Advice needed for new Amazon mom.

[Janey]

We have just got Zoey, 5 days ago. She (not yet confirmed) is a blue fronted amazon, 20 months old.

I may be being overly worried but she seems very quiet and not playing a lot. She is eating and drinking, her poop appears normal. She is on Harrison's high potency coarse and a mixture of different vegetables and fruit.

A little bit of Zoey's history, she was bought from a pet store and surrendered a short while after by the family. They said it was because she didn't talk enough but they did have 5 small children in the house. She has been chewing her feathers and was quite smelly when we brought her home. We bought the cage which she had been in. It's a large cage, 4ft x 3ft x 6ft and has some of her original toys. She has seen the avian vet and been given a clean bill of health, pending the blood results. She is stepping up and spends time out of her cage with us.

I am hoping it is just her settling in phase and given space and time she will adjust. I just want to make sure I am not missing anything. Any advise will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[wenz2712]

Hi and welcome to the forum

I wouldnt worry too much about her being quiet. She is getting used to her new surroundings. You will find after a while she will start playing with her toys. Just keep talking to her. You will be suprised one day when she suddenly comes out with lots of words For someone to give her up just because she didnt say alot is awful!!

She sounds like she has now come to a good home Good luck with her. Do you have any pics to show us?

 

[lizardsmells]

She's just settling in. She may not do much of anything for several days. Right now is the prime opportunity for you to build trust with Zoey. You'll have maybe 2 weeks where she'll be perfectly behaved before she starts to really relax and feel like she's 'home'. Then that Amazon stubbornness rears its head Bribes are your friends!

Check out companionparrotonline.com - her Companion Parrot book is a valuable resource as is her Amazon .pdf - if you read all you can on her site you'll be well on your way to having a wonderful companion. If you read my post history or my blog you can read about Kazi's amazing transformation from neglected shy smelly plucker to hilarious, confident companion. I credit Sally Blanchard with that transformation. I would have been lost without her books and articles. Honestly.

Also, congrats! I adore amazons, I really do. They are so full of personality. Too bad her first family only wanted a talking cage decoration, but honestly, a house with 5 small children is probably the last place a parrot should be living so they probably did her a favor by bringing her back. I'm guessing the 'she doesn't talk enough' was really just an excuse they thought sounded better than 'she needs more attention than we're willing to provide'.

 

[roxynoodle]

I like Sally Blanchard's stuff as well. I read a lot of it back when I first got my conure, and reread most of it when I brought Pete home. He didn't do anything for the first 2 days except growl at me if I was within 5 feet of his cage. He sat with his back facing us as well. After 2 days he was watching me pet the cat. Then I went outside to work on my motorcycle, and when I came in, he greeted me. Your birdie is just getting a feel for his new home and routines. At least she's coming out and stepping up for you.

 

[Tammy]

Welcome to the forum! It sounds like you have done everything to give this bird a wonderful forever home. I have a 13 yr old Orange Wing Amazon that was bounced around after his original owner died. It took some settling in but now he is my best friend & a complete chatterbox! He ever whispers after I turn out the light.

Have you tried offering him a shower? Mr. Precious was very stinky until he decided to shower with me. Good luck & enjoy your new friend!

 

[Mitchell]

Great bird, like everyone else stated...lots of time. She'll come around, amazons are hearty birds full of personality and love to get attention. She is in a good home now, thats what matters.

 

[Janey]

Thank you everyone for your advice and reassurance. I didn't get time to update my post before I went to work. As I was cutting up veggies in the kitchen this morning with very little light, so not to wake Zoey. I hear a vey faint " Hello" from inside the cage. It was followed by many more until I removed the cover. It made me smile all day. I will post some pictures of Zoey soon,

Thanks again.