Taming a Super Parrot

[Nimoy]

Taming a Superb Parrot

Hello all.

I'm interested in any ideas around taming a Superb Parrot.

I've recently acquired said parrot; he's around 5 months old and hasn't been hand reared. We also have a budgie in the house who was purchased untamed from a pet store. We've had the little budgie for around a year and he's now (with alot of work) perfectly tame and a lovely companion.

After purchasing the superb we brought him home and placed him in a cage in the lounge. He was (and still is) quite fearful, but seemed interested in the budgie. In my inexperience, after a few days I let the superb out of the cage. He came right out and went straight to the budgie and the two seemed to bond almost immediately. Because the budgie often perches on me or my wife, the superb flew right after him and landed near by and even stepped up for my wife.

After a little while I noticed that the two birds were happily hanging together, but on the higher perching areas we've set up in the lounge. It was then that I wondered if we'd made a mistake; instead of building a bond with the new bird first, had introduced him to the the budgie too quickly?

We've now decided to place the Superb back in his cage, in the lounge, and I've resigned to removing the budgie a few times a day and letting the superb get used to my hand. He's still quite fearful inside the cage. I'm wondering if any one can suggest a suitable path from this point. Shall I go back to letting the superb out of his cage and hope that the budgie brings him into close proximity and 'tames' him that way, or continue to work patiently and hand tame the superb within his cage?

I apologise for the long winded post, but would be appreciative for any suggestions or tips.

Thanks!

 

[LordTriggs]

what I would do is go at his pace, instead of just putting the hand in the cage sit next to the cage and talk to him. Then you can offer treats through the bars and get him to a point where he appears excited when you're around. then you can start putting your hand in to attempt stepping up. He probably will be more interested in your budgie in general just because they look a lot similar than you but it's not impossible to have a group friendship, it just takes some time and patience. Best of luck!

 

[dragonlady2]

I have two Superb (Barraband)parrots. They are able to be trained, but it will take some patience as they are quite flighty. I have two brothers and I have read that the males are easier to train than females. I let them out of their cages by opening the door and having them come out on their own. When I want them back in their cages I just tell them "back in your cage" and they will return to their cage. I find them not too motivated by treats. They love to sit on my shoulders and watch me play games on my iPad. They are prolific talkers and are easily trained in this area. They don't bite and are generally quite happy, but flighty. They love to fly around the room.
I would try to teach it to step up while it is out of the cage as opposed to in the cage. You could try using a sprig of millet to encourage it to step on your hand or arm.

 

[GaleriaGila]

Hi, and welcome, and good for you for reaching out!

These links aren't specific to Superbs, but I thought you might find them good reading.


http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49144-tips-bonding-building-trust.html

General Parrot Information - Parrot Forum - Parrot Owner's Community

https://fall2016.iaabcjournal.org/human-avian-bond/


I'd love some photos of your bird!

Good advice above. Best of luck to you.

 

[Scott]

Welcome to the forums, appreciate the lovely introduction!

I am not familiar with Superb Parrots, but the prior advice and the links provided by GaleriaGila should help smooth the way. Good luck, please keep us updated and feel free to ask more questions along the way!

 

[Nimoy]

Thanks for all the feedback and information. I'll attach a photo of our two babies. This was taken on the second day home for the Superb. I was really surprised to see him sitting on my wife after the fearful response he had shown when we collected him from his previous owner. The little blue budgie is named, Wilberforce, aka "The Little General".

 

[Flboy]

Hello,

I have just received my Superb Parrot 8/18/2022. He was hatched 6/5 and I could use some advice and opinions.

I have attached a few pictures of my new baby. I have a lavender indian ringneck hatched 2/23. According to my reading my Superb should be similar in size to my ringneck. This does not appear to be the case. The Superb dwarfs my ringneck.

I am a little concerned that he seems to be so much bigger or maybe the info is incorrect? He is beautiful but as stated above, VERY fearful. I have been letting him come out of his cage on his own.

I wonder a few things, if he is a superb, if the bird is male (I plan to DNA) shop said aviary manager knows its a male and did not DNA, and if he is as young as stated June 5th 2022.

I hate to be so skeptical but he seems so much larger and girthier than expected and stated online. Colors don't come till a year.

I also would like to know what people feed their Superb? I got no extra food, no care sheet, no wings clipped.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you

Howdy and welcome!
you have attached this to a four year old thread, so the replies may be few!

 

[SailBoat]

Welcome!!
Always a wise idea to start your own tread as most individuals will not check-out responses to older Threads.

A couple of points regarding your Parrots:
When one talks about the physical appears of a Parrot, one compares that Parrot against the Species Nominate (standard) and notes the points of separation from the standard. Comparing one Species against another is only done after determining each against their Nominate. Point being, you may have one Parrot that is on the smaller size within its Species while the other is on the larger size.

Never compare young Parrots!! This based on the extensive changes that 'some' species undergo between young (pre-adult) and adult Parrots. In this case, it is another year prior to changes in featherations between pre-adult and adult Parrots.