How do I get my bird out of his cage?

[yoelleoy]

Never thought I would have to ask this. I have had my bird for 3 months, and he seems relaxed enough with me to get out of his cage. Yet after trying for two days he just wont come out. You can see from the video the "set up" I have to try and get him out. Any tips? or is it too soon for him to come out?

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUnRD2qobQM"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUnRD2qobQM[/ame]

 

[YUMgrinder]

does he step up?

 

[SailBoat]

Hard Cold Way: Disassemble the cage. Start by removing the top of the Cage try Step-Up from the top, Then the next day, remove the top and bottom and try Step-up from the bottom. Day three, continue disassembly from there.

Recommended upgrades: Replace current perches with 10 - 12+ mm natural wood branches. Large sizes up to 25 mm can be used. Replace the water dispenser with a side mounted water bowl that allows it easy removal and use for drinking and bathing.

Three months is a bit long for these guys. Could have started during week two.

 

[yoelleoy]

Well, he went out after about 2 hours. But it was hell, I left him for 1 hour as he stared at us from the roof, he would not come down or near us. After I realised he would have to be caught and brought back in, I tried to catch him, somehow he managed to find and fall into a small hole in the top of my wardrobe that I did not know existed. If I had know that hole was there I wouldn't have let him out. After a small 30min mission of unscrewing the wardrobe to get him out of the hole (too small for him to even open his wings) I got to the hole, managed to grab him, and then I heard him shriek for the first time ever, which broke my heart . He is back in his cage now, I thought he would be VERY mad at me, but he seems just like normal.

I did think he was ready to walk out and get used to me even more, since after 3 months he was used to my hand, face and voice. But I guess birds that were not handled as babies need more time :/. So lesson learned, he ain't coming out until he learns to step up 100% (he steps on my hand right now, but after 30sec will get off)

 

[SailBoat]

Well, he went out after about 2 hours. But it was hell, I left him for 1 hour as he stared at us from the roof, he would not come down or near us. After I realised he would have to be caught and brought back in, I tried to catch him, somehow he managed to find and fall into a small hole in the top of my wardrobe that I did not know existed. If I had know that hole was there I wouldn't have let him out. After a small 30min mission of unscrewing the wardrobe to get him out of the hole (too small for him to even open his wings) I got to the hole, managed to grab him, and then I heard him shriek for the first time ever, which broke my heart . He is back in his cage now, I thought he would be VERY mad at me, but he seems just like normal.

I did think he was ready to walk out and get used to me even more, since after 3 months he was used to my hand, face and voice. But I guess birds that were not handled as babies need more time :/. So lesson learned, he ain't coming out until he learns to step up 100% (he steps on my hand right now, but after 30sec will get off)

When you teach Step-Up, as part of it is call Step-Down. The full process is called 'Laddering,' which can be a series of Step-Ups from one hand to another and back and forth. With Step-Up preceding the final placement of your hand. The likely reason that he moved back off is that nothing happened or something else caught his attention.

The wonderful think about small children and Parrots is they quickly find everything to get into! He likely was happy that you found and recovered him and although not happy, he was likely relieved to be out of the hole!

Working inside of a cage is difficult to provide a treat when he does what you want. Keeping working at it!

 

[GaleriaGila]

Hang in there.
You're getting great advice.
I'm very impressed that he doesn't bite as you pet, grab, etc.
What's his diet? Favorite treats? I might try only offering fave stuff a short distance outside cage (when you can observe, of course).
My bird is a poster-parrot for out-of-control badness.... flighted and fearess. My strategy is to parrot-proof the place, let him out, play with him, whatever. The only way I get him back in the cage is to toss a green chile in and he flaps in after it. Thank GODDDDD for his addiction/obsession with chiles.
I didn't have great advice from great authorites 30 years ago when I was breaking the Rb in (more like vice versa), so I'm glad you're reaching out here.
And in the end, no matter how things work out, there's a lot to be said for just loving your darling, no matter what.
Good luck!

 

[yoelleoy]

Hang in there.
You're getting great advice.
I'm very impressed that he doesn't bite as you pet, grab, etc.
What's his diet? Favorite treats? I might try only offering fave stuff a short distance outside cage (when you can observe, of course).
My bird is a poster-parrot for out-of-control badness.... flighted and fearess. My strategy is to parrot-proof the place, let him out, play with him, whatever. The only way I get him back in the cage is to toss a green chile in and he flaps in after it. Thank GODDDDD for his addiction/obsession with chiles.
I didn't have great advice from great authorites 30 years ago when I was breaking the Rb in (more like vice versa), so I'm glad you're reaching out here.
And in the end, no matter how things work out, there's a lot to be said for just loving your darling, no matter what.
Good luck!

It's true, I am very lucky that he doesn't bite me. He has never actually bitten me hard (he has done the normal light bites) but never to hurt/draw blood. Actually that is kind of a problem cause it's more like he REFUSES to bite (this includes new foods that he doesn't even know are tasty). So far he eats a seed mix, and I have only managed to get him to eat apple, but he will only eat it if I hold the slice for him. And the ONLY treat that I have found so far that he will go for is millet

 

[wrench13]

Try little pieces of pine nut ( I cut them into 3 pieces). Most parrots are crazy for them. To get him to try veggies, I would make a small batch of chop ( all sorts of veggies either cut up smalll or use a food processer) and mix it with some Avicake, which is a seed/vitamin product. Gradually change the ratio of chop to Avicake untill he is eating mostly chop. I make large batches of chop and freeze it in little baggies, so you have a daily amount, defrosted . Now Salty ( my parrot), only gets seed and nuts as a treat/training tool.

 

[flyingron]

I had taken to singing "Who let the bird out...who...who" when retrieving the bird. My wife tried to get her out of the cage and she wouldn't come. I started singing and she came right out. She's quite a hoot.