My few month old ringneck is scared of me... help.

coley.amzn

New member
Aug 15, 2017
2
0
I recently received a blue Indian ringneck which to my knowledge is only about is few months old. I got it from a friend who could no longer take care of it. I have only had him for about a week.

If I put my hand near the cage, he gets anxious and isn't comfortable at all. If I put my hand in the cage, he will jump around and might start thrashing

I do have other birds: budgies, finches, a lovebird, and a cockatiel, so I might have a little experience but I think I need to know more to train the ringneck!!

He has been eating, drinking, and playing with toys just fine. He eats 1 1/2 tbsp. lafebers cockatiel pellets, a pinch of seeds, and some fruits and nuts daily. His wings are clipped. I have not let him out of the cage. Sometimes during the day he will chatter with my two budgies.

Any advice before I get started with this bird?
 
Last edited:

FlockFive

New member
Jul 17, 2017
45
1
Parrots
Happy the green cheek, yellow sided conure. Bella the african grey congo. Lemon the meyers parrot.
Hi! I think you just need time with you IRN :), you only had him for about a week after all.
Try sitting next to his cage with his cage door open and gently talking to him. Offer him food through the cage bars, and perhaps don't put your hand right into the cage just now. When he starts taking treats from your hand or not freaking out when you are near the cage, you can then try putting your hand in the cage little by little. Hopefully this eventually works up to him stepping up on your finger. Budges, finches, lovebirds and cockatiels are generally faster to warm up to their new parront than IRNs. Best of luck and enjoy your new baby!
 

LordTriggs

New member
May 11, 2017
3,427
24
Surrey, UK
Parrots
Rio (Yellow sided conure) sadly no longer with us
Ringnecks are prone to being more fearful and wild than other parrots. You need to move very slowly around him and don't stare at him, it'll make him uncomfortable. For taming try reading a book near him aloud, he should eventually get interested in your voice and come to your side of the cage to say hello. After that you can slowly start putting a hand on the cage until he's comfortable with that, then try offering treats. Once he gets comfortable with this then you can start slowly having your hand in the cage and get him used to being near your hand. All the time let him come to you instead of chasing after him.

Just keep slow and read his body language, he sets the pace you work at
 

itchyfeet

New member
Nov 1, 2014
1,013
7
Middle Earth
Parrots
Ethyl the cockatiel, Henry & Clarke the IRN's, and Skittles the lovebird (my daughters)
So he's around the other birds? We noticed our fearful IRN settle much more quickly when he had companions.
If he's clipped, I'd consider opening his cage door for a short time each day. This gives him the freedom to explore his environment at his pace and not be fearful of it. He'll go back to eat and drink - you won't be forced to handle him.
Over time, you can offer him a rod/arm to hop up on. Ringneck's often have a thing about hands. If you begin this kind of training from the cage top, he's less likely to feel cornered an trapped, and therefore panic. Respect his body language.
Keep us posted!
 

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