How to bond with a new amazon?

[joythejenday]

Here's a little backstory:
My boyfriend and I were looking into adopting an amazon and found someone rehoming a lilac crowned amazon for $700, all materials included and we immediately pounced on the opportunity. He was rehoming his amazon because his other male amazon was violent towards Orion (the amazon he rehomed) and he was under the impression that Orion was a female instead of a male. We had to drive about five hours to meet him and pick him up and now he is safely home.

He's beautiful, looks perfectly healthy, and he took food from our hands but he's very timid and only came out of the cage once. We wanted some tips for bonding with Orion, any advice is appreciated!

 

[wrench13]

So if Orion is already willing to take atreat from your hand, your ahead of the game. Good sign. I suggest you head to our Amazon subforum, and read ,several times, the Amazon body language stickie at the top of the page. Invaluable information, seriously. THe I Love Amazons stickie is also excellent info, and not just for amazons. Read both, even better, read them aloud to Orion in a quiet voice near his cage, it will acclimate himto the new family. You alreadyhave parrots, so you know, I hope, to take your time and go at Orions pace not yours. Lilac Crowned Amazons are not one of the Hot 3, but will have many of the same body language tells. Our little Yellow SHoulder does, but not all. His vet calls him Amazon lite.

 

[SailBoat]

Welcome to Parrot Forum and within it, the Amazon Forum.
And, of course, The Wonderful World of Amazons!!!

There are a couple of important Have to Know things about Amazons!
- Age of your Amazon?
- Sex of your Amazon? You state that he is a male, I'm guessing you had him DNA sex tested?

NOTE: It is my hope that you have obtained a Bill of Sale, which includes the contact information regarding the individual you purchased your Amazon from including its species and age. If your Amazon is age three or younger you must have a Hatch Certificate, which defines the contact information of the breeder, the species of the Amazon's parents and its sex.

Why all the documentation? Amazons are classified as 'Endangered' and require CITES document set if three years of age or younger. IMHO, I stronger recommend that if your Amazon is older, you have clear documents of purchase and as much information as possible. Each year, CITES requirements become ever more stringent and developing a documentation set early will be of great help later on.

An Avian Professional (Certified Avian Vet if possible) are important to the overall health of your Amazon long into the future. In addition, by adding the above information to your Amazon's Medical Records can save you huge amounts of time later if you elect to travel with your Amazon. ALL international travel requires a complete document set including your Amazon's current health statis. 'IF' the United States (assuming you live in the US) declares travel bands or limits travel, you 'MAYBE' required to have health document for your 'Pet.' At this point, it is too early to say that may happen, but if you are thinking along those lines while creating this document set on your new member, you will be ahead of the game.

Lilac Crowned Amazons are among the sweetest of Amazons. As my good friend above has stated. Reading to your Amazon is a great place to start a relationship!

- Remember: Only Good Things Happen When Humans Are Around!
- Read the Emotional State of Your Amazon! (Understanding Amazon Body Language)
- Change your Vantage Point!
It is Never the Fault of the Amazon!
It is Always the Fault of the Human!
By assuming this Vantage Point, you will more quickly understand what you are doing wrong and can correct it! Known that Your Amazon is telling you what you are doing wrong and you need to be aware of that those finer points are!
- Amazons quickly tie into our emotions!!!
- Contact calls, start early and never stop! As you move about the home, develop contact calls (words, sounds, song segments, etc...) that you can use to keep in communication with your Amazon. Be consistent with what each call states... I'm in the Bedroom, I'm coming your way. What are you doing? I'm home. Etc, etc, etc... Amazons are social creatures, much the same as we are! And like us, they want to know where everyone is at.

Again, Welcome to the Wonderful World of Amazons!

 

[Ira7]

Oh, I’m no expert. But I know this is correct:

Totally give him his space...approach his cage at a snail’s pace...sit down in a chair a foot or two away...and remain still in the chair.

And talk to him like you would a baby.

It ain’t gonna happen in a day, but it COULD. More like a few days, maybe more, but don’t ever rush it!