New Red Bellied Parrot

Hi All:

I just purchased an 11 month old Red Bellied Parrot. I named him Kermit. This is the first "real" parrot that I've had. I picked him out on Monday at the store. He came right over at the bottom of his cage (it was kind of high and I'm short) so that he could be eye level with me. And, he would just sit and look at me while I talked to him. Anyway, I went back to the store on Tuesday and Wednesday and just spent time talking to him. Yesterday I actually went to pick him up.

He was spoon fed and handled a lot when he was younger. About 6 months ago they kind of stopped handling him. So, he's not super, super "friendly." When I brought him home before putting him in his cage I sat with him in the tub. One of the employee's at the store told me that's one of the best places to work with new birds. We worked together for about 10 minutes and I could eventually get him to step up. He eventually would get freaked and try to fly away. (His wings are clipped). This morning he and I worked together again. He would try to bite me and I'd take my finger and kind of rub his beak and tell him, "shhh, no bites." He seemed okay with this. Of course, I still have to learn bird body language! He might really not have liked it at all.

He stepped up a couple of times for me this morning. And, when I tried to do it another time he was having none of it. I'd even kind of lightly push on his belly and he just stood his ground. I know we've only worked together two times in less than 24 hours. And, I know it takes lots and lots of patience. When he wouldn't step up for me I'd kind of just lightly pet his stomach and he seemed okay with that. That's not to say he hasn't bitten me. I got it it good a few times. But, I know birds do that, so, I'm not really concerend. I was just wondering if anyone else had a similiar experience with a bird not wanting to step up? And, if so, what do you do? I guess maybe they will just eventually step up when they want to?

Also, I wanted to ask if anyone else's bird does what Kermit does. At the bird store, Kermit would be at the bottom of his cage. He would kind of push the top of his head against a bar in the cage, stretch his legs back, almost as if, he was laying on his belly and kind of lightly flap his wings. It was really cute. One of the guys at the bird store said that he's seen another one of the parrots do it. So, I doubt seriously he's sick. I was just wondering if anyone else's bird does this and if they know what it means.

Thanks in advance for any advice or insight you'd like to give.

Kim

HI Kim,

Congrats on your new friend! You are right, patience is key. I can offer a bit of advice that worked for me with my conure, Charlie. He came from a home that didn't treat him all that well and when he was being stubborn, they didn't push him as they were afraid to be bit. So he really would only step up if he felt like it. He's pretty good now and will almost always step up or I will get him there in a few tries. I achieved this through positive reinforcement and reward. Charlie LOVES almonds so I would use a bit of almond to get him to step up (I'd put the almond just past my finger). When he stepped up, he would get the little bit of almond and some praise. Eventually, he would only get it sometimes (but always the praise) or would only get it if was being stubborn and I would use it as a motivator. Now he just steps up and doesn't need an almond. If you find out what treats Kermit likes, you might be able to achieve the same thing. Just remember, it takes weeks or months depending on the parrot. I would say Charlie took about four weeks or so to start being consistent. Just be consistent and positive. Good luck!

Red bellied parrots are very nice birds to have in your home. All kinds of little odd behaviors can devolop in a bird store when they are caged. Enjoy your little guy.