How would you go about training a bird like this?

Have been offered the chance to adopt a 24 yr old yellow naped Amazon.

But after asking many questions, I read this paragraph and am really upset:

“He is a typical yellow napped, somewhat stodgy and set in his ways. He will only eat his Zupreme and peanuts. We’ve tried fruit and veggies a number of times but they just sit in his dish. He’s not real crazy about being handled but we’ve never been able to work with him on that much.”

They have owned him for NINETEEN YEARS and “have not been able to work with him on that much”

Obviously the poor little guy needs to get out of there and start getting showered with attention... but - and please be very specific - HOW do I start this process of getting him handleable and eating a more varied diet?

This sounds quite doable! My interpretation of that statement is, they never tried very much! SailBoat will be your mentor!

"He’s not real crazy about being handled but we’ve never been able to work with him on that much.”

He is such a young bird, but out of the crazy teen years, he will come around to a positive environment!

Your bibles:
http://www.parrotforums.com/amazons/65119-i-love-amazons-going-journey.html
http://www.parrotforums.com/amazons/54250-amazon-body-language.html

flboy said:

This sounds quite doable! My interpretation of that statement is, they never tried very much!

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I was thinking the exact same thing. :smile049:

And you'll need this of course. http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49144-tips-bonding-building-trust.html

Best of luck & keep us posted.

Cheri said:

Obviously the poor little guy needs to get out of there and start getting showered with attention... but - and please be very specific - HOW do I start this process of getting him handleable and eating a more varied diet?

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READ THE THREADS LINKED ABOVE! Then read them again and again as you start the process below! Good reading out loud material for building trust with your bird!

You start by mentally preparing yourself for a long, slow and difficult journey with this bird. Have no expectations out of him to be any certain way, be willing to work at HIS pace and be sure you're in it because you genuinely want to and feel able to help. PATIENCE and understanding, you'll be needing LOTS of those too It took about a year and a half before our rescue amazon began stepping up reliably without biting and several more years before he started going out and about and socializing with other people. The effort and bites early on was difficult, painful and hard to keep the focus on the end result of a happy, healthy, well adjusted bird. He still doesn't like to be petted but he does love being around us and is just such a happy little creature these days. The result at the end of the day has been 1000% worth the effort/pain initially. He had a rightful distrust of humans and expected/required us to earn his trust and friendship, the hard way. You MUST expect and accept those terms and conditions as a distinct possibility with a bird from a situation like what you're describing.

So now you have the bird home- I would suggest getting the initial vet visit out of the way ASAP in case any medications need to be administered (which can definitely break any gains in trust you build early on). Our bird needed 2 rounds of antibiotics and a few follow up vet visits immediately after being adopted. Lets just say that was a less than fun experience for everyone involved. Once vet checked and healthy, THEN start trust building. The best 'tried and true' method will be sitting next to the birds cage several times a day and just reading or speaking to him in a soft tone of voice, getting him used to you as a non-threatening presence. Every member of the household should be doing so too. Once he seems more comfortable, start bringing bird friendly snacks to these sessions, whatever treat he likes best. Eat or pretend to eat the treats yourself, making a big deal about how yummy they are. Amazons are winged pigs and undoubtedly distrust will eventually give way to desire for treats and he will approach. Gently offer the treat through the bars and praise when he takes it. After he reliably takes treats, it will then be time for step up training. But you're not there yet and would likely not be there for weeks-months. No rush though, you're building a lifetime bond with this creature take it nice and slow

Dietarily, if he's eating pellets he's probably not too bad off. I'd definitely cut the nuts and seed down to no more than 20% of his diet. You can and should offer fresh foods daily, but don't expect him to eat them right away. Our amazon reacted to fresh produce as though it was radioactive for a long time. Dietary changes for humans are difficult, it's even harder for a bird who doesn't have the faintest concept of "health". Once you've built up some trust, then you'll be able to work more with getting him to try foods because they'll start following your example once they feel like a member of your "flock".

Good luck and be sure to share some photos of your new friend!

Although I fully admit to being a long standing Amazon Snob, I am not the only one here, as part of Parrot Forums that can and do wear this label with pride. And, one of my favorites is Kiwi's Mom!

Get in there and get started! But, assure that you are fully willing to commit to this Amazon 'forever.'

I'm deeply concern that in a matter of hours you are looking at two different Large Parrots (B&G Mac and a YN Amazon).

The members of Parrot Forums are happy to help, when you settle of specific species.

It is very important that when 'shopping' that you remember that the Parrot choosing you is far more important than you choosing.

Sailboat - thank you for your concern. If you read my last post in the Macaw group, you will see that after meeting with the macaw, we decided she would do better with a friend who specifically deals only with macaws. So our search has resumed. If we were not being careful, cautious and keeping the welfare of the bird uppermost in our minds, we would just jump at the first bird offered and worry about the consequences later. That is exactly what we DON’T want to do. That is why I come here to seek advice before making any decisions. Isn’t that what this forum is for?

I think a little something might have gotten lost in translation between your first post about the macaw you ultimately decided on being outside your comfort zone and this post about the amazon, but rest assured no one is trying to be rude or anything. Just a lot of bird lovers on here who want to see birds matched with the right home so they have the highest chance of success in that home. And don't worry, plenty of us looked at numerous species and different individuals before deciding on the "right" bird, myself included. I considered/spoke to people about several different birds of different species before deciding on my little green buddy

Maybe you could tell us a little more what traits and characteristics you find most appealing about amazons in particular. They're not for everyone but are awesome birds in the right homes. Just depends on what qualities you most appreciate/look for in a companion bird.

Thanks, Kiwi!

I’ve gotten in touch with my friend who is a very reputable parrot trainer and have asked him to accompany me to meet the Amazon. Will make decisions about moving forward or not then.

Breathe some new life into him. You can do it x