Coco the Parrot some advice please

Hello people I have some questions about the new family parrot, his name is Coco we don’t Know if he is a male or a female.

We live in Guatemala and my mom bought him around 8 years ago, he was really young according to the sellers (he was bought from the black market) but I think he was young too, he was my mother companion after my dad passed away, after some time my mom got Parkinson and he lived wih her and her nurseries, I tried to get him to live with my family but who was I to took the companion from an old lady.
Now with the Covid 19 situation my mom came to live with my family and of course Coco came too.
I am not sure if he is a yellow napped or a yellow crown could someone help me with that? He has red and blue at his wings but not the red shoulders I can see at some internet pictures, he has a few yellow feathers at his head and maybe four yellow feathers at his back he is almost green without the yellow I can see at the internet, is he going to get more yellow or that is his color?.
He was in entirely sunflower seed diet with a few of another seeds, I am starting to change that, really slow because he is ignoring anything else but sunflower seed, the last days he ate chilly peeper ( I found out that after sunflower seed this is his favorite), mombin fruit and today I tried mango ( I did not have the success with mango that I was thinking I was going to have) Anyway I am starting the path to a healthier diet (I know avocado and chocolate is out of the question) since he is from my country I am assuming any fruit is going to be acceptable, but I have been reading that boiled egg and chicken bones are a good idea but I am not sure, maybe someone could help me with what vegetables and fruit are a good idea to give him.
Well I think he has an abnormal beak and I am assuming is because he had nothing to chew just a steel perch so I started to place some wood material but he is not interested, I tried to took the steel perch and place a wood one but he freaked out so maybe is going to take some time.

I Am using the sunflower seed to feed him at his peak/mouth between the cage bars, at the begging he freaked out, now he is taking them but if I open the cage and tried to go with my hand near him he got really angry (not scare but angry) so for now I am gaining his confidence between the bars.

he has his water bowl and his food bowl, I tried to place a big bowl for him to take a bath but it was a mistake, so I am using a bottle to spray him with water I have been doing it for a few days and hi open his wings and say “coco coco” every time so I am assuming he likes it I am doing it once every two days and at mid-day.
Well on December 2019 he got ill with mucus at his nostril and the vet gave him some antibiotics after some weeks he was healthy again, but now I discover one of his nostrils is blocked with some dry mucus and because he is so afraid of been touched I can apply any cream to remove I (this dry mucus is there since December according to my mom), since I am trying to get his confidence I can wait until he let me touch him to apply cream or is better idea to took him with a towel and remove it? (I am afraid I will lose the little confidence I got) of course I called the vet but because the covid 19 restrictions he has not opened his clinic so he recommends a moisturized cream to remove it.
Well my plans for him is get a 6 feet cage for sleep and when the dogs are around, clip his wings, let him be with the family and put him on a healthy diet and I know is going to be a long journey to get there but I am willing to commit with coco

Thanks a lot for any help and advices

Alex

Hi Alex, welcome and be welcomed ! Youcertainly are asking good questions and have done some research already, which is super! Hard to tell exactly what species Coco is. Yellow napes have a yellow splotch on the back of their neck by the head, maybe 1-1/2 inch in size. Hard to see in your pictures.
You are 100% right in trying to change his diet - sunflower seed heavy diets are sooooo bad for parrots, amazons especially, because it is too high in fats. Keep trying. Chilies are very good for them, the hotter the better, my little Amazon Salty regularly gets ghost and habnero peppers for dinner, he loves them. Try them fresh, not dried. To get CoCo to eat more things, let him see you eating them, making all kinds of yummy sounds, parrots learn a lot from watching others. You can try doing that with wooden toys too, playing with them and saying how much fun they are. SOunds silly but it works!

His right nostril does look like it is blocked, so the best is to keep it slightly moisturized, and see your vet when he opens up again.

Your reading assignment - on the Amazon sub-forum here, there are 2 stickies at the top of the page, one is on Amazon body language, the other on "I Love Amazons' an extremely thorough a accurate study of all things Amazon, very helpful and usefull information, by one of our most senior Amazon snobs!

Good luck and we are glad you found us!

Thanks a lot for your answer, yes I have been searching about how to take care of Coco, I already read the body language sticky and I will start reading the other one tomorrow.

Really, hot chilies? I was giving him the one that are not hot and you use to cook but I have some jalapeño and I Will try then, if everything goes well in a month or two I will have eliminated the sunflower seed diet and I will use them as a treat.

Thanks a lot for your answer and any other advice will be welcome and appreciated.

I Will try to take another pictures because I really want to know if he is a crowned or a napped, I have been reading that the yellow napped is more temperamental so I want to be prepared.

Thanks a lot again

Alex

Thank you for all that, Wrench.
Yes, there is a lot of wonderful information in those two assignments. Please keep trying, and thank you for reaching out and wanting to do what's best for this bird.

Hi, Alex.

1) He definitely needs a new cage, especially since you said it upsets him when you put your hand in there. So you want a cage where you can change the cups de afuera.

2) I have a young Yellow Naped (Archie!), and I don’t know if I’m just lucky...or if it’s my feeding technique...but he eats EVERYTHING fresh that is good for him. I give him very, very little seed. This is what I do:

When I remove his wet bowl to go to the kitchen to fill, I say, “Ohhhh! Comida viene!” in a happy, excited voice. (As you know, you need three bowls. Seed, water and wet/fresh.) When I return, I show him the food from outside the cage (I tilt it toward him), and say, “Mmmm! Food! This is GOOD! Broccoli!” I then put it in his cage.

In other words, I make feeding time like a game, a fun experience, instead of just throwing the bowl in his cage.

Against what most people do, I feed Archie fresh fruits and vegetables FOUR TIMES A DAY, small portions. This gets him used to this “game” that we’re playing, and gives him the opportunity to try many different things. Of course, I can do this because I’m retired and have all the time in the world.

Even if he doesn’t try a particular fruit or vegetable the first time, don’t give up and try it again the following week. Keep trying different things that you know are good for him, and if you aren’t sure, ASK HERE in the Diet forum!

You’re not supposed to remove all seed and “starve” him so he HAS to eat the vegetables, but I think there’s a fine line to consider here. Don’t FILL his bowl so he can gorge himself on sunflower seeds. Just a light handful, so when he finishes it but he’s still hungry, he can explore his fresh bowl.

Archie eats every kind of pepper on earth, and I have a huge container in the refrigerator with a variety of them and other stuff. I never bore him with the same thing two days in a row, and I’m always trying new things. But remember to make sure you’re not giving him anything bad! Before this forum, I didn’t know so many things WERE bad for him. And by the way:

Parrots don’t have the sensitive taste buds to be bothered by hot peppers like people do. Archie loves habaneros and scotch bonnets, which are the hottest I can find in Florida. He also gets regular red bell pepper, green bell, and jalapeños.

Buena suerte, y tu puedes hacerlo. No es mucho trabajo, solamente un poquito tiempo.

Below is a photo of Archie that I took tonight wearing his blackberries beard!

Right Alex, Ira, parrots have 1 taste bud to our 100, so really hot peppers don't bother them like they would us. The hotter ones have lots of good vitamins in them. They are so different than humans in several ways, like vision. Parrots see in wider spectrum than humans do, which allows them to communicate with other members of their flock. My theory is the bright colors are for long range identification, like when they are flying and up close they use that extended spectrum to know more about the individual. Just a theory.

If Coco is 8 yrs old, he has most of his adult plumage. A yellow fronted amazon would have a large yellow splotch from his nares to the top of his head, not the little tiny bit that shows in your pictures. Also, his iris does not show the vivid orange/yellow color of an adult. Can he maybe be not as old as you think? A younger parrot would still have the dark eyes and immature plumage. Of course there is much variation in nature between individuals of the same species - just look at humans! LOL, maybe to parrots we pretty much look the same, the same eyes nose and ears as all those other dumb humans, except theirs has a odd bit of hair on the lip, or longer hair ! We have a few members who know so so much about the different taxonomy between species, I hope they join in this thread.

Once again thanks a lot for the help, I want to change the cage because it is too small for him, I can change the bowls but I can go with my hands near him, today we had a big improvement our 15 years old daughter came to the cage for the first time and she was singing a song, he approached her and bow his head near the cage bars I told her to touch him and he let her to touch him!!! After that I tried to do the same and guess what? He pin his eyes and open his beak so I take two steps back.

about his age I am attaching another pictures, so you could help me with that, my son is 6 years old so Coco has to be at least 7 years, my mom does not remember (because of her condition) when she bought him but I am sure the wife was not even pregnant yet, so 7 years will be the minimum, but don’t you think that maybe the bad nutrition (just sunflower seeds) could lead to some condition and that is why he looks younger?

I am home working because the Covid 19 emergency regulations so I can give him 4 meals a day I like that idea, and after that my nephew could do the work.

Thanks a lot for the help and

Alex, I just remembered a trick that someone here taught me. I haven’t been doing it lately, but I have to start again:

Find a good brand of pellets, and grind them in a coffee grinder or by hand in a mortar and pestle, or whatever you call that thing. Then, sprinkle that powder...a lot of it...over his seed. As he picks at the seed, he can’t avoid ingesting that good nutrition.

Also, when you say Coco is only eating sunflower seeds, you’re not JUST putting sunflower in his bowl, correct? That wouldn’t be good.

Welcome!

Your Amazon is likely a little bit older than seven, but not much older than 10 years.

Clearly not a Yellow-Naped Amazon. At this age he would have a very defined yellow area on the Nape of his neck, which is clearly not present.

It is important to understand the importance of moving your Amazon off of a Sunflower seed diet. It is important to understand that the term 'seed' diet historically has meant near all Sunflower seed. Amazons can and do eat a very wide variety of seeds and the vast majority of seed is healthy for Amazons. Safflower seeds are like Sunflower seed, so avoid them. Every other seed is fine for them. Note, grains are great as are pasta and most all nuts. But Not Peanuts!
All dark green Veggies are wonderful as a base and you can add the rest of the family from there.

It is important to understand that fruits can be both good and bad. During Hormonal season (mating season) fruits can overload an Amazon with sugar and the combination of both can be a true nightmare. So, take care of when you provide fruits. So be mindful of the time of year.

See the I Love Amazon - ... Thread and on page one is a list of segments and what each segment defines. One of those segments speaks to a Diet for an Amazon.

Now, I cannot stress enough how important it is for you to understand the foundation of the Body Language of an Amazon. They expect you to know it and know it like its your first language!

Far more as you dig into the Wonderful World of Amazons!

Hello thanks a lot for your answer, yes for 7 to 8 years coco just had sunflower seed and he does not accepted another thing, now that he is living with me I started to change that, now he eat another things like chili and fruit today i tried quinoa and I bought seed mix with sunflower seed and other seeds, here you don’t find pellets but I am trying a natural diet (fruit, vegetables and seed) and some vitamins for the water, today he let me touch his beak for a few seconds maybe is a little thing but I am really excited about it, tomorrow I will try cucumber I hope he will like it

By the way i read the stickies a lot of good information there, thanks for the advice

Thanks a lot for the help

Alex

Alex_GT said:

Hello thanks a lot for your answer, yes for 7 to 8 years coco just had sunflower seed and he does not accepted another thing, now that he is living with me I started to change that, now he eat another things like chili and fruit today i tried quinoa and I bought seed mix with sunflower seed and other seeds, here you don’t find pellets but I am trying a natural diet (fruit, vegetables and seed) and some vitamins for the water, today he let me touch his beak for a few seconds maybe is a little thing but I am really excited about it, tomorrow I will try cucumber I hope he will like it

By the way i read the stickies a lot of good information there, thanks for the advice

Thanks a lot for the help

Alex

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No liquid vitamins!!!

There’s no way to tell if he’s getting enough, and too much is harmful!!!

And Archie loves cucumbers! I slice a few pieces, then cut it into different size pieces and chunks so each piece is like a different toy!

Hello everybody, well Coco eat cucumber today I am happy after his bowl is empty I will place some seed mix, today my daughter go to his cage again she gave the cucumber he ate and he let her to caress his head, he perform funny sounds and gave his hand to her, everything between the bars, now I thinks maybe is time for her to place her hands into his cage but I am not sure what do you think guys? Is better to let her so it between bars for more days or we will try to go in? Coco only let me to touch his beak for a few seconds and no else could touch him, baby steps every day.

Alex

Alex_GT said:

Hello everybody, well Coco eat cucumber today I am happy after his bowl is empty I will place some seed mix, today my daughter go to his cage again she gave the cucumber he ate and he let her to caress his head, he perform funny sounds and gave his hand to her, everything between the bars, now I thinks maybe is time for her to place her hands into his cage but I am not sure what do you think guys? Is better to let her so it between bars for more days or we will try to go in? Coco only let me to touch his beak for a few seconds and no else could touch him, baby steps every day.

Alex

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Felicidades!!! Fantastic!!!

I say take it slow for a few days. You’re already doing great, and there’s no rush.

Alex, try zucchini or summer squash when you get a chance. I don’t cook it.

Also, sweet potato or yam. Cut a little chunk off and steam it till soft. Wrap and refrigerate the rest for later use.

Do you get blueberries and blackberries there?

Thanks a lot, yes here the blackberry, blueberry or straeberry are cheap... on saturday i will go the market for some and zucchini, the sweet potato is the small one?

I am taking baby steps and i am happy with it

Thanks a lot for the help

Alex

Alex_GT said:

Thanks a lot, yes here the blackberry, blueberry or straeberry are cheap... on saturday i will go the market for some and zucchini, the sweet potato is the small one?

I am taking baby steps and i am happy with it

Thanks a lot for the help

Alex

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When you feed blackberries, blueberries and/or strawberries always note it down as within hours or a couple of days, the poop may change color. Dark and/or red poop is commonly seen as a serious health concern. By having it noted and if you see the color change, it will be a lesser concern...

Generally a good idea when feeding dark food in volume. A couple is rarely an issue, but more can result a color change.

Alex_GT said:

Thanks a lot, yes here the blackberry, blueberry or straeberry are cheap... on saturday i will go the market for some and zucchini, the sweet potato is the small one?

I am taking baby steps and i am happy with it

Thanks a lot for the help

Alex

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Sweet potatoes are pretty big. Same orange color like yams. Just buy one.

Also, if there’s ANY possibility you can find dandelion leaves, buy some. If they’re not labeled “organic,” wash them damn good.

And of course, try carrots.

I just told Archie:

“Hoy, tu primo Coco en Guatemala comió pepino!!!”

Hello everybody, well today was 50/50 coco did not eat anything but sunflower seed but I don’t feel disappointed because all the week he has been eating different fruits and vegetables I guess It was something like “let me eat what I like day”, tomorrow I will try carrot and sweet potato (as a comment here the sweet potato is a little one, the big one is called oven potato because you prepare it in the oven).

I will try strawberry and blackberries they are easiest to find than the blueberry, as far as I understand if the poop change in color after eat it, I don’t have to worry am I right?.

about the dandelion I am not able to find it fresh just dried, but I can get the plant to pot it at my yard so I will do it thanks a lot for the advice and please tell Archie “Tu primo Coco dice que le gustó el pepino y que va a comer de todo pronto”.

as I told you before my mom is 81 and has Parkinson, today she find out that I am taking out the sunflower seed from Coco diet, my God she makes me a big drama about it anyway I tried to explain her the necessity to change his diet.

The good part is Coco is more and more open to be touched and he is less and less afraid from hands.
Thanks a lot for the help and advices I will let you know how its everything going

Alex

I steam his root vegetables like sweet potato, yam, turnips and beets. I don’t like to use the oven because I think that dries them out, but that’s just a matter of opinion.

Some vegetables, I either steam or serve raw, like broccoli, corn and carrots.

And yet others, always raw, like cucumbers, squash, zucchini and radishes. (I buy radishes in a small bag already sliced and cleaned.)