Won't come out of cage?

I've been trying for 2 weeks to encourage my Quaker to come out of his cage, but with no success.

He use to come out with no issue until he escaped and flew into the boiler room where I had to catch him and bring him back to the cage. Ever since that he's terrified of leaving the cage.

He has a open top cage, so he can get out though the top or main door at the front. When I opened the top, he moved down onto one of the lower perches towards the back of the cage. Seeing he was stressed by the top been opened, I closed it and opened the front door a bit more. He would wander down to the door then scurry back and sit on his top perch. I put some food outside the cage hoping that might encourage him out, but he just sat on his perch and squawked at the bowl. I left the cage open for about a hour before closing it and placing his food bowl back in the cage.

Any advice on how to encourage him to come out and exercise again?

It has been a long time since I have had to dis-assemble a cage to get an Amazon out! But when nothing else is working it is an option!

It seems that you're Parrot had quite the scare when he last came out. Clearly he has elected too see the World around him as a dangerous place. I'm not sure whether he is more scared of where he ended-up or the process used to catch him and place him back in the cage, or possible both.

FYI: The split hinged open top cages have been the source of many loss toes, legs and death of Parrots. And really should be avoided. That said, until you replace the cage, open it up fully, all openings, but leave the food inside. Leave it open for as long as you are home. An hour here and there is not going to develop much interest in a Parrot that is hiding from the outside World.

In the mean time, begin to study the cage to determine, what can be dis-assembled and still have the cage standing-up right. Do not need to scare the guy any more by having the cage crash into a pile with your Parrot still inside. Try removing section or if not safe, with care, go to a full dis-assembly. Assure that you provide your Parrot with a perch that he can sit on near the cage.

At this point, its a good time to complete a full cleaning of the cage and afterwords, re-assembly the cage with your Parrots help! When back together assure that you keep the doors open! While this is all happening assure that only 'Good Things' happen to and for your Parrot! Lots of Praise and joyful speak goes along way!

Sometimes, the over the top method is the only method you have left! The goal of this process is to show your Parrot that even when his World (cage) comes crashing down, all soon returns to normal!

Start with leave the cage fully open for much longer time periods, than step, by step work to the point that the next step is to dis-assemble the cage.

Enjoy!

Totally agree with Sailboat's assessment!!

If leaving the door open for a longer period does not work, perhaps moving the cage to a different room might help? He may associate some of the fear/danger with the current location. Not sure if this would make a difference, but worth a try?