territorial behaviour and other questions

YoshiSwe

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Apr 25, 2017
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Hi,
is it unwise to have the amazon spend time on the top of her cage? Is it better to keep her elsewhere in the house when out of the cage?
The cage I got her has one of those play tops, I thought that was a nice thing but now I wonder after reading a lot on this forum and it seems cages are a source of aggressive behaviour?

Also, I see that people have sweet young birds and then they grow up and get aggressive. At what age does this happen? The bird I am getting is 13, if she isn't very aggressive by now is it safe to think she has "grown up" to be a not very angry bird? :green:

I have read lists of toxic plants and I think my plants are ok, but I do have a lot of them. Do I need to get rid of them?

The current owner says I can't wear earrings cos she'll try to take them. Can I teach her not to? I like wearing earrings and so does my son.

Sorry if these are stupid questions, grateful if anyone has time to answer them.

Thank you.
 
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SailBoat

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Jul 10, 2015
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No such thing as a stupid question!

NOTE: When reading, it is important to understand how it fits with your Parrot! The issues that young and transitioning Parrots have are very different than an Adult Parrot. The Transition between a young Parrot and a young Adult occurs with the on set of the First rush of Hormones. Some Parrots flow easily though this period, others have serious issues. With large Parrots the period is some place between 2 and 7 with the most common being centered. At 13, you're well past that transition. You will still be faced with the normal calendar year and breading season and its normal hormonal response.

NOTE: Sleep, target your Amazon's day to match the Sun's day in your area. Up when the Sun Rises and Bedtime when the Sun Sets. This will help greatly in limiting un-scheduled Hormonal events.

Ear Rings! Yes, you can teach them to 'limit' playing with them. If you never allow your Amazon on your shoulder it will be easier to teach that. Please remember that at some point, even a Parrot that has never had an interest in a Ear Ring will end-up hanging from it if a fall occurs. If you have an Ear Ring, at some point you will have a Parrot Hanging from it or playing with it. Cause they are neat and shiny!

Plants - Just be aware that at some point, your Amazon will go walk-about and end-up next to a plant. What is the difference between Veggies in the food bowel and a plant? For the Amazon, there is not difference. So as long as you understand that, life is good and the plants will get trimmed from time to time.

Cage dominants and commonly tied with it is height dominants are the result of leaving the parrot on or in them. It becomes their property and once that happens, they will protect it. If you are moving your Amazon around to different perches and individuals you will not see a problem. Parrots left alone on play tops and in cages day in and day out are Parrots that will develop a problem. If they are everywhere nothing is seen as theirs. Make you Amazon an active part of your family.

Amazon's That Have More Fun, Are More Fun To Be Around!



Hi,
is it unwise to have the amazon spend time on the top of her cage? Is it better to keep her elsewhere in the house when out of the cage?
The cage I got her has one of those play tops, I thought that was a nice thing but now I wonder after reading a lot on this forum and it seems cages are a source of aggressive behaviour?

Also, I see that people have sweet young birds and then they grow up and get aggressive. At what age does this happen? The bird I am getting is 13, if she isn't very aggressive by now is it safe to think she has "grown up" to be a not very angry bird? :green:

I have read lists of toxic plants and I think my plants are ok, but I do have a lot of them. Do I need to get rid of them?

The current owner says I can't wear earrings cos she'll try to take them. Can I teach her not to? I like wearing earrings and so does my son.

Sorry if these are stupid questions, grateful if anyone has time to answer them.

Thank you.
 
Last edited:

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.)
To answer your questions, all my amazons have 30 by 40 playtops.

They also have a playstand away from the cage.

And as I mentioned earlier, something like a bird boing on a hanger that can be moved from room to room prevents a lot of the territorial behaviors.

Earrings = be aware that you are wearing bird toys. They will most likely be attracted to them, may grab them and yank them out of your ear, and, they can also be an ingestion hazard if the bird accidentally swallows them.

It's honestly easier to just take the earring out of your ear, than it is to train the bird not to mess with them. The ear lobes you save, may be your own... OUCH!

You don't have to remove your plants, just keep the bird from chewing on them. Move the toxic ones out where the bird can't get to them.

Amazon hormonal aggression CAN happen. It doesn't mean it will. My BFA was quite possibly the sweetest bird known to man... and there was never even the slightest hint of "aggression."

The 5-12 age range tends to be the bad hormonal period. So, you're probably already past the worst of it anyway...

A lot of the "hormonal aggression" problems, as I previously mentioned have to do with overbonding, lack of socialization, and of course, birds that don't get handled enough and become cage bound.

The aggressive tendencies tend to be "defend the nest." This little slice of heaven is all I have left, and if I lose that I don't get food, water, and I have no safety....
 
OP
YoshiSwe

YoshiSwe

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Apr 25, 2017
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So Tutti the birdie moved to us today. She has taken it really well. She is eating and moves around her cage. The dogs barking make her a little tense.
She has taken several small pieces of mango from my hands.
She calls her previous owner's name a lot and she flirty whistles.
And she yells lowdly if we leave her alone in the living room. She wants company!

Let me know what you think, this video was made during her first hour with us after the trip here and us putting up the cage and the dogs barking etc.

This is the cage she came with, I plan to get her a bigger one with a play top.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCirBi20kIY&t=72s"]Tutti's first hour with us - YouTube[/ame]
 

SailBoat

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Jul 10, 2015
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So Tutti the birdie moved to us today. She has taken it really well. She is eating and moves around her cage. The dogs barking make her a little tense.
She has taken several small pieces of mango from my hands.
She calls her previous owner's name a lot and she flirty whistles.
And she yells lowdly if we leave her alone in the living room. She wants company!

Let me know what you think, this video was made during her first hour with us after the trip here and us putting up the cage and the dogs barking etc.

This is the cage she came with, I plan to get her a bigger one with a play top.

Contact calls are a very important part of Parrot Life! In their natural range, they are in near constant call with each other. Examples: I'm over here, where are you! What are you doing, I'm napping. Hey, you didn't respond, are you okay?

It is a very important part of their life and I recommend that you try to keep up a line of communication with her. Staying in front of her calls will lessen the likelihood of this turning into screaming.

As she becomes comfortable in the schedule of your household it becomes a bit less important, but should never be assumed. I believe that a home that is activity communicating is a happier house!

Did you let her help put the cage together? Remember to include her in the daily activities of the household. Being part of the family works to develop a comfort and sense of belonging with all go to developing a Trust Bond!

FYI: Everyone needs to be involved with the Amazon! Socializing with everyone is important! When more comfortable, games like 'pass the birdie' works great in everyone spending time together and working at Socializing!

Enjoy!
 
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YoshiSwe

YoshiSwe

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So there are some things we need to change:

She has been given seed mix only and when I asked "what does she like for treats" he said small pieces of cup cake...

She has seed mix in her bowl all day long, there are no specific feeding times

She has rarely been out of her cage other than to be moved to and from an aviary, and then she has been moved on a stick

She has not been allowed to live "socially" with her owners

I want her to be part of the family, be out of her cage several hours a day and to eat healthy. I guess I have a lot of work ahead.

When she is out of her cage she flies around. I want to start taking her out of her cage a.s.a.p but am worried she will just be flying around wildly.

I guess I need to try tomorrow. Any best way of doing this?
 

Birdman666

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Sep 18, 2013
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San Antonio, TX
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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.)
You don't need specific feeding times. You do need a better diet.

She doesn't look like she's has much in the way of toys, and toys will generally get them more active.

If she's going to be outside the cage and is flighted, and doesn't know how to behave, I would consider clipping her wings until she is trained. (Four outer primaries, half way down the feather.) The bird will be semi-flighted that way. She can fly down to the ground, and short distances on a breeze. But not enough to get lost.

Then basic step up/no bite/ and just getting the bird used to being handled again.

Sounds like she hasn't been handled much, and may be cage bound.

Seems pretty relaxed in the video.
 
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YoshiSwe

YoshiSwe

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Day two for us. She is being very sweet. I let her out of her cage and she follows me around the house. If I am about to leave the room she shows that she wants to come too and steps up on my arm when I offer. She has asked for two head scratches :)
My problem is I don't know how to get her back in her cage, every time I try she flies off.

Good news is she ate the pellets I gave her!

She does something weird with her mouth, this morning she sat with me while I had coffe, she was very chilled and puffed and preened and fell asleep too, but she did this odd looking thing with her mouth, is she sick? I recorded it:
[ame="https://youtu.be/818LhDeTM40"]Tutti day 2 - YouTube[/ame]
 
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YoshiSwe

YoshiSwe

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Oh, suddenly she decided it would be nice to be in her cage! I rewarded her with blueberries :)
 
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YoshiSwe

YoshiSwe

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Oh, and another question... her previous owners used to put her in a dark room two hours in the middle of the day to nap. Should I do this? I don't have a dark room but I can cover her cage like I did at night. Or can she just nap with day light? Feels weird to cover her cage in middle of the day.

I am so sorry I am asking so much, but I don't really know anyone with a parrot and you guys seem extremely knowledgeable.
 

SailBoat

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Oh, and another question... her previous owners used to put her in a dark room two hours in the middle of the day to nap. Should I do this? I don't have a dark room but I can cover her cage like I did at night. Or can she just nap with day light? Feels weird to cover her cage in middle of the day.

I am so sorry I am asking so much, but I don't really know anyone with a parrot and you guys seem extremely knowledgeable.

Napping patterns are different with each individual. Can you provide this pattern every day? If not, see if she will just nap when the home is quiet.

We use smoke and mirrors to provide the elusion of great knowledge. :D Remember that your questions are also answers for questions of guests and other members. So, as knowledge is transferred, used and expanded upon, our Parrots enjoy a better, longer, healthier and happier life!

Thank-you, for Asking and Sharing what you are seeing and the results of what you are doing. Welcome too life's two-way streets. As you feel more comfortable - pass along what you have learned to others!
 
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YoshiSwe

YoshiSwe

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Any idea what that mouth thing is that she does sometimes? It looks weird and I am worried she has something wrong in her throat.
 

Birdman666

Well-known member
Sep 18, 2013
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San Antonio, TX
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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.)
That thing with the mouth open? She's just adjusting her crop. It's normal. Don't worry about it.

They nap during the day on their own most of the time. I wouldn't worry about that either.

Don't over think this.
 

Kentuckienne

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I thought at first she was yawning, but I never saw a bird yawn so much. She looks sleepy, is that just the video or does she sit a lot sleeping with fluffed feathers? That is often a sign of illness. When was her last checkup? It might be a good idea to take her to a qualified avian vet, not a regular vet, to establish a baseline since you don't have a long history of knowing what's normal for her. And no, they don't need a nap in a dark room in the middle of the day, they aren't human babies. That could mess up her circadian rhythms...she's a real beauty, best of luck to you both!
 

AmyMyBlueFront

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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.
The opening of the beaky is Tutti adjusting her crop, Amy does this at times also.
As far as naps/sleeping,she will nap when she feels like it..afternoon or early evening or whenever.
She is in the living room along with BB and the tv or stereo can be on and it doesn't bother her.

Amy DOES have a bowl of mixed seed and nuts to snack on,but she rarely eats from it. Her main meals are veggies and fruit..sometimes a little pasta.oatmeal,scrambled egg..a chicken leg bone etc etc..

If I'm too slow in giving her brekky,she'll put her head in her nummy bowl and yell FOOD!FOOD!! then laugh ( I think she likes the sound of her voice echoing from the bowl :rolleyes:)


Jim
 

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