Update on Jarvis

[Bladesmith]

Jarvis is settling in to his new home nicely, his issues notwithstanding.

He clearly loves attention, and scritches (Funny, I was calling what I was doing to him scritches without knowing it was a thing.). We've discovered he already knows a few words, "Kisses", "Hello", "Up", and probably a few other I just haven't deciphered. He's VERY good with the other pets in the house, has no fear of them at all. And he's become very attached to me in a very short period of time. I'm actually quite surprised. He'll be utterly silent, eating, grooming, whatever, until I walk out of the room, and then he starts calling until I come back in. He's already very attached, and the feeling is mutual.

He's also cagebound. Is this a thing? He clearly, desperately wants to come out of his cage and be with us, to the point that, when I rearranged his flex rope so it would be right next to the open door, he could climb right to the edge of being out of the cage, and then he'd stttreeeeeeeeetch his little neck out just as far as he could stick it, just so he could rub his bill on my nose and face. Without leaving the cage of course.

Problem is, the very second he realizes he's technically outside his cage, he has what I can only describe as an avian panic attack. He makes an alarm sound that sounds more like a expensive car alarm than a bird. And that shuts off the second he's back in the cage.

I feel terrible for him. You can see in his eyes how desperately he wants to be out of the cage and on my daughter or myself, but he can't bring himself to do so. He's just terrified. He shakes, and hyperventiliates.

What I've been doing to help him is, this. I moved his cage right next to wherever I'm sitting, and leave the cage door open. This way, the option is his. He can get as close or as far away as he's comfortable with. I talk to him almost constantly, in a reassuring tone of voice.

There may be treats involved.

I'm not trying to rush him, the poor guy has clearly been through the wringer. I'm trying to let him go at his own pace. Thing is, I think he's pushing himself harder than he should.

Anyone got any advice, or have seen this sort of behavior before? I'm sure he'll continue to make progress, I just want to help him as much as I can.

 

[Peppo]

You're doing all the right things! Just be patient, it will happen. Have you tried playing with toys on the floor by his open door? Really pretend that you are having the time of your life doing it. He will get curious and want to join in eventually. Keep doing what your doing.

 

[cnyguy]

I'd suggest adding a hanging perch on the outside of the cage, just below the door. That would give Jarvis a chance to step outside the cage without actually leaving it. He might be willing to perch there for a while and study his surroundings, knowing that just a few steps would get him back inside his cage right away. In time, he may be more ready to venture farther from his cage.

 

[plumsmum2005]

Jarvis is settling in to his new home nicely, his issues notwithstanding.

He clearly loves attention, and scritches (Funny, I was calling what I was doing to him scritches without knowing it was a thing.). We've discovered he already knows a few words, "Kisses", "Hello", "Up", and probably a few other I just haven't deciphered. He's VERY good with the other pets in the house, has no fear of them at all. And he's become very attached to me in a very short period of time. I'm actually quite surprised. He'll be utterly silent, eating, grooming, whatever, until I walk out of the room, and then he starts calling until I come back in. He's already very attached, and the feeling is mutual.

He's also cagebound. Is this a thing? He clearly, desperately wants to come out of his cage and be with us, to the point that, when I rearranged his flex rope so it would be right next to the open door, he could climb right to the edge of being out of the cage, and then he'd stttreeeeeeeeetch his little neck out just as far as he could stick it, just so he could rub his bill on my nose and face. Without leaving the cage of course.

Problem is, the very second he realizes he's technically outside his cage, he has what I can only describe as an avian panic attack. He makes an alarm sound that sounds more like a expensive car alarm than a bird. And that shuts off the second he's back in the cage.

I feel terrible for him. You can see in his eyes how desperately he wants to be out of the cage and on my daughter or myself, but he can't bring himself to do so. He's just terrified. He shakes, and hyperventiliates.

What I've been doing to help him is, this. I moved his cage right next to wherever I'm sitting, and leave the cage door open. This way, the option is his. He can get as close or as far away as he's comfortable with. I talk to him almost constantly, in a reassuring tone of voice.

There may be treats involved.

I'm not trying to rush him, the poor guy has clearly been through the wringer. I'm trying to let him go at his own pace. Thing is, I think he's pushing himself harder than he should.

Anyone got any advice, or have seen this sort of behavior before? I'm sure he'll continue to make progress, I just want to help him as much as I can.

Hello I think he's pushing himself harder 'cos he's desperate to be with you and yours. It will come I'm sure and probably not very long away. I'd fix another firm (not long) perch just outside the cage door that sticks out, a fixed and firm part of his cage and security but on the other side. It's also easy for him to pop back in. Could you leave the door open when not actually with him but nearby so he can explore under his own steam but not being driven by stimulation.

Have you tried calling to him from that other room so he knows you're still about when he does start calling you? I had this for a bit and used to pop in and out of the room for differing amounts of time, I called to him whilst I was away. Sometimes I was just outside, sometimes a bit further. The thing is he got to know I was around and it got better.

 

[Allee]

You're doing everything just right for Jarvis! I think all he needs is time! Cagebound can be a 'thing' but it can be overcome, quaker curiosity will work in his favor. Reading aloud from a short distance away is a good passive way to get Jarvis to come to you. Your attention will be focused on something other than Jarvis but you will be doing something interesting, audio is usually irrisistable, he will probably want to sit on your shoulder to hear you better.

Jarvis is still processing everything, it may take a few weeks rather than days before he's completely comfortable in his new habitat.

 

[Bladesmith]

He has a post perch on his door. Today I was sitting on my couch, the cage right next to the arm of the couch. With his cage door open, I was sitting and reading (Which I do a lot.), and, when I glanced to the side, there he was! He had worked his way out onto the door perch, and was sitting there watching me! So I stuck my arm up as an invitation to him, and he climbed up on my elbow and made a beeline for my neck!

Needless to say, I'm blown away and joyful beyond measure.

On the down side, once he realized he was out of his cage he had a panic attack and I had to put him back, but....PROGRESS!!! Much happiness.

Update part two: Now that he's worked himself up to come out, he doesn't want to stay in. Which I'm fine with. He spent the entire evening sitting happily on my shoulder.

 

[Bladesmith]

Well, that didn't take long. Look who is the master of his domain! He's a very happy boy, and VERY jealous.

 

[Allee]

The little master looks fully capable of overseeing his kingdom! Hahaha, he owns you already. It's good to be owned by quakers.

 

[Bladesmith]

I AM owned, and never saw it coming! 'Tis a wonderful thing. He's even got the cats sorted, and they know he's boss of his domain. Next step, getting him to include my daughter as part of his flock. Shouldn't be hard, and she adores him already. He gives her kisses too, but only through the bars of his cage.

He had me cracking up last night. I was on the phone with my mother, with him sitting on my shoulder. The whole time, he's carrying on his own conversation, complete with laughter. I ended up laughing so much and so hard I had to hang up and call her back when he was busy eating.

I love being a Parront! Most fun you can have with clothes on.

 

[Bladesmith]

OK, we've bonded. Whoa, momma has he bonded. This little guy has been really starved for affection. He bonded in no time flat, and for that I am happy. But I'm noticing some behavior I don't much care for, and I need to know if this is typical Quaker behavior, or acting up, but either way I need to correct it before it gets worse.

Now, he's coming out of his cage, climbing to his play perch, eating well, and his wings are looking a LOT better, except underneath, which are as smooth and pink as a baby's bottom. He's got free run, from the time I get up until around 8-9 at night, and he's got the cats under control.

But he likes to climb out, down, and onto my shoulder. He likes to preen me, but he's started nipping and biting, especially on my neck, and he's drawn blood doing so. When he's standing on my arms or hand he preens them too, and does this Nibble Nibble Nip thing. Obviously this can't continue.

When he nips, I tell him "No!" in my best Drill Sergeant's voice (Once military always military), and to my secret laughter, he hangs his head and pouts. A couple of times I've told him I'll put him in his cage, and have, where he sits for a few minutes and then makes a little plaintive chirp that sounds a lot like, "I'm sorry, can I please come out now?" It's adorable.

But I need this to stop. I'm making this up as I go along, so I need some advice. Is he over stimulated? Tired? Being a punk? How do I teach him to behave? Comments welcome.

Aside: I love this little guy. I'm so proud of him and myself for bonding so quickly and well. He's talking more every day. Laughing when I laugh, and dancing and singing when I do. Once in a while I'll tickle him under the belly saying, "Tickle Tickle!" and he giggles. Once I get this biting under control, the next step is to enlarge his "Flock" to include my daughter and the other animals of the house.

 

[Mimsy01]

Not sure if it's typical with quakers, but our GCC, Foofany does similar preening to us at times, especially if she if feeling hormonal.

Whats worked for me, is usually telling her gentle and either putting her in her cage for a few minutes. I can say gentle and most of the time she does. However, sometimes she can still be a little turd and bite too hard for my liking and will find her self in a time out.

We've had her for about 6 years now. Shes a whole lot better than she was, but she will still test boundries from time to time. She spends most of her day out of the cage and usually flies from room to room with me. Teaching her self entertainment has been the hardest part, but she can now play by herself, though still wants to be in the same room with me, without always wanting to be attached to my shoulder.

Not sure how old your daughter is, but if you can, you really want to start having her spend time with him as well so he doesn't get too much of a one person bird. If you have brave friends, have them handle him as well.

A confident, well socialized bird, that knows his boundaries is always a pleasure to have around. Just know that most birds will test all these things from time to time no matter how old they are. Kinda like having a permanent 3 year old.

He's adorable, you are doing a great job with him, for him to trust you and love spending time with you so soon.

 

[plumsmum2005]

It's great that he's settling in and I feel he is just pushing his luck. At least he's not flying at your face, which I endured for a while.
Probably having a conversation with himself something like this - " Hey look fallen on my feet here, let's see if I can end up top of the pile?"

Do cage returns for each & every 'naughty'. It will lessen. If he's good and no misbehaviour, reward, let him know "good boy". It's easy as with children to spoil them rotten and end up with a complete brat. Eventually you will get to know that sometimes it is just over enthusiasm to show you affection and a "hey gently" is enough.

 

[Bladesmith]

Well, someone was a bad boy last night. My daughter came back from her week at her mothers (Divorce sucks, yes it do.), and out of habit and my daughter's desire to become friends with Jarvis, I was sitting on the far end of the couch and she on the closer side to the cage. We were having dinner, and he crept down, then up on her shoulder. We thought he was trying to be friends, when he reached down and bit the crap out of my daughter. He didn't break the skin, but it left a hellacious bruise. To her credit, my daughter didn't strike out at him, or scream, although she did raise her voice.

Needless to say he went straight into time out and got put up for the night while I tended to her. Some children's aspirin, an ice pack, and chocolate milk made things better.

Her biggest reason for being upset? She thought Jarvis didn't like her. Despite her hurt, Alyssa is determined to make friends with Jarvis.

I understand this was my fault, for letting her sit between myself and Jarvis. I expected him to go up and around to get to me, if at all. I never expected him to try and go through her.

New day today, we'll keep working on him. He wants to be part of the family, he's bonded with me, now we just need to expand his flock.