question's about my OWA

[dreamin_sqaw]

Im a new OWA (his name is Sammy) mom. I am learning daily with Sammy and nightly here on the forums reading.
I am gonna list some questions I have and hopefully someone here will be willing to help if they can.

First, I've had him just a couple of weeks now. An older cousin (75 yr old man) had him for about a year. He was very gentle with him. He could rub his head , hand feed him, anything he wanted. No attempts to bite were made. He would go from his hand to mine easily but not to anyone else in their house. He bit others that tried. Tried to get me once last night, he was on his cage (outside of it) sleeping, I tried to get him in for the night. I think I just scared him.

Now, at my house he comes to me no problem. But cant warm up to my husband. I heard before that they kinda pick one person and gender plays a role. is this true as far as you can tell? my cousin was a man, I'm not.

heres a list of things i'd love to know more about:

1) Fav fruits? banana's is all I found so far

2) any way to determine age? leg band RM 8 WA (Washington I think is what WA means

3) How much fruits daily?

4) how to adjust him to a better food ? He was getting mostly seed feed at cousins. He doesn't go for any store bought " bird" treat I get him. Just raw peanuts.

5) Perch- how do I know what size diameter perch to use? what they had in cage seems small to me after reading about a amazon with bad feet due to perch sizing.

6) one person bird? (in top paragraph)

7) can you recommend a book or site to help me learn to train Sammy?

8) the eyes flickering means? ( like they are dialating and then widening) When he gets his eyes to changing I simply just keep talking to him as normally do but do not reach out to him. I just walk away after I chat a minute. I am not about to let him think he can be boss. Not wanting to start a problem with control or show any fear.

9) out of cage during the day ok? My cousin kept him caged 24/7 for the most part. I want him comfortable and mobile. he has his door opened every morning and not closed til bedtime. He stays on the cage but it is his choice. If I set him on the floor he will follow me around , stays close. climbs up my legs if I stay still. lol

I have a million things to learn. I just cant think anymore now. Hopefully you all can help me to make sure Sammy is happy and healthy living with me. I sure hope so. I want him to be here for years to come.

I know I threw a lot in here. Sorry. Just hunting help and their are so many things to learn.

thanks in advance

 

[MenomaMinx]

Orange winged Amazon?


Question number eight is eye pinning.

Question number four is to get a bunch of free samples (the major pellet makers will give them to you for free ) and see if the bird shows interest in any of them. Barring that, grind up the pellet of your vet's choice, sprinklers on the seed, then using plant mister to dampen it so it will stick to the seed. Converting to a new food takes time. Don't expect everything overnight.

Question number nine is option number two.

 

[Jayyj]

Ok, I'll dive in with a couple...

For perches, best thing is to get half a dozen different ones - that way he's not always gripping with his knuckles at the same angle. I really like the Java tree branches as the diameter changes naturally throughout the branch, so I currently have seven of those in the cage, plus three nail trimming type perches (two different brands with different shapes) and a few ledge type surfaces. Lastly there's the original dowel perch in there somewhere! I added eye hooks to most of the branch type perches to hang toys from, and there are holes drilled to hide foraging treats.

For books, Parrots for Dummies is a very well written, in depth handbook for parrot owners, not so much for training specifically but for how to handle issues and as a general care guide it's very good. I've been working through Clicker Training for Birds by Melinda Johnson recently as well.

For fruit - and veg - just keep offering things and see what happens. Alice has never been big on fruit, but has just decided after nearly five months that bananas might have potential after all, although she has a habit of decorating the room with it. Fruit needs to be in moderation due to sugar levels, veg less so. If I'm cooking for myself I'll make sure there is bird friendly veg on the plate and try to entice her with bits of it, as well as a veg chop mix in the morning.

 

[Birdman666]

Now, at my house he comes to me no problem. But cant warm up to my husband. I heard before that they kinda pick one person and gender plays a role. is this true as far as you can tell? my cousin was a man, I'm not.

Sometimes. I'm still not sure I buy that gender stuff 100%. That part is reversible, it's just very hard.

It's more that these are pair bond birds. They tend to pick a person... and stick with that one person. He needs to be handled by more than just you, or he is likely to become overbonded to you. He may not be touchie-feelie with anyone else, but he needs to learn to step up nice without biting.

And if he had a disfavored person who was a man, then that says a lot.

heres a list of things i'd love to know more about:

1) Fav fruits? banana's is all I found so far

Usually grapes, and sometimes strawberries.

2) any way to determine age? leg band RM 8 WA (Washington I think is what WA means

3) How much fruits daily?

Mine get about four to five grapes a day. Fruits are primarily sugar. You want him on vitamin A foods. Veggies - carrots, broccoli, and most especially sweet potatoes are usually stuff they readily eat.

4) how to adjust him to a better food ? He was getting mostly seed feed at cousins. He doesn't go for any store bought " bird" treat I get him. Just raw peanuts.

He should be on a primarily pelleted diet. Seed diets, over time, will cause fatty liver disease and kill him prematurely. (Like cut his life expectancy in half!)

5) Perch- how do I know what size diameter perch to use? what they had in cage seems small to me after reading about a amazon with bad feet due to perch sizing.

I use manzanita tree branches with my zons. Dowel perches exclusively will eventually lead to arthritis. Those sandpaper perches are also bad. They can irritate a bird's feet.

6) one person bird? (in top paragraph)

7) can you recommend a book or site to help me learn to train Sammy?

This one.

8) the eyes flickering means? ( like they are dialating and then widening) When he gets his eyes to changing I simply just keep talking to him as normally do but do not reach out to him. I just walk away after I chat a minute. I am not about to let him think he can be boss. Not wanting to start a problem with control or show any fear.

Depends on the circumstances. Could mean I'm happy to see you. Could mean you are invading my territory, take one more step and I'll rip your lips off... Depends on the body posture, and the tail, and the head movements.

What you really need is Joanie Doss' book on amazon body language and what it all means. All those eye pinning, tail fanning head movements, etc. Mean something. Your bird is communicating with you.

9) out of cage during the day ok? My cousin kept him caged 24/7 for the most part. I want him comfortable and mobile. he has his door opened every morning and not closed til bedtime. He stays on the cage but it is his choice. If I set him on the floor he will follow me around , stays close. climbs up my legs if I stay still. lol

My red lored amazon hasn't been caged in approx. 10 years. She started out cage bound as well. Cage bound zons tend to become aggressive, and territorial. Cage bound = bad!!!

Sounds like he is starting to bond with you.

Also, you did not mention bathing. This bird should get weekly showers.

I have a million things to learn. I just cant think anymore now. Hopefully you all can help me to make sure Sammy is happy and healthy living with me. I sure hope so. I want him to be here for years to come.

I know I threw a lot in here. Sorry. Just hunting help and their are so many things to learn.

thanks in advance

 

[SandyBee]

Hi welcome and congrats.

1. Try Berries, mango, kiwi, apple etc
2. Just leg band and history to determine age, no other way
3. Fruits should be about 10% of overall diet, but no worry if he prefers veggies
4. Pellets should be used, try better quality nuts pine nuts,walnuts, almonds, my boy loves cashews.
5. I usually hear 1inch or 1.5 inches in diameter, multiple sizes and shapes is best.
6. Often this is a problem, Amazons pair bond. Keep trying to socialize him.
7.as earlier suggested
8. That is eye pinning, excitement or agitation causes this. Always be on guard when this happens. Amazons are great at body language, this is part of it.
9.It's awesome that you are letting him out, my DYH is out almost always when I am home. Be careful of him walking on the floor too much it is a nesting behaviour for amazons.

My DYH had a male owner for 30 years then picked me(not male)
I think they pick feautures that they like, eg a look, hair colour, voice. They do pair bond tending to pick one person.Try to keep him socialized and active, zons tend to get to be perch potatoes and have health problems if they get overweight.

 

[dreamin_sqaw]

Birdman666,
Sorry about not mentioning the bathing issue. I honestly believe I am introducing him to water. lol

I cant swear by it, but i'd bet a million to one that the last owner never bathed him at all. They sprayed him with Lice/mite spray. that's its. And he had him for around a year.

The first few days I tried putting him a bath bowl in the bottom of the cage. I wanted to see what he knew. He never went near it. So I started using the spray bottle, at least he was somewhat comfortable with this because of them using mite spray. I actually spray him every other day, not a lot. I just thought this is the best way to adjust him just to show im not going over soak him and let him get use to me doing it. He is coming along great this way, who knows? just might have gotten something right. lol His wings are already looking so much better.

oh also, after the first shower/spray I gave him, he actually climbed my leg , sat on my knee and groomed himself for over an hour. Amazing. That's the first time I ever saw him do that. I called to inform past owner of how he was doing ( I promised) and he says he never saw him preen/groom at all and even asked me if I thought he was ok , not plucking feathers. lol I just said" oh yes he is fine, he just loved being cleaned by his misty shower today that he has been introduced to" lol That was as nice as I could be about it. sorry

My fear is doing to much different to fast and hurting the trust issue.

For years I have wanted an amazon , now he is here. I'm patient and I will wait it out with him and he will soon enough learn that I love him and want him happy. In my house he is not a bird, A parrot, or an OWA (orange winged amazon) he's one of the kids.

Thanks to you all.

 

[Birdman666]

They don't need mite spray unless they actually have mites...

Misting works fine. Mine are trained to showed, because I have 5, and had 11 at one time. It's faster.

I forgot about the apples. I have yet to see a parrot turn its nose up at an apple slice.

When I got my red lored she hadn't been bathed in over two years. Her feather condition was so icky that she was pulling out the nasty ones. Training a bird to pluck by not seeing to basic care needs - and zons don't generally pluck! Bathing is important. Misting is fine.

Zons are hardy birds. They may be green chickens about something one day, then perfectly fine with it the next.

Sounds like things are going well.

 

[dreamin_sqaw]

Thought'd be nice to let you see who you are helping me with.
Thanks so much to all of you!!!!

 

[jbail1026]

1) Fav fruits? banana's is all I found so far - George loves apple, banana, grapes. Veggies - broccoli (he prefers the stalk), carrots, sweet potato, celery. He's such a wimp about trying new things, but I'm going to make him some birdy bread and see how that goes. He loves a cracker every now and then. He likes to make "soup" and put all of these things in his water bowl.

2) any way to determine age? Nope, amazon eyes are dark when they're babies, but after adulthood, no way to tell. Jealous!

3) How much fruits daily? I usually offer veggies:fruits in a 4:1 ratio, he gets fresh pellets daily. I use Harrison's adult course. I transitioned George from a seed diet to Harrison's ~12 years ago (he was 13 - and pronounced to be a "fat amazon" at the vet's office where I worked). George is not a fan of change so I mixed his seed and the Harrison's, then decreased the seed, then put Harrison's in his usual food cup and seed in a new cup hanging to the side. He was suspicious of the new cup and preferred to eat the new food out of the old one.

4) how to adjust him to a better food? See above. I still give him 2 peanuts/day for a treat.

5) Perch- how do I know what size diameter perch to use? I have a couple of different dowels - 1" and 1.5" diameter. I tried a manzanita perch, but G was too scared of it and hung from the top of his cage rather than step on the scary new perch. Gave up and went back to dowels. He also climbs around on his cage all day and perches on the door - there's variation there.

6) one person bird? (in top paragraph) - In my experience, yes. George LOVES my dad, even though I was his primary caretaker since he was 2. He will tolerate me, and begrudgingly step up on a dowel for me, but that is it. I love how he talks to me and asks me what I'm doing and yells my name, though, so we're good.

7) can you recommend a book or site to help me learn to train Sammy? I just bought a book about clicker training, but haven't used it yet - I'll check it out and report back.

8) the eyes flickering means? When G pins his eyes, holds his wings out, and fans his tail, I call it "battle mode" and back off. Otherwise, if his body language is not aggressive, it just means he's paying attention to me, like when we're whistling back and forth or something.

9) out of cage during the day ok? G's cage door is open pretty much all the time. I LOVE that he doesn't feel the need to leave his cage. He's fully flighted, and once in a blue moon if something startles him, he'll fly to the cabinets in the kitchen or something, but that's rare. I think it's nice that he doesn't have to look through cage bars all the time. He goes in to eat and nap - he pulls his hanging toys around him and hides - so cute.

Congrats on your new family member! So great to take on an adult bird and work with him and give him a better life.

 

[Birdman666]

8) the eyes flickering means? When G pins his eyes, holds his wings out, and fans his tail, I call it "battle mode" and back off.

Hunched over, pacing back and forth, tail fanned, eyes pinning...

I call that the "Amazon line of death dance."

It's a territorial intrusion warning. It means, one more step and I rip your lips off...

 

[jbail1026]

8) the eyes flickering means? When G pins his eyes, holds his wings out, and fans his tail, I call it "battle mode" and back off.

Hunched over, pacing back and forth, tail fanned, eyes pinning...

I call that the "Amazon line of death dance."

It's a territorial intrusion warning. It means, one more step and I rip your lips off...

Ha! Yes, exactly! I'm rarely sure what flips that switch in him, but I know that stance well. Luckily, it passes quickly.

 

[dreamin_sqaw]

So far the only side stepping is when he is saying " go away! when I want you ill call you!"
usually I just keep talking to him and he sees im not to quick to scare s he comes on over. lol ,, of course I do this with my hands down and away just in case. lol

I was curious if the eye pinning may be him focusing in poor light? I watch every move he makes when im standing talking to him so that I can learn. And I want him to learn me.

I know some members of the other house he was in were mean to him. I hope to get most of that from his memory.
Also if I put my hand up for him to step up, he will push his head under my hand ( like a puppy would) to get me to rub his head. adorable!

Hope to be able to place more pic's up later to let you all see how his appearance changes as he gets "cleaner" looking. Im going slow with that, personal safety choice, but it is still getting done in small doses. Plus the weather is getting cool here fast , with the new move, trying to adjust, and to accept us I don't know if it would possible be easier for him to get "sick" in any way. I will need help there too... I mean, never thought about it but can birds get a simple cold? I know he can fake up a good cough from copying me. had a cold myself. he copied it perfectly! LOL

He is so much fun.

 

[SandyBee]

Aren't they precious!!

No he can't catch a simple cold, there are a few illnesses that can pass between human and bird but for the most part simply keeping good hygiene when your ill is all that's needed. That being said, the stress of moving may trigger something andit is best to go slow.

Eye pinning can be excitement and learning as well as aggression, by observing you will get to know him and learn what he's telling you. Sounds like you are starting to bond with him, it takes time and work but amazons make very loyal companions!

 

[Birdman666]

No.

Eye pinning means everything from:

a. I am happy to see you, or
b. I am not happy to see you stay away from me.

c. I am curious about that thing and I want to investigate,
d. That thing spooks the crap outta me, don't come near me with it.

e. That's MINE, don't touch it!
f. That thing of yours, I see it and I am claiming it. It's MINE! Bring it to me.

g. My hormones have overloaded, and I presently have a screw loose.

h. Some combination of one or more of the above... Amazons are naturally contrary.

They have been known to take two diametrically opposed positions at once. "No... Don't... Stop!" sometimes does mean "No, don't stop!" with these guys.

With an amazon it has to all be taken into context. Google Joanie Doss. She's got an illustrated book on Amazon body language.

 

[Birdman666]

8) the eyes flickering means? When G pins his eyes, holds his wings out, and fans his tail, I call it "battle mode" and back off.

Hunched over, pacing back and forth, tail fanned, eyes pinning...

I call that the "Amazon line of death dance."

It's a territorial intrusion warning. It means, one more step and I rip your lips off...

Ha! Yes, exactly! I'm rarely sure what flips that switch in him, but I know that stance well. Luckily, it passes quickly.

Oddly enough, my BFA did this, but it generally meant you're not picking me up fast enough so I am about to launch myself to your shoulder and stick my head in your eye socket for an extended head scratch, and nobody better get in my way, or try and stop me! FUNNIEST BIRD EVER!!!

 

[dreamin_sqaw]

Im back looking for more help....... sorry guys! I cant stay off this site learning...LOL

I was reading other forums, and the "play" topic was in there somehow.

My question is this:
My orange winged will not play with any of the hanging toys in his cage. any ideas why?
is this an age issue, do they slow down when the get older as we do? I have no idea of his age.( wish I could find something to help figure that out)

He is active with me somewhat. he will walk around on the outside cage and I place him on the floor to walk some just to make me feel like he is getting some form of exercise.

Anything I can try to use to spark his interest in "play time" in the cage. ( he is only locked in at bedtime, but he will go in and out throughout the day on his own)

THANKS AGAIN!!!!!

 

[SandyBee]

My amazon doesn't play with toys in his cage he actually gets rather peeved with me trying to put in toys.
Outside his cage he loves to play with me, very ruff and tumble, loves foot toys, loves throwing around a soft felt ball. loves destroying boxes, paper, containers etc.

Not in his cage LOL

 

[dreamin_sqaw]

Is anyone willing to post a photo of their cage? I am wanting to know the best way to set up his perch and toy's . I got a large cage for him and it feels so empty. I want to try to set it up to make it easy for him to comfortably move around. seems to be struggling a little.
Honestly He is just now getting mobile really. I took him the day after I got him to have nails clipped. they had not been cut in over a year. it was almost impossible for him to move. nails were getting caught on his cage and he was fighting to pull his feet up. hard to watch. the very next day after the vet visit is now moving great. feet are in great shape. nails are great. the problem is I am not sure how to set up the cage to make it inviting for him.
ideas?
pics would be a great help as this is our first bird and not up to par on lots of the items you mention in here. so I read here, run to google, then come back to finish the articles/post. lol
thanks

 

[Birdman666]

This bird was cage bound. He probably hasn't had much to get excited about in awhile so he has turned into a perch potato.

Ordinarily I would say introduce toys on your lap. But with a zon that can be a recipe for a displacement bite...

As he gets exposed to the world again, he will begin to liven up. Get him out of his cage, and give him lots of interaction and stimulation. That should begin to coax the "goofy" out of him.

Even my 60 year old DYH perch potato could be goofy on occasion. RARE occasion, but it was still in him...

And a friend of mine has a DYH that is about 91-ish, now. (It was her grandmother's bird. Grandma got the bird when she was 12!!!) That bird has ALWAYS been goofy, because it has always been a member of the family... so no, age does not have anything to do with it.

 

[Birdman666]

my amazon doesn't play with toys in his cage he actually gets rather peeved with me trying to put in toys.
Outside his cage he loves to play with me, very ruff and tumble, loves foot toys, loves throwing around a soft felt ball. Loves destroying boxes, paper, containers etc.

Not in his cage lol

and wiffle balls! Mine loves wiffle balls!