Several months ago I adopted a Yellow Nape Amazon from a rescue knowing that he was "aggressive". Having worked with dog rescue for years now, and being somewhat familiar with parrots (just lost an African Gray), I didn't let the aggression worry me. He had only one owner all his life (now 25) and she turned him in when he started biting her and she became afraid of letting him out.
When I had him only a few days, I tried to get him to step up and he lunged at me, grabbing on to my arms with beak & claws doing alot of damage. I spent many an hour after that just talking to him and he finally was letting me rub his head. The next time I tried to let him out, he did attacked again and it was safer to get him off in another room & close the door. In a while I offered him a stick and he got on & went back into the cage. I've tried a number of ways but always end up with an attack - although none as severe as the first.
Today I moved him, cage & all, into the computer room (which is where we go to be sure no Labbies get him). I went to the kitchen to get a pair of gloves I'd bought the other night for working with him. I returned to the room and when I turned to close the door, he lunged at the back of my head and left some nasty bites - drew blood. I tipped my head at the door of his cage and he returned.
I'm getting discouraged and need to know if this is a condition that can be overcome with time and patience or not. I will read up on all suggested methods if I know that eventually his behavior can be turned around. It would be easier knowing what caused it but... Unless he can be removed from the cage, his life will be very dull. I can't get new toys in there and I can't get him to the vet. Am I fighting a losing battle. He is 25.
When I had him only a few days, I tried to get him to step up and he lunged at me, grabbing on to my arms with beak & claws doing alot of damage. I spent many an hour after that just talking to him and he finally was letting me rub his head. The next time I tried to let him out, he did attacked again and it was safer to get him off in another room & close the door. In a while I offered him a stick and he got on & went back into the cage. I've tried a number of ways but always end up with an attack - although none as severe as the first.
Today I moved him, cage & all, into the computer room (which is where we go to be sure no Labbies get him). I went to the kitchen to get a pair of gloves I'd bought the other night for working with him. I returned to the room and when I turned to close the door, he lunged at the back of my head and left some nasty bites - drew blood. I tipped my head at the door of his cage and he returned.
I'm getting discouraged and need to know if this is a condition that can be overcome with time and patience or not. I will read up on all suggested methods if I know that eventually his behavior can be turned around. It would be easier knowing what caused it but... Unless he can be removed from the cage, his life will be very dull. I can't get new toys in there and I can't get him to the vet. Am I fighting a losing battle. He is 25.
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