Advice for my BFA

So Davy and I are making pretty good progress, I think. As long as he doesn't see my hands he will come near me when I talk and sing to him. If I use his stick to step up, and take in away from his cage he will sit on my shoulder (I know people say that is a bad idea, but he is not aggressive at all, and all my birds have been shoulder birds) He even snuggled up and pressed his beak to my cheek, so I think we are making good progress.

He easily takes food from me, peanut butter off my finger. He has this whistle he uses when he asks for whatever food I am eating (of course he only gets healthy options).

He uses his toys and perch to rub his head on, I long for the day he lets me scritch and preen him!

Okay, the question is, the last two days when i have come to the cage, he is on top, his tail feathers fan out, eyes pin point then go back to normal . . . that is a bad sign right? he makes these soft cawing noises just like normal, and he leans toward me when i talk or sing . . . I just don't want to push him if that is a sign of 'get away from me right now'

Hi Jolyn. Not sure whether you saw this sticky on Amazon body language yet: http://www.parrotforums.com/amazons/54250-amazon-body-language.html

Since you've only had Davy for a very short period of time, I do think you've made some amazing progress with him.

Now even though you said "(I know people say that is a bad idea, but he is not aggressive at all, and all my birds have been shoulder birds)", I will reiterate that you are taking a HUGE risk by allowing him on your shoulder. It's impossible to read his body language while he's up there, the body language which you have yet to learn how to read. Amazons can do quite the damage to your face in a split second. ....just saying.

My 16 year old hen nape gets shoulder privileges, but she's earned those. She's also been with me all her life and we both read each other like an open book.

JerseyWendy,

I have read that sticky, and I that is why i was wondering, the fanned out tail feathers and the eyes going to pinpoints and back, is usually a bad sign. I pretty much let him be, just talked to him from afar, and he didn't display any other aggravation.

As far as the shoulder goes, I have only done it twice. I understand the risks. He really panics on my hands or lower arms, would you suggest I not hold him at all until I can tame him to my hands? He is my first Amazon, i have experience with 'toos and they can be a little on the unpredictable side, but I know the 'zons are pretty different.

Have you tried holding him close to your body while he's perched either on your hand or your wrist? He may feel more secure then, being close to you and all. And I mean close enough to your body so he could lean on you if he wanted to.

Yes, 'usually' a fanned out tail and pinning eyes aren't a good time to try and pick them up. Now both of mine get into hyperdrive when I'm playing music or am 'partying' with them, and they will both fan their tails and pin their eyes then, however, they are not wanting to bite me at that particular time, they are merely showing their excitement.

I won't tell you to try and pick him up when he's like that, cause with my luck (or better yet..with yours) he IS going to nail you. :54:

Good job on your progress!

Kiwi usually greets us with a shrilly noise, flared tail (sometimes his wings if he's really happy to see us) and pinned eyes. It's just a brief little greeting, not a sustained 'routine' (he does that when he's angry). To me, it sounds like he's just acknowledging your there and/or greeting you if it's just a quick thing before he comes over in a friendly way It's hard to explain, but you WILL be able to, in time, to decipher between happy pinning/flaring and angry pinning/flaring.

@Wendy, yes music was playing and he was just let out of his cage and there was excitement in the air, I didn't get the I-am-gonna-tear-you-up vibe from him at all, but I could very much see excitement. As far as holding him close to the body, yes I did try that, and he climbed up my arm and got on my shoulder, snuggling into my hair. When i brought up my hand to try to have him step up after a few mins, he flew off my shoulder. So I think really I just need to get him used to my hands. My next step is to get him a playstand, something he is comfortable on away from him cage, that I can work with him . . . but money being what it is, it may be a while.

@Kiwibird yes, I am sure I will learn in time, and like I said, I didn't think it was a mean thing, just more excitement, but it is much better to error on the side of caution with a new bird. I am usually pretty good with most animals, at being able to tell when they are upset vs just excited.

He is sitting in his cage now, watching me, making little purring noises, until I look up and give him the purr back, and he fluffs up and preens, then when I go back to typing, he makes them again. Silly boy