Last week we picked up our male baby blue head, he is still on two hand feedings a day. In the week we have had him he seems very shy and reserved but loves to play with the toys in his cage. He is not a huge fan of hanging out outside of his cage, he wants to go back in after a few minutes. We keep the cage door open if he would like to come out. Is there anything else we can do to make him more comfortable with us and to get used to being out of his cage without crying.
New Baby Blue Head
- Thread starter kfinklea1
- Start date
- Dec 18, 2013
- 22,301
- 4,217
- Parrots
- Maya (Female Solomon Island eclectus parrot), Jolly (Male Solomon Island eclectus parrot), Bixby (Male, red-sided eclectus. RIP), Suzie (Male cockatiel. RIP)
Congratulations on the new member of your household!
After only a week it is definitely understandable that he would still be a little skittish. I think the important thing now is to build on the trust between you. How old is he? If he's down to two hand feedings, he must already be eating solid foods. I'd say try and find a particular fruit or nut that he goes crazy over and commence operation: bribery.
This wouldn't be a food that you would usually put in his dish, but rather a special treat that he can associate with you. The more he comes to associate this special treat with you, the more he'll look forward to spending time with you.
Another thing you can do is to spend time sitting as near to his cage as you can get without causing him any anxiety, and then reading/talking to him in a gentle voice. You want him to realize that you aren't a threat to him, but rather a member of his flock.
Do you have any pics of your little guy that you might share with us?
After only a week it is definitely understandable that he would still be a little skittish. I think the important thing now is to build on the trust between you. How old is he? If he's down to two hand feedings, he must already be eating solid foods. I'd say try and find a particular fruit or nut that he goes crazy over and commence operation: bribery.
This wouldn't be a food that you would usually put in his dish, but rather a special treat that he can associate with you. The more he comes to associate this special treat with you, the more he'll look forward to spending time with you.
Another thing you can do is to spend time sitting as near to his cage as you can get without causing him any anxiety, and then reading/talking to him in a gentle voice. You want him to realize that you aren't a threat to him, but rather a member of his flock.
Do you have any pics of your little guy that you might share with us?
Some things to try when bribing.. I mean teaching your new baby.
Pine nuts, sunflower seeds, peanuts, walnuts, pistachios and other nut like stuff. Once you find out what his absolute favorite is, it is ONLY for traiining and teaching, and little bits of it at that. The way to every parrots heart is thru its stomach, just like us guys!
Pine nuts, sunflower seeds, peanuts, walnuts, pistachios and other nut like stuff. Once you find out what his absolute favorite is, it is ONLY for traiining and teaching, and little bits of it at that. The way to every parrots heart is thru its stomach, just like us guys!
- Dec 18, 2013
- 22,301
- 4,217
- Parrots
- Maya (Female Solomon Island eclectus parrot), Jolly (Male Solomon Island eclectus parrot), Bixby (Male, red-sided eclectus. RIP), Suzie (Male cockatiel. RIP)
Great suggestions from Wrench13! Only one I'd advise against is peanuts, because of the risk of fungal toxin contamination. But you can switch that out for cashews.
Lynsey
Member
- Jul 30, 2014
- 97
- 18
- Parrots
- Fonzie - White Capped Pionus (male) - Hatched 5/24/14
Betty - Brown Headed Parrot (female) - Hatched 12/15/22
So cute! I got my White Capped Pi at 4 months old. Now he is 2.5 years old. I can't tell you the difference in personality. Just give him time. He's still very much a baby. He will come out of his shell in no time!!
Oh, and mine goes nuts for almonds.
Oh, and mine goes nuts for almonds.
Piasa
Member
- Jan 12, 2016
- 569
- 15
- Parrots
- Beau 20 year old male Green Cheek || Jimmy Bullet 17 year old female white cap pionus parrot
He is SO CUTE! Welcome home, baby! I am so glad you were able to find him, I know how hard it is to wait sometimes!
Jimmy's all time favorites are outdoor flowers like violets (wrong time of year I know), but also a big fan of carrots, orange bell pepper, milkthistle seeds, and any sort of fruit/veg juice. Leaves are also a big hit (except kale, for some reason every parrot I have tried to feed kale to just instinctively KNOWS it tastes bad, haha!). They can be very shy about trying new stuff, but you will know immediately what they like when they do try it.
I'm sure he will come out more and more as he is comfortable. If you put food outside of cage, like on top of the cage to start, or attach the bowl to the outside wall, this is a good way to encourage him to come out. Go at his pace. When you begin to forge a strong bond, he will want to be where you are, and that will be a good motivator to come out too.
Jimmy's all time favorites are outdoor flowers like violets (wrong time of year I know), but also a big fan of carrots, orange bell pepper, milkthistle seeds, and any sort of fruit/veg juice. Leaves are also a big hit (except kale, for some reason every parrot I have tried to feed kale to just instinctively KNOWS it tastes bad, haha!). They can be very shy about trying new stuff, but you will know immediately what they like when they do try it.
I'm sure he will come out more and more as he is comfortable. If you put food outside of cage, like on top of the cage to start, or attach the bowl to the outside wall, this is a good way to encourage him to come out. Go at his pace. When you begin to forge a strong bond, he will want to be where you are, and that will be a good motivator to come out too.
- Thread starter
- #9
Thank you all for the suggestions. WE are still working on finding something he really like to eat that will make him more likely to step up. He has been coming out of the cage on his own and sitting on the playtop.
He is still hard to get out of the cage as he doesn't really understand step up and tends to try and nip when we stick our hand in the cage to get him to step up. I'm sure it will get easier as he weans and becomes more excited by big bird food and not his formula.
He is still hard to get out of the cage as he doesn't really understand step up and tends to try and nip when we stick our hand in the cage to get him to step up. I'm sure it will get easier as he weans and becomes more excited by big bird food and not his formula.
Welcome, welcome, welcome!
I'm so glad you found us.
Mannnnnnnnnnnnn, that's an adorable little bird... such an expression of sweetness and shyness. Just a baby. The Rickeybird was three months old when I got him. Brings back memories...
I'm so glad you found us.
Mannnnnnnnnnnnn, that's an adorable little bird... such an expression of sweetness and shyness. Just a baby. The Rickeybird was three months old when I got him. Brings back memories...
- Thread starter
- #11
Thanks again everyone! I am so glad I found this site it has provided so much help.
We are thinking about cutting down his feedings to 20cc morning and night from the 30cc he has been getting. He has been eating adult food throughout the day, we will watch his weight while we do this.
He still nips when trying to step up but we are working on it. Thinking about using a perch for now as his bite is decently painful when he latches on.
We are thinking about cutting down his feedings to 20cc morning and night from the 30cc he has been getting. He has been eating adult food throughout the day, we will watch his weight while we do this.
He still nips when trying to step up but we are working on it. Thinking about using a perch for now as his bite is decently painful when he latches on.
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