Help! Techniques for forming a relationship with shy, tramatized Amazon

[bethanyD85]

Hi! I am very new to this forum. I promise to interact outside this question, but I am in need of immediate assistance. I am going to become the owner of a beautiful girl Amazon. She is sweet, but very, very shy. She was born with her feet backward, and has had to be put to sleep and have her feet broken and moved multiple times for her to be able to use them. This was years ago. Her feet are functional, though she is still clumsy and undersized in general. Her previous owner (the deceased wife of the man I am getting her from) seemed to have a good bond with her. But the man himself has multiple birds, especially a Sulpher Cockatoo which demands all his attention, and Dianthe has become very shy, wary, and anxious. It will be a couple of months before I can take her (on June 1st, to be accurate) and I am visiting on a bi-weekly basis to try and form some kind of bond with her before moving her entire world. She has no interest in "stepping up", and fluffs up and flashes her eyes if you get too close. However, she does stay interested. She doesn't try to leave the room or fly away from me. She has not bitten me, but has bitten the man who she currently lives with. She lives in a small room with an African Grey, the Cockatoo, and another bird (the name of which I don't recall currently). My question is, what are some techniques to begin a friendship between us. She doesn't seem to dislike me, only be very frightened. She used to be a talker, but hasn't talked since her owner died. She will play peek-a-boo, apparently, though I haven't had a chance to see her do it. I know that this will take time, years in fact, and I am more then willing to invest in that. But I would love some resources to best help the two of us. Advice, books, links, people in KY that might be interested in helping us, anything at all. Thank you so much for any help!

 

[critterman]

The important thing to remember is to take it slow. When you visit just talk softly to her and maybe sit in a chair next to her cage. Maybe open the door while you do this and try to give her a few treats to eat or at least put on the floor of her cage. Don't move too suddenly just take it slow and talk lovingly to her let her do things at her own pace and time. To bad you cant do this daily as it would help the bonding between both of you. Is there a reason why you cant take her before June 1st? Just wondering. Maybe if she sees you interact with some of the other birds in the room she will learn to trust you also. I am sure that others will come along with some good advice. But again the important thing to remember is be patient, take it slow, and let the bird learn to trust and bond with you. Let it do things at its own pace. Good luck. Keep us posted and please do visit us here often we would love to get to know you and your new baby.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Hi there Bethany, and welcome to the forum.

Critterman has given you some outstanding advice already.

If you could manage to visit your soon-to-be Amazon more frequently, it would probably help. Amazons are generally quite adaptable, and don't stress too easily. Will she be coming home with you with the same cage she is in now?

Amazons LOVE their food, so try winning her over with some of her favorite treats. I have yet to meet an Amazon who doesn't go bonkers over a chicken bone. So, if you are having hot wings, why not save a couple of bones for the Amazons for your next visit?

What type of Amazon are we talking about?

 

[BirdyMomma]

Hi. As the Critter Gentleman stated, time and patience are the way to go in winning the heart of this baby.
May I also suggest clicker training? I use clicker training and positive reinforcement with all of our birds, and it is an amazing tool for developing a great relationship with your bird. It's almost as if the process provides a language that both you and the bird can understand.
Good luck with her!

 

[henpecked]

Welcome to the forum. Thanks for joining to learn more about your new to be friend.Some zons are what i call "fearful". That's just their natural personality. It can be overcome somewhat but they;ll always be a little more fearful than other personalities.Often, the fastest way to win them over is with food. Share your food and offer many fresh choices,often. If you find a special treat, only use it for "special" occasions and make a big deal of it. Be outgoing, confident,a leader. Many zons enjoy things like singing, laughing,dancing,etc. Find what they enjoy doing and "share" it with them. They all need to be part of a "flock" ,the 'fearful" birds can be good companion, but might take more time and patience. The other members have given you great advice and i agree. Hope to see you around on the forum. Please post us some pics, wondering what species, we love pics and vids. here's another new thread you might check out, http://www.parrotforums.com/amazons/42521-activities-do-kiwi.html

 

[bethanyD85]

Thanks guys! I am appreciating this information. Keep it coming . Dianthe is a Yellow Nape Amazon. In answer to the question, I can't have her come live with me until June because I am moving between then and now. I feel like having her change owners, environment, care level, moving from a multi-bird environment to one where she will be and only bird for the foreseeable future, the works now, and then having another major change in just a few months is probably not in her best interest. If anyone feels I am in error about this, I would be happy to reconsider. I would love to have her now, I am simply trying to consider what is better for her. Her current situation is not ideal, but it's not what I consider abusive. I can only visit her a couple times a week because that is what her current owner has asked. He wants to be present in the house and, since he himself is in the process of moving, he is not home all the time when I am available, and vise versa. I have heard of clicker training, but have never learned the techniques. I would be happy to look into that. I love the advice about food. I intend to bring treats the very next time I visit. I also am grateful to learn that some amazons can be fearful naturally. Of course, with Dianthe it is hard to say whether her disposition is "natural", or resultant of all the corrective surgery, or the death of her previous owner, or the less-then one-on-one care she has been getting for several years. I have full intention to be patient. She is a precious creature, and my goal is to improve her life and happiness. As far as wooing her while visiting, I have a question or two. Do you think it best if I keep her in the same room she has been in (to wit, with the other birds), or should I take her to another room where we can be alone. Would this be helpful, or would seeing me interact with the more socialized birds in the house help somewhat. Her current owner has never had much of an emotional bond with her, and despite my questions, can't seem to offer much in the way of information on her personal likes and dislikes, other then fairly generally. Thanks again! So looking forward to sharing our journey with you all!

 

[henpecked]

I would leave her in the same location as much as possible. Don't change too many things at one time. Leave her in her old cage for awhile. Don't add a lot of new toys,Etc.

 

[Kiwibird]

I think it's great your taking in an older bird in need. Amazons are great birds, they generally have a pretty easy going temperament in regard to change and aren't typically quite as problematic as other birds. They are very intelligent though, and if they've been traumatized in the past, they won't trust you until you give them a reason to. So long as you have patience and love, you will form a good bond with her and it may take a few years to really be close with her.

While it may be hard not to have her home right this second, taking a couple times a week to visit giver her a chance to become familiar and comfortable with you (which will make it a lot easier when you do finally take her home). One thing to keep in mind is amazons are not generally "touchy feely" cuddle birds. Of course there are exceptions, but for the most part they prefer a different type of interaction and expression of love from you (such as playing, being talked to and just hanging out near you). That may be why her current owner does not "feel a bond" with her, especially if he has the kinds of birds who want nothing more than to be petted and snuggled and touched. Amazons seem to enjoy "flirting from across the room" and many will start dancing if you put on music and dance. They like if you "play" with a toy and the "share" with them. As mentioned, they LOVE food and once comfortable in a home, many bird owners bring their birds to the table to share meals with them. They can also be stubborn and do occasionally bite, so if she's not comfortable stepping up, do expect a fear bite or two during the socialization process. It does not mean she hates you, she is just testing her boundaries and seeing what she can get away with. The best reaction if she does is to ignore it as best possible (no screaming or reprimanding her and try to calmly leave the room while she calms down). That will teach her biting is not a good form of communication where making a big deal will teach her to do it more in the future because it gets the reaction she wants. But really, don't fear bites, they are a small part of an overall wonderful process to gain her love and trust. And if the man has other, friendlier birds, it would be an excellent thing over the next few weeks to have her see you interact with those birds and how much fun you're having with them. It will make her intrigued and wanting to get in on the action. Since you do have a rather large timeframe, starting maybe a month before bringing her home, try to have some 1 on 1 time with her. BY then, she should recognize you and know you're not a threat, so that would be a good way to start bonding and have an easier transition for her. Best of luck and keep us posted! (and pictures if you have them, we love seeing birds around here )

 

[bethanyD85]

Thank you! I appreciate the insight so much. I am glad to know that original plan (keep her in the home until June) makes sense to you as well. . I will also bear in mind allowing her to get used to me before having one on one time. The other birds in her current home are, for the most part, better adjusted then she is by a long shot. The African Grey is also a little rusty as far as social skills go, but still better off, and the Cockatoo and the Vasa (I believe that's the correct species) are well-socialized and generally pleased with my existence ( though the Cockatoo wold be happier if all attention ever was paid solely to him). Can anyone direct me to a good book on working with older birds in need of rehabilitation? I would love to have access to such a thing, if there is one

 

[Kiwibird]

The whole website in this link is dedicated to books on parrots, but the specific book here looks like it would be a useful tool on helping a older bird:
The Second-hand Parrot by Mattie Sue Athan & Dianalee Deter
You can also see if there are any avian rescues in your area. Most offer classes on parrot care, and specifically on working with rehomes. I am sure if you explain your situation, they would be happy to allow you to enroll in a class even if you aren't adopting one of their birds.

Edit: When we adopted our BFA, one of the best resources we had was his vet. The vet was able to answer very specific behavioral questions and we trusted his instructions a lot more than just a book. We made appointments so we could sit down and consult face to face with the vet about Kiwi's behavioral issues, how we were addressing those issues and what his progress was. We did that 2 or 3 times over the first 6 or so months we had him and found it helpful and reassuring. However, our boy came with a screaming and biting problem, little was known about his background/history and it seemed he hadn't really ever been handled by anyone or bonded to anyone before and didn't respond at all to the common methods of socialization. He did end up bonding to my husband instead of me, but he's ok with me and is typically a VERY well behaved, happy, healthy, smart little guy (we've had him 6 years now). I would try to call around and see if any of the AVs or exotics vets in the area offer behavioral consultations just so you are prepared with a strategy in case she does have some more significant issues that need working on

 

[Gizmomania]

If her owner is moving, and you are also moving soon, then why not take her now? She's going to be going through 2 moves as it is.

 

[bethanyD85]

If her owner is moving, and you are also moving soon, then why not take her now? She's going to be going through 2 moves as it is.

I would agree with that, except that my point in not taking her now is to keep her moves down to one. You see, neither her current owner nor I will be moving til late May/early June. If I take her now, she will need to move twice. If I wait, she'll only make the move from her current owner in her old home to me in our new home. http://www.parrotforums.com/images/parrots/green.gif. Sorry for the confusion!

 

[bethanyD85]

The whole website in this link is dedicated to books on parrots, but the specific book here looks like it would be a useful tool on helping a older bird:
The Second-hand Parrot by Mattie Sue Athan & Dianalee Deter
You can also see if there are any avian rescues in your area. Most offer classes on parrot care, and specifically on working with rehomes. I am sure if you explain your situation, they would be happy to allow you to enroll in a class even if you aren't adopting one of their birds.

Edit: When we adopted our BFA, one of the best resources we had was his vet. The vet was able to answer very specific behavioral questions and we trusted his instructions a lot more than just a book. We made appointments so we could sit down and consult face to face with the vet about Kiwi's behavioral issues, how we were addressing those issues and what his progress was. We did that 2 or 3 times over the first 6 or so months we had him and found it helpful and reassuring. However, our boy came with a screaming and biting problem, little was known about his background/history and it seemed he hadn't really ever been handled by anyone or bonded to anyone before and didn't respond at all to the common methods of socialization. He did end up bonding to my husband instead of me, but he's ok with me and is typically a VERY well behaved, happy, healthy, smart little guy (we've had him 6 years now). I would try to call around and see if any of the AVs or exotics vets in the area offer behavioral consultations just so you are prepared with a strategy in case she does have some more significant issues that need working on

I will definitely check out that book!

 

[bethanyD85]

I need to make a correction: the bird I am getting is a blue-fronted Amazon, not a Yellow Nape. I don't know how much of a difference that makes, but there you go

 

[Kiwibird]

The only difference is the color and that some subspecies of the blue front are smaller than yellow napes (but most are roughly the same size).

Now, I do feel obligated to tell you that there are quite a few handsome blue front males lurking about on this forum, so I strongly suggest you lock up your girl, lest you want little blue front babies

 

[bethanyD85]

Oooh, la la Trouble is with Dianthe having a physical deformity and being undersized, I have a feeling that might not work out. Breeding her might be out, but I think she's stunning. besides, what girl couldn't use a boyfriend from time to time? Her current owner is now trying to send the Vasa home with me as well. I would welcome him, but I am not sure if I can handle both or not, especially with Dianthe's special needs.