Won't come out..

[MacawDad]

I've had my B&G for about 5 days now and she's bonding well with me, letting me pet her head, preen her, she will lick my hand.(all inside the cage). but she will not whatsoever come out of the cage. Even if I try bribe her with food or toys
--
I know this because she kinda growls at me when I try to hold her feet and kinda lunges

I know it hasn't been long since I had her.. but if she's ok with
Me petting her,, why won't she step up?

 

[itzjbean]

How old is she? If she's an older macaw, she may not have been out of her cage very much, therefore doesn't feel comfortable coming out yet. If she's relatively young, she may just still be getting comfortable with her surroundings. At 5 days it still is pretty early, and some bids take a week or two to adjust, sometimes more, sometimes less. You have a couple options here...

You keep the cage door open and continue to play, preen and socialize with her, and wait for her to come out on her own, without force of any kind. Still offer her treats and cool snacks to entice her to come out. Perhaps you can install a perch on the outside of the door so she has a place to sit that is still very close to the cage.

You could try stick training her, some parrots aren't huge on getting on hands or arms, but will readily step up on a stick. Eventually you work your way to less stick, more hand, until she will step up onto you. Something else to try would be to offer her your arm instead of your hand. You can reduce biting by offering your arm instead of your hand, as some birds just aren't huge on hands but will step up on an extended arm.

 

[Scott]

Previous post just about covered it all! The issue may not be *you* but rather natural wariness of new surroundings. For now, the cage is the only safe and dependable refuge. Patience for the first week to ten days is helpful and will likely be rewarded with a sudden curiosity to explore.

Check out these helpful links:

http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49144-tips-bonding-building-trust.html
http://www.parrotforums.com/training/60435-clicker-target-training.html
http://www.parrotforums.com/macaws/56384-big-beak-o-phobes-guide-understanding-macaw-beaks.html

 

[MacawDad]

How old is she? If she's an older macaw, she may not have been out of her cage very much, therefore doesn't feel comfortable coming out yet. If she's relatively young, she may just still be getting comfortable with her surroundings. At 5 days it still is pretty early, and some bids take a week or two to adjust, sometimes more, sometimes less. You have a couple options here...

You keep the cage door open and continue to play, preen and socialize with her, and wait for her to come out on her own, without force of any kind. Still offer her treats and cool snacks to entice her to come out. Perhaps you can install a perch on the outside of the door so she has a place to sit that is still very close to the cage.

You could try stick training her, some parrots aren't huge on getting on hands or arms, but will readily step up on a stick. Eventually you work your way to less stick, more hand, until she will step up onto you. Something else to try would be to offer her your arm instead of your hand. You can reduce biting by offering your arm instead of your hand, as some birds just aren't huge on hands but will step up on an extended arm.

She's 5 so I'm not sure if you can consider that young or older.. the store I got
Her from.. they didn't put her in a cage..they had perches..

I tried getting her to come out with a perch. But she got scared of it and bit it


I guess I'll try the first option.. thank you

 

[MacawDad]

Previous post just about covered it all! The issue may not be *you* but rather natural wariness of new surroundings. For now, the cage is the only safe and dependable refuge. Patience for the first week to ten days is helpful and will likely be rewarded with a sudden curiosity to explore.

Check out these helpful links:

http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49144-tips-bonding-building-trust.html
http://www.parrotforums.com/training/60435-clicker-target-training.html
http://www.parrotforums.com/macaws/56384-big-beak-o-phobes-guide-understanding-macaw-beaks.html

Yes I understand and I agree.. she's worried about the environment

Thank you ^.^

 

[Scott]

Five is still young for a macaw! Be patient, spend time with short and repetitive sessions, and be observant and rewarding of process.

 

[MacawDad]

Ok this is what I've learned..

Whenever I rearrange her cage ( toys) or clean her
Cage .. she will gladly step up and come out..

But other than that she still won't step up ..

She is starting to climb out of her cage ., but she
Goes on top of the cage and won't let me touch her
When she's up on top

 

[MacawDad]

:red:

 

[Scott]

Macaws can be willful birds and will attempt to train the parront! Is there a very special treat, preferred above all others? If so, use this to entice consistent stepping-up. Might have to be creative in placing the treat on your arm or top of your hand.

Hopefully our more experienced macaw folks will chime in!

 

[Kentuckienne]

Yeah, Gus learned that a combination of lunging and being on top of the cage allowed him to avoid being picked up. Lots if step-up practice in another room out of sight of the cage is helpful. Now, he's a rescue who was imprisoned for many years so his mileage varies, but the more handling and interaction the better he does.

 

[MacawDad]

@Scott, she's definitely smart lol.. will lift her leg up as if she wants to
Step up.. but when I give her a treat she'll lung at my hand ��

@Kentuckienne, I'll try the step up training! Thank you!

 

[Birdman666]

Yeah, Gus learned that a combination of lunging and being on top of the cage allowed him to avoid being picked up. Lots if step-up practice in another room out of sight of the cage is helpful. Now, he's a rescue who was imprisoned for many years so his mileage varies, but the more handling and interaction the better he does.

I agree.

This bird needs step up practice in a room away from the cage.

I always liked using a shower perch in the bathroom for this one. Confined space. Not many places to move around. You can close the shower door. Now step up nice. Good bird!

Sometimes you just have to get them to do it a few times, before they will do it readily.

The more you handle them, the more interactive they become.

 

[Cas27]

I had that same problem with my blue when he was at the bird store. The only guy who could get him out of the cage was the store manager. I watched him do it he just confidently went in the cage and grabbed him.
So I was visiting the bird every day the next day I went too gist him mind you he is 8 years old and has everybody but the manager scared of him,so I just opened up his cage told him too step up and grabbed him,he put up a fight for a minute then stepped on my forearm and ever since he has stepped up without a hitch and bonded with me big time.
From this experience I believe that birds sense the fear of humans like dogs. I believe you should build up the confidence too go in and grab him.