help needed for my new BFA

[manny32]

Hello everyone,

this is my first post on this website and i would really appreciate all the help and info that i can get.

i was looking to buy an amazon parrot for quite some time now. i was looking to purchase one from a breeder up until i saw a blue fronted amazon in a pet shop sitting in a cage that was big enough for a budgie without any toys in it to stimulate it. i was told by the pet shop owner that the parrot was 2 years old, and was very difficult to handle. he said that it bit, a lot. either way my girlfriend and i, since being animal lovers, decided to rescue this one from there rather than purchase a baby. after bringing it home, we gave her a nice big cage, different sized perches and some toys. we have had the parrot for only 5 days now, and there are a few things that are troubling me.

since its been in our home it shivers maybe once a day for a few seconds and then stops. also sneezes 2-3 times a day.

it was on a seeded diet when it was in the pet store, and we have changed its diet to fresh fruits and vegetables.

my other concern is that it wont let us touch it. we have already started playing a few games such as touch(putting our hand in the cage and having it touch out fingers and then taking its a treat out of our hands) and have even gotten to the point where its even taking it out of our mouth. it has a very light and calm touch. when i try to touch it....it freaks out. i woud love to hear from someone that is experienced what his/her thoughts would be on this.

thanx for reading and i look forward to getting some good replies.

 

[nofearengineer]

Patience. It sounds like you have already made great progress with your parrot. Give yourself some credit and give it more time.

 

[manny32]

thanx a lot for the encouraging words! i guess patience is the obviously something that i can not avoid. i have recently watched a youtube video showing someone saying that you should just put your hand in their cage and practically force it to step up and take it out. i have tried that and i believe that i may be making trust matters worst. i was lightly bit but nothing that was dramatic. didnt pull my hands away or showed any fear...so im hoping that is a plus for me, showing it that it wont get its way by using its beak

 

[greycloud]

Welcome! First, I highly recommend you take your bird in for an avian vet check. It could have a cold or illness. Most birds do not show symptoms until they are so sick they can't mask it any longer.
It is important to get him on a great diet. A high quality pellet diet, fresh fruits and veggies, Cooked brown rice, pasta, birdiebread are all beneficial. Some seed or human grade mixed nuts can be offered as a treat.
It is important to remember that your bird probably has a lot of baggage, so to speak. Who knows what has happened in his past. Before he even thinks of allowing you to touch him he needs to trust you. 5 days is extremely short to even begin to attempt to touch or have him step up. It is great that he is taking food from your hand. I do not recommend you let him take it from your mouth. You have bacteria and so does he. Some can be contagious.
I recommend that you sit quietly by his cage and talk, sing, read to him. Drop a treat in his bowl now and then. Give him treats with your fingers. If he takes it nicely, praise him well. If he allows you to touch his beak, praise and treat. With any step forward, really give him great praises. Ignore his unwanted behavior. Do not force him to do what he does not want to do. It will only take your progress backwards.
Remember, that most parrots, especially zons, do not enjoy petting. The scritching of the head will usually be accepted but body touching should be restricted as this is sexually stimulating to most birds.
Make sure he has lots of toys, foraging opportunities, foot toys to play with. He will help build confidence and keep him occupied.
If you need help finding an avian vet in you area let us know where you live. Hope this helps.

 

[manny32]

greycloud thanx a lot for your info. i have wanted to take him to an avian vet for the past few days but i have a small problem. i live in cyprus (an island in the mediterranean sea) and believe it or not, there are no avain vets in our country. only regular vets. i have been told that many of these vets have no clue about birds, and may just issue a medicine that will put them in danger rather than help them.

 

[Bobby34231]

I agree 100% with the advice greycloud has given you, as well as nofearengineer, time and patience will be the key to a successful relationship with your fid (fid=feathered kid), good luck and don't forget that the forum is here to help support you in your journey

 

[nofearengineer]

Manny, I don't want to come down on you, as you at least care enough about the bird to ask questions.

However, I have to ask you: If you had kids (do you?), would you live somewhere where there were no doctors who could take care of them when they get sick?

I assume the answer to that is "no." Owning a parrot is not a good choice if you can't provide medical care where you live. I suggest you re-double your efforts to find a qualified avian vet. Surely there must be at least one in the whole country. You have the advantage of Cyprus not being large...traveling to the vet would be easier.

This poor birdie's fate may already be sealed, due to the apparent status of parrots as "home decoration" in Cyprus. Sad.

 

[antoinette]

Welcome, glad you have already been given great advise from the above members. High five guys !!!!!
Not much left for me to say
Okay on a serious note, it takes a while for a bird to gain your trust. Some quicker than others. Keep talking to the bird 24/7, the more he becomes familiar with your voice, the quicker the bonding process.
Enjoy the forum

 

[Bobby34231]

You might try this vet, I'm not sure if he deals with birds or not, he does operate an emergency exotic veterinary clinic, so chances are if he doesn't do birds he would know of any vets that do

Dr Harris Petevinos Exotic Vet Clinic Nicosia

 

[SharonC]

Manny, I don't want to come down on you, as you at least care enough about the bird to ask questions.

However, I have to ask you: If you had kids (do you?), would you live somewhere where there were no doctors who could take care of them when they get sick?

I assume the answer to that is "no." Owning a parrot is not a good choice if you can't provide medical care where you live. I suggest you re-double your efforts to find a qualified avian vet. Surely there must be at least one in the whole country. You have the advantage of Cyprus not being large...traveling to the vet would be easier.

This poor birdie's fate may already be sealed, due to the apparent status of parrots as "home decoration" in Cyprus. Sad.

That's a bit harsh, and not very helpful.

I have five birds, no Avain vet in my province, and looking harder will not magically find one. I don't think I'm irresponsible because I choose to own birds....

Manny, you do need to slow down with him. He's scared and insecure at the moment. It's hard to be patient, but necessary. I've had Fred for four months now, and he's just beginning to trust me now. Go slow...he'll come around and rushing him will only make him slower to trust you.The shivering is normal unless it's prolonged. Fred's (Yellow Naped Amazon)chest feathers quiver when he's relaxing. Birds can sneeze just as we do...and it doesn't always indicate illness.
Good for you for changing him to a healthy diet.

 

[nofearengineer]

Sharon,

I didn't mean to imply that you (or Manny) regard parrots as home decorations. I just find it sad that in a whole country, there are no avian vets, yet always plenty of dealers. I just have to figure there are not enough people who are interested in that service to create a demand for one. So the good owners who do want one have no options. It's a societal thing, rather than an individual thing.

But the die is cast, and the bird paid for, and it won't make a difference to this one bird...just the future birds this dealer buys to sell because he sold this one.

I was trying to be helpful, in suggesting he not give up on finding a good vet.

 

[CrypticDelirium]

Welcome, it's so great that you choose to take the poor baby out of there!
I agree to try to find an avian vet, there really must be one somewhere, even if you have to travel it's worth ANY distance. I don't have a clue how it is there though, so if there absolutely is not any way to see a vet there are some basic things that MAY help. The conditions in a pet store may have given the poor baby an upper respiratory infection, which really needs vet intervention, without antibiotics it can be fatal. Make sure it's not chilly or drafty where she is, it could also be as simple as dust or something irritating her, you could try an air purifier and let her spend maybe two or three minutes in the bathroom a day after you take a hot shower, the steam could help clear her up. These can't work like antibiotics would, but it can't hurt either.

You're right, forcing trust is impossible. You'll just have to keep taking it slow and when she's ready, she'll let you know. It's good you did not flinch away though, if you show reaction when a bird bites they'll think that by biting they can make what they want to go away disappear. It sounds like you're doing great with this so far!
If you can find harrisons pellets, please use them! They're organic and absolutely THE best you can buy for her, especially having been eating only seed.
I hope everything works out okay, and please keep us updated! = )

 

[SharonC]

Sharon,

I didn't mean to imply that you (or Manny) regard parrots as home decorations. I just find it sad that in a whole country, there are no avian vets, yet always plenty of dealers. I just have to figure there are not enough people who are interested in that service to create a demand for one. So the good owners who do want one have no options. It's a societal thing, rather than an individual thing.

But the die is cast, and the bird paid for, and it won't make a difference to this one bird...just the future birds this dealer buys to sell because he sold this one.

I was trying to be helpful, in suggesting he not give up on finding a good vet.

No worries!

The problem here, as I see it, is that when there is no Avain vet, we need to make other suggestions. I'm probably "oversensitive" on the subject, as I was critized on another forum for not being able to access an Avain vet. I was told to FIND ONE...I would have to fly myself and the bird out, and a sick bird would probably not fare well with that. So far, I haven't had a sick bird.

The Republic of Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, so I suspect that Manny has the same challenges. It's a beautiful place to live, as is Newfoundland, but there are disadvantages...

 

[manny32]

thank you very much guys for showing interest in my new addition to the family.

sharon i really appreciate the helpful words that came from your post, due to the fact that you are also an amazon owner.

bobby thanx for the extra research and even going to the extent of looking (i guess online) to find a vet for me here in cyprus. i have mentioned this vet to the pet store owner being that he is in my town, and he specifically told me to stay clear from him since he has killed many of his birds in the past. i was told that he doesnt have an avian vets licence or degree, hes just a regualr vet. i dont know if i should believe it or not.

as far as not owning a parrot due to the fact that there are no avian vets around, i also find that to be rediculous and logical in a way. i have been wanting a parrot for quite some time now and did not purchase just for a showcase. we love animals and always look to give them great homes. we have a dog, 3 cats and now LOLA our blue fronted amazon.

thanx guys and gals for your concerns and relies

 

[manny32]

oh and one more thing that may be useful to those trying to help me out and give me info on this, she is molting, changing her feather. would this make a difference in the way that she would act??

 

[Bobby34231]

Sorry the vet recomendation didn't work out.........and yes molting can and will change a birds demeanor, it can make them very irritable, molting can last a few weeks to a couple of months, feeding a good diet, allowing for plenty of sleep and a good misting shower every day if possible will help ease his discomfort at this time, limit the physical interaction during the molt

 

[SharonC]

Manny, the fact that Lola will take food from your hand gently, after only 5 days is a really good sign. I agree that you should not let her take food from your mouth. Human saliva is risky for birds. It is also risky for you, considering a bite to the face may be nasty.

Touching Lola is not important at this time. Fred has to be in the mood to be touched. He often asks for head scratches, and beak rubs ( after four months) but I don't touch him anywhere else. He did allow me to kiss the top of his head this week, but I expect he would object to touches in any area except the head. Lola will let you know when she's ready for that. She's been in a pet store, and may have had unpleasant experiences before that. Your job now is to be her "safe place" ....Do that, and she'll be a lovely companion, after time has passed.

I also recommend that you be very diligent with diet, and keeping cage, food, and water clean. With no Avain vet, even a simple infection is problematic.

Keep us posted on Lola's progess...and ask all the questions you may have...people here are very helpful!

 

[bogo1]

Agree with all advice on giving Lola time...especially as she is molting. Try to use this space while you are new to each other to learn to trust each other. Sharing space, even with Lola in her cage, is a positive training move. Read by her, sing to her, talk around her and let her learn that your presence, words, movements, laughter...even something falling clunk on the floor, mean her no harm. She sounds like she will come around once molting is past that first itchy irritating stage. You might try communicating with someone on the mainland via email and see if you can establish a remote relationship with an avian vet. Even if he can't see the bird personally, he might be able to help you with advice and even set you up with a bird emergency kit...supplies you can use to deal with common problems or even potentially serious stuff after consulting with him and being his eyes. This sort of approach has worked for others in remote places...avian vet wise.

 

[wildheart]

Welcome to the forum Manny and I cant wait to see some photos of Lola!

 

[Ratzy]

Sharon,

I didn't mean to imply that you (or Manny) regard parrots as home decorations. I just find it sad that in a whole country, there are no avian vets, yet always plenty of dealers. I just have to figure there are not enough people who are interested in that service to create a demand for one. So the good owners who do want one have no options. It's a societal thing, rather than an individual thing.

But the die is cast, and the bird paid for, and it won't make a difference to this one bird...just the future birds this dealer buys to sell because he sold this one.

I was trying to be helpful, in suggesting he not give up on finding a good vet.

No worries!

The problem here, as I see it, is that when there is no Avain vet, we need to make other suggestions. I'm probably "oversensitive" on the subject, as I was critized on another forum for not being able to access an Avain vet. I was told to FIND ONE...I would have to fly myself and the bird out, and a sick bird would probably not fare well with that. So far, I haven't had a sick bird.

I'm in a worse situation. I'm twelve and have about $200 to my name. No avian vet in my town. Parents that won't drive me or pay. I've had sick birds from not quarantining. They died. The normal vets here are no good, can't tell a budgie from a cockatiel, male from female. My parents have only taken me to a vet once, when the ring on Boofer ( RIP ) was cutting off her circulation. They put her to sleep ( not dead ) and cut the ring off, in the process they managed to cut her leg as well. They brought her out in the same room as a cat. She died. Anyway, enough of me rambling on about my life.
I'd slow it down with the diet. Being on an all-seed diet then suddenly switching to fruit and veggies is going to cause stress and force a moult, not good. Changing his diet is great though, well done!