Questions

[raeleigh26]

So, the regurgitating thing... does this apply if they my keep it in their mouth, or really only if they actually spit up on you?
We've had Ralphie 5 days, he's equally affectionate and accepting of my husband and me (yay!)... and he regurgitates and chews it while either of us is handling him.

We're just learning how to communicate effectively with him, and learn the signals he's (obviously) trying to give us that We're not understanding. So the body language threads are great, but we still have a couple things we haven't figured out yet.

Also, in other forums and fb pages I'm seeing that almost no one has just one bird, which we were told was a big no no.
But that if we ever wanted to add to the family, there were rules akin to keeping Mogwai.

(Never out at the same time, never in the same cage, etc) cages in the same room?

Any info on having say, a quaker with an Amazon? (We went to look at a quaker when we found Ralph and brought him home instead. But, the quaker took to me immediately, and hated dh, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't tempted to get him out of that teeny pet shop cage.)

(ETA: he's doing great btw we love him)
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[noodles123]

It's not a big "no no". Some people prefer keeping more than one because they are social, but a human with the right devotion can keep a single bird happy and healthy-- now, again, there are people who feel that it is better to keep multiple, but a large number of people (myself included) have one parrot. You you should NEVER get a bird for your bird. 2 parrots are not guaranteed to get along or continue to get along even if they do at first. Cages should not be on the same side of the house even for 45 or so days, due to quarantine and the risk of asymptomatic disease transmission.



I posted my thoughts on this somewhere else- let me see if I can save time and just find that thread.



How old is your current bird?


5 days is really not long enough to even know him well- especially if he is still a baby.

 

[raeleigh26]

It's not a big "no no". Some people prefer keeping more than one because they are social, but a human with the right devotion can keep a single bird happy and healthy. You you should NEVER get a bird for your bird. 2 parrots are not guaranteed to get along or continue to get along even if they do at first. Cages should not be on the same side of the house even for 45 or so days, due to quarantine and the risk of asymptomatic disease transmission.



I posted my thoughts on this somewhere else- let me see if I can save time and just find that thread.



How old is your current bird?


5 days is really not long enough to even know him well- especially if he is still a baby.

He is ten years old. And I absolutely do not want a bonded or breeding pair.
I lost a female budgie and the male never recovered from the loss. Was never the same. Not to mention, they didn't care about me what so ever, but my limited time to spend at home was why I had a pair at that time.

I'm not actually in a rush to get a second parrot, we're on an adventure getting to know Ralph and that'll take time. Not a good idea to rush into it, I know.

But I did fall in love with quakers, and I'm lead to believe that they are a little more lovey than Amazon's. Right now at least, Ralph does not want to be touched. At all. Period.
(Though he has no problem with step up onto our hands or being perched on our arms/ leg/ even my toes while chilling on the couch)

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[noodles123]

It all comes down to you and whether you have the time to interact with both birds daily--even opposite species can bond and get sexual etc, but they can also fight or get jealous...or make you the 3rd wheel. They could just be friends too, but then you also have to figure in factors like puberty etc. Your current guy is an adult, but I'd certainly wait until you have had him longer before deciding...If you get another bird that is a baby---that is going to complicate things to if the baby changes a few years down the road at puberty.


There's just no way to know what you will get--- for many people it works, for many it doesn't, but at 3 hours of out-of-cage time per bird and the requirement that they get a minimum of 10 hours sleep nightly, having 2 birds that can't be out at the same time (while working) is a challenge in terms of logistics. Some birds can be out at the same time, but again, supervision is essential. A few members have parrots with missing toes because one of their birds landed on another bird's cage-top and *snip snap* lol/eek


Again...lots of people have multiple birds who are very happy, but it is always a gamble-- and hormones are always a risk, as is bonding or fighting etc.



It can be wonderful, IF it works, but you never know, which is why you have to be ready for all of the possibilities before making a decision-- at least, that is my opinion.

Back to regurgitation



***You want to make sure you are petting on the head and neck only and not encouraging or continuing to interact with a regurgitating bird--you have to sort of change the subject---don't be mean about it, but maybe consider putting the bird down on the cage top or doing training or something else. Yes, it is a compliment, but it is also considered to be a sexual behavior. Avoid snuggle huts and shadowy spaces- the huts a re very dangerous for health reasons but can also increase hormonal behavior




5 days in, not wanting to be touched is normal. My adult parrot knew how to step up and wouldn't for the first 3 months after I adopted her. If you notice that your bird tends to strongly prefer one of you to the other, I'd also suggest that the least favorite person be associated with the most fun/positive treats/activities (at least initially)

 

[SailBoat]

It is helpful to list the type of Amazon you have as part of your profile as there are variations within this very large family.

Another one of the members here (Texsize) has three Amazons and other Parrots. Two of the Amazons are 'currently' in the same cage, but there are indications that maybe ending in the next few months.

We have been for-near-ever a single Amazon household. We specialize is taking in Very old, very ill, and commonly abused Amazon. As a general statement, they come with little want to ever trust another Human. In our world, one-on-one, is a critical part of life with an Amazon, especially during this critical early point of interaction in your household.

We do extremely well with developing a loving trust bond with an Amazon that had not want to ever trust another Human. We believe that this is based on a single Parrot home at least until the bond is fully in place. But that is us!

FYI: Avian Medical Care is very expensive. Prior to taking on more than one Parrot assure you fully understand the costs of Medical care!

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

I've always had two birds..A Grey and an Amazon. The Grey passed away a 28y.o about 5 years ago,I had her since she was 6 months. I've had the Amazon since he was 4 months and he turned 31y.o. a few weeks ago. After Smokey passed I adopted a 24y.o Goffin 'too but sadly had to rehome him after 2 years. Now I have a tiel who turned 5 a few weeks ago,had him since he was 4.5 months old. My Amazon loved/loves all birds Life is good!



Jim

 

[saxguy64]

Interesting description of amazon vs quaker. I really have no experience with quakers. Only met one once, at our nearby refuge. They're prohibited from owning in our state. I totally understand the attraction. On the other hand, maybe I'm just extremely lucky, but I have the sweetest, most loving YNA ever, only for me though. Everyone else is chopped liver!

I'm also one of those cases where the birds don't get along. My Ekkie LOVES the amazon, but she wants no part of it. So, yeah, they have separate daddy time out of the cages, and never out at the same time. It's inconvenient at best, but totally worth the effort to me. I actually had no intention of a second bird, but Baxter (the amazon) was determined to come home with me. Her charm finally won me over after months of denial on my part.

 

[raeleigh26]

Ralph is a BFA, he's got no small housing spaces like huts, bags, hammocks, etc.
Timing, with holidays, has delayed his first vet visit for a full evaluation.
My first post about him was regarding his "mouthing" habit... which i now know is him regurgitating and, (pardon the comparison, I have cattle) chewing his cud.

Upon further observation, he does this whether being settled on either of us, or sitting next to us(on the couch or laundry basket, he's also fond of pillows) but I haven't noticed him doing so on his perch in the living room.

I have no idea if this is normal. He's on exactly the same food as in the pet shop- about 2oz of zupreem fruit blend daily. Some days he eats it all, some days there's a piece of two left by bed time, some days he suddenly hates one color(flavor? Shape?) and drops them all in favor of the rest.

We haven't added anything else except half a walnut for a couple days. He doesn't seem to like anything new or unexpected, and we're introducing a lot of things, so we're trying to go slow.

- he eats well, he's talkative early in the day and in the evening, he tends to absorb the quiet calm vibes of the house during the day (I don't work, dh is currently home after being run over by a tractor, and we're both just quiet introverts.) - and quietly perch, watch TV, etc.
Every day he makes a new sound, allows a little more interacting, is more curious of something, for the most part, we let him decide when we interact.
He calls when one of us leaves the room.
So far, no real play. But if he doesn't like something, he refuses to let me catch it. He'll move across the perch or wait till I move my hand to drop it lol.

I have tons of video already, but this is really the only photo I have... gotta fix that!

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[raeleigh26]

Breakfast on a snowy new years day.

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[Laurasea]

Often when first in a new home and getting attention for maybe the first time in a long time, they regurgitate.

It can be just a cement the bond with family /freinds. Or it can be hormones got stirred up.

On having second parrot its up to you. I have successfully made a flock. But my budgie lost his toes to My GCC. I use acrylic on top of all the flat top cages to prevent this. Doesn't bring my budgies toes back, thats an awful lesson for my bird and me. I did have a little trouble with one quaker and MY GCC,. But o and they worked it out. So all have their own cages, but all can be out all day together. Having them all flighted, and I have ten times tge amount of out of cage perches and different hang out spots than i have birds. As a suffer of MBS ( multiple bird syndrome) I have way to many, 3 budgies, 3 quakers, 1 GCC... 2 I bought, the rest rescue, or rehomed to me

 

[noodles123]

Ralph is a BFA, he's got no small housing spaces like huts, bags, hammocks, etc.
Timing, with holidays, has delayed his first vet visit for a full evaluation.
My first post about him was regarding his "mouthing" habit... which i now know is him regurgitating and, (pardon the comparison, I have cattle) chewing his cud.

Upon further observation, he does this whether being settled on either of us, or sitting next to us(on the couch or laundry basket, he's also fond of pillows) but I haven't noticed him doing so on his perch in the living room.

I have no idea if this is normal. He's on exactly the same food as in the pet shop- about 2oz of zupreem fruit blend daily. Some days he eats it all, some days there's a piece of two left by bed time, some days he suddenly hates one color(flavor? Shape?) and drops them all in favor of the rest.

We haven't added anything else except half a walnut for a couple days. He doesn't seem to like anything new or unexpected, and we're introducing a lot of things, so we're trying to go slow.

- he eats well, he's talkative early in the day and in the evening, he tends to absorb the quiet calm vibes of the house during the day (I don't work, dh is currently home after being run over by a tractor, and we're both just quiet introverts.) - and quietly perch, watch TV, etc.
Every day he makes a new sound, allows a little more interacting, is more curious of something, for the most part, we let him decide when we interact.
He calls when one of us leaves the room.
So far, no real play. But if he doesn't like something, he refuses to let me catch it. He'll move across the perch or wait till I move my hand to drop it lol.

I have tons of video already, but this is really the only photo I have... gotta fix that!

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Pillows, couches and laundry baskets are also huge triggers for noodles...same with prorogued time on laps or near/on blankets.

 

[raeleigh26]

Petting certainly isn't the problem, no touchy. No more upchuck chewing as of...2 days ago?
He's officially decided to pick a person. We love him, he loves dh.
Nibbling, grooming, allowing kisses on his head(though no scratches yet he's got a thing about hands. They're scary.) He's begun shoulder rushing. Him. Not me.
And refuses to come off.

I don't have trouble handling him, or getting him to step on/ off, except for asking him to come off his perch, and today for the first time, his cage. He tells me no a lot. I'm allowing "not right now", and making every successful attempt worth his while, but now that I'm officially not his person just getting attention isn't enough incentive to allow me to move him from perch to perch. (We only mess with him 2 or 3 times a day. Otherwise he's chilling on his perch.)
He doesn't mind me holding his feet, stays inside my thumb. But not at all for dh. Wants to be right up in his face.
(and dh let's him get away with sitting on his shoulder making a mess with crumbs and cardboard, or napping all day *dh has a broken leg btw so... yeah)

It isn't so much working on Ralph's training, but dh. He's horribly inconsistent, I've finally gotten him to give treat only when Ralph is in hand, not allowing him to go further up the arm, (posture is an issue here) - no shoulder until he steps up every time.....and..... he decides he's been so good for 2 whole days, so he can put him on his shoulder for a little while. Guess what happened at bedtime?

Yup. Refusal. Biting threats, one lunge, flapping, and finally forced onto a stick.

But I didn't help him. He made that monster.
Sigh.

OH! He's flighted btw, which we knew, but he'd never attempted a launch until we were working on step up(hand only) and step back down(on flat surface) with dh. I moved the perch back so dh could get up, Ralph flew right to him.
We want to encourage that so he got a treat (teeny piece of pecan, almonds aren't appreciated and pine nuts on order) but the landing was messy as he aimed for the shoulder, was offered the hand instead, and redirected to the chest.

Speaking of food ..... he refuses to eat anything other than walnuts, pecans, (altogether less than a whole nut a day) and his zupreem pellets. I don't think he's been offered anything else. And apparently my presentation of new foods was insulting.

Also! I'm excited that I figured out one of his gestures means, "food, hungry, or treat"
He lifts a foot and closes his toes then puts it back down. This is different from the open foot held up for "pick me up" ..... he always eats with his foot. Always. Yay me! I've got a begging parrot!

We definitely want to work on his diet. And he doesn't play. I've gotten him twice to forage... kinda... in a napkin for bits of food. Baby steps, right? Perch potato.

For now the goal is a consistent step up for us both without shoulder rushing, diet. And play.
Building blocks. We've ordered several clickers, since my "bridge phrase" has been "good job" and dh says "good boy".


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[wrench13]

So you folks need to decide some things, and then be 100% consistent, or you are gonna have a bird that rides rough over you both. Set some ground rules on step up, treats and so forth. Also true if you start any kind of training, which I highly recommend. Even some simple tricks to start with, to engage his mind and curiosity. Find his very favorite food and use that for traing ONLY.

Foods, try some habebaro or jalapeño peppers, whole or in chunks or diced, parrots love them and they are very good for them. To get him into PlaYing with toys, let him see you playing with jthem and enjoying it, monkey see monkey do. Same for different foods . Make over the top yummy and fun sounds, this does work.

He looks great! Ralph is a smiler!

 

[SailBoat]

Yaaaa, you got a long talk with hubby and it is better that it happens sooner! Amazons are very smart and will actively train their Humans. An Amazon ruling the roast commonly turns ugly quicker than not.

Shoulder time is a reward for good behavior! Large Parrots and your BFA is rated as large can inflict serious injuries being on the shoulder. They can also melt one's heart when they cosy up against one's neck and coo as they drift-off in to a nap...

Use far more announcements that you are looking for a Step-up. If I'm looking for our DYH Amazon to step-up, I commonly start asking /stating that I'm looking for a Step-up from the point, I begin moving in his direction. With an older Amazon that knows what Step-up means, they will raise they foot long before I ask in front of him. If the foot is never raised, I either choose not too (rarely) or swing around a step of so back and start again. Point is, one never wants to be dead in front of the Amazon and have them refuse. To that point, if you really do not need for your Parrot to Step-up, do not ask!

IMHO, Step-up is the foundation to building trust and strengthening the relationship. It is also the foundation for all other interactions with your Amazon.

The Long Game Goal is: At some point, you will need your Amazon to Step-up and without hesitation! Extreme Example: There is a fire and you need to move your Amazon without question...

I have long used a short totally made-up song that I sing (poorly) when I am near /next to our Amazon followed with a set of very kind comforting words. I use this as a comfort statement that 'all is well and nothing bad will happen during this moment together'. You will find a moment when your Amazon needs to believe in you!