Wild-caught Mealy Amazon Izzy

[Amayaluna]

Hi guys,

Updates
I posted about Izzy a while ago, he/she is a wild-caught mealy amazon that we rescued. It's been 6 months since we adopted him. The last time, we had issues like him constantly flying into things. He's gotten much better at flying in the house, also has been exploring the area around his cage, sometimes climbs over to the table and walks around a little. He didn't bite at all, but now he does that too. I guess it doesn't sound good, but it seems to me like he's braver around us than before.

I find it weird that sometimes when I get close to him, he has NO reaction and sometimes he starts growling. He seems to hate men, because he growls at all of my male family members at all times Just like you guys suggested, we've been patient. We understand it might take years for him to get really comfortable.

We had a bit of an episode when I left for Japan for almost two months for work. I had to bring my office cat Pudding home. The first time Izzy saw him, he was terrified so we just closed off half of the apartment so they wouldn't see each other. But my mom couldn't pay as much attention to Izzy anymore and he got depressed, stopped singing, had an upset stomach for a week or so. We relocated my cat after 3 weeks so my mom could spend more time with Izzy. And he actually got better.

Questions:

He's always been taking food from our hands, but we haven't tried to train him to step up just yet. Wondering, when is the good time to do so and how can I tell it's time? And what are the tips you could give us?

He's been a fairly quiet bird for the first few months, sang along to music every morning, it was mostly chirping or twittering. Lately, we've been hearing his jungle calls way too often, sometimes for hours. He's usually loud now and makes kind of monkey sounds. So loud, that the whole building can hear him. I don't mind bothering the neighbors, but I'm just wondering if this is normal, is it good or bad?
I'll attach the video of him doing that.

And finally, my brother brings his Alexandrine parrot Ricky often to our apartment. He's hand-raised and obviously very comfortable with us. He seemed to be excited about Izzy until a certain incident. I'll attach a video of that incident as well. After Izzy kind of attacked him, Ricky's been afraid of him. When Ricky was staying with us, Izzy would fly to his cage (Ricky inside) and try to attack him or something. Then we covered Ricky's cage top and then Izzy would just sit on it for quite a while (photo attached). Why do you think that it?
Also, Izzy's been seeing how comfortable Ricky is with us, but it doesn't seem to reassure him.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1eisPitG3T5peWLX2Ww0vjjguw_wlFc_6

 

[wrench13]

Re: Noises. Does Izzy do this at a particular time of day, or when certain actions are being done in the house? Some parrots get very LOUD at sunrise and sunset. our Salty gets loud every day any time between oh 4:00 and 7:00 PM, especially when my wife starts dinner preparation. You might see if you can distract him with a different noise or sound - whistles or the squeek from a squeeky toy, or music.

As far the the biting, well I am sure you read all the posts on that topic, just be 100% consistent in how everyone reacts to bites. I would think it would time for step up training, and other small tricks ( just to cement your relationship with Izzy).

 

[Amayaluna]

Re: Noises. Does Izzy do this at a particular time of day, or when certain actions are being done in the house? Some parrots get very LOUD at sunrise and sunset. our Salty gets loud every day any time between oh 4:00 and 7:00 PM, especially when my wife starts dinner preparation. You might see if you can distract him with a different noise or sound - whistles or the squeek from a squeeky toy, or music.

As far the the biting, well I am sure you read all the posts on that topic, just be 100% consistent in how everyone reacts to bites. I would think it would time for step up training, and other small tricks ( just to cement your relationship with Izzy).

Thank you for the reply! Yes, in fact, he gets loud around 4PM too. Also when it's raining. So this is normal? He seems distressed when he does the monkey sounds, that's why I got worried. Before these past few weeks, he would only get that loud when he heard something loud on TV for example, now it's almost every day.

 

[PickleMeDickles]

Kudos to you for taking in this little guy and working with him. It just absolutely breaks my heart to hear him calling out, as I’m sure it does yours. In the first video, Izzy seems to be responding to the activity outside. Perhaps he’s hoping it’s his jungle buddies? I am in no way a bird behaviorist, or an expert, but I’ll share my thoughts with you. First, I don’t know how you structure Izzy’s day, but perhaps schedule some fun exciting bird moments into Izzy’s life. Play some toddler songs and dance around making sure to “include” Izzy in the excitement. This might help redirect his attention back into the apartment. My SassyByrd loves nothing more than to have her family (mainly me) let loose, dance and laugh. If she gets her “fill” of this, she spends much less time trying to create it. And I would start responding to the contact calls with a quieter different reply. I use “bot” in a medium loud but low tone. It took about 6 months but she is now starting to pick up on this.
As far as training, I would start today and I would use clicker training. Pick up a 2 dollar clicker and a metal chopstick. Spend days if not weeks just teaching Izzy what clicker training is. Then progress to behaviors that put zero pressure on the bird. Then you can try encouraging more interactive behaviors. Spend some time reading up on the basics and theory of clicker training. If you are totally unfamiliar with the concept, it’s what SeaWorld uses to train their marine life, and yes, even birds. A good site to explore is: https://www.clickertraining.com/get-started
I have used this method with fear aggressive dogs and injured wildlife in addition to my zoo at home.
In your last video it doesn’t appear that Izzy attacked out of aggression, perhaps it was more uncertainty? I would keep them together as much as possible but “separated” physically for safety. This is something you can try working towards in the far off future perhaps even rewarding positive interactions with clicker training. Perhaps the other parrot isn’t “acting” like a wild born bird and Izzy isn’t sure how to respond? I’m just not certain enough in this area and would hate for an injury to occur!
Keep up the good work!

 

[SailBoat]

Poor Izzy, his/her world just never seems to settle down long enough for Izzy to become totally comfortable.

Any and all conversations need to include Izzy, just like it would if s/he was with his/her natural family group. Amazon's need to be part of the family.
Nice window location, but how far it is way from the family center in the apartment?
Great calls, but no where near what I have heard from young adult Amazons imported from the wild. More like s/he was imported at a young age. If true, s/he needs to be worked with to enhance with Human words /songs, etc... In short, your Amazon is working with what s/he has and so, it is natural, but limited.

As an individual that works with older, commonly sickly Amazons, I Love a Noisy Amazon, because it means they are healthy. When they come to us, they are near silent, so vocal Amazons are a joy to me.
Interactions have likely been rare with other Parrots and the just dumping them together is dangerous to say the very least. Yes, there is always the chance that two Parrots will have a wonderful relationship from the get go. But it is rare. As stated above, introduction from afar and then move them together with time and close observation. The limitation, 100% up to either Parrot. If either says no, it Stops There, no questions.
Enjoy!

 

[wrench13]

Amayaluna, take every word from Sailboats as gospel, he is one of our best Amazon 'experts ( if there is such a thing -every parrot is unique unto themselves). Thabk you for taking Izz and what is more, seeing info tomake his life better.

Love the videos!

 

[Amayaluna]

Poor Izzy, his/her world just never seems to settle down long enough for Izzy to become totally comfortable.

Any and all conversations need to include Izzy, just like it would if s/he was with his/her natural family group. Amazon's need to be part of the family.
Nice window location, but how far it is way from the family center in the apartment?
Great calls, but no where near what I have heard from young adult Amazons imported from the wild. More like s/he was imported at a young age. If true, s/he needs to be worked with to enhance with Human words /songs, etc... In short, your Amazon is working with what s/he has and so, it is natural, but limited.

As an individual that works with older, commonly sickly Amazons, I Love a Noisy Amazon, because it means they are healthy. When they come to us, they are near silent, so vocal Amazons are a joy to me.
Interactions have likely been rare with other Parrots and the just dumping them together is dangerous to say the very least. Yes, there is always the chance that two Parrots will have a wonderful relationship from the get go. But it is rare. As stated above, introduction from afar and then move them together with time and close observation. The limitation, 100% up to either Parrot. If either says no, it Stops There, no questions.
Enjoy!

It's actually very close to where we usually are, only 2-3 meters away. I think it gives him his own space while he can keep an eye on us and what we're doing. From mornings until around 5-6 pm, my mom virtually spends all time near him. When our neighbors come over to talk, they sit near the cage. He is almost never alone.

I'm happy to hear that him being noisy means he's healthy and well. I was most worried about that.

 

[SailBoat]

2 -3 meters can be like on the other side of most rooms. While that is good for when he wants to nap in the afternoon, its not like being 'with' the family.

Place yourself 2 -3 meters from the center and spend three hours there. You will be shocked how quickly you will want to move yourself closer.