New CAG - Where to start...

[NDCAG]

I got my first CAG in 2006 and he was a 1 yr old with little to no human contact. When I sold him last year, he and I weren't on the same page as far as companions but I could hold him, lay him on his back, he would talk and whistle, but he was moody too.

Yesterday I purchased my second CAG. This guy is outgoing, and has been loved by his previous owner for 10 years. The problem is that he was loved from outside the cage, but he wasn't handled. He will come to the cage and talk to me, he's very chatty, but he is cage dominant and will not step out of his cage on his own.

I dont want to approach this the wrong way, so I'm looking for some advice.

I know better than to overwhelm him, he is in a new home and this is a change. I'm not going to pressure him with anything. He is in his cage, chatting away, the door is open if he wants to come out, and he is eating and drinking fine since he's been here. I wont attempt to do anything with him for at least a week to let him get settled in.

Please if you have any advice how to develop a relationship with a 10 year old parrot that is not hand tame, I'm all ears. I'm not afraid to be bitten, but I'd really prefer not to be.

One other thing, his name is Shaggy and I HATE the name. Is it possible to rename a bird this old?

 

[Constantine]

Last year i purchased a 9 year old male CAG, which was not tamed, not handled, not properly socialised, not afraid of humans (while in his cage) and highly aggressive....he s also very territorial about his cage, and keen to attack anything and anyone approaching it...few things i found out very quickly and might help you:

1) the bird became a totally different animal when taken away from his cage...he was becoming a nercous wreck, didnt know what to expect, totally scared, but not biting...he was somehow anticipating that if he bit while away from his cage terrible things would happen to him...obviously, i took advantage of the fact, to caress and pet him as much as possible

2) the bird, in general, was craving for human love and attention, but due to its poor upbringing and socialisation could not balance its "bad" and "good" behaviour...so, he could not make the connection that "those we love and who love us we dont bite"....am still getting bitten, but rarely nowadays....

3) the bird is smart enough to understand the benefits of interacting with humans, and very soon began to actively seek my companionship

4) the bird does respond positively to human voice, praising and encouraging him...

5) the bird is not to be handled at all times, one must respect his moods...you can understand by its body language when he is keen to be handled...

although i know that i will never have a CAG that behaves/interacts like a dog, i am content with a bird that i can handle and pet in a more basic level, knowing that he is pretty happy himself...

 

[Featheredsamurai]

My CAG is similar, he had a AWESOME home for 20 years, he spent his 21'st year with me. He's very sweet, although not to touch and is very nervous in hands. He's only stepped off his cage once but steps up off the floor.

I've just respected his space, and now he is pretty fond of me. I can even pet him which is awesome! I believe he will one day step up off his cage and enjoy being away from it. Compared to at first when he was wary of hands he now is fine with with, although not a touchy bird.