Advice on my Indian Ringneck please!

EddR

New member
Feb 26, 2021
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Hi all!
I really need some advice on my Indian ringneck Kinzo. I've had him for around 6-7 months and he is still terrified of me. I have tried everything that I've thought would work to make him more comfortable with me and my family being around him. He's scared of all of us, the minute I come close to his cage he jumps to the bottom of the cage right in the corner and waits for me to leave. I let him out of the cage pretty much every day, he has a little play area with some treats and water in the living room/kitchen and he's pretty happy flying around the room, he lets me go somewhat close to him but if I get too close he flies away. I've left him alone for ages to give him his space, I've tried to talk to him a few times a day, but then feel like I'm making him really uncomfortable and scared which I don't want to do, I just want a happy bird that likes me. Obviously, I know it's a lot of work but I feel like I've now hit a brick wall.
He's also got a bald spot on his head, where he wouldn't be able to pluck himself, and he's the only bird so it's got to be something medical? I've spoken to an online vet but they just told me to get some vitamins for him and change his food to pellets which I have done, plus he gets his fruits and veggies. I really don't want to take him to the vet 1) because of covid and 2) he's already terrified of me, I don't want to lose the little progress that we've had by forcing him into a travel carrier and make him hate me even more. The only time I've touched him was when he got his head such in the bars of his cage when I first had him and he kept trying to escape and he bit me haha
I'm just really trying to make him happy and it's not working!
He also never makes any noise unless my hand gets too close to him when I'm changing his food and water or if my dogs go too close to his cage.
He has plenty of toys and I change them around often.
The vet I spoke to said that I should maybe get another Indian ringneck that has been hand trained and maybe Kinzo would get more curious and comfortable with me but that means I would have to have another cage and I really don't have the space for that right now, but will do it if I have to, but not sure if it's the right move.
Hope you guys can help me!
Thanks in advance!
Edd
 

Littleredbeak

Well-known member
May 27, 2020
622
870
I’d personally call around and see if I can find an avian vet where I can go in with my bird. Some clinics will make exceptions or do it for the first visit. I did the curbside pick up and now I have one where I can go in with my bird. Here is an article, the article is pretty informative on socialization. My IRN came from an abusive and neglectful situation and we are still working on building trust. Lots of yummy treats are helpful toO especially if your bird is food motivated. Mine LOVES blueberries

What are you feeding your bird now? Is your bird able to fly (I ask this because the ability to get away builds confidence- mine cannot - I believe this heightens her fear response.)
How old is your bird? Would love to see photos too!!!


http://learningparrots.com/blog/training/working-with-fearful-parrots/
 
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EddR

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Feb 26, 2021
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Thanks for your reply!
I have found a nearby avian vet, but like I said before I'd hate to force Kinzo into a travel cage and take him somewhere where he's not familiar with with a stranger (the vet) obviously I will have to take him eventually but right now I just want him to trust me enough to do so.
I guess he is food motivated, If he's out of the cage and I need him to go back in, if I put some millet or watermelon (his favourite) in the cage, after a few minutes he will go back to his cage.
Currently he eats his pellets, fruits and veggies like peppers, watermelon, carrots, apples, mango etc. and sometimes a nut mix as he seems to love that the most but I use that more like a treat.
He can fly really well and zooms around the room effortlessly.
Normally if he seems me coming towards him across the room he instantly looks panic and you can see he's working out an escape plan for when I get to him.
My partner bought him for me from a pet shop so I doubt he was treated amazingly there. I believe he's around 1 and a half years old.
Attached is a photo of him being scared of me at the bottom of the cage.

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Scott

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Aug 21, 2010
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San Diego, California USA, Earth, Milky Way Galaxy
Parrots
Goffins: Gabby, Abby, Squeaky, Peanut, Popcorn / Citron: Alice / Eclectus: Angel /Timneh Grey: ET / Blue Fronted Amazon: Gonzo /

RIP Gandalf and Big Bird, you are missed.
Welcome Edd and Kinzo, thanks for joining! I've never experienced a Ringneck but believe they are among the more challenging of parrots to tame. Hopefully members with species expertise will jump in and share advice. Best I can do is generalize.....

This thread has many good tips for building trust and bonding. Sometimes it is helpful after many months of disappointment to return to the basics. Parrots have no inherent reason to trust humans, and it is possible his treatment at the pet shop was poor. http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49144-tips-bonding-building-trust.html

The process can be two steps forward, one backward. Food motivation is a plus, reward every success with a special treat, perhaps a bit of almond or walnut. (use these sparingly because of high fat content. Getting a second bird might be ultimate solution; keep in mind there is no guarantee any two parrots will like each other and live peacefully. Alternatively, they might bond and leave you in the role of servant, not desiring your presence.

Is the vet avian certified or equivalent? Generally vitamins are prescribed for a known deficiency as result of lab tests or illness. Many pellet brands are fortified, rendering supplements potentially problematic.
 
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EddR

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Feb 26, 2021
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Thanks, Scott.
I will definitely read that thread!
That's what I'm worried about, I'd rather put my all into caring for Kinzo instead of getting another bird and them both not liking me.
It is a certified vet that I spoke to online, she recommended the vitamins due to his feather loss on his head, for the first few months of me having him he didn't really try any fruit or veg, he seemed to only like seeds, nuts etc. but I've managed to get him to like fruit and veg so I'm hoping his feathers on his head will grow back soon.
He seems to enjoy these pellets so I'll keep him on those for now, until I get brave enough to take him to the vet, I just really don't want to scare him even more with taking him to the vet.
 

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