Need help with male eclectus

[surfdancer]

I just got a 3yr old male eclectus last Saturday and I can't get him to let me get him out of the cage he gets aggresive.I leave the door open and he'll come out hours later and let you touch him sometimes but he doesn't know how to step up.From what I understand the person I got him from said the previous owners had him caged for 2 yrs never letting him out.I'm very patient and know it may take a long time but wondering what more I can do to get him to trust me that I'm not going to hurt him.

 

[nofearengineer]

I just got a 3yr old male eclectus last Saturday and I can't get him to let me get him out of the cage he gets aggresive.I leave the door open and he'll come out hours later and let you touch him sometimes but he doesn't know how to step up.From what I understand the person I got him from said the previous owners had him caged for 2 yrs never letting him out.I'm very patient and know it may take a long time but wondering what more I can do to get him to trust me that I'm not going to hurt him.

The quickest path to most creatures' hearts lies through their stomachs. (Especially male animals, right ladies? )

I would try sitting quietly near his cage, as close as you can without him showing any fear or aggression, and paying no attention at all to him. Don't even look at him.

After he is comfortable with that, break out a birdie snack that you also like, and nibble on it. Make sure he can see the snack at all times, even while you are ignoring him. This might take a while, but eventually, he will get curious. When he approaches you, in a non-fearful way, try to give him a nibble through the bars. If he shows any fear (or especially aggression), go back to sitting nearby and ignoring. Do not reward that behavior with a snack. You will only reinforce it. He has to come to you on his terms.

 

[Spiritbird]

Welcome SD (I like you forum name)

From what you have said I am going to assume your bird did not have very good care and training in his previous home.
He sounds pretty insecure and afriad. Parrots being flock animals rely on the flock for food and protection from predators. New people are instinctively viewed with suspicion. You will need to go slow and not make too many demands as the bonding process evolves. If you have one place a t stand near the door of the cage and put the birds fav. treat on the stand. For you maintain a relaxed and calm manner. Have a chair near the cage for you to sit in. Read stories, sing songs and things like that so the bird gets used to your voice. After a week or so of doing this the bird may come out of cage onto t stand or you. Praise, praise. You cannot give enough posative reinforcement. Before you know it your bird will be bowing his head for a scratch. Then you know you are bonded. Move slowly and not too much direct eye contact in the beginning. Our birds are good mind readers and will feel how you feel. Relaxed flock leader!!

 

[scott4687]

Nofear has nailed it. That's exactly how I did it with my bird. Yours coming from a tough background will take longer, but thats how you do it. Remember, this bird could be with you for the next 25 years. So, go nice and slow and build that trust first.

 

[2Birds3Kids]

I just adopted an ekkie that was in an aviary and does not know how to step up either. A few things that can move things along a little quicker is:

1. Daily baths - put him into your kitchen sink, partially filled with luke warm water. Shield his head with your cupped hand as you put him into the sink to make it easier. Gently spray him with water. Let the sink drain him and wrap him in a towel to help dry him off. You can pet him over the towel and he will see that your hands are not harmful.

2. Have him step up on a stick. I put my guy in the smallest (toilet) room in our house so he wouldn't flap around as much and hurt himself. I got him on the stick then rolled him off onto my arm. I held him close to my body so he would feel safe. As a reward for not flying away, I put him on our bird tree for the morning and took him for a walk.

3. Take him outside for a walk. My guy clung to me with his beak. I don't let my birds on my shoulder so he was on my forearm, hanging onto my scarf or my shirt. He let me scratch him outside of the house. I also had him practice stepping up from one arm to the other.

4. Don't be afriad. Pet his feet through the bars so he sees your hands are safe.

My first ekkie was crazy aggressive hormonal I took her everywhere with me and bathed her daily. She became very tame after a few months.

 

[Pedro]

Surfdancer, I feel that maybe the previous owner was afraid of this male, reason for it being caged most of it's life. They do pack a good size bite if they want to.

Please don't rush your new companion, take things very slow. It could take 6 months to a year for him to trust you. Don't push him to do what he doesn't want to do. These birds have individual personalities so what works for 1 owner may not work for another.

Hope it works out for you.