Week 2 with my Galah Cockatoo

[sarai7]

- Still terrified to step up. Trying to get him used the T-perch I made but he's too smart and he hates that too. I leave it near the cage. If I leave it on the cage - he finds out how to knock it to the floor.

- I am having luck getting him to walk from the cage, down a ladder and onto a chair that I am sitting in. But he grabs his treat and quickly retreats. Gets a little further and more comfortable each time.

- On occasion something spooks him and he jumps to the ground, then I have to manuver him onto a perch or my arm. But I take the opportunity and keep him with me or on the couch for a few minutes. He is gentle, doesn't bite, but is super anxious and just spends the time trying to figure out how to get back to his cage.

- I have gotten him to a perch away from his cage on a few occasions but he behaves so nervously - shivering because he is anxious. And more squawking than normal because he wants back to his cage.

So a couple questions....

1) Am I wrong to think - I need to keep exposing him to things, and bringing him outside of his comfort zone to desensitize him? If I wait til he voluntarily steps up it might be a very very long time. I want for him to feel comfortable with the freedom he has in our home.... hope he keeps warming up.

2) I'm thinking about letting his flight feathers grow out. Do you think this will help his confidence? To me he seems so helpless when he is off his cage. he is looking up and around, so anxious to places where he could fly for safety, if only he could fly. At the same time, I am afraid to let him fly until I'm sure he is not afraid to come to me. Without flight feathers, at least I can corral him if needed.

PS - as a recap, this parrot (Ace) loves his head scratched and likes ppl. As long as it's while he's perched on his cage and as long as you don't go near his feet. And as a bonus - he is not bitey in general.

 

[wrench13]

I can only say - go slow. tiny steps. Like your doing with the ladder. Further and further every couple days. Perched away from the cage should = treat. We have a lot of G2 owners here with a lot more experience. Chime in here you guys!

 

[plumsmum2005]

Yes as Wrench has said tiny steps and go slow have you looked at this http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49144-tips-bonding-building-trust.html.

If you push a RB2 too much there is the chance he may become 'phobic'. Concentrate on building a bond with each other, gaining trust. He will want out and to do more when this stage is complete. Enjoy him, learn from him it will come.

 

[sarai7]

Yes as Wrench has said tiny steps and go slow have you looked at this http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49144-tips-bonding-building-trust.html.

If you push a RB2 too much there is the chance he may become 'phobic'. Concentrate on building a bond with each other, gaining trust. He will want out and to do more when this stage is complete. Enjoy him, learn from him it will come.

Can't remember if I read that one or not. But thank you for taking time to post the the link. I'll read now...

 

[Scott]

I've never lived with an RB2, but the previously posted link is a great start. Parrots are "prey" creatures and are rightly concerned about every aspect of their environment. But they are intelligent and respond well to familiarity and love. Definitely take it slow, and positively reinforce every little victory!

 

[sarai7]

I did read that article previously but good reminder. There were several tips that were still in my mind from the last read. Thanks for the encouragement. He spent a little more time on the back of my chair today from coming down his ladder. That was nice.

 

[wrench13]

Exactly, Sara. Example, I have trying to get my boy into a harness which requires it go under his wings. He hates, really hates his wings being touched, muchless picked up and something put under them. After maybe 2 months of every day training, I can now touch, briefly, his wings. And Salty gets a treat for doing that little bit, every time.

Hey we love pics here too, in addition to parrots!

 

[sarai7]

Haha Salty is cute. I haven't quite figured out pictures yet. Let's see if this works...

 

[sarai7]

Uh oh... I figured this out. This could be dangerous. This is Ace this past weekend trying to figure out how on earth he's going to get back to his cage. My cousin stayed with me this weekend, he is on her arm. I was at the other end of the couch.

 

[Allee]

Great photos! Ace is a beauty!

 

[sarai7]

In a completely unexpected turn of events. Mr. Ace not only came down to the back of the chair tonight, but also walked on my arm and onto my hand, then on my leg, then back on my arm. And comfortably begged for treats in this way for about 15 minutes before returning back to the chair and up the ladder. Picture of the set up is below.... He in fact tried to dive bomb into the bag in my lap trying for more treats.

He is definitely getting more comfortable. He has figured out our routine and this seemingly quiet cockatoo woke us up with a few hardy screams right at our 7:00am wake up time. He was quite noisy today I think looking for attention. I did not comply. But I was very amused at him getting more and more comfy.

I'm super excited. That was the first time he even looked at my hand without shaking. It gives me much hope. Even *if* he only does it for food... I still love him.

 

[plumsmum2005]

Great pics of your gorgeous boy, Sarai7.

 

[BIRDIGIRL]

In a completely unexpected turn of events. Mr. Ace not only came down to the back of the chair tonight, but also walked on my arm and onto my hand, then on my leg, then back on my arm. And comfortably begged for treats in this way for about 15 minutes before returning back to the chair and up the ladder. Picture of the set up is below.... He in fact tried to dive bomb into the bag in my lap trying for more treats.

He is definitely getting more comfortable. He has figured out our routine and this seemingly quiet cockatoo woke us up with a few hardy screams right at our 7:00am wake up time. He was quite noisy today I think looking for attention. I did not comply. But I was very amused at him getting more and more comfy.

I'm super excited. That was the first time he even looked at my hand without shaking. It gives me much hope. Even *if* he only does it for food... I still love him.

Love the pic...I know the feeling and its AMAZING...you will enjoy even more as time goes by...you made progress way faster than I did as it took me almost two months just to get my boy out of his cage...(mine is a WFA) Well done you have made a major breakthrough and are bonding really well...enjoy every moment of it and keep taking things at your Ace's pace and have fun Im not familisr with Galahs but your Mr Ace looks real handsome

 

[sarai7]

Thankyou!!! What is WAF? Still trying to learn all the acronyms on here

 

[BIRDIGIRL]

Thankyou!!! What is WAF? Still trying to learn all the acronyms on here

Its WFA and its just an abbreviation for White Fronted Amazon. Well done with Mr Ace ...Wonderful progress in such a very short time

 

[LeaKP]

Such great news! i once fostered an African grey I named Iago as he was deserted in his cage on the side of a road! He was beautiful but traumatized badly. After six months he was a different bird and I was able to rehome him. I know your galah will be extraordinary this time next year seeing that he has begun trusting you.

The grey I have now is mine (yay!) and we're having so much fun! Besides my grey and green cheek conures, my "dream" bird would be a galah. I'll have to read your updates instead!

 

[sarai7]

LeaKP. That is awesome that you had a parrot named Iago. I love that. We totally should have used that name. I'm a little jealous.. ha. Sorry I know that wasn't the point. Thanks for posting and sharing. The stories of everyones experiences are very encouraging.

So I have to share..... look at this. He is so silly. He makes this little turkey gobble sound all the time and today is the first day he has been so interactive with sound. Other cute things he does too. But the other thing is that he was sitting on my shoulder and climbing up my arm today. In this video he had almost moved to my sons shoulder. I will work with him tonight about going to my hand and I think I'm very close to getting to practice step up with out fear. I heard the stories about not allowing birds on shoulders.... So far he has been very trustworthy and not bity. So hopefully we can keep that, but I'd like him to be able to step up on my hand too..... OK without further pause.... the video

[ame="https://youtu.be/h_Hn-s2z4iQ?list=PLj06cZumnzYnNXMHTgGsRtBi76pP4aQxV"]Galah Cockatoo sounds like a turkey - YouTube[/ame]

 

[LeaKP]

Awesome. I allow shoulder privileges when my birds prove their trustworthiness. But, won't walk around with them ever on the shoulder as if they slip or are startled my face and ears are close access points! Nigel, my baby grey he is 4 months old, was raised by someone who allowed lots of shoulder time. It's been a learning curve for him!

He's young so he's learning quickly. He has learned to wolf whistle and to potty over the cage ( still a few mistakes her and there but not many).

Your galah is making awesome progress! Loved the video. Stunning bird.

 

[sarai7]

So yesterday was officially 2 full weeks with Ace and he is coming more out of his shell. Today he was all about getting on my hand, except it seemed he was very "excited" so I am reading up on here about birds showing their hormones. He is just trying to mount my hand. And in the time leading to that he is just very lovey, wanting to be close and kissing my hair and bowing and bobbing... and making cute little noises. Mixed feelings about it because I'm glad he is allowing me to pick him up but don't want him mounting me. Not sure how to discourage that. As soon as he got too carried away i did make him go back to his cage.

THoughts, advice?

 

[sarai7]