Luna the good the bad and the ugly

[texsize]

So, we have had Luna for 1 week. She is the most active and playful Amazon I have ever had.
She loves to play and fight with her toys. She says hello and it sounds like she is trying to say something else I can’t make out. Its two words together but I don’t know what it is yet.

She eats her pellets, veggies and birdie bread. And I just found out she like the Nutraberries.
Luna has a special love for peanuts so we use those for treats when we sit next to her and talk to her. It looks like she eats the peanut shell and I have never seen a bird do that before. Is this bad? I can shell the peanut myself so she does not have the chance to eat the shell.

The Bad.

She is not really afraid of hands but she does not want them near her feet. So far, we have been unable to pick her up. I know we need to go at her pace and not rush things but it’s hard.:23:

The Ugly.

Screaming jags.

The saying goes it’s never the fault of the bird.
I understand screaming because no one is close by. Because she is in distress. Even because she does not have her favourite food But…

We can be sitting 2 feet away from her and she will just start up for no reason I can tell. It starts out as a typical Amazon scream and over time it sounds a bit the way a Duck would sound if it could scream.
I will try to make a recording and post it.
I can tolerate a scream now and then but 2 things make this a bad situation.

My wife is home more of the time than I am and therefore will have to put up with it more often.:11:

Her screaming can cause our Cockatiels to go nuts, trying to fly inside their cages.
I think most of this will settle down with time.

Texsize

 

[chris-md]

Sorry your having these issues

When she screams while you are next to her, immediately disappear, leave the room. No fuss, just leave. She learns quickly screaming makes you go away. Come back when there’s even the most minute of breaks between the screaming. Have treats available if at all possible so that when you do come back, there’s goodies associated with your return to quiet.

The screaming can be supplanted with talking. You just need to treat the ever loving hell out of the talking.

Try trading out peanuts for pistachios and see what happens. I’m sure you’re well aware of the fungus issues associated with peanuts.

Take heed of this advise. She brand new so you have a unique opportunity out to head these behaviors off before they cause problems. But you’re well experienced so you don’t need me to tell you all this

 

[Scott]

Interesting, "honeymoon" is 1/2 over and she feels comfortable enough to show her personality. In one sense that is great!

Definitely some history with her feet, no way to know why she is so sensitive. I assume you've compared notes with Maggie to see commonality of behavior?

Luna has now experienced multiple homes in a short time; we don't know how long she was in the wild!

I'll let the more experienced Amazon servants give advice. Although I've had Gonzo for about 32 years and have dealt with some nasty issues, noise is not one of them. He never shrieks but rather talks up a storm.

 

[Anita1250]

My 34 year old BFA eats the peanut shells too. I could never figure it out. I give them to the squirrels now.

 

[texsize]

My 34 year old BFA eats the peanut shells too. I could never figure it out. I give them to the squirrels now.

Thanks.
I think I will use the Nutraberries instead of peanuts as a treat.

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[BeatriceC]

I have a recording of that scream if you want it. I need to edit the video because I'd just propped my phone up to record and walked away, so it's fairly long.

I'm glad to hear she's settling in mostly okay. I was kinda hoping that some inside the cage training would help her get over her fear of hands near her feet, though maybe it just needs a lot more time. Poor thing has been through a lot. It might take her a while to trust that this really is her new home.

 

[texsize]

I got video of her talking and screaming both.
I just have to edit it.
Thanks anyway.
It's going to be a slow process but I am sure we will get there.

 

[GaleriaGila]

I love a good mysery... can't wait to hear that 'Hello plus-plus'...
Maybe we can help you guess what's being "said"!