Giving Rocky time to adjust?

[Thekatsmeow]

We only brought Rocky home a few days ago and I hope I am doing things correctly. I had a zon who was not tame in the past so I just kept him happy in his environment and let him have his way. I talked to Rockys previous mommy extensively about her routine before we brought her home. I was thinking it would be better to gain her trust and let her get used to our house and its noises before I handled her. Does that sound like a good plan? I sit by her cage and talk low to her, sometimes singing or whistling, just trying to gain her trust. I was hoping she would show signs when she is ready to be handled like wanting a head scratch. I know I am going to get bit and am preparing myself to not show a reaction when she does. I was just thinking it wouldn't be a good start in gaining trust to just reach in and grab her and risk a bad bite out of fear. I don't think Rocky will be more bird than I can handle. I just want to do this the right way for less stress on her and less pain for me lol.

 

[paulhanlon]

I couldn't agree more letting her get use to the noises and surroundings in the house would be a great wat to start as you don't want her out of the cage and she hears a noise and takes off and hits a window giving her treats throw the cage bars is a good way to build trust between you and her aswell as the other things you are doing but i would be safe and let rocky get use to the sounds around the house first for her own safety.

 

[Thekatsmeow]

Thank you so much for the advice Paul. I want to give her time and because she is tame I really think she will give me signals for when she wants more from me. I was confused because I saw another post where someone just adopted a zon and they are already handling it. I don't want her to think she is cage bound for the rest of her life but as it is I have no control over her and don't want any accidents.

 

[paulhanlon]

Maybe you can get her clipped depending on her age just until she gets use to the noises at least then if she does get spooked she won't hit a window or closed door once she's use to the sounds and her flight feathers grow back leave her unclipped as she will be use to the noises and also will be aware of her surroundings aswell at least that way she won't have to stay in the cage.

 

[marley_n_me]

I would say not to clip his wings as a bird that already can fly may get upset unhappy if you take their flight away from them instead gain his trust first in the cage then start letting him out maybe henpecked can give some advice

 

[melissasparrots]

I don't think there is any problem with reaching in and asking her to step up. If you position your hand a couple inches away from her and she leans forward in a friendly way or lifts her foot, you might be able to progress to a step up. If she growls, lunges, leans backward or moves away, then the answer is No and thats okay too. Nothing wrong with asking, just don't push if the answer is no.

 

[henpecked]

Thanks for bring him home and coming here for help. Marley n me is a veteran , and has good advice. Why clip if you don't need to ? Cross that bridge when you get to it. Rehoming an older amazon can be a challenge. They are like the" little old lady" being put into the nursing home. ( i don't mean to offend any one, i'm getting old too,quickly). They've always had their way and used to their routine. If you can make them feel like part of the flock, you can reach them.The handling ,cuddling,loving,petting, what ever you call it, will be on her terms, when she's ready. Try to imagine yourself in her position. She's going though big changes and needs a friend. Don't be pushy but ask and when she says "no" respect that. Learn to "read" her body language. You should never get bit. Getting "bit" should be an accident, you screwed up, should have saw it coming. The birds come in all different personalities, some i work with for years and all the sudden, something clicks , and you've got a real companion.Many have lived alone in a cage or bonded to another person. It will take some time for them to trust you. Don't worry, that zon will have you trained in no time.LOL

Keep asking questions, loads of good members with good advice.

 

[Thekatsmeow]

I put my hands and arm in her cage to feed and clean. She mostly goes to the back of her cage or just hangs playfully from the side of her cage. When I am done and close her cage door she beats the crap out of her toys and grinds her beak on the rope part of her toy. She has only been here for 3 days now so things are still really new. She is also a young bird so I think much of what she does is bluffing. I got a call from a good friend of mine and she wants to come and see her tomorrow. After owning monkeys for years she has no fear of reaching in Rockys cage to see her reaction. Neither of us want to scare her, she just seems to think that she has to come out of her cage asap. She is not a fan of confining any of her pets so to her caging is outrageous,lol. I laugh, shrug and thank God for the variety of people in this world.

 

[henpecked]

I wouldn't reach into her cage to guage her reaction. I couldn't think of much worse than that to do. What's to be gained from that? I'd get to know her alot better before asking anything of her. What's the rush? Right now she is clinging to any small safe spot she has remaining in your very strange environment. Let her decide to do the things you want of her. You need to take the time to learn her, if you want to gain her trust.

 

[Thekatsmeow]

Henpecked, that was always my line of thinking. She seems to think that with caged pet birds, leaving them in their cage is inhumane. She also thinks that they need to learn soon after bringing them home that they need to be open to being moved and commanded. I am not from that line of thinking. I have seen her do wonders from horses to monkeys. If I ask her not to take Rocky out then she won't.