Today's the day-long story

[Minimaker]

It's only when we remove her from the enclosure that she gets upset. Happy as a lark inside the enclosure (honestly, she really is happy looking-playing with toys-eating-talking to herself and just generally having a good time alone climbing all over it). The playstand is right next to it, just outside the door. She's not moving to another room so that can't be the problem. The problem is only fear of people, that much I've figured out. There's no way for her to interact with us in the cage because she's way up high all the time since she's over 80 inches high or more due to the wheels on the bottom. If she's ever going to get used to us, it has to be outside the cage or we'll never be able to touch her. No I'm not content with leaving her in there for a month, honestly. I don't personally feel it's good for a social creature to sit in a cage for a month or longer while I hope she'll eventually come to me and that might not ever happen. That's not my way, not even with feral cats. I grew up on a farm, handling animals of all kinds. Horses, cattle, goats-you name it. Leaving them alone was never the answer if you wanted to get close enough to touch and handle them. A lifetime of dealing with animals of all kinds has taught me that. Everyone else has told me to jump right in and have confidence and I trust their experience and judgement due to the combined years of handling parrots of all kinds these guys have. They know their stuff Thanks everyone-I appreciate the help and I'm going to let this thread die now until I have something new to report and then I'll post an update thread of it's own.

 

[veruka1973]

I hope you don't mind me offering some advice/input on your situation. Years ago I had a difficult amazon that had not been handled in like 28 years and did NOT want anything to do with anyone. I know yours is a baby but what worked for me back then may help you with your baby.
We started with stepping up onto a stick, he didn't like it a whole lot but he complied and got onto the stick, then I took him into a bathroom (close the toilet lid) and set him down on the floor, from the floor across from him I talked to him softly and offered treats, at first he didn't want them from my hand but would inspect them if I laid them on the floor.
The FIRST time I braved it and stuck my hand out and said up...he did! I truly think that he thought I was saving him from something, the bathroom floor was not at all familiar to him, he couldn't see his cage and I was the only thing that seemed familiar at all to him so he was more than happy to step up.
I stayed with him there in the floor talking and practicing step ups for awhile then took him back to his cage, it took a few times of doing this but he became hand tame very quickly, it just took a change of scenery where he wasn't in eyesight of his cage, somewhere where suddenly I was the good guy(lady)!!
I did this same thing with other birds over the years and always had great success.

 

[Dopey]

It's only when we remove her from the enclosure that she gets upset. Happy as a lark inside the enclosure (honestly, she really is happy looking-playing with toys-eating-talking to herself and just generally having a good time alone climbing all over it). The playstand is right next to it, just outside the door. She's not moving to another room so that can't be the problem.

Great! I'm glad that it's not in another room.

The problem is only fear of people, that much I've figured out. There's no way for her to interact with us in the cage because she's way up high all the time since she's over 80 inches high or more due to the wheels on the bottom. If she's ever going to get used to us, it has to be outside the cage or we'll never be able to touch her.

The cage is big enough...go inside and sit with her.

No I'm not content with leaving her in there for a month, honestly.

Me neither. Mine doesn't sit in the cage...I open the door for her all the time...she comes out on her own and then starts to come where I am sitting. Last night she climbed down her cage and walked over on the floor to where I was sitting.

I don't personally feel it's good for a social creature to sit in a cage for a month or longer while I hope she'll eventually come to me and that might not ever happen. That's not my way, not even with feral cats. I grew up on a farm, handling animals of all kinds. Horses, cattle, goats-you name it. Leaving them alone was never the answer if you wanted to get close enough to touch and handle them. A lifetime of dealing with animals of all kinds has taught me that. Everyone else has told me to jump right in and have confidence and I trust their experience and judgement due to the combined years of handling parrots of all kinds these guys have. They know their stuff Thanks everyone-I appreciate the help and I'm going to let this thread die now until I have something new to report and then I'll post an update thread of it's own.

I'm sure you will have something new to report quite soon.

 

[95talongirl]

Maverick was handlable as soon as I got him home, but he was unsure. I do think the shipping does effect them somewhat, and since all birds are individuals, some handle it better than others.

It's been... 7 months now since he arrived, and he's a very outgoing and super friendly bird now. It did take a few months for him to become comfortable with the new environment, though. We had our ups and downs.

This is also another reason some people will advocate meeting a bird before buying, as some will "choose" you; others won't.... So will need some more coaxing.

I am sorry things are off to a rocky start. You are doing the right things, so give her some more time. . She is a stunning bird!

 

[Alex83]

Shes so nice! As is her name. These posts always make me wonder why I havent got a macaw yet