Anyone familiar with Hawkheads?

[Cheri]

I was at my local bird rescue yesterday and there was the most stunning parrot - a hawkhead. Had never seen one before. We hit it off and he easily rode around on my shoulder for about 20 mins and he seems really mellow. Going back tomorrow. If all goes well he'll be home with me in a couple of weeks. Just wondering if anyone has one here.

 

[Pinkbirdy]

I have one !!! Charlottes a sweetheart Ive had her since she was first weaned . She was just snuggling under my chin. The one your looking at seems like someone socialized her. Mine only puts her headdress up when shes scared or fighting her toys .

 

[Pinkbirdy]

http://www.parrotforums.com/members/pinkbirdy-albums-belly-picture7586-charlotte-023.jpg

 

[Cheri]

Thanks for the reply! From what I've been researching it seems they can be quite the clowns.
Looking forward to our next visit!

 

[Terry57]

I also have a HH, and while she is not very tame, she is still a sweetheart. She was a breeder all her life and prefers to be left alone.
Sounds like you found one who was wonderfully socialized! Looking forward to hearing about your next visit.

 

[Birdman666]

They're closely related to amazons.

Rachel had one, and that bird was always an extremely one person bird, and was VERY territorial.

Rachel could do no wrong. The bird would step up for people, but no one else could touch.

Other birds, and even some people, were not allowed anywhere near his stuff...

"THAT'S MINE!" were fighting words.

 

[henpecked]

That's also been my experience with HH. They don't seem to do well around other birds. Territorial , would be an accurate description, IMO.

 

[Birdman666]

I talked to an old time breeder about hawkheads, and I was told that they were actually the easiest bird in the world to trap.

You just put another vocal bird in their territory, and they come down from the tree mad as a hornet ready to kick the intruders butt, and end up in a net.

That's how they used to catch these birds!

YEAH, SLIGHTLY (uber) TERRITORIAL!

 

[RavensGryf]

Other members have them too, but haven't been on in a while, so they might not see your thread, but I have heard the same as above. If you're really set on one, generally speaking a female might be a bit easier to handle after maturity. They are beautiful birds.

 

[Birdman666]

None of this means these are bad birds.

These are pair bond birds, and if the Hawk Head chooses you, they're very, very devoted to their owners.

They just need extra socialization if they are going to be around other birds, or other people. Don't count on them readily accepting either one without being conditioned to accept it.

And they need "THEIR SPOT" that the other birds in the house know to stay away from. (If they don't know it, they will, rather quickly.)

In a one bird household, they can be quite content.

 

[sonja]

One thing I'd like to add - they have a vocalization that can be VERY VERY loud! My guy easily out - volumes my 2 (fairly quiet ) M2s when he gets going. It's not often, but it's LOUD! He wouldn't work in an apartment.

 

[Cheri]

Thank you all for the great info! That's exactly why I come here. Will give this much thought. Luckily, there are many people handling her / him (DNA pending) at the rescue, and even though it does appear he has a "favorite" person there, he was still very friendly and would go to anybody, so hopefully that's a good sign!

 

[Pinkbirdy]

My Hawkhead goes to everyone in my family .

 

[Birdman666]

Yeah. That's a socialization issue. If allowed to overbond, they generally will.

As long as the bird gets handled by people, it shouldn't be a problem.

The deal is they do have a propensity to overbond, so you have to be aware of it, and take steps to prevent that from happening.

That's all. It doesn't mean they can't be good, or even great birds. And if this one is friendly with everyone? He's a find...

 

[bill_e]

Cheri, I'm a Hawk Head expert! I've had one for 3 days

Mine is amazingly gentile. She will step up for anyone but prefers females. I think I'm the third owner, previous two were women.

Since day one we've been able to pet her, scratch her head, fub her belly and under her wings....and completely cuddle her when she get's tired about 8:30.

I'll have her on my shoulder and she'll be mouthing my ear and hair etc then she'll cuddle up and stick her head in behind my ear. At that point I get her to step up and I'll recline and lay her on my chest with one arm below her and my hand cupping her body (almost crossed armed). Pretty amazing for having her 3 days.

She will get a bit miffed at me from time to time and put up her headdress and hiss, and a couple of times even bit me but it is not a strong bite at all, she's just telling me "enough".

She talks mostly around my wife and my daughters when they visit...I'm hoping she warm's up to me a bit more although except for the talking and visible excitement when she sees a woman, she is great with me.

Here she is meeting one of my granddaughters for the first time today....not shy at all.