Neglected Amazon Owner (New)

[BamaBird1011]

Hello everyone. I am new here and to bird owning (as an adult) as a child we always had Budgies and 'Tiels. Now as an adult I have come across my own parrot. I am now the proud owner of a beautiful Orange Wing Amazon, named Kiko! She is very beautiful! But also very skiddish. I rescued her from a breeder (i know, sounds weird, huh?) who apparently wasn't giving her the attention she needed. She is not tame in the least, hisses when I feed her, and refuses to use any of the toys I attempt to give her. However, she is still young (12 years old) and I still have hope that with time she will come around. I plan to check out all the info this site has to offer, but any tips on taming would be appreciated. See yall around!

 

[MaraWentz]

Clicker and target training, plus lots ogbpqtience. Never even acknowledge a bad behavior. If you pretend it didnt happen you aren't rewarding it with defeat or a reaction.

 

[wenz2712]

Welcome to the forum and congrats on your new addition

I agree, Clicker and Target training is probably needed! It will take time, but as long as you stick with it and be patient you will find a big difference in time

 

[BamaBird1011]

Hey thanks for the insight. However after reading, it seems that target training is mostly for flighted birds. I hope I am correct. However I am taking her tomorrow for vet checkup and get wings clipped. I was told that clipping her wings would make her more willing to cooperate with me and plus I would be able to open her cage and allow her a little free moving room with out the chance of her flying and getting hurt. She has spent the majority of her life inside a small cage. I want her to be able to climb on the outside and even across the counter. Im hoping that will help her to open up to me some by giving her some freedom that shes never had. Please correct me if Im wrong. Thanks again!~

 

[wenz2712]

I have my Zons wings clipped!

Clicker Training is a very good method Have a look on Youtube.. This will give you a good idea.

 

[MaraWentz]

I clipped my birds wings while I did training and now that she is well behaved she has been able to grow them out. I recommend clipping an untamed birds wings to try to limit flight while taming, but other than that I'm all for letting them grow out as it's their right to have wings. Target training that used is also known as stick training and goes hand in hand with clicker. Clicker is teaching them that a click means they did something god and will be rewarded. It's a type of taming, while target is a form. Clicker trains them to preform a command and when done to your satisfaction to llisten for the click and get a treat or toy or pet. Target training is an actual form of training. You take a target (stick, chopstick, perch etc.) And hold the end out to your bird and when they touch it click and reward. They should get the hang of it rather quickly, as it's an easy concept but can be ratherboring. Then you can more the target and make them walk over to it, reach up for it, or reach down, and you can even make them jump between stands, and eventually fly if you please. But each time you do it, slowly move your hand farther up the target, so eventually within a few days or weeks (depending on how observant your bird is) it will b3 gently touching your hand rather than the target and coming towards your had when you put it up rather than the target.

 

[BamaBird1011]

Wow Mara thanks so much. You just explained it better than any website I've seen yet! Now that does sound like a good idea!

 

[Rana]

same as mara - for training a "wild" bird clipping is probably recommended. there is all the usual chatter of "well you're taking away your birds freedom to run away from you etc" but in fairness, its probably the better option.

My gcc is fully flighted and so was my hahns, but because she was not hand tame we decided to clip her as a once off and hopefull by the time she flies again she will have learned to trust us a bit more. so far we've not regretted it. we're about 4 months in now with her, and while she is still very shy, she is showing more interest in spending time with us, learned to step up (which took us ages!!! and a lot of bloody fingers) shake ehr head no and yes and turn a circle on her perch.

everything still happens on her terms as it will with your amazon, you just have to accept and respect that. trust can't be forced! but babysteps at a time she will improve with training. and keep focussing on the good bits! when you get discouraged and think it's all not working, just sit back and remember where you started, you'll notice little positive changes, however small they may be don't give up!

 

[LakeDesire]

Parrots are brilliant, and even older and traumatized birds learn quickly. I left my nanday conure with my parents when I went to college, and she came back to live with me in August, plucked and almost cage bound (would only come out for 30 seconds), and with clicker and touch training she'll already come out and have fun playing and sit with me at the kitchen table and eat her birdy-sized portion of dinner. Now she's already learning to make cute sounds instead of screaming when she wants something.

Good luck and welcome!

 

[BamaBird1011]

Thanks everyone for advice. Kiko is going to the vet today for her first checkup and wing clipping. Will let you know how everything turns out. Thanks again!

 

[Trina]

Clicker training is awesome. It has helped me have a better relationship with my birds.Good luck with your new parrot.