New birds behavior issues

[Becca_scott]

Hi,
I'm new to parrots and was hoping for some help.

We just received 2 new additions an African Gray and Amazon. We've had them about 2 weeks and the Amazon is very sweet although we've had some issues with him trying to mate with us. The Amazon on the other hand we cant get near. She follows the Gray everywhere and when we get to close she comes for us. Sometime she'll go out of her way to find us and attack.

Any advise on how to handle the Amazon?

 

[plumsmum2005]

Hi, you might like this http://www.parrotforums.com/amazons/54250-amazon-body-language.html

 

[SailBoat]

Well, to be honest - not much information to go with here! Their age would be helpful and a bunch of other stuff! But, let me provide a starting point and once you get that going, the additional detail will be helpful.

Amazons are very clear about what they like and don't like to a point and as a group, they have a fair standard Body Language! And, it is very important that you learn that Body Language to assure that you can understand what they are clearly telling you!

Also as a Group and that is all Parrots! If you start from the stand point of: Its never the fault of the Parrot and always the fault of the Human! You will far more quickly come to understand what you are doing wrong!

So, lets start with the Amazon first. Here is your assignment: Go to the Amazon Forum. There you will note two Threads at the very top of the page highlighted in light blue. Now get a chair and place it next to your Amazon's cage and read the second Thread (Understanding Amazons Body Language). For this to work, both of you need to read the first Post in that Thread (A Loud) to your Amazon. And, if your other Parrot is in ear shot, so much the better. Now, each of you should do this several times each day for several days. Over this time, both of you should now understand the Body Language that your Amazon is using to communicate with you and your Amazon, after being read to is likely more comfortable with the both of you.

The other (the first) Thread, which is high lighted in light blue (I Love Amazons - ... ) will provide some general insight to living with and Love your Amazon and your other Parrot.

Welcome to the Wonderful World of Parrot ownership, may you soon be Owned by Both of Them!!!

 

[GaleriaGila]

Welcome. I'm glad you found us.
Good for you, for reaching out to the knowledgeable and caring people here.
Best of luck to you and your flock!

 

[Becca_scott]

Well, to be honest - not much information to go with here! Their age would be helpful and a bunch of other stuff! But, let me provide a starting point and once you get that going, the additional detail will be helpful.

Amazons are very clear about what they like and don't like to a point and as a group, they have a fair standard Body Language! And, it is very important that you learn that Body Language to assure that you can understand what they are clearly telling you!

Also as a Group and that is all Parrots! If you start from the stand point of: Its never the fault of the Parrot and always the fault of the Human! You will far more quickly come to understand what you are doing wrong!

So, lets start with the Amazon first. Here is your assignment: Go to the Amazon Forum. There you will note two Threads at the very top of the page highlighted in light blue. Now get a chair and place it next to your Amazon's cage and read the second Thread (Understanding Amazons Body Language). For this to work, both of you need to read the first Post in that Thread (A Loud) to your Amazon. And, if your other Parrot is in ear shot, so much the better. Now, each of you should do this several times each day for several days. Over this time, both of you should now understand the Body Language that your Amazon is using to communicate with you and your Amazon, after being read to is likely more comfortable with the both of you.

The other (the first) Thread, which is high lighted in light blue (I Love Amazons - ... ) will provide some general insight to living with and Love your Amazon and your other Parrot.

Welcome to the Wonderful World of Parrot ownership, may you soon be Owned by Both of Them!!!

Well both of the birds are around 17 years old. I have read the body language post and it has helped some. Unfortunately he doesn't express any other body language than "I'm going to rip you to shreds" when anyone is near. We've made progress to get him using a stick to travel from cage to play area but we have to use a thick glove because he's biting it the whole time. If we go near our Grey he seeks us out to attack, he's very attached to the Grey. We've tried a few things with him but he doesn't seem to have any interest in us ever unless we are giving him a treat for using the stick as travel without biting. I don't need this bird to love me if he doesn't want to I just need to be able to change the water bowl without being attacked.

It has been a big change for them both. They were out in a shed type area for the last 5 years with minimal human interaction. They're living inside for the first time in a while now and that probably has something to do with it. The previous owners also had said they they'd never really been able to carry/hold or do anything with the Amazon due to his hostility.

 

[Loko]

Well, to be honest - not much information to go with here! Their age would be helpful and a bunch of other stuff! But, let me provide a starting point and once you get that going, the additional detail will be helpful.

Amazons are very clear about what they like and don't like to a point and as a group, they have a fair standard Body Language! And, it is very important that you learn that Body Language to assure that you can understand what they are clearly telling you!

Also as a Group and that is all Parrots! If you start from the stand point of: Its never the fault of the Parrot and always the fault of the Human! You will far more quickly come to understand what you are doing wrong!

So, lets start with the Amazon first. Here is your assignment: Go to the Amazon Forum. There you will note two Threads at the very top of the page highlighted in light blue. Now get a chair and place it next to your Amazon's cage and read the second Thread (Understanding Amazons Body Language). For this to work, both of you need to read the first Post in that Thread (A Loud) to your Amazon. And, if your other Parrot is in ear shot, so much the better. Now, each of you should do this several times each day for several days. Over this time, both of you should now understand the Body Language that your Amazon is using to communicate with you and your Amazon, after being read to is likely more comfortable with the both of you.

The other (the first) Thread, which is high lighted in light blue (I Love Amazons - ... ) will provide some general insight to living with and Love your Amazon and your other Parrot.

Welcome to the Wonderful World of Parrot ownership, may you soon be Owned by Both of Them!!!

Well both of the birds are around 17 years old. I have read the body language post and it has helped some. Unfortunately he doesn't express any other body language than "I'm going to rip you to shreds" when anyone is near. We've made progress to get him using a stick to travel from cage to play area but we have to use a thick glove because he's biting it the whole time. If we go near our Grey he seeks us out to attack, he's very attached to the Grey. We've tried a few things with him but he doesn't seem to have any interest in us ever unless we are giving him a treat for using the stick as travel without biting. I don't need this bird to love me if he doesn't want to I just need to be able to change the water bowl without being attacked.

It has been a big change for them both. They were out in a shed type area for the last 5 years with minimal human interaction. They're living inside for the first time in a while now and that probably has something to do with it. The previous owners also had said they they'd never really been able to carry/hold or do anything with the Amazon due to his hostility.

I dont have much specific exlerience with Amazons but from your post it seems clear he hasnt had much positive experience with humans, if any. Like with any other bird in this situation, its going to take a lot of time for him to learn trust you, or humans for that matter, and he probably wont ever be a very hands on bird. Amazons are known to adapt rather well though, compared to other birds. My best advice to you is go slow, at the birds pace, and be sure to make all interactions with him positive. You want to make him associate you with good. Sit by his cage and talk to him, sing, give him treats and see how he reacts, if he gets stressed let him be. Just make every interaction positive; while he may never want to sit and be pet and cuddled, he may enjoy being near by.. kind of like love from a distance. Good luck and I hope everything goes well, Im sure people with more amazon experience will have more to say about your last response.