HELP! I want to make things right w/ my 11 year old Amazon...

[NataliaTG]

Okay, first of all, I apologize. I know that some people might get angry with my post, and you have full right to be. I am angry with myself too.

Now let's start with a little bit of background:

11 years ago my father bought a yellow headed Amazon, his name is Oliver! He was just a baby. He had no feathers! Fresh out of the egg. I was 8 years old (I'm 19 now). My father is the kind of person that sees animals as either toys or decoration, so we had Oliver in a tiny cage... Like I said, I was just a little girl, so I was very naive.

As I grew older I started realizing that we weren't treating him right, and the only thing that I could acomplish was getting him a bigger cage. But we never got him any toys because my father would get angry when Oli destroyed them... he was also living in the backyard, because he was too loud.

A few years in the future, my parents got a divorce and since I stayed with my mom I wasn't living in my house for nearly a year. Now we are back (my dad moved out), and Oliver is now inside the house. I love animals. I would do anything to help them. Which is why I'm asking for help... Oliver has no socialization like he used to. I used to be able to hand feed him, now he walks away from me...But he doesn't show signs of aggression, in fact, he loves talking to me, he just doesn't seem so confident to do more than that. He even looks a little shocked when I try to give him a treat, but he has never tried to bite me, he simply walks away. I'm sure that he knows who I am, because when I say hi to him he starts saying the things that I taught him, and he even finishes the sentences with me it's pretty cute.

On the next few days I will be making some toys for his cage, he hasn't had a toy in YEARS. Also I'm going to start trying to hand feed him, but I don't know what else to do. I know that he is going to live a long life and I'm planning on taking him with me, since my mother doesn't want him and my father is just a mess and wouldn't give him a good life.

I will insert a picture so that you can see the cage he was living in for the last few years, it only had two food bowls and a water bowl... he never uses the swing. If you could give me any ideas on how to accomodate the cage and what things to put in it, I would appreciate it a lot.

Also, do you think it might be a good idea to start slowly with the stimulation? Since he hasn't had any toys or anything like that in years :/ Or should I just give him a bunch of toys at once?

Thank you so much and I promise that I will make things right with Oli!

Here's the picture:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3Oxzh7IhMQYYi1xS0NwY2s0eXc/view (the link in case it doesn't work)

 

[ahmadses]

Dont use a round cage, it makes the bird uncomfortable!!


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[NataliaTG]

thanks for the advice I'm planning on changing the cage but I can't afford one at the moment... what would be a good size for him?

 

[ahmadses]

thanks for the advice I'm planning on changing the cage but I can't afford one at the moment... what would be a good size for him?

Big enough that he can fly around, have at least 6 (large-ish toys) foraging toys and just to be safe, room for another one.


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[ahmadses]

Okay, first of all, I apologize. I know that some people might get angry with my post, and you have full right to be. I am angry with myself too.



Now let's start with a little bit of background:



11 years ago my father bought a yellow headed Amazon, his name is Oliver! He was just a baby. He had no feathers! Fresh out of the egg. I was 8 years old (I'm 19 now). My father is the kind of person that sees animals as either toys or decoration, so we had Oliver in a tiny cage... Like I said, I was just a little girl, so I was very naive.



As I grew older I started realizing that we weren't treating him right, and the only thing that I could acomplish was getting him a bigger cage. But we never got him any toys because my father would get angry when Oli destroyed them... he was also living in the backyard, because he was too loud.



A few years in the future, my parents got a divorce and since I stayed with my mom I wasn't living in my house for nearly a year. Now we are back (my dad moved out), and Oliver is now inside the house. I love animals. I would do anything to help them. Which is why I'm asking for help... Oliver has no socialization like he used to. I used to be able to hand feed him, now he walks away from me...But he doesn't show signs of aggression, in fact, he loves talking to me, he just doesn't seem so confident to do more than that. He even looks a little shocked when I try to give him a treat, but he has never tried to bite me, he simply walks away. I'm sure that he knows who I am, because when I say hi to him he starts saying the things that I taught him, and he even finishes the sentences with me it's pretty cute.



On the next few days I will be making some toys for his cage, he hasn't had a toy in YEARS. Also I'm going to start trying to hand feed him, but I don't know what else to do. I know that he is going to live a long life and I'm planning on taking him with me, since my mother doesn't want him and my father is just a mess and wouldn't give him a good life.



I will insert a picture so that you can see the cage he was living in for the last few years, it only had two food bowls and a water bowl... he never uses the swing. If you could give me any ideas on how to accomodate the cage and what things to put in it, I would appreciate it a lot.



Also, do you think it might be a good idea to start slowly with the stimulation? Since he hasn't had any toys or anything like that in years :/ Or should I just give him a bunch of toys at once?



Thank you so much and I promise that I will make things right with Oli!



Here's the picture:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3Oxzh7IhMQYYi1xS0NwY2s0eXc/view (the link in case it doesn't work)

Also, no one can blame you since you have no income and your father did this.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Flboy]

For now, the least of your worries is the cage! See if you can get a couple nice branches from your yard, do not bother to remove the bark. Oak is good maple is good Sycamore is good. Make sure he is on a good diet! For treats right now, most every bird is a sucker for sunflower seeds in very small amounts. Go into the Amazon section in this forum, and read the stickies that are in there especially what is there by sailboat! The ongoing journey! Sit with your guy and start reading this to him daily! He is young, you were doing right, it will absolutely work out!

 

[Kentuckienne]

The past can't be changed, no matter what. All that matters is this day forward. Go to the sticky posts on the Amazon forum, especially anything by Sailboat, and take them to heart. Of course it will take a while...would YOU trust any human after having a lifetime of no proof? If you are steadfast and sincere, he may come around faster than you think. Birds want to be with a flock.

Craigslist is a good place to look for cages. You might find one that needs sanding and painting. You can get good advice here if you post links of cages here you will get good advice. The cage ought to be rectangular, not round, and if you can put it in a corner the parrot feels more secure. That's two directions predators can't sneak up from. You can make toys or in the short term provide wood craft sticks (like Popsicle sticks) and stuff to chew. Read up on parrot health, to see the lists of toxic foods and dangerous toys. Take it day by day and come back with questions, better yet pictures! And status updates!

Good luck to you both. I hope the future holds much love.

 

[Boozieshome]

No one would blame you for what your parents did. I certainly wouldn't anyway.

Look at CL like someone said, above, for a larger square cage. I found one on eBay that was a steal. My bird is very at home in it. Of course, right now he is very happy on a curtain rod.

Take the advice of people who know (others, not me), but whatever you do, be patient and understanding. Oliver has essentially been locked in a prison he was uncomfortable with for a decade. He is going to have some issues.

That you for trying to do the right thing.

 

[SailBoat]

Thank-you, for taking over and saving this Amazon!

First, You Have A Double Yellow-Headed Amazon (DYHA)!

At the top of the Amazon Forum are two 'sticky threads' that are high-lighted in light blue!

- You need to sit next to your Amazon and read to him! I recommend starting with Understanding Amazon Body Language (the first Thread). This will help you understand what he has been trying to tell you for a very long time!

- The second Thread is: I Love Amazons - ... This is a Huge Thread filled with tons of information on Loving and Living with Amazons! Please read the first Segment which 'surprise' is titled I Love Amazons. My hope is that your take away is: I can make changes in my ways of working with my Amazons and as a result; I can regain the Love of my Amazon! Look over all the Segments, you will find that near all of them will help you with learning and than improving the life of your Amazon!

- Huge Basic: It is NEVER the fault of the Amazon! It is ALWAYS the fault of the Human. When starting from this vantage point with all of you interaction with your Amazon, you will more quickly see what you need to change.

The Main Point is: Your Amazon wants to have a Loving Relationship with You! He has no reason to believe you! You need to every minute of every hour of every day of every week, etc... Assure That Only Good Things Happen When Humans Are Around him!

You can do this, and there is a ton of support here! It all comes down to you wanting and then doing!

Understand that it takes time to undo 11 years of miss-treatment! So, if you start with no time lines and no anticipations /expectations - this is do able!

NOTE: New things should slowly find their way into the area near /around the Amazons and then just a slowly into the Amazon's cage.

WARNING: Your Amazon has not played in what 10 years? It will take time! FYI: Start with soft wood toys that crush with ease!

Tons more! At this point, you need to make a face to beak Forever Commitment to your Amazon and everyday, renew that commitment!

 

[NataliaTG]

Thank you all so so so much! I really appreciate all of your help. I just went to the grocery store and got him the best toy I could find, and a bag of parrot diet... Maybe tonight I'll move his cage into the corner, I was thinking on removing the legs of the cage? Since he's always at the highest part of the cage, and I've heard that it is better to have the bird at the height of your shoulders? I'm not so sure.

In the next few days I'll be getting him wooden branches and making him better toys! Again, thank you so much

 

[LordTriggs]

In no way is his mis-treatment your fault

Just go along with everyone elses ideas. You just need to work with him so he can learn to trust humans. He may be fearful of the toy so try not to put it in straight away and let him observe it from a distance then slowly move it near to the cage and eventually inside the cage. you may even have to play with it to help him understand what to do.

It'll be hard, slow, frustrating and you'll almost certainly get a good chomp sometime but if you can dedicate yourself there's no reason to say he wont learn to trust and become a delightful companion

 

[SailBoat]

There are a ton of 'recommendations' on the Web that speak to forcing a relationship with a Parrot. I would concern only those that speak to encouraging the relationship.

Leave the legs, move the cage and begin a new relationship founded on Trust.

 

[LordTriggs]

I never understood the idea of birds being higher up is "dominating" they don't behave like that. Always felt like someone trying to apply dog training to a bird. Hell my bird was above almost hte entire time he was out of the cage and he was never a problem. It made him feel safe. The only "dominating" I've seen of birds was a cockatiel climbing on top of his mate but that was clearly more of an S&M style of dominating!

 

[Flboy]

I noticed you said you went to the grocery store and picked up 'parrot' food. Not to discourage you, but is this the standard bag of corn, sunflower seeds, and such? I know you can't redo every wrong in one day, but that really isn't the best way to give him a nice healthy long life! You will want to introduce him to veggies, fruits, and pellets. Many debates over what is the best and worst pellets! My JoJo gets Tops, Roudybush, Zupreem natural, Zupreem Fruity, in that order of like, and in my opinion, quality! I also give him sprouts daily! Depending on your seed mix, perhaps it can be sprouted. BUT.. if you are not used to sprouting seeds for yourself, leave it be for now! A mis-step in sprouting can cost your renewed companion dearly!

 

[LordTriggs]

I will swear by Zupreem. I know they're not as healthy as Harrisons and the fruity are the even less healthy but the small aroma they gave off was lovely and Rio loved them once he tried them, I had to nibble one to get him to try it (they taste like Fruit loops)

Definitely try to get him on some fruit and veg, you'll find he will very quickly look a lot healthier and striking in his appearance and may even perk him up a bit and make him more active

 

[SailBoat]

Diet is such an easy thing to over-look! Near everyday, we see examples of wild Birds eating at feeders filled with near everything that is warned against from our Vets and members here on Parrot Forums!

So, why is it okay for a wild bird to eat the stuff that we are warned not to feed our Parrots? Life Style! In their natural settings our Parrots eat what ever they find and can be seen filling-up. But at the same time what we miss is that Parrot has likely been flying the majority of the day working though that days intake. Same Parrot in our house, nothing even close to that activity level. Hence, the need to assure a solid healthy diet!

I am providing an insert from another Thread that may help:

Over the many years we have rescued Amazons, we have found that transitioning them from an all seed diet to a healthier diet involved developing a comfort with widening their selection. We have done that by moving to a 'Human Grade' offering of a wide cross-section of seeds, grains, nuts, with freeze dried Veggies and Fruits, small pasta and other dry bits. To this mix, we would add the small version of the Human Grade Pellets that we use. With time and providing a very healthy mix (the leftovers) to the outdoor Birds, we would begin to reduce the sunflower seed and peanuts to zero. Commonly this took a year or more with some back slides from time to time.

Always remember to:
Freeze every dry Parrot food you get - minimum two weeks. Remove only what you need for a few days, leave the balance in the freezer.
Transition by adding your target dry foods and reducing the problem foods
An all Pellet diet is not always the best offering - we believe in a well mixed 'Human Grade' dry food mix with Pellets, with the Base being fresh Veggies and some fruit.

Enjoy!

 

[NataliaTG]

I got the brand ''Trill'', it was the only bag of parrot food available, it is temporary while I try to find a good one. It has pellets, seeds and some dried fruit. Today I introduced Oliver to Kale and Sweet Potato, sprinkled with some of the mix. He hasn't touched it yet. He's not a big fan of veggies, so I will try to find fun ways to introduce the food to him He does love his corn tortillas tho, and since they are basically corn flour and water, how often can I feed them to him?

 

[PL84]

I got the brand ''Trill'', it was the only bag of parrot food available, it is temporary while I try to find a good one. It has pellets, seeds and some dried fruit. Today I introduced Oliver to Kale and Sweet Potato, sprinkled with some of the mix. He hasn't touched it yet. He's not a big fan of veggies, so I will try to find fun ways to introduce the food to him He does love his corn tortillas tho, and since they are basically corn flour and water, how often can I feed them to him?

Try to offer the greens like this, in pots:

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6--EcFdWyGE"]AÌŠke and greens - YouTube[/ame]


My birds wont eat greens any other way, they like it when they can "forage" them by themselves... Dunno if greens are available in pots there? Here they are in every supermarket (Finland)

 

[Boozieshome]

I got the brand ''Trill'', it was the only bag of parrot food available, it is temporary while I try to find a good one. It has pellets, seeds and some dried fruit. Today I introduced Oliver to Kale and Sweet Potato, sprinkled with some of the mix. He hasn't touched it yet. He's not a big fan of veggies, so I will try to find fun ways to introduce the food to him He does love his corn tortillas tho, and since they are basically corn flour and water, how often can I feed them to him?

I recently got a Mealy and she is trying to convince me she is allergic to vegetables and fruit. I put potted herbs on her play top and she grazes them. I have slowly introduced different fruits and she is starting to eat them. She has eaten cherries and bananas recently, and I am encouraged. Those two fruits, coupled with the potted parsley and basil are a start, but she is varying her diet far more than she used to. I cooked some yams and she ate those too.

I also feed her a dried fruit and not mixture I got from a local parrot breeder and Nutriberries.

Keep up the good work.

 

[NataliaTG]

I will totally get him some potted plants! Thanks for the tip