Valsobo
New member
(BACKGROUND) First, Ive had Harley all my life and my mother was not prepared for the consequences of raising a parrot and me at the same time. Harley was the nicest bird in the world...until i was born, he grew hate for my mom neglecting him and he attacked me many times...flying across the room to do so.
My mother took him in car rides, gave him baths, and always gave him attention, until she had me. Also when my mother was at work, the bird screamed, so my father would put him secluded in the dark laundry room and spray him with water if he made a noise.
I cry a lot about that. Before I took total responsibility of Harley, he would silently sit in his cage in the living room with no toys or a few a year for years. He also only eats seeds and wont eat fruits or anything like he used to can i get help with that too? My skype name is Val.sobo and im really desperate for help.
Now ironicly, 18 years later Harley is my best friend and he is always in my company. My mother cant afford toys for him so I spend hours making him ones. He hates women and bites them except me unless I invade his space when he doesnt want me there. I understand how complex and intelligent these birds are and it makes me really upset Harleys whole life was just a decoration and no one tried to understand him. Now im doing everything I can to show him love for the rest of his life one step at a time.
(QUESTION)
Because my father hated birds he used to spray Harley in punishment for screaming or making noises. Harley now has a resentment against water especially if its not in his bowl. When he is near a running sink he will scream, growl, fly away, and bite. This is really upsetting and ide like some advice.
My mother took him in car rides, gave him baths, and always gave him attention, until she had me. Also when my mother was at work, the bird screamed, so my father would put him secluded in the dark laundry room and spray him with water if he made a noise.
I cry a lot about that. Before I took total responsibility of Harley, he would silently sit in his cage in the living room with no toys or a few a year for years. He also only eats seeds and wont eat fruits or anything like he used to can i get help with that too? My skype name is Val.sobo and im really desperate for help.
Now ironicly, 18 years later Harley is my best friend and he is always in my company. My mother cant afford toys for him so I spend hours making him ones. He hates women and bites them except me unless I invade his space when he doesnt want me there. I understand how complex and intelligent these birds are and it makes me really upset Harleys whole life was just a decoration and no one tried to understand him. Now im doing everything I can to show him love for the rest of his life one step at a time.
(QUESTION)
Because my father hated birds he used to spray Harley in punishment for screaming or making noises. Harley now has a resentment against water especially if its not in his bowl. When he is near a running sink he will scream, growl, fly away, and bite. This is really upsetting and ide like some advice.
In the case of bathing, you could stand in front of the cage, spray your hand or arm while making a BIG deal about how fun it is and then reward yourself with a treat. See if you can catch his interest of whats going on thats so fund and exciting and is getting you a treat
Then gently point the sprayer at him and see if he wants to try. I would be almost positive the first few times he's barely going to take notice and whatever his normal response to the sprayer is going to happen. It does take patience, repetition, and you'll probably want a towel to keep the water off the floor
