Bella the BFA ( Like a Boss ^.^) pics!

Today I finally put on the harness on Bella. Although it was a struggle she took it like a boss hehe. I have been practicing by putting the harness over her head but never actually tried putting it on. I had a little help from the staff at the pet store. She allowed me to put it on but because I was slow.. she started to move around. The aviator is quite a struggle to put on BUT I DID IT! She was doing well wearing the harness, she did pick on it a little bit but every time she tries to bite on the harness I tempt her with the finger toy and she would leave the harness alone And here is this little lady wearing her harness

Today I also found out she liked bananas, and she liked chewing on her finger toy. Also she seemed to like climbing or flying to my shoulder which is a no no. Every time she goes on my shoulder I would have her step up ( which she is doing very well on ) on my hand and she would attempt to go to my shoulders again. I had to tempt her with bananas so she would stop climbing or flying to my shoulder

Questions to fellow forum members

I seem to have noticed that she doesn't really liked to be pet on the head... Every time I try to pet her head she dodges it (quite funny) but she doesn't mind the back or wings /under her wings. Its always the cheeks and head she dodges.. Is that okay? I want to be able to touch her head or at least get her used to it because thats probably the only place I can touch when she becomes hormonal lol (the back is a no no :20 Does this happen to any of your birds? Will she eventually like head scratches / pet on the head?

Anyways here are some pics! enjoy!

EEEKKK!!! What a Cute baby birb <3!!! She looks great with the harness

Could it be possible that her pin feathers are a bit uncomfortable for her as of now? I'm not sure of a definite answer, so hopefully someone will jump in soon.
Though, what I would do is place my hand near her head so she'll possible preen herself on your hand --- like youre her scratching post....hopefully that makes sense!

What a beautiful baby! She has a big blue patch too Looks like baby might be in need of her first nail trim judging by that arm of yours:54: Looks like she's got some razor sharp talons going on

Great job getting her in her harness. Amazons don't typically take too kindly to them. As for head pets, many amazons don't. Kiwi surely doesn't, he doesn't 'care' to be petted anywhere (though he will take kisses on his head/back/wing... go figure). I'm sure though, being she is a baby, in time you can familiarize her with it Babies don't yet have preferences and know how the world works like an adult, so theres a lot you can teach a baby when they're young you might struggle or be unable to teach an adult.

Kiwibird said:

What a beautiful baby! She has a big blue patch too Looks like baby might be in need of her first nail trim judging by that arm of yours:54: Looks like she's got some razor sharp talons going on

Great job getting her in her harness. Amazons don't typically take too kindly to them. As for head pets, many amazons don't. Kiwi surely doesn't, he doesn't 'care' to be petted anywhere (though he will take kisses on his head/back/wing... go figure). I'm sure though, being she is a baby, in time you can familiarize her with it Babies don't yet have preferences and know how the world works like an adult, so theres a lot you can teach a baby when they're young you might struggle or be unable to teach an adult.

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Yeah her talons are sharp ! My whole arm is all scratched up :54: I guess you can call them battle scars there is one baby from the same clutch as Bella she loved getting head scratches her feathers would poof up. I hope Bella would eventually like it going to visit her again today! Harness training :09: she's going to think I'm annoying

itsjoyceduh said:

Kiwibird said:

What a beautiful baby! She has a big blue patch too Looks like baby might be in need of her first nail trim judging by that arm of yours:54: Looks like she's got some razor sharp talons going on

Great job getting her in her harness. Amazons don't typically take too kindly to them. As for head pets, many amazons don't. Kiwi surely doesn't, he doesn't 'care' to be petted anywhere (though he will take kisses on his head/back/wing... go figure). I'm sure though, being she is a baby, in time you can familiarize her with it Babies don't yet have preferences and know how the world works like an adult, so theres a lot you can teach a baby when they're young you might struggle or be unable to teach an adult.

Click to expand...

Yeah her talons are sharp ! My whole arm is all scratched up :54: I guess you can call them battle scars there is one baby from the same clutch as Bella she loved getting head scratches her feathers would poof up. I hope Bella would eventually like it going to visit her again today! Harness training :09: she's going to think I'm annoying

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Try offering her the "one finger" scratch. Point your finger and wiggle it, ask her if she wants a scratch. Start at her beak and slowly work your way around, but only one finger. If she backs off, you back off, if she tolerates it reward her with a treat. Go slow.

Edited: you can also use the word "touch" in place of scratch, because you are asking her if you can touch her. That's how I started with Rio and Kiwi. Over time touch became scratch. I hope that makes since.

I'm melting here over the precious pictures!!! :smile015: VERY VERY well done with the harness!!!!

Give the head scritches some time. Sometimes my Sam asks for them, other times he dodges them, too. Once they learn you make them feel good, it will get easier. And if you are touching, stop before they've had enough, that way they wanna come back for more later.

Buddy my GCA, loves head scratches. That's how we first met and I got to touch his little green head he had slammed against the bars. Don't touch him anywhere else. I always show him a finger, eye level and wiggle it and ask him if he wants a head rub. He cracks me up because you see his feathers stand up and he bends his head for you getting prepared, lol.

Venus my Ekkie will let you touch her anywhere but her head. I think it's unique to each bird. Try the finger wiggle, from in front of her, not behind. Let us know how it goes.

VISIT BELLA AGAIN TODAY! I was again able to put on her harness. She would squawk when I take it out and let her see it but its only one time. When i put it near her she doesn't make any noises she just tries to climb on my shoulder. It was also a success after I put it over her head it was easier to put on the rest of the harness. She does tend to move around alot so i have to keep placing her on my lap because she keeps trying to climb on my shoulder.

After the harness is tightened she does not freak out with the harness on she did not even pick on it today! So hopefully it gets easier to put on her in the future.

I tried petting her with the finger it was okay. she still tries to dodge but she allows me to touch her beak and kiss her beak. She doesn't mind when I kiss her head ^_^

Oh and I gave her a banana after I put the harness on In the picture she is eating her banana but I took the harness off since it was on for an hour she was such a good girl.

*taking it off seemed harder putting it on >.<)

Awww she's so sweet!

Chiqui I ask if she wants a scratch with the one finger... And I touch her beak first which is when she bows her head for a rub.
But she isn't a fan of her harness yet.

What a cutie you have...

Doublete said:

Awww she's so sweet!

Chiqui I ask if she wants a scratch with the one finger... And I touch her beak first which is when she bows her head for a rub.
But she isn't a fan of her harness yet.

What a cutie you have...

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Bella is 1 month 2 weeks old. She is an active baby. I think she just tolerates the harness because she doesn't have a preference yet ( which i shall take advantage right now) Its hard to treat train her since she doesn't know what treats are... I give her a banana when she allows me to put the harness on her but only after she stops flying on my shoulder and up to my head -_- So hard to give her treats because SHE DOESNT EAT IT LOL . I feel that if she takes the treats that i give her it will be so much easier to train... but shes still a weee baby. But i do give her compliments like GOOOD GIRL! THATS A GOOD GIRL BELLA and kisses ^_^

Bella is a beautiful baby BFA !!

Re: Bella the BFA updates!

Hi everyone!

I visit Bella again today, and it seemed that she was really happy to see me! When the owners took her out she flew right at me and started to make these cute sounds. Sounds like she is learning to talk because I can hear her say step up. She lets me touch her beak, I can hold her beak and give her kisses. She still is not fond with touching her head or neck but I found out that the employees have been taking her out to play and hold her which is GOOD because I want them to continue associating with her so she is people friendly ^_^

When you are working with your Amazon, remember that your hands are not always associated with your head and more importantly, your face. Parrots quickly associate with our faces since the human face is so expressive and it is the source of our voice.

We humans love to make big movement with our arms and hands. As they get further from our face, our Amazons can loose the connection. This is important since our Amazon's are hardwired to fear/flee long slender things (think snakes). So, make smaller movements and work at keeping your hands closer to your face. Some separation is needed, the last thing you want is an accidental face bite.

Although Amazons love our attention, they also want their own space. Amazon rarely hide their emotions. When they have had enough, they have had enough and to continue to push will result in a nib or a push - followed by an attention getting bite. Please remember that an accidental bite can happen. An Amazon that has loss its footing will grab at whatever is close to keep from falling is only one of many examples. More importantly, if you do get bit - very rarely was its the Amazons fault.

While you are working with your Amazon also spend the time to learn from her.

Prior to your Amazon coming home. Please take the time to find a Vet in your area that is knowledgeable about Parrots. Once your Amazon has been home with you long enough to be comfortable, it will be time to set a visit to your Vet. During your first several visits you should consider getting DNA sexing and full screen blood test. Once they are completed, consider having an ID chip placed in her chest. Your Amazon will easily be with you though many moves, relationships, children and ever grandchildren. The cost of an ID chip will be pennies per year by that time - a very small investment for a lifetime friend.

Steven

Good progress.

Re: Bella coming home soon !

Hi everyone ! So today I found out they Bella is started to eat her pellets by herself !! They said she should be ready in a couple of weeks !
I'm getting excited

Got any new pictures?

Yeah ! I posted a video and some pictures in my other thread. Check it out ! She got really big

[ame="https://youtu.be/e7xsNrCUtz0"]Bella Harness part 2 - YouTube[/ame]

Salty (6 mos old yellow shoulder) wanted no part of head scratches originally. I started him off rubbing his beak lightly with 2 fingers, progressed to rubbing his nares, and then to the front of his head. There, he likes rubs HARD, pushing into my fingers. We have progressed to full head scratches. He does not initiate but i can tell when he is ready for one, usualy right before he goes to beddy bye.
I also rough house with him daily, so that might be helping some. G/l from Al and Salty.

Bella is beautiful! Sometimes Paco likes his head rubbed downwards with the lay of the feathers and then also, if he puts his head down, he likes its against the way the feathers lay, row by row. If he puts his head to the side he wants his cheeks rubbed, circular near his lower mandible. If you watch, they will maneuver thier head to where they want the contact. The upside down head usually means to rub that spot right below the lower mandible where that little gap is between jaw and feathers. Once they find a spot they like they are not shy to ask for a specific spot. Paco will not even move from that position until he has had his fill or I beg him to step up because my hand is going numb.