First time bird owner with aggressive rehomed bird

[SassyCiCi]

(sorry for the rambling) my dad just got a Quaker Parrot for the family, He/she is 1 to 2 years old. The original owners neglected him/her and its unknown how much handling hes actually had. Then my cousin had him for just a month and her kids used to occasionally beat on his cage. He has only been home for about 2 weeks but he is still VERY AGGRESSIVE, he screeches throughout the day, sometimes it seems like he wants attention and I'll sit with him and talk to him and starts screeching when I leave the room. He tries to bite anyone that walks by his cage, he acts like he doesnt seem to know how to play with toys. He lets my dad handle him and will step up on his hand.I know it might take some time I was wondering if any one has tips to this situation.

 

[weco]

From what you describe, your new feathered friend sounds like (s)he wants your company because (s)he screams when you leave the room.....when my birds used to scream when I left, I'd tell them I'd be back, even if I was just going to another part of the house, it takes some time, but they quit screaming, after they began to understand that I would come back.....

You can also talk to him from another room, so he knows you're still around.....being flock animals, it's natural for companion parrots to communicate with their flock & letting him/her know where you are when they cannot see you has a calming effect.....

Since your new friend probably doesn't have a lot of trust in humans right now, that may be why it tries to bite those walking by.....the fact that it lets your dad handle it shows it has not given up on humans, just keep doing what you have been and be patient, then when you think you may have won it over, you can try handling it, but I'd wait at least a couple of more weeks.....

 

[psychocircus91]

Agreed, since he is okay with your dad, he will probably come around. be persistent. start by trying to feed him treats from your hand. never pull away when he tries to bite or he will learn he can get what he wants by biting.

 

[SassyCiCi]

I've been feeding him treats out of my hand and I make sure I never flinch or pull away whatever he does.

 

[Featheredsamurai]

I would highly recommend touch training with a clicker

 

[sodakat]

I've been feeding him treats out of my hand and I make sure I never flinch or pull away whatever he does.

Well, you dont' want him to bite you and if he lunges at you when you are offering a treat, he might bite. Birds lunge with an open beak when they are giving the stay away warning. Often they raise the feathers on their shoulders at the same time. When they lunge it may look as though they are trying to take a piece of the offered treat but usually they don't lunge when they are calmly accepting a treat, so don't misinterpret the lunge for a quick grab of food.

I would offer him something that he can bite the end off, like a thin spear of apple which you can hold without him being near your hand. Or just drop a piece of some favorite food in his food dish whenever you pass by his cage. He will know it is from you. Birds are smart and observant.

It is just great that this bird landed in a safe place finally!!!

 

[MeganMango]

I agree with all the suggestions so far, I would also suggest that you get a play stand and put it beside his/her? cage. This will allow him to come out on his own and be social when he feels comfortable. This really helped our foster sennie Jake who comes from a similar situation. He really wants to be with us, but he is terrified of our hands. He steps up for me now, but not my partner. He will come out all on his own though, and when we go from one room to the next we just take the stand with us. Its taking a long time, but Jake is really coming around. If he is hard to step up to put back in his cage you can get a T stand to start with.

 

[SassyCiCi]

my dad made a t stand for him on his 2nd day with us, hes enjoying that, and I've been looking up and making homemade toys for him. We are starting to add on to the t stand making more perches on it.

Thanks everyone for the help!!!!!!!!!!!!