Please help me to help Monty

[MontyCresto]

9 days ago I rescued an 8month old male Sulphur Crested Cockatoo. The poor boy arrived at my house in the boot of a car, where he had been for over an hour. He was very distressed and frightened.

Monty is my second SC2 (dear Cookie passed away so unfortunately is not there to lead by example), I have also had many australian natives I have rehabilitated well, but nobody quite the challenge Monty is.

I have Monty in a large cage in the corner of my kitchen dining where most of the family action happens. He has lots of toys for the first time in his life and loves them. The last 3 days he has started vocalising morning and night which is great.

The problem is Monty is extremely frightened of humans due to being man handled by the last owner. When I walk near his cage he hisses, puts his crest up and lunges with beak open. I get it, hes so frightened he would do anything to protect himself from being hurt.

I let Monty settle in for 2 days and then I tried to pet him. He bit me and tried to scare me off. His bite is not very hard so I try not to move away. Over the next few days Monty begrudgingly let me pet him many times a day, while always turning his head and threatening me and regularly giving me a peck.

Today Monty has started jumping off his perch to the back of the cage to get away from me. He has done this 3 times today so I decided not to push him further.

Every time I walk in the room I talk or sing to him. He watches me but really puts off a 'dont come near me' vibe.

I am writing in the hope that some members may have some tips on how I can build Monty's trust, tips for clicker training I wont find in the book, how to get this guy to stop biting in fear.

I would love Monty to snuggle like my last cocky but I do understand he is a different bird. Im open to any way to help him have a happy life, including a companion bird for him. Im also not opposed to giving him a big aviary where he can fly if he is adament he doesnt want to be my companion. Its all about whats best for him.

Rehoming is not an option and I know I have decades to build our relationship, im not in a rush.

I am hopeful I can rehabilitate this poor guy and would be grateful for any input. Thank you

 

[Sungazer]

A lot of people may be against this idea. But i would put on the oven mits, clip his wings, Then let him just sit on your arm or hand or lie down and just let him sit on your leg. Every time he gets off just go and get him again. Get a drinking straw and give him a scratch on the head neck while he is sitting with you if he will let you. If it gets too much just put him back in the cage and try again in a few hours.

You can also try giving him a scratch on the neck while he is in the cage with a small stick.

Go slow but the learn it is a good experience an not a frighting one and should settle.

 

[Pinkbirdy]

Because of what hes come from . It will most likely take a long time [like months ] . You need to be ok with that . I would visit [and see if he takes an interest ] through the bars of the cage, Then leave the cage door open to see if he comes out on his own. As I said it could take a long time to get to this point. No pressure on him . I know its frustrating [but hes so scared] . Half mine have been rehomes ,and with time they do come around [when they feel loved].

 

[Betrisher]

G'day your Countfulness!

Is Monty flighted or not? Has he been handled by his previous owner? These will make a big difference to what you might try (or not). I do think the first thing is spend as much time as you can sitting by Monty's cage and talking gently to him. Offer him treats (like millet spray or long grass heads or milk thistle or celery sticks). If he'll take them, then that's a good sign. If not, then leave them where he can reach them and just sit patiently by. My personal philosophy is that shameless bribery through shovelling treats at the bird is the way to go (although others will probably differ). I've had lots of success using Shameless Bribery with my Alexes and with my Galah. Not so much with the Lovebirds.

Once Monty has become confident with you approaching his cage, then you might start to think of letting him out or reaching in for him. Don't ever grab at him or you'll lose his trust. For now, he has to make all the approaches and you just wait. It's really hard, but it will pay off hugely in the end. You'll need to decide for yourself whether to clip or not. I belong to the 'do not clip' camp, but others will disagree for perfectly good reasons. You must make up your own mind.

One last thing: if you decide to let Monty out of his cage, make sure you've got plenty of time available to get him back in again! If he won't step up for you, you'll have a leetle problem trying to insert all that bird through that tiny cage door! YOu really don't want to have to towel him and/or manhandle him back in at this early stage.

Do keep us up to date with your progress, won't you? It's good to think another lovely bird has found a forever home!

 

[MontyCresto]

Thanks for all the fast replies everyone.

Monty came with one wing clipped. I suspect this clipping has added to his trauma as last owner didnt have a clue. I plan to allow his wing to grow back. He has already jumped off his play stand in fright and I dont like it when my birds go splat on the tiles. I prefer my friend to fly around the house.

I have been leaving his door open at times and I put a big wooden ladder for him to get down, not that a cocky needs it lol.

The other day when I walked near his cage and door was open he got really frightened and jumped out. He quickly made a beeline to climb back in. For the moment getting him in the cage isnt an issue!

Poor guy is so scared he poops every time I get close. I talk to him, he poops. If I look at him and he doesnt like it, poop!!!

On a positive note I can see him improving already. He sometimes stays fluffed up if I walk past or talk, that wasnt happening before. He is not raising his crest as much as he did at first (it looked glued up the first 4 days!) He is really starting to go nuts with the toys, flapping and making little noises while playing.

I will try sitting by his cage and bribing him with treats. New toys are definately going to win me favour since he loves them so much already.

I was worried petting him with a stick would scare him. Since hand petting is scary a stick probably wont be scarier. I will give that a go.

I think I will leave it a bit longer to get him out myself. I will give him the opportunity to come out. I think hes going to be a baby steps kind of guy. Sitting atop his cage would be a huge step for him.

It makes me so angry that someone has been so careless with Monty. He had a cage not fit for a budgie, outside in winter, he is filthy, was fed nothing but sunflowers, not even one toy. The guy told me Monty came out and was friendly but they hadnt had time for months. I dont believe that. He didnt even have a name!

I will keep posting our progress. I know I can help this guy have a full and happy life. We have decades to work on our relationship.

 

[Betrisher]

Oh MontyCresto, I think you're going to have a great time with Monty! He's already doing plenty of encouraging things and just needs some confidence. I bet he settles down really quickly for you.

 

[Mayden]

I agree. Sounds like your on the right track, just take it slow and steady. Monty needs to learn that you are his new flock and you're going to give him love, food, comfort, attention, everything he could want. But especially, considering his last home, he isn't going to trust you over night.

He's already showing good signs though, so well done!

 

[Pajarita]

Don't try to pet him and don't open his cage door. Not for now. Wait until he no longer hisses, backs away from you or looks at you with distrust. Don't pet him and don't interact physically. You want him to get used to your presence and not fear it before you go any further. Always (and I do mean ALWAYS) announce your presence with the same words (whatever you want to make it, it could be just a "Hello!" or it could be a "I'm coming" or a "How are you?") but always use his name and always do it BEFORE you get within a few feet of his cage. And, when you pass near enough, stop and offer him a nut from your hand. Wait about five minutes (time yourself) without moving an inch and, if he doesn't get close to take it, just turn away and continue doing your own stuff. This will tell him when you are going to be approaching and give him time to anticipate your action and decide whether to accept the nut or not. In time, he will no longer react to the phrase because he will learn that it only means you are going to pass near him but that you will not try anything that might scare him, quite the contrary, that your coming near him means a good thing (the treat).

As often as you can, say the phrase and continue talking while you sit next to his cage. At the beginning, sit as far as you can without making him react (you will have to experiment with distances to judge which one is the right one) and slowly and gradually, move closer and closer until you can sit next to his cage without him scrambling to get away from you (move the chair closer only when he no longer reacts for three days in a row). Sit on the chair for, at last, half an hour (make it longer if you can) and read out loud while you are there. It doesn't matter what as it's done for him to get used to your physical presence and your voice.

Once you can sit right next to the cage, talk to him and offer him a treat without him reacting negatively to it, you can start opening his cage. Do it right before he gets his dinner (at sunset) and put his dinner in there when and if he comes out (he won't at the beginning but, eventually, he will).

I take in birds that have been abused and the key to their accepting you is to show them that at no point in time will they be made to do or accept anything that they don't want so there can be no grabbing and no forcing them. It could take a long time but the relationship you will get will be based on trust which is the only good foundation for any parrot/human relationship because parrots do not understand dominance, subjugation or leadership.

 

[MontyCresto]

Thanks for the encouragement and great advice everyone.

I moved a chair near Montys house, talking to announce what was happening. He gave a little hiss and moved only 2 steps away. I have plenty to talk about so I chatted on a bit. He looked on with crest half up and on low alert.

I slowly put a slice of apple up to the bars. Monty moved to hide behind his favourite toy (which was amusing because it didnt hide much!) He peered out with one eye on me. I kept the apple up for 1min then I noticed he was shaking and making a very tiny hiss on exhaling.

I decided one min was enough to start. I will repeat this multiple times today trying to extend the time. He seemed relieved I didnt open the cage to touch him.

Tomorrow I will go shopping for a wide variety of foods to coerce him with and I think new toys are in order since he is trusting them. I figure if hes building trust with his toys and I provide more that can only help.

 

[Pajarita]

One thing I forgot, when it's time to open his cage, make sure there is a perch on the outside of the cage and near his door (this will involve stressing him out a bit as you would have to stick your hand in it to fasten it but some things are just necessary and there is no getting around them).

Good judgment on the 1 minute treat offer. Every bird is different and the key is to observe and study them so as to set a pace he will feel comfortable with.

 

[MontyCresto]

Pajarita: Thanks for the encouragement.

Ahhh yes, a perch on the outside makes sense. Will do. Im imagining multiple.

Im so grateful for all the advice from everyone. I feel alot more confident in what im doing now.

Yesterday I continued periodically sitting next to Montys house. I didnt take a treat from the second time on. I thought since he was shaking and constantly hissing because my hand was near him, I will wait a few days to put me hand on the cage. I just sat next to him and spoke to him while I made eye contact regularly but not constantly.

When I sit near him he puts his crest down alot. He looks somewhat relaxed but not fully. It really is hilarious the way he hides behind his wooden chew toy thats 1" × 6". (Will have to figure out photo posting)


When i enter the room or walk past his house, Monty stops what he is is doing and watches me. He is starting to resume activity alot quicker now. Instead of waiting until im out of site he just goes back to his activity once he checks what im doing.

Hes definately making positive progress. He can take as long as he needs.

 

[aether-drifter]

A lot of people may be against this idea. But i would put on the oven mits, clip his wings, Then let him just sit on your arm or hand or lie down and just let him sit on your leg. Every time he gets off just go and get him again. Get a drinking straw and give him a scratch on the head neck while he is sitting with you if he will let you. If it gets too much just put him back in the cage and try again in a few hours.

No.

I agree with everyone else's advice. Thank you for rescuing Monty. Cockatoos are such loving birds, I am sure he will come around eventually when he realizes you aren't like his first owner.

 

[Parro]

Monty is having some advance. but sit on a chair facing him and read a book, scribble, etc. while his cage door is open.

if he is too scared with it open. start with it closed. after awhile while sitting and facing Monty do not give him direct eye contact. while doing what your doing in the chair you should keep your head down. Monty must have interest in what your doing and this may advance him more.

i hope this helped