Need help with taming my Alexandrine

[Teej]

My auntie gave me an alexandrine parrot a couple of months ago and he shakes and walks away when i go near him what does this mean? The only way he will come onto me is if something scares him he will fly across the room and crash land then i pick him up thats the only way i can pick him up also he doesn't let people touch him or put your hand in his cage but he is fine taking baths by himself and playing ring your bell with me.

 

[Jottlebot]

How tame was he before you had him? Shaking and backing away sound like fear.

You might be taking things too quickly. Spend time sitting by his cage and talking to him. Offer him treats through the bars until he is happy to take them from your fingers. It might take weeks to get this far.

I'm glad to hear you're letting him out of his cage even though he isn't hand tame, some people don't, but I think it's very important. Don't try and reach into his cage for him, this is his space. Can he get out on his own when you open the cage? You need to be able to clean it, but could you do this when he's out?

They are lovely birds, but they need a good foundation of basic groundwork. They are known not to be very cuddly birds, but should be fine stepping up (I offer mine my wrist not hand at the moment because he bites fingers!) and being touched to a certain extent and some are really cuddly.

 

[LordTriggs]

step one I would slow all of your movements to glacial speeds (you'd be amazed at how much a difference it makes) also noise, predators are normally quiet animals as they stalk prey. Making little kissy noises when walking around should help to make you less scary and so you don't suddenly appear making them jump.

Try sitting and reading to them, they seem to find voices interesting, most likely due to all the sounds we make when talking, nothing else really use the vocal range we do when speaking so it's interesting to them. Offering treats through the cage bars. Also sitting within eye-sight not paying attention to them can let them observe you and figure you out. Letting them out to fly is really good, especially if you sort of let them do their thing, they can then realize you're not there to eat them which of course is a big part of the taming process. Also try replying when he makes little chattery noises to establish you're a flock member

 

[Teej]

Yes i do clean his cage when he is out and he flies sometimes and he will get on me if i have a cup of water near my shoulder i think he fears fingers but he will go on to my knee for food and he loves to eat my wallpaper