rescuing adult blue-fronted amazon: help!

[sarafigal]

I've only had budgies (with kids, dogs, frogs, and a very old gerbil). Suddenly, I am adopting/rescuing a 30-year-old female Blue-Fronted Amazon--our first big bird. She lived with one couple her entire life, but the wife died and the husband had to into elder care. She has spent the last few months in a situation that is not working out for anyone, so she is going to move in with us.

Can anyone help with special tips on re-homing an older bird? Thanks!!!

 

[paulhanlon]

First off Congrats on your new adoption female blue fronts are more layed back than the males when bringing her home if she is hand tame that's great but if not give her time to settle in don't try and touch her as it could cost you a bite from her I would start by talking to her in a soft voice sit next to her cage read and sing to her you can't train her by hand if you cant handle her so target training is a great way to get her to go where you want without her biting you or anyone else its going to take some time before you will be able to handle her I hope things work out with you and this lovely girl and we would love to see pics when you get her.

 

[henpecked]

Welcome to the forum. I might be able to help, been dealing with amazons my whole life,LOL. Babies ,breeders,pets,rescues,rehomes, one on my arm now. I suggest you read though some older post in the amazon section or in our social group,"Bonding with your zon". Here's a link,,,http://www.parrotforums.com/groups/bonding-amazons.html

Let me know what questions you might have and i'll be glad to help. Just start a thread in the amazon section or PM me. You could also join the amazon group and ask away.

 

[wenz2712]

Welcome to the forum

Thats great that you are thinking of taking on an older Bird

Do you have her Home now? If not have you managed to spend any time with her?

It may take a bit of time for her to get used to a new Home, but just be patient with her... just keep talking to her and offer her treats.. Try to include her in all you are doing!

If you find she will not step up onto you without biting, then try getting her to step onto a stick

Amazons are great Birds to have and can be alot of Fun!! Make sure you provide her with lots of different Toys, especially Foot Toys! A must is a Swing..They love them

Hope this has helped a bit!! We are here to help should you need it!

Would love to see a pic when you are able to take one
Also various different types and sizes of perches

 

[paulhanlon]

Welcome to the forum

Thats great that you are thinking of taking on an older Bird

Do you have her Home now? If not have you managed to spend any time with her?

It may take a bit of time for her to get used to a new Home, but just be patient with her... just keep talking to her and offer her treats.. Try to include her in all you are doing!

If you find she will not step up onto you without biting, then try getting her to step onto a stick

Amazons are great Birds to have and can be alot of Fun!! Make sure you provide her with lots of different Toys, especially Foot Toys! A must is a Swing..They love them

Hope this has helped a bit!! We are here to help should you need it!

Would love to see a pic when you are able to take one
Also various different types and sizes of perches

That's alot of smile faces Wendy lol but well said I knew I missed something out now I remember differant perch sizes and shapes and the treats silly me.

 

[lizardsmells]

Thank you for taking him in!

I adopted an older amazon myself, well relatively older, anyway

My tips, from my perspective and experience are,

1. Be patient. It sounds like this poor, little guy has been through a lot of change lately. Let him set the pace of settling in.

2. You WILL get bitten, it's a certainty with parrots. Don't be afraid of the beak, they'll pick up on it quick. And make as little drama as possible when you do get bitten. A quick 'no' and Angry Eyes for a second is about it, anymore than that and there's a risk they could decide it's a great way to get you hollering (which most of them love).

3. Figure out his favorite food and don't be afraid to utilize a little bribery from time to time

4. Talk to him all the time, but be careful, they can be like little tape recorders. Kazi has learned pretty much the worst curse word ever since coming here and says it frequently. :34:


I also recommend checking out companionparrotonline.com and her books on parrots. Especially amazons and rehomed parrots. They are an excellent resource (and in .pdf format so there's no waiting on shipping).

Congrats! Living with a parrot is unlike anything else. He'll probably drive you crazy at times. Almost everyone here is very knowledgeable and nice, so please ask any questions you have!

 

[melissasparrots]

Amazons can be very adaptable. Make sure you aren't being pushy with affection. Keep interactions short and always back off before she growls. Playing hard to get is a great strategy for amazons. Offer affection, but back off before she decides she's had enough. Don't be in too much of a hurry for her to accept petting. Chances are decent you'll have her stepping up before she will accept petting from you. Research proper diet and if a conversion is needed, make it slowly. A lot of older amazons are not on the best diet.
Otherwise, feel free to post any specific questions you might have once you get her.

 

[SpringCottageParrot]

We are in a similar situation to yourself having taken on Casper after my mother went into a home. Casper had been neglected over the last few years and was in a bit of a state when we got him.
We have had to adapt our lives and learn a heck of a lot in a very short time but it has been well worth it. There is always something to worry about as to whether we are doing the right thing but he seems to survive even when we do wrong.
Google has been a godsend, just type in can parrots eat *** and the answer is there. For more technical things try using the search facility on this site and if you can't find anything just ask, the people here are wonderfully helpful and because they are from all around the world you usually get a quick answer no matter what time of day or night you ask. When you start a new thread please give an indication of what it is about in the title, rather than just "help" so that the right people will be able to advise (you seem to have got the hang of that already!).
Oh, and we love pictures of other peoples birds.
Welcome, we hope you enjoy your new family member as much as we enjoy our's.

 

[ruffledfeathers]

awesome!! good luck to you. i actually just thought of doing the same thing---rescuing an older amazon. can't wait to hear of your successes with your new bird's 'happily ever after'.