I brought my new baby Galah home from the airport Monday. She came from a pet store but I did not get to meet her because she was several states away. I have been looking for a baby for a couple of months and there has been no one near me or within travel distance to buy one from. Resigned to the fact I likely wouldn't get to meet one in person, I have pent time searching. Found a pet store that has their birds out to be socialized and that handfeeds them all. She is 4.5 months old and has been weaned around two weeks. I took video tours of the store and did zoom with her and watched her interactions. she was so sweet and friendly there. She easily went to people and loved head scratches. I know she is new and needs time to settle in but she is so afraid of everything, especially our hands. I know we are only on day three as I don't count Monday since she was too terrified Monday. She seems to enjoy my talking to her, but if i make a move to raise my hand to even change her food or anything, she hops away to the farthest part of her cage that she can. She came out to sit on the door today and I sat next to her talking to her, but whenever I would scoot a bit closer, she was looking for an escape route so I backed off. When I could no longer sit on the floor I stood up and she hopped out of the cage into the room and is walking around, but when I approach her, she turns to walk away. I don't want to push her and force her but I am going to have to leave the room shortly and don't want to leave her out alone in it. I could likely chase her back over to the cage but I don't want to ruin any trust building. Any suggestions? Also, any suggestions on how to work with her from here?
I am not new to birds. I had a wild caught sulphur for 20 years and another baby sulhur for about 7 years. My son has a conure and i grew up around birds and worked in a pet store that was exclusively birds but this is new to me. I have never been around a baby bird so skittish. I need to be alble to get her to the vet in the next few days and I am not sure she will let me handle her by then. I know I can force it and pick her up but I am unsure how to do this and still establish trust.
Thank you!
Lori
I am not new to birds. I had a wild caught sulphur for 20 years and another baby sulhur for about 7 years. My son has a conure and i grew up around birds and worked in a pet store that was exclusively birds but this is new to me. I have never been around a baby bird so skittish. I need to be alble to get her to the vet in the next few days and I am not sure she will let me handle her by then. I know I can force it and pick her up but I am unsure how to do this and still establish trust.
Thank you!
Lori