Taming my adult P'let

Deanna

New member
Jun 25, 2007
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Colorado, USA
Parrots
Mojo the magnificent Maximillian Pionus; Cecil the clowny Senegal; and, Timothy the shy, fearful Parrotlet
Timothy (my new’ish adoptee P’let) and I are going to be embarking on a journey together (hand taming and bonding). He uses flight to his benefit, escaping all attempts of emotional, verbal and physical interaction. His motis operandi is Fear, Fear, Fear. This is his four-year history from the home he came from. I’ve discussed the situation with my avian vet and we’ve decided that – though, I rather not – clipping his wings is the first order of business. We need to physically be able to manage his movements and without clipping, that is impossible as he is an excellent flier/escaper. I will hopefully be getting that done this, or next, week. Then, we can start on our “step-up” play-time/free-time routines together.

I’m quite nervous about getting this all under way … I don’t want to do anything to further his fear and distrust. It is quite sad, as I know the breeder that he came from and she is diligent and loving with her babies—they are well balanced when leaving her, but he was placed in an environment that afforded him little, if any, attention—so, now, we will have to start at the beginning. Wish me luck!! YIKES! Lol

If you have any fun trust-building games or activities, I would be eternally grateful to learn of them!!
 

birdcrazy

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Oct 6, 2006
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Orlando, FL / Austin, TX
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Misty ~ Cockatiel,
Sidney ~ Jenday Conure,
Paulie ~ Blue Crowned Conure
best thing is be quiet and don't make any sudden movements. - Daisy was hand fed but really attached to her breeder and kinda freaked out of everybody else- it took a while and she's still not as people oriented as my other two but I would just go in and talk to her and whisper alot and tried to keep my body lower than hers to giver her self confidence and not think i was threatening. few birds can resist a little millet :)
 

Peta

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Sep 7, 2006
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I have found with mine (all flighted) that they will do a lot for millet, and the sound of the clicker, I have also been having the same issues as you have with the ongoing training of my baby, Kito, who has realised that he can escape any situation through flying off,

What I have been doing with him is, having lots of different treats to hand and when he does what I ask of him, he get the clicker - head scritch and then a toy to play with for a few mins. (he's not big into food as a treat)

If he is nervous then keeping low will help his confidence, but don't leave it too long before you are higher than him, or he may just use that to his advantage as well. Birds are so darn clever, they have us worked out a lot sooner than we can work them out. Keep the training short and often, play time often. Its gonna take a while for you guy to learn to trust, but he will, with love and patience from you.

I wish you so much luck and please let us know how you are going with him. Thank you for taking him out of an awful situation and giving him love and a forever home. A rescue bird is never easy, but its so rewarding when you see him learn to love and trust you, it the most wonderful feeling in the world. I wish you and Timothy all the luck, and please some pics, we love pics here. :D
 
OP
Deanna

Deanna

New member
Jun 25, 2007
730
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Colorado, USA
Parrots
Mojo the magnificent Maximillian Pionus; Cecil the clowny Senegal; and, Timothy the shy, fearful Parrotlet
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Oh yes, millet--and I have much on hand. Thank you!!

I never would have dreamed of using a clicker with my little one! That is on my things to try list.

I have decided to make our bedroom (our bed in particular) the play (and train) area -- soft landings, fun to bounce and skitter across. We have a high bed, so that will make it easier for me to be lower than he is then, when/if necessary, be at the same or higher level he is as he gains confidence and trust.

He is terrified of my hand. :( He would rather die than to get a scritch from me or starve rather than take a treat from me. :( ... But, I have good news to report that with a little persistence last night, he gave me three step-ups (against his better judgement, but he did it all the same!)!! This will be a slow process. He's a cute, genteel little fellow. (Just scared out of his little mind :( ).

Thanks for your input!! ... I'll get some pictures posted of little Timothy ... probably this weekend!
 

Peta

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Sep 7, 2006
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Deanna, I really feel for you, I had just like that my Errol and Flynn (Rosella and Red Rump) they were petrified to the extent that they wouldn't even make a sound, never heard them at all for so long, the hand well you could forget that, they were even terrified of me putting my hands in the cage to clean them out, it used to take me a whole week to clean it, I would have to do little bits each day so they didn't get too stressed out. :( It was heartbreaking.

Now tho' Flynnie is probably more trouble than the rest of them put together :D She's definately head of their flock, and boy she can make some noise when she wants to. :20:

So keep it up even when its so heartbreaking you just want to leave him alone, he will come round and be a loving little devil that he should be. :D I'm gonna look forward to hearing all about that day, with dancing shoes on. I'll even give you all a grand dance round.
 

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