Hello

[OninAmazon]

Hi everyone, just wanted say Hello. A few days ago I just adopted a lovely, hilarious blue front Amazon name Poquito. He's a chatterbox and talks quite a storm for being in a new environment. He's about 10 years old from what I was told. He's been feed seed previously so the first few days I allowed him to have is "old" food, but I've been introducing him to some fresh fruits and veggies. Hopefully it will straighten his feathers out a bit.

He's cage aggressive and a little shy when hands are around the cage. Which is understandable its a new environment he still needs to settle. I haven't done much else besides just talk with him and hang around his area so he gets used to me. Is there anything else I can do to make him feel comfortable with me? I'd like to build a relationship with him later on as he settles in. Are there some training tips you can recommend that doesn't involve clicker training?

Thanks!

 

[TessieB]

Congratulations! Blue Fronts are fun but can be fickle once they find out how to manipulate you. You want him to respect you and your requests and simple obedience training (stepping up on a stick/hand when you request it) will go along way.

Lots of other folks will stop by and give you more information. Glad you joined!

 

[OninAmazon]

Thanks Tessie for the advice and welcome. Yes I agree 100% on OB training a parrot. However is a lot different than a dog lol. I've seen the the step up or marker training using the stick quite a bit. I plan to start that when he becomes more acquainted here. Right now just research and chatting with him.

 

[Kiwibird]

Welcome to the forum and congrats on your new little buddy! We too adopted our BFA when he was 10 (and now he's 16 ) and they are great birds when you have patience and love for them.

It sounds like you are on the right track with Poquito. Just allow for him to get used to you and allow for him to set the pace for getting aquatinted and then training. You'll have a much easier time and a better relationship long term if you don't force-train (though it may take longer for him to become friendly). Often times adopted birds are a bit aggressive/fearful due to negative reactions in the past. I might suggest not only talking to him, but if he comes closer to you (while still in his cage) offer a treat or small toy through the bars. This could tie several weeks, depending on his fear level, for him to accept a treat from your fingers, or he may run right over. The *best* thing you can have is patience Took several years for our BFA to really warm up to us and be at the level of training we would like, but he was allowed the time he needed to learn to trust us and what his standards of behavior were while still retaining the wonderful independent attitude amazons have. Always remember, these animals live as long as we do, so you have all the time in the world to work with them.

Last, but not least- fresh produce is very important so just keep offering it! Offer it in different sizes and textures (little cubes, big chunks, shredded up, in thin slices ext...) because parrots can be picky about the form they will eat produce in. It also helps many birds learn the joys of fresh fruit if YOU sit right in front of them eating something and really play up how yummy and excellent it is until they become so interested, they too must try it They also enjoy and benefit from (small) amounts of scrambled egg, yorgurt, cheese, cooked pasta noodles, whole-grain bread and crackers. They should NOT be fed avocado, alcohol, anything with caffeine, things with a lot of salt, things with a lot of added sugar or things that have been highly processed (i.e. don't give them junk food). Best of luck, and hope you'll share some pics of Poquito

 

[OninAmazon]

Thanks Kiwibird,

I've heard bad things about Amazon's but for some reason I'm drawn to them meant to be I guess both rescues too. Before Poquito many years ago we rescued an Amazon that someone put outside because it was making too much noise. Her name was Suzy. I just spent time with her to gain her trust, but I had no idea of her age so we just let her be, no touching or holding. Although I was the only one that could scratch her beak without her biting me. She was the same way like Poquito very chatty and comical. Years after she passed I find myself once again with an Amazon, haha!

I agree patience is indeed a must. I'm in no hurry I just wanted to know if there was anything else I could do for him. I want to make sure he's comfortable. Which he seems to be dancing, talking, and birdie pull ups. I've been looking at some "recipes" for some ideas to ensure he's getting the nutrients he needs. Right now its just been strips but I think I will give him shredded veggies and see how he does today. He's only taken one thing from my hand so far which was great considering the how long I've had him.

Lol I've gotten few pictures of him, but lots of video. The stuff he says and the things he does is funny and entertaining. I will try to get some pictures of him to share


I do have another question though. I notice sometimes he'll grab his perch and start vibrating his wings? I'm not familiar with the body language what does it mean?

 

[henpecked]

Sounds like a female zon thing. Welcome to the forum. loads of good info in some of the older threads. you can use the search feature to find specific topics. Please post us some pixs/vids.

 

[Kiwibird]

I've heard bad things about Amazon's but for some reason I'm drawn to them meant to be I guess both rescues too.

They have an unfortunate reputation because they are misunderstood. Unlike other popular bird species who want to be glued to their owners and petted on 24/7, most amazons have a more independent personality. That isn't saying they aren't very loving and sweet birds, just not typically real touchy-feely. They also get wicked hormones during the spring, which they can't help and you can take measures to curb.

I do have another question though. I notice sometimes he'll grab his perch and start vibrating his wings? I'm not familiar with the body language what does it mean?

Sounds like he wants to fly and/or flap his wings. Thats a big part of how they exercise and many birds will do that when they're missing flight.

 

[sam4life]

I do have another question though. I notice sometimes he'll grab his perch and start vibrating his wings? I'm not familiar with the body language what does it mean?

Is he also sort of flattened down with his wings quivering? My parrot would do this when he was eagerly anticipating something--usually a tasty snack! But if he is more upright, yeah, maybe that means he wants to fly.

 

[OninAmazon]

They have an unfortunate reputation because they are misunderstood. Unlike other popular bird species who want to be glued to their owners and petted on 24/7, most amazons have a more independent personality. That isn't saying they aren't very loving and sweet birds, just not typically real touchy-feely. They also get wicked hormones during the spring, which they can't help and you can take measures to curb.

Interesting explanation. Lol, well that's perfectly fine for me, I enjoy their company either way. Is it Spring specifically that causes the behavior?

Sounds like he wants to fly and/or flap his wings. Thats a big part of how they exercise and many birds will do that when they're missing flight.

I was told that he has flown before, but the wings were clipped prior to me getting him.

 

[OninAmazon]

I do have another question though. I notice sometimes he'll grab his perch and start vibrating his wings? I'm not familiar with the body language what does it mean?

Is he also sort of flattened down with his wings quivering? My parrot would do this when he was eagerly anticipating something--usually a tasty snack! But if he is more upright, yeah, maybe that means he wants to fly.

YES! That's it. He did it when I drove him home in a carrier ( thought he was having a seizure.) Even while on his perch he'll do the same thing. Grab a hold of the cage or perch flatten himself and start vibrating his body and wings. Very strange.

 

[Kiwibird]

They have an unfortunate reputation because they are misunderstood. Unlike other popular bird species who want to be glued to their owners and petted on 24/7, most amazons have a more independent personality. That isn't saying they aren't very loving and sweet birds, just not typically real touchy-feely. They also get wicked hormones during the spring, which they can't help and you can take measures to curb.

Interesting explanation. Lol, well that's perfectly fine for me, I enjoy their company either way. Is it Spring specifically that causes the behavior?

The lengthening in daylight during spring triggers hormonal behavior as it tells the bird it's time to mate. A flood of hormones can trigger aggressiveness and/or undesirable sexual behavior. The worst of it lasts a few week. Some parrots get it worse than others, and some get such minimal hormonal behavior, you barely notice. There are A LOT of threads on this subject and how to cope with and redirect the negative behaviors in a more positive direction And yes, many people feel their parrot 'hates' them if it doesn't want them to pet it instead of appreciating them for everything else amazing they can and will do.

 

[sam4life]

YES! That's it. He did it when I drove him home in a carrier ( thought he was having a seizure.) Even while on his perch he'll do the same thing. Grab a hold of the cage or perch flatten himself and start vibrating his body and wings. Very strange.

While every parrot is different, I would interpret that as excited. Sometimes, with Sam (my parrot) it would be a kind of positive excitement, e.g., when he was anticipating a treat; other times it would be a kind of negative excitement, e.g., when I was leaving the house. You just have to look at the context to determine whether the arousal is positive or negative. Either way, I would probably avoid touching him in this state of aroused mood until you have a bit more experience reading him. If you think it is negative excitement, it would be appropriate to talk soothingly to him, I think. Good luck!