New GCC doesn't want to leave cage

[aufde]

I'm probably just too excited to get playing/training with Yoshi but he doesn't like to leave his cage. I'll open it up and he gets up on top, but shies away from my hand or a wooden perch that I use to try and get him out. He was at the pet store for 7-8 months before coming home with me and was trained well not to bite, but at the same time is probably used to sitting in his cage a lot.

He doesn't take any food from my hand. I asked the pet store what treats he likes and got the same ones. He'll grab it with his beak and throw it if he lets me close enough, otherwise he'll just run away. I tried grapes, raspberries, sunflower seeds and apples next, but I'm not too hopeful. I'm thinking he's just not used to me yet.

I started putting his food dish outside his cage while it's open so he has to climb down the outside of his cage and he'll do that real timidly.

He's pretty used to his cage and surroundings now (at least I think so), he's playing with his toys and jumping and climbing all over his cage. I got a bird bath and set him on the edge of it and he jumped right off and ran up the side of his cage.

Like I said before I think I'm just too excited to start playing but at the same time I want to give him outside of the cage time so he stays healthy. I keep reading it's bad to keep them in the cage all day everyday.

I'll get the standard questions out of the way: he's eating and pooping regularly.

 

[Parrotmamma]

Just give him some time and he will come around. He has gone through a big change and is just unsure of his new surroundings.
I know it's hard to wait for him to warm up to you but don't worry he will : )

 

[lexx510]

Even if he doesn't want to step up you can leave the cage open, pull up a chair and talk to him, sing to him, read to him, etc. Eventually he'll learn to feel safe and more comfortable around you. Just give him time and work at his pace. He will come around. But never force - as that would only tarnish the trust in your relationship. I can tell that you care a great deal about him just from reading your posts. I'm sure that he can sense this as well.

 

[aufde]

yep, that's what I've been doing so far. I'm just worried that he may not be mentally fulfilled because he doesn't get out and play and doesn't have as much interaction as he should each day. He is playing with his toys though.

I just put him back and put his food inside for bed and he went straight for it and is quietly chirping to himself as he eats. It's sooo cute, but I guess he's just to scared to get out of his cage, even for food, so I'm gonna leave him be for a while to come out when he's ready.

The person at the pet store said you shouldn't let him think he can get away with staying in his cage and that after he's settled I should pull him out. I took that with a grain of salt because it didn't quite sound right but on the other hand makes a little sense. How long is too long to leave him be (I'm not thinking about yanking him out tomorrow or anything) like a month? Or more maybe?

 

[aufde]

He's getting more explorative, he tried jumping to my bed from his cage and ended up on the floor. He wasn't quite sure what happened and ran straight back to his cage. He also climbed down the side of his cage to try and get into the food I had sitting there (I guess I have to move that)

So he's moving along just fine and I'm just impatient.

 

[friedsoup]

do you like popcorn? (ok stupid question) take maybe two table spoons of popcorn kernels pit them in a microwaveable dish cover with saran wrap poke two holes (small ones) no salt no oil just popcorn and put them in the micro let them pop then pop yourself some sit next to the cage and start eating and talking to him when he get real interested offer him one of the unsalted ones he'll probably take it just to see what your doing. trust me he'll be back for more. Oh just so you know they don't so much eat it as shred it and make a merry mess but it will be fun to watch. And yes your impatience but with a little will power the day will come when he is the one waiting for you to get over there.