Newly Acquired Amazon - Advice Appreciated

[Dark_Memory]

So I just acquired a 3 yr old Orange Wing Amazon. She has been passed through three households in the past 3-4 months and now is living with me. I intend to keep her for the rest of our lives. The family she came from didn't handle her much or did much at all with her it seems even though they claimed to.

I am wondering on what would be some good steps for me to take in her training. I already established in my househould that I will be the one to feed her, handle her, water her, bath and groom her cuz I would like for us to become bonded over time.

But I'm having a hard time getting started as I have no idea what her favorite treats are. The woman said cheetohs but I can't get Akira to take anything out of my hand much less get her to "step up". When I put my hand in her cage she hides in the corner and when I put it near her, she makes a cough like sound as a warning but doesnt offer to bite me. I leave her cage door open hoping she'll come outside but she hasn't ventured out yet.

I've only had her two days and I know things will need to be taken slow to gain her confidence but I wanted to go ahead and get started on learning on when and what steps to take.

I already recorded a itunes track for her to learn some new words, "Hello Mommy", a cat call whistle, "My name's Akira", and "Wazzup". The track only replays for 10 minutes then shuts off and there is a space of 5-6 seconds between each phrase. I also intend to set aside some time in the day to repeat them myself and offer her treats but until I can get her to take them out of my hand Im not sure what else I can do.

I want to get her to be confident and out and exploring as I have the top half of a nother cage set up for her to go in as well and I plan to have some perches put up through out the house.

Any suggestions? Ideas? What do you think of the method I am using to teach her to talk?

Here is a picture of the set up of her cages. Also I would love to konw what you think is an Amazon must have toy! I would like to add more brain stimulating toys to her environment.

 

[kerry]

Congrats on your new Amazon.
Sunflower seeds or peanuts are good for treats, but not as a usual food, they are too high in fat & Amazons are prone to being over weight.
When I taught my Yellow Nape to talk I would just say 1 thing like "hi baby" or "How are you" whenever I went to his cage & I kept saying it until he learned it, that keeps the focus on 1 thing until it is mastered. It worked very well for us.

 

[Dark_Memory]

Congrats on your new Amazon.
Sunflower seeds or peanuts are good for treats, but not as a usual food, they are too high in fat & Amazons are prone to being over weight.
When I taught my Yellow Nape to talk I would just say 1 thing like "hi baby" or "How are you" whenever I went to his cage & I kept saying it until he learned it, that keeps the focus on 1 thing until it is mastered. It worked very well for us.

Thanks for the tip Kerry!

 

[Abzeez]

Just be patient. Amazons are wonderful parrots, but keep in mind they LOVE to chew and destroy. My blue fronts favorite destroy toys are made of soft pine. I can buy him a $30 toy and he will have it gone by the end of the day. They are very playful parrots and need lots of toys. Check out Drs Foster and Smith online. They have some nice toys. Or just search parrot toys online and you will find a ton of places. Good luck!

 

[merlinsmom13]

Plan your days activity near her cage (read, fold laundry, etc). Talk to her, sing make funny voices. Show her that being w/you is fun. I wouldnt reach in the cage, thats her safe place & amazons bite hard.

 

[oled]

In this stage it is no use to have the hand in the cage. keep comfort distance. Dont have the door open more then when you are around. Be near the cage but keep comfort distance, meaning that she fils comfteble with you company. Later on she will ask for your company and then it is time to take next step.
Dont take hear out du to the riskt that she will exscape and you are forced to tuf handle, this will slow down the trust process

 

[Spiritbird]

In the many classes I have attended on parrot care it has been said more than once that each new home is a new start for the bird. So what happened in her past can be erased and you start over with a clean slate. It makes sense. Here is a link to a site where you will find some wonderful articles.

 

[izmail1215]

My yellow nape loves when I talk to him he starts to mumble, every time you talk on the phone use a bluethooth and sit buy him and talk so he wont feel left out

 

[Dark_Memory]

Thanks for all the tips guys, her cage is right in front of my open door and every time I walk by I say a few words to her and stand and talk to her. I dont push her anymore with my hand and I let her door open today and she actually came right out. She's still wary of me but I take this as a step in teh right direction. She even moved to the other side of the cage so she could see me.

I've notice that Akira likes to do this "dance" kinda of thing, where she bobs back and forth, any idea what she's saying here?

 

[IcyWolf]

Haha, she's saying that she likes to dance! I would consider spending some time in the same room with her listening to music. It shouldn't take long before you figure out what kind of music she likes and it's a really good way to bond if your bird seems to enjoy it. Dance along with her and even sing, I'm sure she'll get a kick out of it and soon enough will realize that you aren't a threat. If they are willing, I would encourage the rest of your family to spend time with her as well. I know you said that you will be feeding her and doing everything but you don't want to create a one person bird if you can avoid it. It makes it very difficult if you ever have to go away and have someone else care for the bird among other things.

 

[Dark_Memory]

Haha, she's saying that she likes to dance! I would consider spending some time in the same room with her listening to music. It shouldn't take long before you figure out what kind of music she likes and it's a really good way to bond if your bird seems to enjoy it. Dance along with her and even sing, I'm sure she'll get a kick out of it and soon enough will realize that you aren't a threat. If they are willing, I would encourage the rest of your family to spend time with her as well. I know you said that you will be feeding her and doing everything but you don't want to create a one person bird if you can avoid it. It makes it very difficult if you ever have to go away and have someone else care for the bird among other things.

Oh ha ha, I thought maybe she was upset or distressed. I'll have to record her doing it sometime. Thats a good idea, I listen to music all the time while drawing, no reason I couldnt include her in.

And thanks for pointing it out that way, I didnt look at it like that. I guess I've always been over protective and non sharing of my pets wanting them to love me only. A selfish act due to personal reasons I care not to talk about but I do see the point you made.