Simba's Story

[BruceV]

So today I talked to Marie, our rescue lady, and I asked her for as much of Simba's history as she knows. Here's what she told me:

He was owned by one man from the time he was a baby. Unfortunately, about 12-14 years later, the man had to go into a nursing home. There were also somewhere around 7 other birds with the man. His wife, who was wheelchair bound, could not take care of them. People from his church would come in and feed and water the birds, but they stayed in their cages for 2 years with little to no human interaction.

Eventually, the church people talked the wife into letting the birds go to rescue, as the conditions of the cages were not ideal and the birds were going wild in their cages. The rescue came in, took the birds out, vetted them, got them healthy again and put most of them up for adoption. One Amazon is still in the care of the rescue.

Simba was one of the last to be adopted because until I came along, he didn't like anyone who came to look at him. He had been in foster care for about 18 months before we adopted him.

So we at least now know that he was not beaten or mistreated by an owner. In fact, the man loved having his birds out and all around him all the time. Unfortunately, we think Simba may have some resentment for the 2 years of being in a cage. We've made a good deal of progress with him, but we have a long way to go. But thanks to some of the good folks on this board and my wonderful girlfriend who has made sure that I don't give up on him, we're gonna be just fine. And a special shout out to JerseyWendy for being supportive as well.

 

[Terry57]

It's great that you were able to find out Simba's history, and that he was not abused. I am sure that his original owner would be thrilled to know that Simba is now in your care i have really been enjoying reading of your journey with Simba, thank you for sharing.
And I have to agree with you, JerseyWendy is amazing

 

[MikeyTN]

At least you were able to dig up some history as most birds come to us with no history. Just keep working with your parrot and you will succeed eventually! Wendy is a wonderful asset to our forum!

 

[MomtoPercy]

Ah, good story! I'm sure Simba's previous owner sould be happy to know he's in a loving caring home

 

[JerseyWendy]

Bruce, you have me blushing here. Thank you so much!!

I have an idea: If Simba's former owner is still alive, could you possibly get in touch with him in the nursing home? I bet he would love to hear that you have Simba, that you are making GREAT strides, and perhaps he can even tell you some stories about him.

And you know, dear sir, you forgot to attach a photo of pretty Simba.

 

[BruceV]

He IS still alive, but I'm not sure where he is. Marie is in contact with him regularly, so I'm sure he knows that Simba is being loved. And I don't have any pictures of him right now. I thought there were pics of him in some of my other threads....I'll get some pics soon and post them here.

 

[BruceV]

So now I know that he is somewhat cagebound. Here's the weird stuff that goes on with him.
I can put my hand in the cage to get him to step up and he will do one of two things. He will either back away from my hand or lunge at it. If I leave the door open, he'll come out.

Once he is out of the cage he is fun and has lots of positive energy. Likes to play and talk and walk around the cage and java tree. But he won't step up at all. He either runs away or bites. And no, treats don't help. Once in a great while he'll let me pet him, but not often.

Back inside the cage. I can talk to him and he will sometimes (often) put his beak through the bars to reach for me. Sometimes the tongue gets waggin' to try to get a taste. I play with the beak as much as I can without getting bitten, but he won't let me touch any other part of him...until I start playing tug of war with the dog. Then he's glued to the side of the cage and I can pet him thru the bars like crazy. He'll lift his wing so I can pet underneath, leave the wings down so I can pet the wings themselves, even gives me the top of his head now so I can pet that (although that doesn't last long).

I've had him since November 8th and I feel like I'm getting nowhere. I refuse to give up on him, but I don't want to have a perch potato either. Do I just give him more time? Do I push him into doing things and just take my beating from the beak? I would love nothing more than to hold my bird and pet him and just give him the love he deserves.

Ok, I'm done whining.

 

[JerseyWendy]

2 months with Simba really is a VERY, very short amount of time, especially if you think about how many decades you'll be spending with him.

You said he sometimes comes out of the cage on his own. Why don't you close his cage once he is out, and get him to step up on you then? Then move as far away from the cage as possible, the whole while talking to him softly.

If you can, make a simple T-stand and do training sessions with him on the T-stand. The first thing I would teach him is the "UP" and "DOWN" command.

Try not to be intimidated by the can opener that's attached to his face. :32:

I definitely believe he's showing interest in you, because of what he does when he sees you playing tug-of-war with your pup. He WANTS to be involved, but most likely doesn't quite know how to. He may be particularly shy, hesitant, and weary, but I still think he'll come around.

 

[drlisaort]

What a beautiful history Simba had...and yet your story makes me so sad and happy at the same time. Sad because his original home went from great to not so great and of course happy because you opened your heart and home to him. With that said, I so feel for the first owner ending up in a nursing home probably worried sick about his birds. Having my MIL in a nursing home and spending oodles of time there I wonder what history so many residents are leaving behind. I bet if you did find out where he resides a visit with Simba could do wonders for all three of you. Just a thought. When my Mom was in rehab/nursing home we used to bring her 125 lb. German Shepherd Yo to visit her and not only was my mother's spirits lifted so were many of the others living there.

I look forward to hearing more about your Simba...

 

[BruceV]

So at lunch I tried again. Same results. So I let him out and closed the door. He wasn't sure what to do about that, but he just stood on top and said "c'mere! Come on! C'mere! Step up?" To which I foolishly responded, only to have my hand lunged at. So I grabbed the Doritos and sat down on the couch. Instant friend...until he got what he came for, then back to the cage (no, he wouldn't let me pet him, just give me the Dorito).

So now it's time for walnuts. He goes crazy, starts doing laps around the cage top, cooing and yelling and begging me to "come over". So I put them inside the dish inside the cage. Silence. He looks down at the walnuts, knowing they're out of reach. Then he looks at me with contempt as if to say, "give me those nuts or I'll rip yer face off". So I start putting my hand up for him to step up and guess what??? He bit me. Little %^$*&@^!

So since I was running out of time, I just opened the cage door and he put himself back inside.

Simba 1 Bruce 0

 

[BruceV]

So I contacted Marie, who I got Simba from, and said that someone suggested that maybe we take Simba in to see his former Dad. Here's the response I got (Max is an Amazon that used to be in the same flock who goes in to see his Dad from time to time):

"Oh that is so sweet of you! It could be good and it could be bad..,,let me think on that. Max is very social with all but Simba is a bit more cantankerous..,il ponder it for a spell."

Cantankerous??? Why weren't they telling me this before I adopted him? LOL

 

[JerseyWendy]

So I contacted Marie, who I got Simba from, and said that someone suggested that maybe we take Simba in to see his former Dad. Here's the response I got (Max is an Amazon that used to be in the same flock who goes in to see his Dad from time to time):

"Oh that is so sweet of you! It could be good and it could be bad..,,let me think on that. Max is very social with all but Simba is a bit more cantankerous..,il ponder it for a spell."
....

BAHAHAHAHAH....I'm sorry Bruce, I'm cracking up over here.

I had to look up what cantankerous meant, since I'd never heard that word before. As soon as I saw the definition, the laughter started.

Now I hope you feel SO much better, knowing it's NOT you...it's Simba!!! You are doing a GREAT GREAT job with him, you just have to take the cantankerousness (HA!!!) out of him.

Maybe this evening, when you are in no rush, have him come out again, and INSIST he steps up on your arm, while you hold a walnut in your other hand??? Wear THICK sweaters. :54:

 

[BruceV]

Something about stepping up gets him real defensive. He wants to...almost does...then the beak. But I had him out for a while and he was better. Still not there though. But now it's quiet time. Tomorrow is another day.