Taming and Bonding with Pickles

Hello! This is my first post and my first Parrot so please bare with me! I am also on a phone so my posts may get a bit lacking in punctuation and grammar. I recognize that Parrots are long-term companions that require a lot of time and attention and am trying to give my new baby a great home and life.

My name is Moni and I am a 30 year old mother of 3 with a bit of a zoo in my home. (Dogs, cats, birds, and a snake). I work in Alzheimer/Dementia care in office work full time. My children range between 14yrs and 8yrs and are very respectful and well behaved when it comes to all of my animals.

Pickles is my albino quaker. I purchased him from a store and immediately realized I wasnt educated enough on parrots prior to my purchase. I am quite disgusted in the way stores will sell this outstanding birds to just anybody and am grateful I am the one who has Pickles because I will do everything to ensure he has a proper home for life. I am a life-long pet person and will not give up on this handsome baby.

Pickles moved in about 4 weeks ago and I was told he was less than 6 months old. I was also told he was definitely a boy. Well, Pickles is a bit skittish, as would be expected for a baby bird, but I have been working daily to try to tame him.

I have gotten Pickles to the point where he will eat treats from my hand and as long as I have a treat I can get near him. If I dont have a treat he will bite my fingertips or "run" away from me. I leave his cage open for a while each day and for several times during weekends but he does not seem remotely interested in leaving his cage. During open cage time the dogs and cat are locked outside or on separate floors of the house to give Pickles comfort, though my dogs are extremely well behaved and wouldn't harm him, I lock them away so he doesn't feel threatened or frightened.

Pickles has lots of toys and perches and eats a diet currently of various seeds and dried fruits, but we have been working on fresh fruits and veggies as well.

Sometimes I feel like if Pickles would just get on my hand he would recognize I am no threat and we could be best friends. I know taming can take a LONG time but I was hoping to get more suggestions on taming and bonding with him. I sing to him and whistle and if I nod my head yes he will bop his head up and down. He is placed in the busiest room of the home and we have dinner next to him every day. I just want my new baby to be happy and healthy first, but second I would like to bond with him so that he and I can be good buddies.

Any tips or advice are greatly appreciated for Pickles and myself. Pictures to come soon!

Hello! Welcome to you and Pickles. Young come to the right place for sure. Here is a thread all about bonding with our fids (Feathered kIDS) That should prove useful. Oh and the “charge” for this help is that you must post loads of pics [emoji4]

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/to...read.php?t=49144&share_type=t&link_source=app


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Thank you so much! I will happily post loads of pics as soon as I figure out how! Something tells me I'll have better luck when I log into a computer later.

I found an app that allows me to upload photos...here's a couple from today. [emoji2]

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Oh he’s lovely! Thanks for sharing pics


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Hello Pickles and Moni, welcome to the PFs, glad you joined us.

Inger gave you the best link to start.

Here is another one:
http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/3100-bond-forming.html

First, you have to understand that they are nothing like dogs or cats.
I've had both all of my life and was very surprised how much tougher owning a bird is.

It could take months to create a trusting bond. However, your situation could take a lot longer. Because, in your words your house is like a zoo. So, not only does Pickles have to adjust to a new home and person, but also a house full of predators. That is a lot of stress on a young bird.
This will take a great deal of time and patience.

Read as much as you can, this forum and members are a wealth of knowledge.

Best of luck to you all.

Welcomed, Pickles is Definitely young, younger than six months of guess..... And in my opinion a tad thin.
I love Quakers!! You will get there I know it. I'm going to find do e of my currr t favorite articles a dink. The first one you hs e to keep scrolling down past all the adds, it got lots of great I go tho.
Stress in the parrot.
A really great comprehensive article!!!
Of note to me, The morning ritual, I mentioned this to many people experience problems with their parrots, screaming, unhappiness.
Talks about how most pet store birds have been forced weaned, and not allowed to fledge. Talks about hand feeding. I hand feed veggies, or pellets or treats every day at least once. Personally feel it enriches the parrot human bond. Teaches them to try new foods. Article talks about the importance of rituals. Of observation. Just a great all around article..
https://lafeber.com/pet-birds/stress...ot-companions/

Laurasea said:

Welcomed, Pickles is Definitely young, younger than six months of guess..... And in my opinion a tad thin.

I love Quakers!! You will get there I know it. I'm going to find do e of my currr t favorite articles a dink. The first one you hs e to keep scrolling down past all the adds, it got lots of great I go tho.

Stress in the parrot.

A really great comprehensive article!!!

Of note to me, The morning ritual, I mentioned this to many people experience problems with their parrots, screaming, unhappiness.

Talks about how most pet store birds have been forced weaned, and not allowed to fledge. Talks about hand feeding. I hand feed veggies, or pellets or treats every day at least once. Personally feel it enriches the parrot human bond. Teaches them to try new foods. Article talks about the importance of rituals. Of observation. Just a great all around article..

https://lafeber.com/pet-birds/stress...ot-companions/

Click to expand...

Page not found. Darn it.


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Ok trying again
https://lafeber.com/pet-birds/stress-reduction-for-parrot-companions/

Oh man, can't blame you a bit for picking Pickles, he's certainly got a roguish charm, and I'm betting once you get him comfortable around you he's going to be a playful level of twerp, in a fun way...hope you guys enjoy the bonding journey.