Questions for Experienced Poicephalus Owners

I met a Red-Bellied poicephalus at the local bird shop. He's been there about a week and a half.

I've been debating between a pionus and poicephalus since first searching for a bird, so I'm very tempted. When he first came to the shop (I was there that day), he stepped up and, though he was kinda 'beaky' he seemed sweet. Apparently, they have now decided he's not a friendly bird, after he bit the staff 'for no reason.' I for one always think there's a reason, even if we don't know what it is. I saw him again tonight, and he seems very shy, which I know is common in poicephalus. He seems a bit fearful, as well, very nervous if anyone is near his cage. I have seen them 'discipline' their birds by dropping their hands when it's perched and saying, 'No,' loudly. I also wonder if a retail environment - even a quiet one - would exacerbate his shyness and fear. In short, I'm tempted to bring him home and see if we have the right environment for him. Our home is very quiet, if you don't mind the chirping budgies

I don't necessarily need a bird that talks, cuddles, and plays. I love birds, and don't mind if they act like birds. As long as I can handle them enough to do what is needed to care for them. I'm also pretty darn patient and wouldn't mind taking the time to work with him to get him more comfortable. The shop staff is talking as if he'll end up going back to the breeder to become a breeder. I know pois can be very shy and fearful, also that they go through a nipping stage. He's young, only about 7 weeks old, I think. It seems a shame for him to be labled 'mean' at this stage.

Any experienced poi people have thoughts on this?

Oh my word, 7 weeks old, pretty sure he should still be on formula, or at least just come off, he is certainly a baby baby.

7 weeks old and already labled a bad bird, how terrible. Whats making you 'not' want to get it? Poi's are generally sweet, quiet (for a parrot ) and playful darlings. I have a senegal and although he can be a bit nippy at times and of course we're still going through training, he's fantastic. We have 'less' tame birds on here, such as Nut which I'm sure is a little psychobirdy at heart (although still fantastic!) but since this is only about 7 weeks old, you practically have a fresh slate to work with.

His shyness and fear is probably due to him being moved around and also the training technique of 'dropping' them with a no, I really don't like, it creates distrust and fear of it happening again in my opinion!

Personally, I don't see the downside of getting him/her if you're commited to a parrot.

I agree with everything Mayden said. I love my Sennie to death because he is a little quirky. I don't think you will be disappointed. Good luck, whatever the decision.

Thank you Mayden and dragonlady2! My only hesitation was that the shop staff had already deemed him unadoptable. I wondered if I just didn't know any better, since I've never had a larger parrot. When I look at his expression, though, my heart tells me he's terrified and unsure of things, not mean.

BIRD WILL AND DO BITE FOR NO REASON. A lot of the time, they just don't want to be bothered. The problem with pet store staff is they don't have the knowledge or the time to learn the birds behavior to know when he doesn't want to be bothered. It would be a shame if this bird went back to the breeder.

I see no problem with the staff dropping there hand to throw the bird off balance and sayingf sternly NO if he is biting or trying to bite them. I think you would do fine with this bird if you just take it slow and learn the birds temperment and his signals when he dosn't want to be bothered.

I say go for it, but I would try and talk them down on their price if they are thinking of sending it back. You may be able to work out a deal. But I wouldn't let them use that as a sympathy tool either. I think Pet shops spend more time teaching their employees how to play on a customers sympathies than they do teaching them how to interact with the animals that they sell.

Thanks, mtdoramike I wasn't sure about the hand dropping. It seemed fairly harmless, but I've also heard them yell at the birds in their store and approach their cage aggressively, which I don't think I'd ever do. The bird may be 9 weeks, though they said they usually get them when they're 6 weeks old. I do think they're giving up on him too soon. He's hardly in a position to be comfortable and spends most of his time hiding behind his one toy. I am a little leary of the sympathy tool, however. Don't want to get suckered.

Bright Star said:

Thanks, mtdoramike I wasn't sure about the hand dropping. It seemed fairly harmless, but I've also heard them yell at the birds in their store and approach their cage aggressively, which I don't think I'd ever do. The bird may be 9 weeks, though they said they usually get them when they're 6 weeks old. I do think they're giving up on him too soon. He's hardly in a position to be comfortable and spends most of his time hiding behind his one toy. I am a little leary of the sympathy tool, however. Don't want to get suckered.

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Why don't you go and spend some time with him, see if you feel that spark about him?

Some people use the hand dropping thing, I just don't like it.

hand dropping?? sounds like a fear tactic an as for yelling?? thats bully tactics, and if the bird has no idea what its doing to get these reactions from ppl, then off course its gonna bite, pre-empting a bad experiance. nut bites etc but she is managable! an is great company. she has not bitten since i have started a new increased cage thing, so i have a feelin if the bird is taken out of its present situation, before it makes a lasting impression on it, it will be easier to adjust this bitting behaviour

as mayden says spend time with it, and i do agree with mike, ppl that work in pet stores might not always have the creatures best interests at heart! i have a feeling that bird is afraid rather then shy!

good luck an keep us posted

If you do decide to take him home, it's probably early enough that any behaviours they taught him could be corrected in a reasonable time. Likely the bird is very much nervous, seeing as how young he is. Most birds I've researched that size don't usually leave their breeders till 8-10 weeks.

I was hoping you'd chime in suebee I love reading your posts about Nut and follow her progress with much interest! Thank you also Karigan. My gut tells me nervous too. He looks terrified when you look at his face.

lol ty bright but ask them to clarify on what they deem as a bite?? this will give you a better understanding of the aggression in the bird!

also some ppl are dam dramatic over things! as sometimes nut will use her beak when stepping up, to steady herself, a very gental grab with beak, but if ppl in pet shop have hand dropped when that poor bird was using its beak of course its gonna grip harder! (can you tell there tactics annoy me!)

my son still tries to get nut to do things an when she won't he insists, so he now gets a pretend, head bob, open beak an a grunting sound, that means i'm gonna rip your fingers off, an what does the idiot child continue doin?? asking nut to step up etc so she bites him, normally a fast beak clamping, and i just say to him, she gave clear signals that he chose to ignore! when he tries to get sympathy for dents in his finger

before hand she would bite an grind down! or fly over to finish bite etc and i'd have the pair of them squabbling all day! kids!


the bird might be the way it is because of its enviroment (most likely) but also might be plain pyschotic! (most unlikely) either way before comitting, keep in mind the worse that can happen lol

I visited the little guy again tonight. The store owner said he's doing better, though they still use gloves to handle him. I expressed interest in him, and they said they think they can work with him and get him settled down. I asked if I could visit with him and see how he does over time, and they agreed. I honestly think they want to give him a chance. They've apparently had trouble with the breeder he came from not socializing his birds properly before selling them. It doesn't sound like they're going to work with that breeder again.

I looked at cages and what would work for him and for the space I've got. I'll keep visiting every few days and checking on his progress. He's still biting, but it does seem primarily fear-based - coupled with the fact that he's not too keen on being handled, since he's not used to it. They said they'll work on him while they've got him and that they think they can get him to do better in time.

I'm glad they're not giving up on him so soon. He has the cutest little baby face. They said he's probably between 8-10 weeks old. He's more comfortable on his back, so they think that's how he was fed while at the breeder. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the timing all works out

Bright Star, I think you just found your bird. Sometimes, we may think about another species, but this little guy needs you, just like you are seeking something

I lost my Amazon in June. I had him since he was weened. He was 18 years old and had a blood disorder that went undetected. I was completely heartbroken after losing my best friend. I wasn't looking to adopt a bird right away. I wanted to look at various species, and then decide. I had interests in a white-bellied caique, and had even talked to a local breeder who was expecting eggs to hatch any day.

However, I was on Craigslist. I saw a Senegal that needed a home. I didn't know much about them at the time, so I read up on them and then emailed the person who had the ad, telling them of my situation. A dozen emails later and about 3 weeks, I had a new bird. Max needed a home. I am the third person to be in his young life. Max isn't even a year old.

I will have had Max for 6 weeks on Sunday. We have some quirks that we still are ironing out, but overall, Max has adjusted very well! I can say without a hesitation that Max was the best decision I have made

lol bright my man picks nut up an has her on her back in his palm, my sister an brother held her that way to, and if i am on the sofa nappin she likes to roll onto her back, pullin some blanket on her self, and we play tickly feet! lol while she makes grunting/chomping sounds

she can wriggle free if she wants its never a tight hold, she just has this *dam i'm beat look, on her face, as my man tends to do this if i've had to let her out of her sleep cage to clean it after dinner!! or when we really need her in her cage

i am not discouraging you from gettin this little fella, but just bear in mind, that even if he starts allowing ppl to handle him, when you get him home, he could test the boundries again as it will be you and him! and it can take a few months to find the right routine/training, before he even starts to settle, and when they are bitey it feels really personal

but with saying that, i won't change nut for the world, (ok maybe less hormonal!!) even though she has just nipped me for what ever reason! i love her more because she is her own bird. she is clever, sneaky and can charm me into submission, maybe she is like this because of me??
(i've never had normal pets, my black rabbit was a house rabbit, that attacked cats! poor mr nitz)

and i think if you take this little fella on, you'll have more ups then downs with him!

The little Red-Belly is sold I don't mind super-much, as I'll be in a better position to bring a new bird home in a month or so. I don't even have a cage yet. I'll get that first, and then when the bird comes along, I'll get him/her. I did tell the shop owner that I really want a poicephalus. We talked about preferences, meyer's (yes) vs. red-bellied vs. senegal, etc.

When the time is right, it will happen Until then, I'm glad I got to meet my first poi in person, as it has cemented in my mind and heart that it's the right species for me.

Thanks everyone for your words of advise.

Awww, at least he has a chance with a new family . I've heard great things about Meyer's parrots. They're harder to find, but their temperament is unmatched. I could say the same about my senegal, but I'm under the impression that she is exceptionally mellow.