knottyjulius
New member
- Nov 8, 2009
- 3
- 0
- Parrots
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3 yr old Goffin's Cockatoo "Luna"
7 yr old Senegal Parrot "Mosquito (Skeeter for short)"
Recently, I adopted a 7 year old male Senegal Parrot from a couple who were unable to care for all of their birds. He is in great health and I've had him for going on 2 months now. The lady told us he was kind of picky with who he trusts and likes to interact with. When I was at their house picking him up, he didn't want to step up for me when I put my hand next to him; but he didn't want to bite either.
When we got home he would readily accept treats and seem fairly indifferent to us. Then after a couple days he would let me scratch his head and neck. A few more days and he was stepping up onto my finger on request and beginning to make all kinds of noises (including loud whistles when I would leave the house). We got to the point where I could pick him up, flip him on his back in my palm, and pet and scratch him wherever I wanted and he wouldn't protest. At the very worst I would get a gently groping with his beak, but never a bite.
Well the other day I went to get him from the perch that extends from the front of his cage to put him inside and he freaked out; went flying all over and squawking at me every time I tried to pick him up. Eventually I was able to get ahold of him and gently get him back to his cage. He continued to squawk though, and act as though I had tried to eat him. I haven't the slightest idea what happened! Maybe I walked up to him to quickly?
Anyway, now he has flipped a complete 180 from a week ago. For the first couple days after he just sat and stared at me when I was in the room and would immediately try to bite me if I tried to pet him. He has since gotten a little better, allowing me to scratch breifly on occasion and starting to make some of his cute noises and talk again. But if I ask him to step up and put me hand in front of him he squawks and jumps backwards, flapping his wings. Any advice out there of what you think caused this and the best way to decipher a solution? Thanks so much to whomever took the time to read this.
When we got home he would readily accept treats and seem fairly indifferent to us. Then after a couple days he would let me scratch his head and neck. A few more days and he was stepping up onto my finger on request and beginning to make all kinds of noises (including loud whistles when I would leave the house). We got to the point where I could pick him up, flip him on his back in my palm, and pet and scratch him wherever I wanted and he wouldn't protest. At the very worst I would get a gently groping with his beak, but never a bite.
Well the other day I went to get him from the perch that extends from the front of his cage to put him inside and he freaked out; went flying all over and squawking at me every time I tried to pick him up. Eventually I was able to get ahold of him and gently get him back to his cage. He continued to squawk though, and act as though I had tried to eat him. I haven't the slightest idea what happened! Maybe I walked up to him to quickly?
Anyway, now he has flipped a complete 180 from a week ago. For the first couple days after he just sat and stared at me when I was in the room and would immediately try to bite me if I tried to pet him. He has since gotten a little better, allowing me to scratch breifly on occasion and starting to make some of his cute noises and talk again. But if I ask him to step up and put me hand in front of him he squawks and jumps backwards, flapping his wings. Any advice out there of what you think caused this and the best way to decipher a solution? Thanks so much to whomever took the time to read this.