My adoptee comes home in 2 days. Advice?

[RainbowRose]

So as I have mentioned on here recently, I am adopting a 15 year old senegal. Well I finally met him the other day and he has some personality, boy! He was a bit nippy though. I think maybe because there was a lot of attention on him and he was meeting me for the first time.

Needless to say we have settled on a date and he is coming hom this Tuesday, December 16! I will be going to pick up him and his cage to take home.

Any suggestions or advice for someone who is adopting and dealing with rehoming? He has been with my friend's mom since he was a baby but he is social with everyone who comes and goes that pays attention to him.

Now I know of course he is going to be confused and perhaps depressed at first once he realizes what has happened. I'm not going to pressure him the first while because he still needs to get used to me as does any new bird being exposed to a new owner. But he is being rehomed so it's obviously a slight bit different.

Anyone ever adopt a bird being rehomed? What are some suggestions you could give me? Any tips on things I should or shouldn't do? thanks!

(PS there is a photo of him in a little collage thing I made of all my birds for my new signature. He is the senegal in the back and then the Kakariki is in the middle and the Turquoisine in the front) ^_^

 

[Diashi]

Congratulations on your new baby! I have a re-home parrotlet! I know, it's a much smaller species, but the anxiety of moving to a new home is probably universal.
Our strategy was to do everything in our power to keep the house calm and quiet for the first week (no doorbells, loud music or TV, friends over, etc...).
The first week was really spent with just her and I, one-on-one. I got her used to her routine of three hand-made meals a day, scheduled interaction, and cuddle time.
I made sure she got LOTS of sleep, going to bed at 5:00 PM and getting up around 6:45 AM. (as her previous owner didn't put her to bed until 9pm or 10pm!!).
She adjusted so well and bonded to me very quickly. Now she's my bird!

 

[RainbowRose]

Thank you. I am worried my family is going to be overly wanting to look at the bird (all my birds are in my room) and I'm worried I can't stop it when I'm not home.

 

[RainbowRose]

I am started to worry he will get sick from stress. I may be just paranoid because of Tiki being sick back when and I'm scared to go through it again.

He has been with his owner since he was a baby for 15 years now so that is why I am nervous please I need advice I'm scared stress will make him sick. That is why I am being trusted with the bird because I am the bird girl everyone knows and I know what I'm doing but this bit is new to me. Anyone experience an older bird go through rehoming with you??

 

[Birdman666]

So as I have mentioned on here recently, I am adopting a 15 year old senegal. Well I finally met him the other day and he has some personality, boy! He was a bit nippy though. I think maybe because there was a lot of attention on him and he was meeting me for the first time.

Seni-Tude... they are large personality, opinionated, and feisty. Goes with the territory with these guys.

 

[Amanda_Bennett]

Zilla is 28 and I've only had her 3 months. I just took things one day at a time. Kept things quiet for the first couple of weeks. Make sure she gets lots of sleep and lots of fresh foods. Just pay attention to the birds body language and go at his pace.

 

[RainbowRose]

Yea I got my first bite today. Drew blood. Boy he did not let go! He acts all cute and uses his foot to show me where he wants his head scratched, then I come over and I either successfully pet his head or get bitten. He does a surprise lunge so I don't know when it will happen. He seems aggressive so far with all his lunging to bite which scares me a tad. The bite did hurt it put a whole in my sleeve. but then again he's been here only 24 hours so I'm sure he's super confused. But last night after he came home I got him dancing and making his happy noises and he was a riot. So some good, just not great yet. I do want to clip his wings because he took off across my room earlier today. I know he's been flighted for a long time but anytime I have gotten a new bird I get their wings clipped once just initially. Just don't want to do too much too soon.

 

[Birdman666]

Awhile back I wrote a behavior mod piece about types of biting, and some folks thought this was somewhat accurate and funny, while others found it offensive.

I still stand by it, and think it's somewhat accurate:

"Sennie-Tude:

Sennie-Tude: 1. Don't run. 2. It's really just a pin prick. I know it hurts, but you'll be fine. Match him 'tude for 'tude.

Didn't hurt... but now I gotcha. I win. You lose. Is this still a fun game?!

Will it work? Ever seen a sennie that didn't have 'tude? Me neither. You reduce the behavior. You don't eliminate it."

Was it accurate?!

I really don't make this stuff up. I write about my impressions, and what I think works. Am I missing something here?!

 

[RainbowRose]

Awhile back I wrote a behavior mod piece about types of biting, and some folks thought this was somewhat accurate and funny, while others found it offensive.

I still stand by it, and think it's somewhat accurate:

"Sennie-Tude:

Sennie-Tude: 1. Don't run. 2. It's really just a pin prick. I know it hurts, but you'll be fine. Match him 'tude for 'tude.

Didn't hurt... but now I gotcha. I win. You lose. Is this still a fun game?!

Will it work? Ever seen a sennie that didn't have 'tude? Me neither. You reduce the behavior. You don't eliminate it."

Was it accurate?!

I really don't make this stuff up. I write about my impressions, and what I think works. Am I missing something here?!

I don't know how people could find that offensive. It's pretty straight forward. And technically it applies to any bird that bites I guess, cause I've started letting Cleo bite me but she does it inquisitively and her beak is much smaller like a cockatiel so I have learned not to flinch cause it really doesn't hurt when you think about it. It's like getting pinched. And now she isn't as nervous or worried about "biting" me. She just gets hesitant to go near my hand, never lunges. However,clearly this is a common thing for senegals, and obviously they have a larger beak than Kakarikis and to Merlin my Turquoisine, the senegal probably looks like godzilla! I am just scared of the bite cause wow he lunges. He looks so cute and then next thing I know he's trying to rip apart the cage bars and he punctured my hand and didn't let go so yea, def got scared from it. Not used to a big beak I'm worried I won't overcome this. Just now he was all puffed up looking cute and coming closer and I think oh I can pet you and then BAM he launches at the bars and it startles me. Sigh...I hope this is just because he's in a big change.. :52:

 

[RainbowRose]

Zilla is 28 and I've only had her 3 months. I just took things one day at a time. Kept things quiet for the first couple of weeks. Make sure she gets lots of sleep and lots of fresh foods. Just pay attention to the birds body language and go at his pace.

Did Zilla try to bite a lot at first?

 

[kimn818]

I have never adopted a bird but my advice is this: don't rush him. As you say, he had been in the same home his entire life. I would sit next to his cage and just talk to him, don't touch the cage. If he lunges, try not to react (there are bars between you). You have to go at his pace. Everything is new to him right now. If you feel he's reasonable calm, offer him a treat through the bars. He will see that you aren't there to hurt him and you feed him. I wish you the best of luck and there's not a doubt it my mind that he will come around!

 

[RainbowRose]

Thanks guys I'm feeling better about it. I guess I can't be too hasty, he just got here and it's a huge change. I'm just glad he is dancing and mimicking sounds back and forth with me. At least he is entertained lol

 

[thekarens]

Pois in general don't like change and tend to be on the neurotic side, so definitely give him time. Eventually I'd stick train him for the times he's having an attitude.

I agree with what Birdman said. Sennies have attitude aplenty!

 

[SoCalWendy]

Just let him settle without too much hands on interaction. You want to create a bond with him. Don't rush it. You will achieve this by giving him some space to get used to you and his new surroundings. Let him take it all in. It took 3 months for my 4 month old Sennie to settle in, she will be 2 in feb. She was a baby, yours is 15. Clearly he is showing you through his lunging (body language) he is uncomfortable. Over time he will settle, but you can not rush it. So the best thing you can do for him is to just care for his immediate needs (food, water, shelter) speak softly, move slowly. Anytime he is either lunging or moving away at your attempt to interact is a clear signal for you to back off. He may puff up, flare his tail feathers (clear sign) in an attempt to communicate with you BEFORE biting you. Respect his space. Eventually, you will move towards him and he willbe okay with it and start to even welcome it. Please keep us updated.. Senegals are wonderful birds and when you learn to understand them your gonna love love that lil man you got there.

 

[RainbowRose]

I DID IT!!!!

I built up courage to just pet him through the bars. He kept using his foot to show me where he wanted to be scratched. So finally I just did it and got over my fear. Then he let me scratch him a lot. Then he let me scratch him with the door open. Then he let me pet his whole back all over. Then he let me pick him up and pet him and cuddle him etc. etc. etc.

 

[RavensGryf]

Baby is beautiful! I agree with Karen about stick training. That's essential with Poi's. Like Birdman said, you don't completely eliminate the behavior. It's just part of who they are. Then you can think of Sennie Tude exaggerated in the males.

One thing about Poi bites is (mature birds) hang on and don't let go. One drawback with those oversized beaks. Also, Sennies like the other Poi's (and I've heard some African birds in general) do more of the type of biting without detectable body language first. Sure it's obvious sometimes, but many times it's not. My Red Bellied (also a Poi and the species with a personality closest to the Senegal) used to turn his neck down for a skritch, then BAM turn fast as lightning and get you good! Although he's mellowed out with age.

Even with the above drawbacks, Poicephalus parrots remain "MY species" and I'd even get a third Poi no problem !

 

[SoCalWendy]

Baby is beautiful! I agree with Karen about stick training. That's essential with Poi's. Like Birdman said, you don't completely eliminate the behavior. It's just part of who they are. Then you can think of Sennie Tude exaggerated in the males.

One thing about Poi bites is (mature birds) hang on and don't let go. One drawback with those oversized beaks. Also, Sennies like the other Poi's (and I've heard some African birds in general) do more of the type of biting without detectable body language first. Sure it's obvious sometimes, but many times it's not. My Red Bellied (also a Poi and the species with a personality closest to the Senegal) used to turn his neck down for a skritch, then BAM turn fast as lightning and get you good! Although he's mellowed out with age.

Even with the above drawbacks, Poicephalus parrots remain "MY species" and I'd even get a third Poi no problem !

You are so right!!! They do have a way to drawing you in, being all cutsie cutsie and then bam!!! Rio does it all the time to my daughter. But my daughter has caught on to her antics and doesn't fall for them anymore. Now they have a love/hate relationship.

 

[Bandespresso]

He is absolutely precious!! Congrats

I absolutely agree with everyone saying to stick train. Personally, I feel it is essential to stick train just in case!

 

[Birdman666]

I fostered a Sennie with spoiled bird syndrome... who actually wasn't as bad as some of the other spoiled bird syndrome bird's I ended up working with - toos being the hardest to deal with. (He was actually one of my early foster/rehomes.) He was just an "extra opinionated" Sennie... (i.e. 'tude plus 1.)

He bit when he didn't get his way, or didn't like something, or thought he could bully someone. (And, no, they don't let go. You can pick up your finger and shake it, with the bird still attached!)

Much like the conures, that came later, that little bird really, really, really responded to trick training. It gave him boundaries, made me the parent/teacher bird, and gave him all sorts of toys and outside the cage interactions, plus treats. Which really brought his behaviors under control...

As long as you didn't run...

If you ran, he would chase you.

(This was actually my pre-macaw days. And a Sennie in 'tude mode thinks he is every bit as fierce as a dominant male greenwing! Yeah, they're not, but they don't seem to know that... )

 

[thekarens]

Very accurate description Mark! Though at this point it's my female that's the terrorist, not the male. She gave my partner a lip piercing.