New Meyers Foster

[Jujubee]

Hello all,
I just offered to foster a Meyers parrot and have had him (I'm pretty sure he's male but welcome ideas) almost 2 days. I got a call from a co-worker who's friend was looking to rehome him quickly because he was "mean." Upon dropping him off in his cage, she showed us how upset he got when she placed her fist up to him in the cage even though he looked terrified. He opened his beak but did not lunge or bite. After a few hours he allowed me to stick my finger through the top of the cage and scratch his neck. He also took a few Cheerios and an apple chunk from me. He does not "step up" on your hand or have any interest in being touched with the cage door open. He just panics. When I walked by with a towel, he flew to the back if the cage and screamed bloody murder. Unfortunately the vet had to wrap him in a towel to trim his wings/nails/beak and he held a grudge for a few hours after that. He has no interest in leaving his cage either. I don't know most of his back story except that this last person was his fifth home and she only had him 3 months. His cage/perches were covered in feces and we cleaned it thoroughly. I don't know how old he is and he has a closed purple leg band with "CA W&W 7" on it. I've had no luck tracing it to a breeder.
I feel bad for him but I want to give him time to adjust and would welcome ideas! He talks a bit but its grumbles and he whistles too.

 

[weco]

Well, I doubt threatening him/her with an "I'm bigger than you attitude" will do much to calm him/her into a trusting mood.....I think you're just going to have to be patient, read up on target training & clicker training while you're soft talking to it & cojoling it into trusting you.....if it's had that many trust failures, I'd get myself ready for a possible long haul.....

Good luck.....

 

[RavensGryf]

Wow he's beautiful. What's his name? I love the colors on Meyer's. I have 2 Poicephalus parrots myself, and I absolutely love this genus.

Sounds like the poor little guy just needs some time to trust after all he's been through. Poi's tend to startle and freak out more easily than some others, and they're very hard biters. I bet that's what his problem was with the towel.. it's not a grudge . I've noticed with my Poi's, they don't hold grudges like some other species do. One of the nice things about them. By nature they're pretty resilient, roll with the punches type of birds, which is why you rarely see them plucked or with behavioral problems.

Give this beautiful guy a chance... and give it enough patience and time, love, and understanding, and I bet he'll come around and become a wonderful friend.

 

[thekarens]

Beautiful meyers, welcome to the forum!

 

[Jujubee]

Thank you for the replies. He didn't come with a name and I haven't given him one yet. I will make sure to go slow and give him time to acclimate and gain trust.

 

[Jujubee]

Just gonna gush for a moment..... I've been working with him with sunflower seeds and some spray millet as treats only. If I open the door, he gets a treat. If he walks over to me, he gets a treat. Tonight when I opened the door he climbed right out and went to sit on top of his cage. He was grooming and stretching and seemed more relaxed. I practiced approaching a few times, and each time he got a bite of millet, then I walked away. On the fourth approach, he pushed the millet aside and bowed his head for a neck scratch. He let me touch him outside the cage. It's a small step and I know we have a long road ahead, but today was a success for us!

 

[RavensGryf]

Small step?? That's actually huge!! There's the ice breaking right there! I'm happy to hear it. If you patiently keep up what you're doing, before you know it, you'll have a good friend .

 

[thekarens]

That's awesome! Great job!

 

[ToriJo]

Oh such a handsome bird. And yes that is a huge step!! Re-homed 5 times and yet so willing to trust you!
Keep us posted on his progress and when you think of name

 

[Christinenc2000]

Love stories like this ! Its amazing what a little love and kindness will get you .

 

[Jujubee]

It's been a little over a week and I'm happy to report things are going well. Although he does not want to step up onto a hand, finger or branch (when I'm holding it), he does want to have his neck rubbed. Like all the time! He will walk over to me and will let me touch his beak too. I don't dare venture near his tummy or try to have him perch on me until he chooses to try. He says "hello" also. That picture was taken today and he ventured down the ladder for a sunflower seed but wanted a head rub instead! I'm very fond of him and I hope this is a good sign that he is settling in and getting comfy.
Oh, and I gave him a big bowl of warm water the other day and he took the most adorable bath I have ever seen.

 

[JamesC]

It is so neat when you see them learning to trust. My first Senegal Kelly was a rescued bird that was terrified when she came to me. Took the better part of a year working with her daily, small steps at a time. That first time that I got her to accept a head scratch was amazing. Hope this little guy keeps on the track he is on. He should wind up with a very happy life!

 

[thekarens]

So sweet! Good job!

 

[RavensGryf]

That's a great sign! Adorable