Just adopted 5 yo greenwing

[bugsy1955]

Hello All!

My kids (12, 13, 19) and I just adopted a five-year old greenwing. She is beautiful! She will let us pet her beak, will dance with us, will take food and treats, but will not step up or come out of her cage. We did take her to the vet. She did well and when we came home she allowed everyone to hold her, enjoyed being petted and riding around on shoulders. Well after going back into her cage, now she won't come out again. Still lets us feed her and pet her beak, and plays/dances. But no stepping up or letting us hold her.

Any suggestions for a family of newbies?

Thanks!
Kevin & the kids

 

[Kentuckienne]

Patience. She's in a brand new world, her cage feels safe, and she might not be used to getting out of it. Leave the door open when you are there to watch over her, and give her time and space. Maybe hold treats where she has to reach out through the open door to get them.

 

[Cas27]

I know a lot of people are not going too agree with me, but what I do is go in and grab them real fast before they can make a move. I go in palm and fingers facing down then turn my hand sideways and grab the feet telling the bird too step up, you have too do it fast and only one time you have too do it before they catch on. I've done this with my 8 year old blue and gold now he comes out every morning for me.

 

[bugsy1955]

Thanks for the responses. She came out of her cage today (on her own) and is enjoying playtime on the top of it. Interacting with all of us, but still no stepping up. She doesn't "attack" nor seem to get angry, just makes like she is going to bite. Doing well with getting treats and letting us pet her beak. Not a big fan with the snatch and grab, but wondering how if should try to get her to step up and see if she really bites.

Any thought?

 

[LeaKP]

Welcome! In the macaw forum there are some amazing threads written by birdman666. They are a wealth of information.

We love pics!

 

[plumsmum2005]

Hi and welcome,

Here you go btw

http://www.parrotforums.com/macaws/56384-big-beak-o-phobes-guide-understanding-macaw-beaks.html

 

[Cas27]

HI, I didn't mean you snatch the birds feet up, I simply meant too prevent the bird too figure out what is going on you go in real fast and give her know chance too posture up on you.

 

[plumsmum2005]

An assertive 'ask' effectively?

 

[Cas27]

How is you're green wing coming along?

 

[Scott]

Congratulations Kevin and to your kids! Greenwings are awesome birds, and you are all in a honeymoon period. Take it slow and easy, instill confidence and allow your bird to observe and adapt.

Would recommend perusing the Macaw forum, so many threads of value.

Some helpful ideas to start:
http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49144-tips-bonding-building-trust.html

 

[bugsy1955]

Hello All!

Sophie has certainly become part of the family. We had her visit to the vet and I posted to the General Health Care section. There is concern with her liver. I picked up some antibiotics (white blood cells a little high) and we thought we were going to have a nightmare trying to give it to her. We used a towel and had to ambush her. She instantly settled, took her med like a champ, and spent the rest of the day riding around on shoulders, playing with the kids, and watching tv in the kitchen. Around dinner time I brought her in to her room and she took a nap on top of her cage. Later she enjoyed playing tremendously on her cage, but would not step up. She acted like she wanted to, but would back away. Then if I backed up, she would literally run to me.

She seems to be eating ok. I dumped the walmart birdseed from the previous owner and switched her to the pellets. She will eat apples and nuts in the shell. Trying other fresh fruits and veggies, but she doesn't take them.

Any suggestion for a balanced diet and getting her to take the fruits and veggies?

I am trying to attach pictures. Lets see if it worked

 

[plumsmum2005]

She is lovely, bet you feel very privileged to have her?

Have you tried offering her bits of good stuff off your plate or prepare some food for her but start as if it is yours? When you eat they will eat. She will be watching what you do most of the time so use that to your advantage if poss.

As someone who has a 'too with Liver problems I sincerely hope that it has been caught early and Sophie can live a long and happy life.

If you can provide some interest in making toys of the food ie stringing a line of brocolli, peppers, snap peas, lettuce and kale that may help?

Go steady with the nuts until things are clearer re her liver as they are in the high fat group. If what you are having is healthy and nutritious then she can share.

 

[bugsy1955]

Thanks for the suggestions. Will try. I think Sophie's appetite is a reduced with the antibiotic. She is eating, but not as much. Had a good breakfast this morning. She certainly is having fun once she is being held. Still refuses to come out or off her cage, but once we have her, she loves it. Head bobbing and dancing all the time. I still need to use a towel to pick her up out of he cage in the morning for her antibiotic, but she is cooperative and does not make a fuss.

Our family is just as fortunate to have her as she is to have us! Fingers crossed that next round of blood tests show improvement!

 

[plumsmum2005]

Yes everything crossed for that.

 

[bugsy1955]

Hello All,

Figured I would give a little up date now that my kids have adjusted going back to school.

Sophie is doing AWESOME! She has adjusted well to being handled daily, loves her new play stand, and was given a clean bill of health from the Vet. She enjoys eating dinner with us, walks around the neighborhood, bathing outside with the hose, talking, laughing, and singing opera. She has the sweetest disposition, although she tries to nip once in a while to show the kiddos who is really boss!

The vet says all blood levels have returned to normal including the liver enzyme. Amazing what some love, proper diet, and play time out of her cage will do. Her white blood cell count is still elevated, so back on the antibiotics. I have been reading that stress may cause the count to be high. The vet couldn't get enough blood from her nail and went with taking some out of her wing with a syringe. Sophie was not happy.

Anyhow, just wanted to give an update. Thanks for all the support!

 

[wrench13]

Thank you for the update on Sophie. Sounds like she is fitting right in.
Just a suggestion, see if she will take showers in the bathroom, on a wall perch, for those days when its too cold to have her outside and wet. ANd be careful with her outside, even if she is clipped - clipped birds fly away all the time. And pics, we love pictures of parrots, their owners, the set ups and play stands - anything parrot related. Oh and if you can get Sophie into playing with a small piece of towel , maybe 1 foot square, she can become desensitized to them. I included a small piece when playing with Salty and now he likes to be swaddled with a towel after a shower and his vet has no problems when its check up time. Play tug o war, peek a boo, hide treats under it, tease her with it when you play with her. Hopefully the antibiotics course will not be too long, but its a good idea to get your parrot used to towels in general.
Thanks again for posting!