At A Standstill?

[SharonC]

I feel like Fred and I are at a standstill. I continue to move him from day cage to night cage, and from cage to playstand....I talk t him a lot, sratch his head, touch his beak and feet, but that's about it. I'm not holding him, or having much physical contact. I don't really mind, and I'm OK with how it is...but does he need it? He sometimes seems like he wants more(crouching and fluttering wings) but he hesitates when I offer it. I actually don't offer him my arm very often.

Oh, BTW, when I step Fred up on the perch, he usually bites the stick now, instead of me. It seems to me he wants to bite something, and knows my hand is not OK, so he bites the stick. Sometimes, he'll bite his leg, as well. Why is he doing that?

 

[cnyguy]

George, my old Amazon, never did like being held, and would only perch on my hand or arm for a very short time. He was never totally comfortable outside of his cages (either his regular large one, or his small travel cage), and usually wanted to back inside after only a few minutes of being out of the cage As long as he could just be close to me, he was happy. Over our 40 years together, I just accepted that as being part of George's personality. My Quaker parrot Ralph is just the opposite; when he's out of his cage, he sticks to me like glue.


Not sure about the leg-biting-- but I guess it's progress if Fred has switched to biting the stick instead of you.

 

[SharonC]

I was reading some old posts last night, and read that the bird tested his bite on his leg, before the person???? Surely, that can't be right?

I think I'm feeling gulity because Levi LOVES physical contact and gets it, and in my brain, Fred is missing that. Fred may not need that at all! I probably need to remember that Amazons are not Linnies!

 

[wildheart]

Are you sure he is biting in the sense that it will hurt? I am asking because Sterretjie does not do anything without her mouth first. She will bite onto my finger before she steps up, it is not a BITE it is just like holding on and there is no pain involved.

Maybe he is a solo guy and likes to be watched not touched.

 

[SharonC]

No, it is not a holding on bite. I expect those, and they are totally different. It's not terribly hard either, but I can see from his "expression" that he is definitely biting....and he seems agitated. Sometimes, it will leave a mark, sometimes not.

 

[wildheart]

You are such a wonderful guardian that I strongly feel that if Fred wanted affection then he would have demanded it from you a LONG time ago. How can any parrot resist you!

I love how each one is so unique!

 

[SharonC]

Well, I suppose he'll make his views known if something is missing...he usually has no problem with expressing himself! LOL!

 

[wildheart]

We humans are real suckers! I know what it feels like when one demands all the attention and another doesnt. Our brains tells us that we are neglecting the one who doesnt want attention. We sort of feel guilty. At the same time it is actually US who craves the affection from the distant one not the other way around.

We are complicated.

 

[SharonC]

You may be right! LOL! The last few days have been so hectic, and although I make sure everyone gets what they seem to need, I still feel guilty when I put them to bed...I'm getting really tired, though!LOL!!!

 

[wildheart]

Welcome to the mad house and it doesnt get better.