One Spunky Amazon

Picked GiGi up on Saturday, and so far it has been pretty umm...exciting. So far she's been a quiet girl but her antics have kept us all on our toes. Will post some more details and info later, as I have some errands to run for work. Had to post a little bit now though, b/c of course, PF comes in first and foremost on my daily list of things to do!

Thats what we like to hear.

I'm so glad that GiGi has settled in well, and is keeping you all on your toes. Look forward to seeing pics and hearing all about her very soon. What does Sisqo think of his new um friend.

Okay...finally have some time to type about Gigi. I'm going to try to keep it short, but I do tend to ramble, so I apologize.

Basically, she is not holdable, nor towelable. It's more like she's a bull, and you're the guy with the red cloth waving it in front of the rampant bull (I forget what those are called). After 45 minutes of trying to get her in her cage, I had to develop a plan which basically required Ryan getting her out of her little hiding spot by using one towel, while I waited, perched on top of the desk to descend from above with the much larger towel. Not the best way (actually, more like the worst)...but trust me...all other ways had been exhausted and it was getting very late.

It was a rocky start, but it's vastly improving. She was set up in the den, and we had a lot of trouble keeping her on her cage. We figured the den would be the best area for quarantine because she could still see the people and hear the noises...she just wouldn't be 'with' us. However she kept getting off of her cage and running into the living room every chance she got (which was every waking second of the day). We decided just to move her into the living room instead, and so far she hasn't gotten off of her cage at all. She's still about 20 feet away from Sisqo, so that's better than being right next to him, I guess.

She really does love food, especially if it's yours. She's between a chair and the couch. When I was sitting on the couch, talking to her and eating some food, she came right down...hanging as far off her cage as she could, and snatched it right out of my hand (It was peanut butter toast, so it was okay). Her previous owner only gave her pellets and fruit, so I think she may have a vitamin A deficiency. I thought it was going to be hard to get her to try new stuff, but she's all for it as long as she thinks it's yours.

So far I've been sitting next to her cage while I read, and giving her a sample of her food before I put it in her cage (surprisingly enough, she'll take it right out of your hand). Trying to build the whole trust thing, so I haven't yet tried to pet her or get her to step up on my hand. Although a couple times she did put up her one claw and let me rub it for a while. I noticed that she only does this with her claw that she has all the toes on...probably because since the other one already got hurt, she's afraid of something like that happening to it again.

We've gotten her to go into her cage at night now, but I think eventually our method is going to backfire. We pretty much just wait until she goes in (to get food, or a drink of water) and then close the cage door behind her. I'm afraid that eventually, she's not going to want to go into her cage because she doesn't want to be closed in, but right now, this is the least stressful (for her) way to get her in there. She gets really anxious when she sees a towel and starts breathing quite heavily (almost like she's hyperventilating). Any other ideas on how to get her in there? Every night, I make sure that she sees me towel Sisqo, and that he gets a treat after, so that way she might see that it's not all that bad.

I'm almost done, but I also wanted to say that I've noticed that when I come into the living room, she runs back and forth across her cage a bunch of times, and it's the same thing when she sees her food bowl coming. I kind of think it's a sign that she DOES want to come off her cage and interact, but is just still too scared. What do you all think?

Opinions and advice would be greatly appreciated. Once again, sorry it's so long...but I did go through and omit ALOT already. Hahaha

Nicole, sounds like you're doing a great job, I admire you for taking on Gigi, who you knew wasn't going to be easy. Obviously I am not the best source on handling Amazons, but it sounds like using Sisqo as an example is probably a good idea, and maybe eventually help Gigi accept more things. After you do accomplish getting her into the cage do you give her some sort of yummy treat to make it a good experience? Sounds like that is something you might be trying, just thought I would ask. I'm sure others are going to have much better ideas and suggestions, so you can take all this with a grain of salt. I guess that after you do something she might consider stressful, like toweling or getting her into her cage just get really excited about it and give her some food that she really likes to turn it into a positive experience. I'm sure once you've convinced her to step up, everything else will also be monumentally easier...Again, just MHO...best of luck

Couldn't agree more, using Sisqo is great, she will notice what he's doing and seeing that he get some lovely treat and will more than likely want to do the acceptable behaviour. I'm using the same trick with Bucc and Kito

Think at this stage it is little and often training, getting her into the cage is the most important one for now, you need to be making going in a wonderful experience for her, maybe keep a special treat (one that she really adores) only for getting her in the cage, and yeah making a bit fuss really does work. I've been doing this with Bucc ever since he was a baby, and am still doing it.

At this time her whole way of life has changed, and while we know its for the better, she is gonna take some time to work that out. She will though, and then you are gonna have double trouble, both yours ganging up on ya, just like my two are planning.

Minzer84 said:

After you do accomplish getting her into the cage do you give her some sort of yummy treat to make it a good experience?

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We give her a lot of praise, but not any treats. Her previous owner only gave her apples and pellets, so she doesn't have a lot of experience with other foods. I'm keeping track though of what she really seems to like, and what she doesn't care for and decides to throw at me instead.

I think she's a bit overweight too. Partly because of the way her cage is set up and that it's too small (more appropriately sized for a conure IMO). I plan on posting pictures on Thursday for you all to see too!

I'm picking up an "outside cage" for the birds later on this month since the aviary is being put on hold while my parents figure out what they want in the backyard. Apparently, their grandchild is more important to them than my fids, and she gets first dibs on things in the backyard. The cage is 2' x 3' x 5', and will be used for outside probably until the fall or when Gigi gets very comfortable with us. I didn't want to bring her to my house without anything familiar with her, so I opted to buy the cage along with her.

The method I use to get Pepsi back in her cage when its time, is to put her favorite treat inside so she climbs back in on her own. This has worked for me and is much less stressful for her. Pepsi does that heavy breathing whenever she is toweled as well. But I guess we will never know exactly what these guys have been through.

Using Sisqo is a great way to show her that its not bad and you won't hurt her. The same will work for any other pets you have. Let her see that you wont hurt anythng and this will help build trust with her.

Pepsi will also run back and forth her cage when I'm gonna give her, her favorite treats. I just figure she gets so excited and impatient that she paces back and forth, Maybe its a rescue Amazon thing.

Well it sounds like things are going great and in such a short time. Keep up the great work!!!

But I guess we will never know exactly what these guys have been through.

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That is so true, and while we think we know what is best for them, for Rescues of any kind it could be scaring them. So go with the flow, You seem to have got things of to a great start, all we can do for them is our best. And you certainly seem to be doing that.
Congrats to ya.