New Parrot Mom needs guidance!

Hi Everyone,

I have had cockatiels for 20 years or so. I just adopted a new female Eclectus Parrot (Ahyoka) because her Mom had to leave the country for quite a while. She was going to sell to a pet store, but I just couldn't stand the thought. I did a lot of research on diet, and she does get a lot more fresh fruits and veggies than what her previous owner provided and she's loving it! I've had her a week and we're working on the bonding/trust thing now. She'll come to the side of the cage where I am now without hissing and lunging and we chat. She takes almonds from my fingers without trying to bite (most of the time!). In her previous house, only the mother ever handled her, so I am not pushing her too hard just yet.

She does one thing I can't find anywhere - she will be on her perch and dips her head and sort of rolls her shoulders. She doesn't flap or extend her wings. What's she trying to say?

I hope I can come back for more advice! Any links to threads or sites about bonding, most appreciated. I have found there are just too many youtube vids and sites and so much conflicting information, I prefer to have folks who are 'walking the walk' guide me.

She's gorgeous. Are those straight "dowel" type perches all you have? They're bad for parrot feet. The ideal is the wood perches they sell with bark on them that are actual sterilized tree branches and they bolt to the cage bars. You should also get some various toys for chewing and time-wasting.

Congratulations

Welcome, as said, a real cutie! Yes, please replace the dowels, that one is also too small a diameter anyways! You can also jam a nice limb from a safe source tree! Your area, sycamore, maple, guava, and bottlebrush are safe woods for your new baby! Are her nails that long, or is it the angle of the photos?

Right size is important too. You want ones inch and a quarter or larger in diameter . Read read read, ekkies have special diet needs and can develop odd quirks.

Welcome to the forums, thanks for giving Ahyoka a personalized home!

As others have mentioned, Ekkies have unique dietary needs. Have a read through the Eclectus forum for valuable tips. You may enjoy some of the following topics:

http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49144-tips-bonding-building-trust.html
http://www.parrotforums.com/eclectus/52737-so-you-think-you-want-eclectus.html

Not sure about the head and shoulder behavior. Would love to see a video!

Hi Everyone!

Thanks so much for the tips! I realize that dowel isn't the best, but she does have to vertical 'branches' right behind them. I'm just trying not to freak her out and she's just getting used to my hand being 'partially' in the cage (with food!!!) so we're working on it. I will address this just as soon as possible.

I have read a lot about the Ekkies diet. Wonderfully, all the things I have for my smoothie we can split for breakfast. I made very plain veggies at night to get them crisp and take her portion out before I over-spice for myself.

As I've never had a Parrot before - she's AMAZING! She takes sunflower seeds from my fingers very gently - a good sign I think! But when I talk to her she has the most AMAZING eyes!!

Thanks to all of you for your comments - but I still wonder what the heck she is thinking/doing when she leans forward and shrugs her shoulders. Is that the wing-flapping I've read about??

I am not sure what "wing flapping" articles you have read, but I don't think "shrugs her shoulders",
is the same.
I don't know anything about Ekkies, but she is pretty, so my thought is probably a real "shot in the dark", and without actually being there and seeing what causes her to do that, like what you are saying, if anything, etc,... But it kind of sounds like maybe she is doing the same thing you are,
and in a friendly way, She puts her head forward, to try to get closer, and "shrugs", as she is also
wondering what you are thinking about,and doing,.. Does that make sense, and fit the situation ?
Like I said it is just a very wild guess.
Any way, she is pretty, and as you and her get to know each other, you probably will start to
understand each other more.
On a side note: when my macaws start flapping their wings, it seems to be especially when they return to there "place", in the "bird room", after they have been out side a while, when I bring them in, they climb up to the highest places (perches), and not only start flapping there wings, but some times kind of a mix between scream, or loud shout, or "call" announcement, kind of a "hey every body , this is MY place, and I am back again".
On occasion I started flapping my arms, and shouted, "Yay, Bravo," and that gets some really interesting looks, from not only the macaws, but all of the birds,..." Hey, this guy is crazy, he thinks
he can fly or something".
If I shrug my shoulders, they **** their heads, and look closer, then shrug back.
I did a quick search, and found this:

Wing flapping: Wing flapping, or flying in place, is used as exercise, to get your attention, or just display happiness. Birds may often simply lift their wings as a means to stretch or to cool themselves.

Click to expand...

Not much of a explanation, it may be that she is just stretching a little, ?
When they **** their heads to one side or another, that seems to be a definite, "I wonder " or inquisitive kind of look .
---edited-----------
Looking /reading your first post again,

she will be on her perch and dips her head and sort of rolls her shoulders. She doesn't flap or extend her wings. What's she trying to say?

Click to expand...

I am thinking it may be a "hey, come on, take me out to play", or just a stretching movement, still kind of hard to say without actually seeing it.

Please go easy on the sunflower seeds they are not very good for parrots. One or two a day is enough. Even that is a lot.

Welcome, and good for you for reaching out.
Lots of great advice here, as you see!