frightened shaking too

[prtmom]

Posted previously - rescued this baby. Has been hit with baseball cap and looks like wing has been broken. VERY loving on her terms. Would come out of her cage and sit on top and press right against me. However, that cage was WAY too small. Moved her to a large cage. Now when she comes out she immediately goes to the top, which is about a foot above my head. I've tried sitting by it for a couple of hours - she comes down and I can stand up and pet her, but I just have to stand, and stand. Yesterday I put on gloves and hid my hands under a towel. I managed to pick her up and bring her in the main part of the house, but she definitely didn't like it. I sat on the floor with her for two hours. She will sit in my lap, walk on my legs, etc. She just hates to be picked up. Any ideas how long this will take? I hate to force her, but standing beside a cage for two hours a day petting her is tough. Especially when she is at the back and I'm having to lean in, hanging on to the bars. Once out she is fine, quite relaxed, etc. I work and have another set of birds to rotate out - don't dare let them out around her yet (if ever) so I can't stand 3 or 4 hours a day waiting. Her cage is just a tad too tall to clear the doorway or I would roll the whole thing into the other part of the house.
She has been so mistreated that she just shakes and shakes every time someone gets near her. She will let you scratch her head / neck then will come closer for more, but then we repeat the whole thing, even if I move away for 5 minutes. When i approach the cage, she starts shaking again. Once I open the door and stick my head in, she comes up making this cute little "awk" noise.
Any advice for helping her understand she will not be mistreated? I want her to come out more, but don't want to stress her too much. It's better to get her away from the other birds also as they all start making all kinds of ruckus when I go out there.

 

[Nakiska]

Awwww....bless your heart. It sounds to me, like you are doing a wonderful job. Emotionally healing abused birds takes a lifetime of love, patience and understanding and you are definitely on the right track.

As for how long until the trembling stops? No one can answer that and it's possible that it will never stop for as long as you home and love this bird.

And everyday that you are around her, you are showing her that she can trust you, every time you pet/scratch her instead of hit her you are slowly building trust, even though you might not see it yet. Every time you talk lovingly to her instead of yelling or screaming at her, you are building trust with her.

So continue to do what you can, when you can and give her time...lots and lots of time, love and kindness. Eventually you WILL reap the rewards of your hard work.

Toni

 

[kerry]

Time is a great healer. Maybe put her in a cage that is more accessible for you.
She needs that time of your touch & your presence to build her trust in you. I think that it will take a while. But it is worth it, right? What kind of parrot is she?