New IRN owner help

[Oziiiparrot]

Hey guys i got a irn on saturday and here is a quick write up i prepared before registering this site


Got parrot on saturday (IRN) approx 2 yr y.o female
Quite timid and just finding her space,

Following day (Sunday) she was of pace up and down her perch so we let the top bit of the cage open and she was quite happy with that just sitting on the but that folds out, loves climbing on top and around the cage has got to the bottom but its a two piece cage where the last 1/4 is legs then wheels with a shelf on the bottom

She does seem she wants to explore as she has flapped her wings like she has wanted to take off but hasn't been sure on it

The last two mornings i get up and make breakfirst like weetbics or toast and prior i will open the top bit of her cage so when i sit down for breakfirst i always cut or leave whole a strawberry or maybe a little bit or broccoli and she will come to the top and want me to give her a piece , also fresh water, seed and change the paper in tray

She does seem super happy for day 2 but i know it will take time as she is not reared and we got her from a pet supply in melbourne

For this week i have tried teaching her step up or anything as she has to settle and know we can be trusted and she is safe I've tried a few times and she has went to then was a little hesistant and just nibbled my finger not super hard but decent maybe just testing the boundarys ?

Also ive tried leaving a shallow bird bath or sink running and she was intrested in that but didn't want to leave the cage so yeah how would i go about getting her to have a bath?

Allso does some beak clicking and grinding in morn and before bed and makes little noises like she is trying to talk, has screeches but ive just isolated myself and cut off attention to her and she stops pretty quick


Just wanted some pointers to bond with her

Any help would be appreciated

 

[Scott]

Welcome to the forums! Your IRN is still adjusting to a new home. While I am not familiar with the species, there are some general ideas common to most situations.

Bonding and establishing trust is so important. Sometimes you'll experience progress and some backsliding, sort of two steps forward, one step backward. Please be patient and don't lose hope: http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49144-tips-bonding-building-trust.html

Clicker and Target Training can be helpful with teaching step-up commands, though the "bonding/trust" thread has general pointers: http://www.parrotforums.com/training/60435-clicker-target-training.html

If she won't leave the cage for a bath, try using a clean spray bottle and gently mist her by pointing the nozzle upwards and at an angle, allowing the droplets to fall like rain. Please do not use a bottle that previously had anything but water. New ones are inexpensive and avoid hazards!

Grinding of beak is very common as a parrot "winds down" as prelude to relaxation or sleep.

 

[Flboy]

Welcome to you both! You are doing very well!

 

[Laurasea]

Welcome to you! Sounds like a great start! For baths I put a sturdy dish like a casserole dish in the bottom of the cage with water for bath. You can also get a spray bottle ( new no chemical ever in it) and mist her. Have you read about how deadly teflon and non stick coatings can be to birds? They are sensitive to many chemicals can be toxic. I only clean the cage with dilute vinegar and water then wipe dry.

 

[EllenD]

Welcome to the community, and congrats on your new family member!

It sounds like she is settling in nicely, it's just going to take time for you to earn her trust. The important things for you to continually do is to spend as much time with her as you can every day, meaning in the same room with her, around her, talking to her, etc., and to not try to "force" her to do anything right now, like leave her cage. Trust me, she'll leave her cage soon enough. It's totally fine to keep trying to get her to step-up for you, but approach her slowly and talk to her the entire time you are, telling her what you are going to do before you do it. Just doing things like eating meals with her, watching TV with her in the room sitting hear you on her cage, etc. will do more to earn her trust than anything else...It's a marathon, not a sprint, and you are already well-ahead of most people who have only had a non-tame bird for less than a week.

****The "beak-grinding" is a GOOD THING, lol. That means that she is content, happy, relaxed, and that she feels safe and secure with you. That's why she stops doing it when you "leave the room and get away from her", so from now on, when you're sitting with her and she's "beak-grinding", this means that she likes having you there with her and does not want you to leave. My birds all do this, especially at night before bed while I'm reading or watching TV and they are snuggling against my neck or on my chest, they just beak-grind away all night. This is a very good sign that she's settling-in, feels safe, and is starting to trust you. Just keep doing what you're doing and you'll be fine...

 

[LordTriggs]

sounds like she's getting used to the new place!

Just give her some time, let her know you're a friend and in no time she'll be stuck to you like glue!

 

[noodles123]

Yes, parrots move IN SLOW MOTION.
Careful with the human food...really not good for them to eat it often (especially as cereals are often fortified with vitamins at levels intended for humans)


Some questions for you (unrelated to your post):


Have you had a bird before?
Do you know about Teflon/ptfe/pfoa and that it is hidden in/outside of the kitchen?
Do you know about how to safely clean in the same house with a bird?
Are you aware of the risks posed by simple items like hairspray, perfume, carpet cleaner, candles, scented oils etc?

 

[wrench13]

Welcome and be welcomed. Ellen and the Noodle man have given you good info which you should google up to get more details.

I will only add that Indian Ringnecks are among the parrots that will quickly return to the ' wild ' state if they are not interacted with on a daily basis. Make apoint of putting aside time every day to play with, or just talking with, or reading to your new family member.