New to owning an Amazon

Hi all. We've always kept budgies and cockatiels and I have always had horses, and used clicker training but gave it all up a few years ago due to work commitments. I'm now a stay at home mum and we've just become proud partners to a suposedly 9 month old Amazon which she found out she was allergic to. When he first came he cowered in the back of the cage, no noise, no movement except now and again to get seed then he'd go back. I put him in the corner of the room for a few days for him to settle, offering him treats and he started coming towards me but not too near, stretching for the treat. I've now moved him nearer us although still near a wall and in just a few days the difference in him is 70% better. He's now coming to the door to take his treats and stays there to eat them, he's gorgeous but nervous. He hates an outstretched hand for starters so I'm thinking somewhere someone has tried grabbing him. I have 2 questions if you don't mind..1 I have a parrot stand coming tomorrow, would it be better putting it near the cage and trying to get him on there where's theres more room for him....2... I've heard people say about spraying with water for their feathers (obviously from his feet up and slowly) or would this probably upset all the work we've put in up to now. Sorry for the long post but I love him and want to do the right thing here, thankyou

Elmosis said:

Hi all. We've always kept budgies and cockatiels and I have always had horses, and used clicker training but gave it all up a few years ago due to work commitments. I'm now a stay at home mum and we've just become proud partners to a suposedly 9 month old Amazon which she found out she was allergic to. When he first came he cowered in the back of the cage, no noise, no movement except now and again to get seed then he'd go back. I put him in the corner of the room for a few days for him to settle, offering him treats and he started coming towards me but not too near, stretching for the treat. I've now moved him nearer us although still near a wall and in just a few days the difference in him is 70% better. He's now coming to the door to take his treats and stays there to eat them, he's gorgeous but nervous. He hates an outstretched hand for starters so I'm thinking somewhere someone has tried grabbing him. I have 2 questions if you don't mind..1 I have a parrot stand coming tomorrow, would it be better putting it near the cage and trying to get him on there where's theres more room for him....2... I've heard people say about spraying with water for their feathers (obviously from his feet up and slowly) or would this probably upset all the work we've put in up to now. Sorry for the long post but I love him and want to do the right thing here, thankyou

Click to expand...

Okay, this is an expansion of your New Member Thread in which you are asking about a couple of questions. Got it!

First, please take the time to set into place the information provided as part of the Posts to your first, New Member Thread. Once you have set those things in place it is time move forward.

Regarding your two new questions:

1. At this point, when the new stand arrives, I would bring it into the same room (far from his cage and let it say in the box) Now, on the second day, open the box in plain view of your Amazon and assemble it. Leave it assembled, but once again far from his cage. Over the next three days have it move slowly closer to his cage so that by the four or fifth day it is next to the cage. As a general rule, new things should show up and move slowly to your Amazon.

2. You really have limited knowledge as to your Amazon's background! As a result, you really need to play it slowly, step by step to maintain what you have gained. Since, you do not know if a spray bottle was used to punish the Amazon, the best way to first introducing it is to spray up into the air above your Amazon and let it fall lightly from above, like a misting rain. NEVER spray directly at the Amazon's Face!!! Only if the Amazon opens its wings (like asking to be 'lightly' sprayed under the wings) should you spray your Amazon.

You have no knowledge of his past, therefore Bond Development is most important. Better to take longer and grow the relationship, than push and back step!

Once again, please set into place the information provided you in your first Thread!

Thankyou sail boat for your advice, just as I thought really taking it slowly. Good advice about the stand because I was wondering about putting it up a little away from his cage then leaving it there for a few days but your way makes more sense. I've been reading and following all day (and reading to Elmo) and just fascinated with the body language post especially. Grandaughter came and she too sat and read to him. I'm not pushing him at all and will let it all go at his pace. But he's such a love and when your not near the cage you can fair feel and see him craving attention and he's come so far in such a few days and all by himself the little love. Bought him some new toys today and one in particular he loved, wooden blocks n beads all tied together. Well there's not much of it left now lol. Thankyou once again