Quiet and skittish yet tame-ish Derbyan

PrettyLola

New member
Sep 1, 2019
2
0
Gouda - Netherlands
Parrots
Derbyan Parakeet
Hey everyone,

We are new here and going to jump right into the fray with a question about our new Derbyan.

We got her yesterday from a breeder/parrot rescue etc. They seem to be a bit of everything with parrots.

They said she used to be tame and sitting on a climbing tree with the other birds at the entrance of the store but that they switched them after a while and put her in a big cage with another Derbyan. Which was at the back of their parrot area where not alot of people come.

We immediatly felt sad for her and chose her. The breeder then went while we waited and he came back with her wings clipped and nails done etc. We didn't really want her clipped so that added up to her sadness =/

Now we put her in a smaller cage at the moment as we are getting our big cage today. We immediatly noticed her being very very quiet with her head bowed down. She isn't scared of our hands touching the cage from any side. But she doesnt want to be touched and didn't come out yet. And it looks like she didn't eat yet from when we got her to our house yesterday afternoon.

Does any of you have an idea what we could do to make her feel more calm and safe? It's so sad they neglected her after her being so tame before.

This is her btw:
xUiyaGc.jpg
 
Last edited:

Ellie777Australia

New member
Apr 12, 2019
1,280
98
Queensland, Australia
Parrots
SI Eclectus Female, Ellie; RS/SI Eclectus Male, Bertie (both adopted as rescue/re-home)
First concern is safety. Now that Lola's wings and nails are clipped she may struggle with balance and grip. Ensure that she has an appropriate size perch that isn't 'slippery'. Her perch should be closer to the bottom of that cage to improve safety in case she falls etc. Others will add their suggestions but if she is young and not due to be hormonal perhaps a soft safe product (like newspaper bundles) at the bottom of the cage until you are sure she isn't going to fall off. Also, ensure that your house is safe:
PTFE's, PFOA's, Silicon, and Ceramic Cook/Bakeware
Toxic List for our Birds.
Top 10 hazards for companion birds

Food and drink. Start off with what she had at the rescue then move forward from there. She needs to eat and drink.
Converting Parrots to a Healthier Diet - Tips
Bird Safe Fresh Foods & Toxic Food Lists + Sprouts


There's lots of info here to assist to get going on your relationship with her. Here are a couple of links:

Bond forming
Tips for Bonding and Building Trust

Hope this helps.
 

Tami2

Well-known member
Aug 18, 2017
5,088
2,454
New Jersey
Parrots
Levi - 6 yr old CAG

DOH-4/2/2016
Welcome to the Parrot Forum Community. Glad you joined us.

Congratulations on your new baby, she's beautiful! We love pictures!

Do you know how old she is? Is she your first bird?

Ellie777Australia offered you a great deal of information to get you started.

I will add, a lot of time and patience. She is freaked out by the move. You are strangers and she needs time to process everything, the sights, smells, humans etc... You will have to gently earn her trust. Sit next to her cage and read to her. I played peek-a-boo hiding behind a towel to engage Levi after about a week. I gave him time to settle in first. I didn't want to overwhelm him.

Best of luck to you all.
 

fiddlejen

Well-known member
Mar 28, 2019
1,232
Media
11
1,156
New England
Parrots
Sunny the Sun Conure (sept '18, gotcha 3/'19). Mr Jefferson Budgie & Mrs Calliope Budgie (albino) (nov'18 & jan'19). Summer 2021 Baby Budgies: Riker (Green); Patchouli, Keye, & Tiny (blue greywings).
Welcome to the Parrot Forum Community. Glad you joined us.

Congratulations on your new baby, she's beautiful! We love pictures!

Do you know how old she is? Is she your first bird?

Ellie777Australia offered you a great deal of information to get you started.

I will add, a lot of time and patience. She is freaked out by the move. You are strangers and she needs time to process everything, the sights, smells, humans etc... You will have to gently earn her trust. Sit next to her cage and read to her. I played peek-a-boo hiding behind a towel to engage Levi after about a week. I gave him time to settle in first. I didn't want to overwhelm him.

Best of luck to you all.

When I brought my Sunny home in March, she was basically happy and not stressed, but even so, as I recall she didn't eat, or only barely nibbled, for a day or two. Which didn't worry me too much, because my Budgies had done something similar when I got them. I figured it made sense. Huge, sudden life change; it's normal for any creature, bird or human, to lose their appetite a little.
 

Most Reactions

Top