What do I do?

sandra67

New member
Nov 12, 2015
28
0
Texas
Parrots
Panama Amazon
I have this baby amazon ( 12 weeks old), who really doesn't like to be held. He prefers to be on top of his cage, and when I approach the cage to get him to step up, he either moves to the other side, flies away lose around my family room and then back to his cage .

When I finally get him to set onto my hand, he flies right back to his cage.
If I hold him to keep him from flying, he is just quacking ( crying) just the same sound as the one he makes when he is hungry.

My question is, do I continue to hold him to get him use to being with me or do I just let him be and risk for this distance to become a way of living for us?

I have not had his wing clipped yet, probably will take him this weekend or should I wait off on that?:greenyellow::greenyellow::greenyellow:
 

Pinkbirdy

New member
Feb 26, 2013
2,203
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Clifton Springs Newyork
Parrots
macaw,LS2,congo grey,2Blk Hd caiques,Hawkhead,yellowstrk lory,Blue frnt amazon,sun conure ,Yellow sided greencheek ,Goffin ,Rosebreasted Cockatoo,Greenwing Macaw,Blue and Gold Macaw,Nanday conure,Ecle
Take him in the bathroom and work with him in there for short periods of time.
 
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sandra67

sandra67

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Nov 12, 2015
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Texas
Parrots
Panama Amazon
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Yes Pinkbirdy, I have tried everything…its that annoying quacking sound that is driving me crazy.

He is fine if he is left anon, no quacking, no anything…just do not try to touch him
 

Amanda_Bennett

New member
Sep 27, 2014
1,272
2
Gresham, OR
Parrots
Zilla 29 Y.O. Orange Wing Amazon
He's probably scared to death to be taken away from everything he has ever known and put on display in a pet store (got that from your other post) then you buy him and bring him home. He doesn't know you, has no idea if you're going to hurt him, eat him, anything. He's only 12 weeks old.

You are going to have to use patients and earn his trust. If he doesn't want to be held, respect that. Sit and talk to him, offer him treats, read to him, just spend time with him doing what he is doing. Play with toys with him.

I wouldn't clip a baby birds wings at least until after he learns to fly and land well.

I have a wild caught Orange Wing Amazon who was never allowed to fledge and she is a super crappy flier and a worse lander. Because she isn't good at it she chooses not to try and she doesn't get as much exercise as I would like her to get just because she won't fly.

There are lots of posts on this forum about bonding with parrots, both babies and rescues. I would suggest reading as much as you can and learning all you can about the parrot you have. Learn his body language, Amazons are easy to read if you take the time and pay attention.
 
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sandra67

sandra67

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Nov 12, 2015
28
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Texas
Parrots
Panama Amazon
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Thank you Amanda Bennett. .

I have had a CAG in the past and they are much easier than the Amazon.

I am spending most if the day with him and I am hopefull he will come around.

I will keep reading up on what else I could or should do.

Thanks a bunch :green2: :green2: :green2:
 

Birdman666

Well-known member
Sep 18, 2013
9,904
258
San Antonio, TX
Parrots
Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
I agree with everything said above...

Sounds like basic insecurity. With an amazon, there seems to be a threshhold that you have to cross. Once you cross it, you can do anything with them. But they are stubborn, and refuse to accept it at first. Getting them to cross it can be a pain...

DO IT ANYWAY. PUSH A LITTLE BIT MORE EACH TIME, GRADUALLY EXPAND THIS BIRD'S HORIZONS.

All of my zons have been out and about birds. NOTHING phases them. I would suggest an outing in a travel cage weather permitting. Take the bird to the park, or the beach, or something similar. Let him start to figure out there is a great big world to explore AND YOU ARE HIS TICKET TO EXPLORING IT.

Emphasis on that last one. These are pair bond birds. Kick in that instinct.
 

KevH

New member
Aug 31, 2013
187
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ENGLAND
Parrots
5 year old CAG GIZMO
4 year old DYHA RIO
2 year old YELLOW NAPE RUBY
4 month old greenwing macaw Myha
2 year old CAG ROXY
12 year old rescue CAG MARLEY
15 year old rescue CAG SMOKEY
Let him settle in get used to his cage speak to him everyday give some treats after a few weeks try target training him i had a parent reared DYHA baby he was never handled really wild I let him settle in get used to his surroundings and me he was always making them noises there just amazon baby noises they sound like crying noises after he settled down i let him out and started target training him he got straight away u have build ur trust then after he's used to ur hands by him then learn him to step up once he know u won't hurt him then uL be fine
 

SailBoat

Supporting Member
Jul 10, 2015
17,646
10,008
Western, Michigan
Parrots
DYH Amazon
You talk about holding him. With very few exception, Amazons are not big into holding. That is, unless they 'on occasion' want too. Parrots are not like those small dogs that for whatever reason people believe they need to hold and carry around like an infant. Amazons past though that stage in a flash of a moment.

So, this Amazon is 12 weeks old, correct? So, how long have you had him? I am guessing that you got very little information from who ever sold you this bird, correct?

You have gotten very good advise here. As recommended, move to another room out of site of his cage and work on step-up and hanging around with you time. Also apply the other recommendations.

Wing Trimming: At 12 weeks, IMO, that is too soon to trim wings. A primary health goal at this age is to allow the heart and lung (sacks) to fully develop. Also, there are far fewer people out there that know how to wing trim and far too many that haven't a clue. Place you Amazon into the wrong hands and you will go from a newly flighted bird to a dropped rock bird. Not pretty and likely fatal.

FYI: You Have Not Tried Everything! Or, you are rushing what you are trying - slow down!

Out and about: Our DYH Amazon and our past Amazons have all loved riding in the car. Some liked the Sun window screen open others not. But in all cases, we never needed the radio on. Interaction with the great outdoors is as good for your Amazon as it is for you. A well socialized Amazon become that way by bring out and about and their owners teaching them the joy of being around other people.
 
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Birdman666

Well-known member
Sep 18, 2013
9,904
258
San Antonio, TX
Parrots
Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
I vehemently disagree with that not big on holding stuff.

ALL my amazons, and I've fostered 8, and owned four were just fine with being picked up and held.

In fact, three of my biggest velco birds ever were amazons! Pecker was a head in the eye socket bird. Sally curls up and uses my cheek for a pillow, and Kiwi would be with me 24/7.

Most zons get locked in cages, until they are cage bound, and territorial, and biting. THAT'S why they don't get handled. IT'S HUMAN CAUSED, NOT SOMETHING SPECIFIC TO ZONS....

My zons are all SUPER INTERACTIVE! All of them!!!

But I do agree that you might be pushing it. This bird will be with you the rest of his life. Take your time. Gradually expose him to more and more, until he accepts everything.
 
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AmyMyBlueFront

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Apr 14, 2015
6,315
Media
4
3,034
Connecticut
Parrots
Amy a Blue Front 'Zon
Jonesy a Goffins 'Too who had to be rehomed :-(

And a Normal Grey Cockatiel named BB who came home with me on 5/20/2016.
I vehemently disagree with that not big on holding stuff.

ALL my amazons, and I've fostered 8, and owned four were just fine with being picked up and held.

In fact, three of my biggest velco birds ever were amazons! Pecker was a head in the eye socket bird. Sally curls up and uses my cheek for a pillow, and Kiwi would be with me 24/7.

Most zons get locked in cages, until they are cage bound, and territorial, and biting. THAT'S why they don't get handled. IT'S HUMAN CAUSED, NOT SOMETHING SPECIFIC TO ZONS....

My zons are all SUPER INTERACTIVE! All of them!!!

But I do agree that you might be pushing it. This bird will be with you the rest of his life. Take your time. Gradually expose him to more and more, until he accepts everything.

I agree with Mark. I can hold Amy,in one hand,on her back,and she will just lay there,letting me tickle her beak..scratcher her noggin,swing her back and forth..she doesn't care lol.


Jim
 

AmyMyBlueFront

Well-known member
Apr 14, 2015
6,315
Media
4
3,034
Connecticut
Parrots
Amy a Blue Front 'Zon
Jonesy a Goffins 'Too who had to be rehomed :-(

And a Normal Grey Cockatiel named BB who came home with me on 5/20/2016.
When I got Amy,at 16 weeks,the breeder suggested that I hand/bottle feed her for two weeks,even though she was munching on pellets,to help with the bonding thing. He gave me a bag of formula,mixed with warm water,put in one of those plastic,pic-nic type mustard bottle,and feed her just ONCE,at bed time,to fill her crop,to help in the bonding process.

When she saw the bottle,she would YELL...GAHH GAHH GAHH GAHH <for the lack of trying to explain what she was TRYING to say lol> and it worked! Now at nearly 28 years old, I can do anything with her.


Jim
 

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