Seperation issues with Yellow Nape Female

[TrickPatton]

Birdie is a 21 year old female Yellow Nape. I have been her joint companion, for a little over a year. What a wonderful addition to my life. She came as a back plucker and the previous companion had issues. NO physical contact, tiny cage, new toy 2 times a year when she was taken to get nails and beak done from a pet store. Birdie's primary bond was to my partner who has moved out yesterday after 18 years. To say the least, I am stressed, Birdie is stressed and VIOLENTLY UNAPPROACHABLE. For the last year she tolerated me, She would almost always step up to my hand, and I could handle her solo for nail work and beak trimming, but she always prefered my partner. I spent 1-2 hours a day (sometimes more if we were out running errands) with her on my shoulder or preening her head and nape, weekends we bathed together , frequent treats and lots of enrichment corn cobs, brussel sprought stalks (she loved those). Now she is unapproachable pinning, lunging, flaring and vocalizing in her pre-bite way. No way she'll do a hand transfer, and I have to use a stick to move her to and from day and night roosts. She does not cooperate with this procedure and it sometimes takes me 4 sessions of 90 second forceful attempts over a 20 minute period to get her to step up on the stick. No shoulder time becuse of her behavior (Did 20 minutes today but I was not centered and felt uncomfortable), She is refusing treats from me. Her schedule has also changed I have to get her up at 6am when I go to work, I am putting her to bed at 8 she used to stay up till 9:30 when I went to bed. My partner was wake up duty. I have read 2 books on amazons, grew up around livestock, so I have some clue. Should I just uncover her night cage (2x2'x4', Day cage is 3'x4'x5' ) and if she won't come to stick transfer leave her there for the day? I could leave the night cage door open, she has never gone wandering around the house, the day cage is always open and she voluntarily stays there unless I forget to put the cover back on her treat container. She is still doing normal morning and evening talking sessions and I participate, but if I get too close to the cage she switches to her pre bite vocalizations. She tells you....."Watch the little birdie", that means your gonna get bit. Should I stop treats until the bad behavior stops? (she gets 4 peanuts a day and maybe 5 of the nutriballs. Some by hand, some hidden around her place or in cardboard tubes or paper bags. Swiched to primarily pellets with little problem 9 months ago. Is this a vet issue, or do I need to modify my actions.

HELP,

Rick

 

[SailBoat]

Hi and welcome to the wonderful World of Amazons and this Forum.

First, please go to the Amazon section with in this Forum and read the first Posting: Amazon Body Language. Read it like it is the 'key to your survival.'

Second, Amazons key into our emotions and your emotional level has to be right a the thin edge. The shock load / stress level you are feeling is being picked-up by your Nape (I love Napes).

Easy to say, but for both you and your Amazon (and yes I said your Amazon), you need to take a couple (or a dozen) deep breaths and work at relaxing / de-stressing.

Three, Start-over, yes, like it is the first day with this Amazon. Redevelop the relationship you had with this Amazon. Do not think about the past. With your Amazon, it is all about future and that will be very good for you as you survive the next days, weeks, months and years.

Four, and this is hard to believe, but; 'This Too Shall Pass.' Use the redevelopment of your relationship with 'your' Amazon as your tool for moving beyond the 'today.' Amazon's are the come back kids of the Parrot World. Your Amazon needs to believe in you and you need your Amazon to be the reason for tomorrow.

Amazon's Rule!

 

[TrickPatton]

That was VERY helpful. It does feel like early in our companionship, back when I would get bit. Hopefully we won't have to go through that stage again. I'll pull up my spirits, and we'll get to know each other again. This parrot has altered my life in sooo many ways.

 

[SailBoat]

It does not matter if you need to suffer the being 'new' bites. What matters is working though, your Amazon believing in and 'TRUSTING' you. Remember, its all about 'future.' The future is all about redeveloping/creating that TRUST BOND.

See you in the Amazon section!

 

[henpecked]

Welcome to the forum. Yes, start a thread in the amazon section. I could write a book in response to your questions but will try and refrain . The main issue seems to be a question of leadership in the flock. Things have changed in her life and you need to assume the leadership role. It's good you have come to this forum looking help and i'm sure we can help. Living with a amazon is a amazing experience that you can look forward to. We can help. BTW as you can tell from my user name, i know all about life with a hen nape.