New Owner of 2 Adopted Amazons

I am a new owner of 2 adopted Amazon parrots since April 2018. I have never owned any pet birds before and I think I have a challenge in front of me. But I think I have it easier than many others. For starters, these 2 adopted Amazons (estimated 25 years old) have been successfully paired up before I got them. The larger double yellow Amazon is Marcy and she has a decent vocabulary. It is my understanding that before she was given to the parrot sanctuary, an older woman gave Marcy a lot of attention until the owner felt she was not capable. I think it shows a lot of courage for that woman to let go of her prized pet.

The blue fronted Amazon name is Mac with a very different background. Mac was raised by a bird hoarder who was in a wheel chair and on oxygen who kept on buying birds (20 of them) but not really taking care of them. So I do not think Mac got a lot of attention and probably fought for food and etc. Mac does not have any vocabulary but the longer I have him, I more I see him trying to form words. Today he was really close to saying hello but sort of gurgled it. He is trying.

Another factor in having it easier is that I live in Hawaii. So before buying this birds, I had a large aviary built that sits outside overlooking the ocean on the small dead end road I live on with 8 houses. The birds watch more dog walkers than cars. The aviary stands 8 feet high, 6 feet long, and 4 feet wide. It has 4 very different perches to try and they use them all. Sometimes they hang out together, some times they choose different perches and look in opposite directions.

My initial problem and hope someone here can guide me is that Mac is very aggressive towards me. Maybe he is just being over protective of his girl. He has already bit me once when I was giving him a treat. So the question is whether or not I can or should modify Mac's behavior towards me? Due to their age, should I even try? The birds are healthy but maybe a tad bit overweight. But isn't that true for many of us?

I would like to reach the point where I can handle the birds and also work on their vocabulary. I don't think I would ever bring them into the house as frankly, they will enjoy the outside aviary more than a boring inside of a house. Neighbors walking dogs say hello and etc.

I have recently ordered some clickers and books. I know I have got to do some research. And I know this will take time. (I got time as I am retired) I just don't know if it is possible to socialize with paired up Amazons? Is it worth trying to train the happy pair? I enjoy playing music for them, giving them healthy food, and the occasional healthy mid afternoon snack. I just would like to handle them more.

Although Mac is always trying to attack me when I am outside the cage, he backs off when I physically enter the cage to do maintenance. I think the aggressive head bobbing, pinning eyes, and lunges at the side of the cage as part of his act to impress Marcy. At first I was not a fan of going inside the aviary but it can't be avoided. Now I don't worry about Mac.

If you are wondering how they are fed, I copied the sanctuary food tray slot that hangs on the side of the cage. I slide the food in and out and it is designed in a manner that Mac cannot bite my fingers.

Welcome to Parrot Forums!

Please go to the Amazon Forum and read with detail the two Threads at the top of the Forum which are highlighted in light blue! Spend time sitting next to both of your Amazons and Read the Understanding Amazon Body Language out loud. Continue to read this Thread a couple of times every day until you completely understand Amazon Body Language like it is your primary Language.

NOTE: Slow down!

Change your vantage point!

It is never the fault of the Amazons!
It is always the fault of the Human!
Changing your vantage point will allow to you understand what you are doing wrong and correct it faster.

Welcome to you, Marcy, and Mac! It seems you have an ideal housing and climate situation. I echo Sailboat's admonition to read the Amazon Forum "sticky" threads.

One never knows how a pair of Amazons will react to a human. Sometimes they bond together and seek little affection from humans, other times they are capable of singly or doubly choosing to interact with you. Another thread of possible interest: http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49144-tips-bonding-building-trust.html

Welcome! Remember, as said, you are waiting to be accepted into their family! None of us like pushy friends!

Thanks all of you for the quick comments. I had already read the intro to Amazons before I got the birds but it was useful to read it again. I guess that is one of my problems is that I might have done too much research.

For example, you advise to pay attention to body language. I also read somewhere??? that some Amazons like to get into the aggressive routine but it is just an act. I don't seem to remember anything in the body language section that discusses the Amazon who pretends.

I might reintroduce the acting tough Amazon in the Amazon thread instead of the welcome new members thread just to hear opinions.

Again, thank you for you time and assistance. I am taking it slow. I think the start of clicker training might help build trust.

Sounds like you might be talking about "bluffing"? Which parrots don't really "bluff", but their body language *is* saying something! Most people tend to ignore the behavior since the bird isn't actually biting... however, ignoring the perceived bluff can indeed lead to biting!

Welcome to PF! Do you have photos to share?