birdman666]

My dad does not want the bird, he told me it wouldn't bother him if he never saw it again. We are different in that aspect. I would kill to get a bird that attached that quick! Oh well.
I did mention it to him that the bird loves him, why not keep it? However he says it's out of the question. His loss.

I'm going to just keep being the good guy and see what happens. If he ends up not liking me at all even once I move out I will try to find him a home with a male lol. He definitely won't be on the street but I want him to be as happy as possible. Right now I can't even get him to step up for me so we will see how it goes.

Well, that's because the "favorite person" is there.

How does he react when your father isn't around? That's the time to try and work with him.

 

[riddick07]

My dad does not want the bird, he told me it wouldn't bother him if he never saw it again. We are different in that aspect. I would kill to get a bird that attached that quick! Oh well.
I did mention it to him that the bird loves him, why not keep it? However he says it's out of the question. His loss.

I'm going to just keep being the good guy and see what happens. If he ends up not liking me at all even once I move out I will try to find him a home with a male lol. He definitely won't be on the street but I want him to be as happy as possible. Right now I can't even get him to step up for me so we will see how it goes.

Agree his loss!

Once you move out you will have lots of time to win the bird over without interference! I still don't think it will be the crazy amazon crush bond (thats what I have with mine and its's wonderful but sometimes you still want to say 'Be Free' while tossing him outside after the 100th 'Mom' has been uttered) but you can definitely have a good relationship if the effort is put in.

I agree with Birdman if you want to start working with him now do it when your father isn't around or you are isolated in your room with the door closed.

 

[Birdman666]

My red lored was a project and a half, and was one of the worst biters we ever had down at the rescue. (Her former owner beat her, and she ended up with an extreme fear reaction that caused her to attack any and all humans approaching her...)

It took me two months intense training (like five hours per day) to rehab her with me, and two more months to out and about train her and rehab her with other people. I didn't make any progress until I got her out of the rescue and into a more controlled and calm environment.

This same bird now curls up into a ball and uses my cheek for a pillow.

Compared to that?! Yours just needs some one on one bonding time. I am confident you can eventually win her over if you work with her...

 

[IamJolyn]

I have had my BFA for about 5 months or so, and he was cage bound, and bit anyone who got close. He doesn't like men much, and seemed to perk up with girls around. I have worked with him, just talking to him and offering treats, and one day he let me preen him through the bar cages. Now he will play with me (on top of his cage) and I can coax him to my hand with treats. And he flirts with me he does the 'Zon purr and gets happy when I go over and talk to him. Both birds have recently started greeting me when I get home with lots of hello's Just give it time, it seems you are a devoted bird person. And your new baby is lucky to be rescued, and with time will show you back the love and devotion you give.