My new baby: possible problems

[kenzie]

Hi guys
I'm sure most remember me from the tons of questions I ask and Im exited to announce I picked up my Quaker named pepe yesterday. I wanted to rescue a parrot off craigslist and I thought id tell you what I know about him so I can get some advice. I bought him from a woman with 8 young noisy children who had no clue what they were doing. They think hes a 3 year old male. I'm his third home . He was scared and not really tame and still is a bit frazled. Now that he is at my house he seems ok except that he SCREAMS for attention all day and since I'm not expierienced (not a beginner either) I'm not entirely sure how to handle it. As of now hes tried some new foods and played with his toys a little (he didn't have any before). He also lets me rub his head a bit and hes stepping up well. If anyone has any advice on how to teach him to scream less and any ways to help us bond please share. This is kinda a dumb question but is rescuing parrots only for expierienced owners. I feel a little overwhelmed. Thanks.

 

[henpecked]

Yeah , it's not for newbies ,that's for sure. Experience helps.LOL

 

[JadeC]

But that doesn't mean you can't start from a rescue!!!! Rescues usually just need a little time to settle in and get used to the stability. Good for you for rescuing!!!

 

[Kalidasa]

It's always overwhelming in the beginning. Completely ignore him when he screams, and when he's quiet or making low noises approach him then and give him attention. The second he screams turn your back and walk away. Just don't reward bad behavior with any attention. It's going to take a while for you and him to come to a mutual understanding. He's freaked out right now. He'll probably go thru some biting and nippiness. It's normal. Just don't react to it, if he bites, put him in his cage for a while. Then let him out and try again....birds are smart, he'll figure out what acceptable behavior is. Study up as much as you can. Good luck

 

[kenzie]

Thanks guys. I have a few more questions. Is it too late to change his name? Also will he warm up to new foods and handling with persistence? I think hes starting to understand how to behave. Today he bit me and said no. Previous owners said he couldn't talk!

 

[Gizmomania]

Of course you can change his name! As for the new foods, it'll probably take awhile before he acclimates to his new diet.

Take everything slow, and exercise patience. Having been rehomed 3 times in such a short period of time has got to be a huge stressor for your little guy.

 

[Jayyj]

A rescue bird with a few issues might be something of a trial by fire compared to a baby, but as long as you don't mind putting the work in there's no reason you won't be able to get the little squawker in line. My bird is an older bird who came with issues we had to deal with and it might not have been the easiest introduction to parronthood but after a couple of months hard work she's turning out to be a wonderful character full of zest for life, and there's one less lonely bird in a tiny pet shop cage. It's a good thing to do.

 

[Pajarita]

My dear, Lord only knows what kind of treatment he got when he was in the previous homes and, if you ask me, a house with four noisy children is not conducive to a well-adjusted bird so no wonder he is stressed out, confused and scared. Give him time to settle down and get used to you, his new home and new schedule and routines, he might surprise you! Males are not as aggressive as females in Quakers because it's the female that is dominant in the species (they live in matriarchal societies where the males leave their parents and family to join the female's flock -which is also her extended family) so, again, give him time.

Now, as to changing his name, yes, you can do it but, personally, I only change their names if they are the wrong gender (and then I look for names that sounds as similar as possible to the old one so a 19 year old Elliot becomes Ellie - like that) or if they call themselves something different -for example, I got an 11 year old male Senegal (he is now 17) from his second owner and was told his name was Sabu but he would call himself SweetPea (he would say "What's your name?" and immediately answer "Sweetpeeeeeeee!"). Obviously, the first owner had named him Sweetpea and that was the name the bird called himself so that was the name he kept with me. Parrots name their babies in the nest and they learn that name and that this particular sound represents them so I think that if a parrot thinks of himself as having a specific name, it's very disrespectful to call him anything else. But that's me... If the bird was mine, I would see if he knows his name is Pepe (it could be that this is the name the second family decided on but the bird never identified with it) and, if he does, use it but, if he doesn't, I would see if there is a word or a name that he reacts to (like baby or sweetie or buddy - like that) but, if he doesn't, then by all means, call him whatever you want -only try to make it a two syllable name with an easy pronunciation so he can learn it.

Last but not least, THANK YOU for adopting him. It might seem a bit hard at the beginning but the rewards are immense!