Joining with a Senegal

[Kratze]

I am getting an elderly Senegal soon and have already found this board very helpful. I'm going to need some community help for my new/old girl, as she appears to be something of a troublemaker!
I've done years of research and video-watching on parrots, but haven't spent a ton of time physically interacting with them. I know a lot about how to feed them, and so on, but now I have to learn body language and how to act around them. That's going to be hard on me as I am used to living by myself.
Since she's elderly, the plan is to let her spend the rest of her life in a good environment with lots of out-of-cage time, toys and interaction. I'm also hoping to teach her some of the 3 Rs to help calm her busy mind down. She appears to be super smart. I won't meet her for another week at least, though, so we'll see!

 

[Rival_of_the_Rickeybird]

Thanks for taking this bird on.
For decades, my wife and I knew a friend with a Senegal. the most enjoyable little parrot I ever knew. I tried to switch it with the wife's parrot but got caught every time.
Good to have you here.

 

[wrench13]

You'll need to know, deep down inside you, really know, that parrots are unbelievably intelligent, keen observers of the most minute details and have just as much emotional range as most humans. THey are very adept at manipulating their environment (and the people around them) and they will cheat if allowed to.

 

[Kratze]

Thanks for taking this bird on.
For decades, my wife and I knew a friend with a Senegal. the most enjoyable little parrot I ever knew. I tried to switch it with the wife's parrot but got caught every time.
Good to have you here.

Thanks. I'm despondent today because I had to catch her last night to put her in her new cage (and get rid of the undersized travel cage she was given to me in. This morning I moved her new cage to where I want it to be and she didn't like that either. It shattered whatever little trust bond we had during the day. Now she's on the couch and I don't think she's had anything to drink, and she's running away from me when I get near. If I give her a treat, she throws it or refuses to take it (yesterday she was good about treats). She's not dancing with me and I certainly can't get close enough to try to pet her. Too much change at once, I think.
So she is very scared of me right now. I say she hates me but it's probably just fright and mistrust. I'm also worried about her not appearing to drink anything and her tiny, thick little poops. She's getting a few pieces of grape here and there but it can't be enough for hydration. She has a vet appointment in a week and I fear she won't make it that far. But I can't get her to drink even when I put water near her. I just tried putting a water bowl close to where she wants to hang out in her cage in the hopes it helps a little. That assumes I can get her back in the cage tonight. I might just let her sleep where ever she wants rather than chase her again.
I spent five years (on and off) researching parrots and learning about them. Then I get one and make every gosh-darn mistake in the book within the first two days. Very discouraging!

 

[Rival_of_the_Rickeybird]

Hey, K ------------------ Sorry you had a bad time. I know that when things are bad with the wife's parrot, she is downhearted in a way that's different from any of the usual daily hassles. I don't understand it but I respect it.
She has mentioned her muscular dystrophy, yet may murder me for revealing this but she no longer can handle/preen him and it has of course messed him up which messes her up. She just takes it day by day and loves him always.
Dearest, that's all you can do. Parrots are a whole different interface with nature.
Good good luck.