Buddy doesn't play or shred

[Taw5106]

Since bringing Buddy home, he has not shown interest in toys or shredding, or curiosity and exploring. Buddy is 24 years old, a Mexican Red Head, or also called a Green Cheek Amazon. I placed some items in his cage like a kabob, foraging wheel, edible perch, and baked snack ring. His last owner had a stroke, became partially paralyzed, and could not interact like she did before.

After putting these items in his cage, he nibbled on the baked snack ring but did not touch the kabob until Husband kept picking at him and actually encouraged him to get the kabob. Not in a positive way, he says a "manly"way. Now he will peck and shred it. He will spin the foraging wheel but I have not seen him take any treats.

Any suggestions on getting him to play and show interest? For bathing at this point I have to get in the shower with him. If you tell me I have to shred a kabob, it better be shrimp and chicken, lol!!

 

[Kiwibird]

Buddy sounds like a classic amazon perch potato! It must run in the species (GCAs). My parents GCA is the most BORING parrot on the face of the planet. Very sweet, wouldn't hurt a fly, but b-o-r-i-n-g. Preening his "mate" is about the extent of his desire to do anything at all. He has toys, he has free run of the house and could fly around if he so chose, but he just sits there like a lump.

Thankfully, Buddy is still young enough and new enough to your home to learn how to have fun! I say lead by example You start playing with a toy and really make a big deal out of how fun the toy is, and when Buddy can no longer hide his intrigue, offer the toy to him. Basically, tempt him with what you have and he doesn't Also be sure the foraging toys are easy to start with. He sounds intrigues by his wheel, but he may not understand the concept of it. If he's never made the connection in his brain before between solving a puzzle to retrieve a treat, offering too difficult of a toy isn't going to do anything but frustrate him and/or make him loose interest. Start with a easy foraging challenge, like one of the lidded foraging cups thats easy for a bird to get in or one of the hollowed out coconuts with a hole in it and be sure he SEES you put the treat in and take it out a couple time so he *gets* theres a treat in there and he will need to take it out to enjoy it. It took a while for Kiwi to learn the concept of foraging, but once he learned there was ALWAYS a way to get that treat, you can watch the gears in that little head of his work when he's give a more challenging one. Once Buddy's mastered easy ones, then move up to a more difficult type like the wheel And make sure your offering lots of different types. Some birds are shredders, some are thinkers, some like foot toys, others like noise making toys. Theres no need for a bird to enjoy ALL toys, but you should keep experimenting to find the ones he likes best Kiwi could care less when we hang one of those raffia-type shredders in his cage (usually becomes a poop target), and isn't terribly interested in wood beads either. BUT if you give him a colorful baby rattle or a tough foraging challenge, he's ALL over it. My parents cockatoo likes things he can shred and things that make noise. Every bird is different, so just keep looking (who would've guessed Kiwi would be head over heels in love with baby rattles?:52. Let us know how Buddy progresses!

 

[SandyBee]

As kiwi bird said just keep trying thing. Our DYH couldn't care less about toys in his cage. Outside of his cage he loves wood blocks, paper to shred, foot toys and attacking a felt ball.
He doesn't care about foraging toys at all. He prefers to be out of his cage flying through the house and getting his beak Into whatever I'm doing. Or hanging upside down in his cage being a show off.

 

[henpecked]

I've seen several rehome zons that don't have a clue as to what a toy is or for. Foot toys are a good way to break the ice. The small "cat balls" with a bell inside are a good start. Either on the cage top or on the floor ,roll them around and they usually will show an interest . With most zons you need to find what type of toy they enjoy. My Jake loves bells, you can make real annoying sounds with a good bell, someone is sure to come see you if you're shaking hell out of a bell. Another trick is to mount the toy on the outside of the cage and play with it yourself, all the while being very animated about how much fun it is. Keep trying new things and always give them a few choices. With shredding, start with something soft , like paper, balsa,cardboard. maybe a cardboard box, or a paper bag, even old books. I know jake loves for me to be reading something , it's a contest over who is getting the attention.The book/magazine is going to die,LOL.

 

[Taw5106]

Well surprise surprise. This morning I uncovered Buddy's cage, opened his door, did our good mornings. I went to the kitchen with his dirty bowls, made coffee, and birdy breakfast. Brought breakfast and water in new bowls (I have 6 so they rotate all day). I deliver breakfast, sit down with my coffee. Then the green machine ignores breakfast and comes out of his cage. He does two laps around the outside so I figured he got lost. Get him on my hand and he ran up to my shoulder. He stayed there and visited with me for 30 mins. I took him in the kitchen to get a second cup of coffee and he flew off my shoulder back to his cage, perfect flight and landing. He went back in his cage, buried his head in his bowl, chattering happy sounds. Then the sudden sound of thump, thump, thump as he started throwing his breakfast out of his bowl. He cracks me up, lol.

 

[SandyBee]

Sounds like a Happy amazon!!