My Quaker parrot is terrified :(

[S11own]

Hi all, so last week i decided to get myself a baby quaker parrot from a breeder, but he/she is not hand tamed, ive given him a week to settle in and stayed in the same room as much as possible to try and get hum comfortable before i try to hand tame him. Up to now it seems like this may impossible as the little fella is terrified and anytime i go near or he sees my hand coming i to the cage he flaps around and starts squarking. I tried to do it this norning with some food in my hand very slowly but i scared him, i feel really bad on the little guy. Any advice on where i may be going wrong would be much appreciated, as im not going to give up on him i know these can be amazing birds as pets.

 

[S11own]

I was wondering if i put a chair next to his cage for a while would that make him calmer and more used to my presence ?

 

[Flboy]

What? Even after a week!
Kidding, give her time and space, hand wise! Now she is associating your hand with danger you have to get her to forget that association. Don't reach, don't tempt, nothing and wise other than just normal changing food dishes putting food in the cage etc. A chair next to the cage and just hanging out with her is an excellent idea! This will take time, there are many Quaker folks out there that'll tell you they can be awesome companions once they relax and start to trust you.
http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49144-tips-bonding-building-trust.html

 

[Jeans]

Find the farthest place away from his cage where is comfortable and sit in a chair there. As he becomes more comfortable, move the chair slowly until you are right up next to his cage and he is comfortable. Keep in mind quakers CAN be cage territorial, not to say that every single one is.

Once you can sit right by his cage, proceed with a stick in your hand, offer it to him as a perch inside his cage. If he is scared of it, leave it by his cage for a bit, and then at the bottom of his cage. Once he steps on reliably, begin to take him out.

From there, when he is out, offer him treats! Once he is comfortable taking treats from your hand outside the cage, ask him to step up (onto your finger this time)and reward him for doing so! Continue just spending time with him and talking to him outside the cage as well as in!

You can also try giving treats through the bars before proceeding to stepping onto a stick. I couldn't do this with my quaker because she is too aggressive in her cage (we are working on it).

It might take days, weeks, or months! I have had Starry 3 weeks today and she is just now beginning to actually enjoy me (a little too much now, I can't leave the room without a bird flying to land on my hand ).

Just keep in mind that these little guys are full of personality and will let you know what is right and wrong. If Starry doesn't like somebody, she shows it! If she doesn't want to be scritched right then, you better move! But at the same time when she is in the right mood, her cuddles are the best!

Good luck with your new baby! Do you have any pictures? What's his name?


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[Jeans]

You can also read to him when you are sitting in your chair!


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[S11own]

Thanks so much for the ideas guys! I cannot wait to build a relationship with this guy i have been reaserching for mo ths what the right type of bird for me would be, the anount of fear he has though i hope i can bring him round and make him trust me. Much appreciated for the help !!

 

[Flboy]

Thanks so much for the ideas guys! I cannot wait to build a relationship with this guy i have been reaserching for mo ths what the right type of bird for me would be, the anount of fear he has though i hope i can bring him round and make him trust me. Much appreciated for the help !!

Have no fear over the fear!

 

[trishachand1982]

Give it some time. A little time is all that's needed. After 3 weeks of constant biting and screaming( by him not me ), my quaker learn to trust me. Patience is the key. Good luck

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[S11own]

UPDATE

So tonight i managed to get my quaker to eat some millet spray out of my hand, so i did this a few times, i can tell hes still really scared but atleast its one step close!

Question: I noticed when i came back tonight that all he does is sit at the top of the cage chewing the bars, i got him a new toy on the way back from work but he didnt seem to like it so i removed it out of sight, hes still doing it now so i was just wondering is it anything to worry about, he only chews the bars when im in the room, he stops as soon as i leave, he deffinelty still scared.

Also whats the next step after being able to hand feed? [emoji16][emoji16][emoji16]


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[Jeans]

I wonder if maybe he wants more millet and know it is you who has it? Next time you spot him doing it, talk to him for a few minutes and watch his reaction.

I would say next step would be either keep doing this or move to using the stick as a perch!


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[S11own]

I wonder if maybe he wants more millet and know it is you who has it? Next time you spot him doing it, talk to him for a few minutes and watch his reaction.

I would say next step would be either keep doing this or move to using the stick as a perch!


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He was hanging off the side of the cage and i put my finger below him and he kept one foot on the cage and one foot on my finger [emoji16][emoji16]
I stayed like that as long as i could before he started to freak out a little bit and move and then gave him some more millet, that was lastnight, this morning he seemed terrified again before i left for work so i gave him a little more millet by hand.

I guess i will just keep repeating this process

Thanks again for the advice.


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[Jeans]

You could also try having him eat the millet directly from your palm so it is closer to your hand


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[S11own]

Okay i will give that a try!


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[Flboy]

Seems slow to you, but you are progressing nicely!

A love worth having is a love worth working for!

 

[S11own]

Seems slow to you, but you are progressing nicely!

A love worth having is a love worth working for!

Its deffinetly a HUGE improvement from the first couple days, i couldnt even go near the cage without him screaming and flying about, he doesnt really scream anymore, he does move around a little. I noticed when i get close he tries to bite me, but he does it so gentle though haha!


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[Jeans]

Listen to him. Even if it is gentle. If he tried to bite do not advance, either stay put or move back to where he is comfortable. The bites will get harder if you don't listen to his warnings.

Although he may just be exploring you with his beak, because that would be a goof thing.


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[dennisbro3112]

Sadly I can't help with taming but I would love to see some pictures!

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[S11own]

Sadly I can't help with taming but I would love to see some pictures!

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Here is the only picture i have so far, i will take some more tonight, im sorry about the camera quality! Its from lastnight when i managed to get him to put one foot on my finger [emoji23][emoji16]



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[dennisbro3112]

Sadly I can't help with taming but I would love to see some pictures!

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Here is the only picture i have so far, i will take some more tonight, im sorry about the camera quality! Its from lastnight when i managed to get him to put one foot on my finger [emoji23][emoji16]



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Haha of course you needed to capture that special moment.

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[Jeans]

He looks like he is warming up to you fast!


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