New older bird

[kimng]

Ok that title could describe me as well LOL!

I need help, probably a good portion of why I joined, well that and just chat with other bird owners. We just acquired Tarzan , our Yellow Nape Zon. While he's new to us, he's not a baby, he's 31 yrs old. I was able to get a little of his history (I do mean LITTLE). Older couple had him, he was mostly the male owners pet, wife I think "tolerated" him. He's QUITE the talker already, and makes these cute shrills of excitement, probably what sold me on him, well that and his snoring. YES he snores! He's got that down pat, no doubt from his older companion!

Here's the thing, I said the wife "tolerated" him. Apparently he does NOT like females (except for his granddaughter who got along fine with him). And that means ME as well (in the not getting along with).

We brought him home Friday and put him on one of our playstands while we set up his cage. I went to put paper down on the playstand and he flew off and attacked me, biting my wrist. Pretty good I might add. I hold no ill will towards him at all and just makes me love him that much more! (also makes me wonder why he didn't like that wife). When the older couple moved into Assisted Living, the wife was ADAMENT about HIM not going with them! That broke my heart, I'd NEVER leave my critters behind, nor would my hubby.

SO my question is, is there a chance, with a SUPER DUPER lot of patience, could I get him to accept me? I'm not going to return him if the answer is no, he's with us in a loving, safe environment now! I just want to be able to hold him w/o losing pints of blood!

Oh the couple apparently weren't too keen on feeding him well either, as apparently he prefers people food (steaks, tacos, pizza, etc). Noticed he's not eaten much of his seed or pellets, and hardly touched his veggies/fruit.

 

[JerseyWendy]

I LOVE his name, Tarzan....sorry, just couldn't help myself.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwHWbsvgQUE"]Johnny Weismuller Tarzan Call - YouTube[/ame]

THANK YOU for giving him a home, Kim!! Poor thing is probably still a bit confused as to what is going on, but YES, there is always the possibility that he'll come around for you!

We have a large number of members who have adopted/rescued older zons, and many have absolute success and even love stories to tell.

Sorry to hear he nailed you. OUCH! They can have quite the punch, can't they?

 

[kimng]

I LOVE his name, Tarzan....sorry, just couldn't help myself.

Johnny Weismuller Tarzan Call - YouTube

THANK YOU for giving him a home, Kim!! Poor thing is probably still a bit confused as to what is going on, but YES, there is always the possibility that he'll come around for you!

We have a large number of members who have adopted/rescued older zons, and many have absolute success and even love stories to tell.

Sorry to hear he nailed you. OUCH! They can have quite the punch, can't they?

Oh you have NO IDEA how much I want him to learn that yell Johnny was famous for!

It just broke my heart, knowing he was loved on for 31 years and then POOF he's been sent away. Getting teary eyed thinking about that. It's known to my kids, they WILL become our birds owners when we are gone.

As for the bite, it will heal in time! At least it wasn't from a Hiacinth ! Did have his beak filed down some, much more ...tolerable! LOL I told hubby that's his thing to find out, I'm still a little gun shy. I've not even been bitten by my U2 that hard ....yet!

 

[henpecked]

Welcome to the forum. Just play a little hard to get and he'll come to want attention. Act like he's missing out , find a treat he likes but only gets from your hand. Only give him a little of the treat, your attention. Leave him wanting more from you, before he bites to say "I've had enough". P S thank you for giving an older zon a good home.

 

[Peppo]

My Paco was a rescue and came from a home where he was rather disliked to say the least. He will come around. The best advice I got was to always leave each interaction on a positive note. Always. I did that and Paco is my best friend. Go in with the attitude that it will work and it will. Good luck. Amazons are great.

 

[kimng]

I found something Tarzan seems to LOVE, peanut butter chips! I know many bird shops sell them in tiny bags for HIGH prices so I get them in bulk at nuts.com. All my fids love them actually.

So I'm going to be placing them on his perch to get him to like me more!

Yesterday I was excited, I know it's only been a few days. But I came home and hubby had him on perch and as I walked by, Tar flew off (thankfully missing me) and landed on hubby. I went over and sat down far away from him. He was coo'ing with hubby so I was trying to mimic him. He looked up excited like, and curiously started heading towards me. Yeah that wasn't a look of excitement that was a look of "Don't mimic me ......" and he LUNGED at me! Got my palm this time, darn that hurt! Man he just does NOT like me at all. I'm not giving up and know it's gonna take some time, LOTS of time!

 

[torrap]

It's very nice of you to adapt an older Zon.
They live longer than their owners sometimes unfortunately, so many have to go through few owners in their long life..... .
Male Amazons are more feisty than the female Amazons in my experience, so he will probably require a little more patience. But you are at the great start with him. If you didn't get upset so much after he made you bleed....WOW....I think you have tons of patience! You are at the right place for help if you needed. Good luck with him!

 

[Birdman666]

My zons all know the Tarzan call, but they do it as a whistle, not as the AHHH-HAAAA-AAHHHH! HAH-AAAH-HAH-AAAH.

Zons are pair bond birds. This bird's pair bond person was a man, and there were probably some overbonding issues besides...

So, that's the dynamic here.

The trick is to get him to transfer that pair bond to you. Doing things that he used to enjoy (favorite games/activities?) sometimes helps...

Other than that, just be patient, and keep working with him. Napes generally are huge personality birds...

 

[kimng]

It's very nice of you to adapt an older Zon.
They live longer than their owners sometimes unfortunately, so many have to go through few owners in their long life..... .
Male Amazons are more feisty than the female Amazons in my experience, so he will probably require a little more patience. But you are at the great start with him. If you didn't get upset so much after he made you bleed....WOW....I think you have tons of patience! You are at the right place for help if you needed. Good luck with him!

Oh I got a little teary eyed the 2nd time but shook it off since he's only been with us a few days. Hubby was more upset I think, maybe because Tar has taken to him so easily but I understand that & why! It's all good, besides, Oscar (who used to be hubby's fave) still cuddles with me (even if he wants to go over to daddy but can't because that new bird is with him) LOL!

Lots and lots of peanut butter chips - yup, that's going to be my treat to him!