Bonding..

[fowlstack]

I have a feeling this is going to be lengthy.. I acquired a “foster” YNA about 3 weeks ago. He is very cage aggressive and attacks anyone who comes near the cage. My understanding is he is 42 years old and his owner only fed him seed and claimed he has never bitten (???). I understand that he probably misses her tremendously so I am very forgiving with his antics. He is now eating healthy, loves his fruits and veggies, and eats pellets as well. However even changing his food each day is a challenge since he attempts to attack and has held out his foot..(that I mistakenly took for friendship) and I almost lost a finger. His previous owner claimed he would “step up” on a dowel, which I purchased, but he will not step up on it but rather tries to eat it, nor will he come out of his cage.
I am trying to use the bonding techniques offered on this site, sitting and reading to him daily, offering his favorite food through the bars, which he takes gingerly, and have tried everything except the clicker training, without too much advancement.
Does anyone have any other suggestions..I realize it has only been three weeks, but was hoping for more improvement than I am receiving now, although the eye pinning, tail flaring, and open mouth have ceased. I am willing to try anything to make his quarantine here as pleasant as possible. His 30 day separation from Rio ends next week, although they call to each other early in the a.m. and late in the evening. I am looking forward to moving him to a location where he can be in the middle of all the action.
LOL I am including a small portion of one of our bonding sessions today. In the video he is holding up his foot and I guarantee if I put my hand in there he will leave me with a nub.
Thanks ..Marianne

[ame="https://youtu.be/1hsabiuMckI"]captain - YouTube[/ame]

 

[SailBoat]

Thank-you, for 'fostering' this senior (42 year old) YNA!

Three weeks (just 21 days) is barely long enough to introduce yourself to an Amazon that has likely spent unknown years in a cage with little Human interaction.

We have a long history of working with very ill and/or injured Amazons have have been dumped by their prior owners. Adding to an already bad starting point, we commonly spend the first six months force feeding medications and/or treating injuries! This is a process that only confirms to the Amazons that Humans cannot be trusted.

We never use any timelines, never any expectations of an being at a certain place in our relationship by a certain time. We only work at the very long and very slow process of assuring this Amazon that s/he is loved without question, that when not stuffing medication or treating wounds, only good things happen! Commonly, months after the arrival of the Amazon into our home, we begin to see tiny sights that this Amazon is just barely beginning to trust us - just a tiny bit.

I have never stated in any of my Threads and Posts that the process is easy, nor quick!

So, is this a short term Foster or something longer?

 

[texsize]

I think there is 2 types of foot in the air display.
1 = pick me up.
2 = keep away.

texsize

 

[fowlstack]

Sailboat: No it is not short term... Only his separation from Rio is temporary.

 

[SailBoat]

Sailboat: No it is not short term... Only his separation from Rio is temporary.

Just wanted to double check!

With older Amazons, the lights really start coming on as they become more aware that this new home is For Real and so are you! It still takes time. Lots of time, but I have always found that every moment over all those months and yes years are worth it. And, then it happens, that day you come to realize that your Amazon has chosen you and you are blessed with that wonderful scent of a very contented Amazon!

Enjoy!

 

[LordTriggs]

3 weeks is quite a short amount of time. you say you aren't making progress but you have actually made quite a good bit already! He's not pinning flaring or holding his mouth open any more and although gingerly is taking treats! That right there seems to be a large break through the walls he's put up to keep himself safe which he's possibly had for years.

Now he may just be struggling with adjusting but I would say this, the parrot that NEVER bites is most likely a parrot that is never interacted with. I'm sure you will know from your own Rio that you'll do something, a noise will happen or they may even just get too excited and before you know it you're on the receiving end of a nice chomp. I think if anyone can interact daily with a parrot and not get bitten in 42 years it's safe to say that everyone here would love to meet that person.

Keep up the good work and hopefully he'll end up trusting you

 

[SailBoat]

"I think if anyone can interact daily with a parrot and not get bitten in 42 years it's safe to say that everyone here would love to meet that person."

I would stay far away from that person, anyone with that level of 'luck' is about to get hit with a solid bolt of lighting!


FYI: Okay, where do you want to go in the near term with your relationship with your YNA?

 

[Kentuckienne]

Forget whatever the person told you about biting, this is a new beginning. I can tell you what kind of stuff worked for me with the only Amazon I knew...tell him you love him, tell him he's just a little bird, tell him how pretty he is, find out what treat he likes and give it with lots of cooing and praise, pretend he's the love of your life and you're smitten and just woo him. Make eye contact ( sometimes sideways is best, the face on stare is what predators do). When you talk to him, lean down to his level. See him as the same size creature as you. Respect and love, ask don't command, treat him as a brother creature and not a pet....and just be patient. If he were a new phone, you'd have all the settings configured by now and everything customized to your liking. But he's a living being, with cognition and volition, who has been imprisoned for years, whose feelings and needs have been spurned. Of course he's not going to trust you in three weeks! And he may still be mourning the loss of his former flock, even if they didn't treat him well. Patience and love. Patience and love, he can sense your intention and will come around.

 

[Allee]

Forget whatever the person told you about biting, this is a new beginning. I can tell you what kind of stuff worked for me with the only Amazon I knew...tell him you love him, tell him he's just a little bird, tell him how pretty he is, find out what treat he likes and give it with lots of cooing and praise, pretend he's the love of your life and you're smitten and just woo him. Make eye contact ( sometimes sideways is best, the face on stare is what predators do). When you talk to him, lean down to his level. See him as the same size creature as you. Respect and love, ask don't command, treat him as a brother creature and not a pet....and just be patient. If he were a new phone, you'd have all the settings configured by now and everything customized to your liking. But he's a living being, with cognition and volition, who has been imprisoned for years, whose feelings and needs have been spurned. Of course he's not going to trust you in three weeks! And he may still be mourning the loss of his former flock, even if they didn't treat him well. Patience and love. Patience and love, he can sense your intention and will come around.

Very well said! Lots of truth and great advice in this post!

 

[LordTriggs]

haha who knows Allee maybe I'm destined to become a member of the Amazon fraternity in the future! I feel more confident studying the behavior of them than any other type of parrot

 

[Kiwibird]

I think there is 2 types of foot in the air display.
1 = pick me up.
2 = keep away.

texsize

Yup. Kiwi will "kick" and push the hand away with his foot when he is not wanting to be bothered. He has learned not to bite, but the beak will still open threateningly if you do not heed the warning and it used to result in a bite.

Step up is raising the foot straight up, "leave me alone" is kind of sticking the foot out almost shooing or swatting at you.

 

[fowlstack]

FYI: Okay, where do you want to go in the near term with your relationship with your YNA?

I would like to see love, obviously I will have to earn it and quit rushing the end result.

Funny, reading everyone's responses I now feel a little foolish. I know better than to expect instant bonding, having raised birds in the past. However I guess it is just my pride "He doesn't love me?? Why??". Knowing that it is not the Amazons fault is in my head but maybe not in the forefront. I will need to use more patience and let it happen when it happens.
Thanks all......

 

[SailBoat]

Forget whatever the person told you about biting, this is a new beginning. I can tell you what kind of stuff worked for me with the only Amazon I knew...tell him you love him, tell him he's just a little bird, tell him how pretty he is, find out what treat he likes and give it with lots of cooing and praise, pretend he's the love of your life and you're smitten and just woo him. Make eye contact ( sometimes sideways is best, the face on stare is what predators do). When you talk to him, lean down to his level. See him as the same size creature as you. Respect and love, ask don't command, treat him as a brother creature and not a pet....and just be patient. If he were a new phone, you'd have all the settings configured by now and everything customized to your liking. But he's a living being, with cognition and volition, who has been imprisoned for years, whose feelings and needs have been spurned. Of course he's not going to trust you in three weeks! And he may still be mourning the loss of his former flock, even if they didn't treat him well. Patience and love. Patience and love, he can sense your intention and will come around.

Now that is a Word Crafter spinning Amazonisms!