New to Parrots (Mealy Amazonian)

[OliverOurAmazonian]

We adopted a Mealy Amazonian today. We have no background history, except that he's older. He's very skittish, yet amazingly started letting us pet him, but he doesn't like to be moved, from perch to cage or anywhere. Is it okay to keep him in cage? He has sneezed a few times as well, and sounds stuffy, is that normal?

 

[Ira7]

Bring him to a CAV, certified avian vet, even if he WASN’T sneezing! You want them to do a full workup on him or her...and if you want, a sex test. Be prepared to spend about $400 without the sex/DNA test, but you just gotta do the full health workup.

Mealys can be incredibly mellow, and since you just got him today, of COURSE he’s going to be a little skittish, or VERY skittish. You gotta give him a few weeks to adjust. Don’t rush him to do this or that, but if he’s letting you pet him, you’re halfway home! He’s going to be great!

I would even leave the cage closed a few days. Let him learn its security. Maybe sit by the open door a little, but don’t make any moves he doesn’t like. Let him make the moves.

 

[noodles123]

The scared behavior is 500% normal- you MUST build trust with a bird at their pace, and that means not invading their space or pushing them to do what they are not ready for. It means respecting their body language and interpreting it as you would a human's (while understanding that their language is different). Don't try to touch and associate yourself with things you know the bird likes-- don't try to force him to take food from you if there is hesitation (that will harm trust). This is so unlike a dog or cat and they really do move slowly in the trust department, so think of it as a traumatized kid who speaks a totally different language...

The sneezing and "stuffy" sound is not normal. 1-2 sneezes, maybe, but breathing should be silent (unless you are mistaking threatened sounds for stuffy sounds)...For instance, cockatoos hiss when intimidated-- that is normal FOR A COCKATOO- but this isn't a cockatoo..and especially if you are hearing sounds with each breath, that needs to be looked at by an avian vet ASAP. Also, bobbing tails are another issue-- if you see them pumping with each breath...and if your bird moves to the bottom of the cage to sleep and hangs out there without an apparent reason, then you are at a bird version of a 9-1-1 emergency.

 

[wrench13]

Welcome and congrats. Read the Amazon Body Language stickieon our Amazon sub forum, and the I Love Amazons one too. Read em several times, out loud in a soothing voice to your new Mealy. Both threads are like a Bible for Amazon owners.

 

[LaManuka]

Welcome to you and Oliver

These are the stickies that Master Wrench was referring to...

http://www.parrotforums.com/amazons/54250-amazon-body-language.html

http://www.parrotforums.com/amazons/65119-i-love-amazons-going-journey.html

....... if you haven't found them already yourself.

Congratulations on your new family member, and enjoy the journey!

 

[Flboy]

Welcome to you both!

 

[1oldparroter]

While it is settling in look up (on internet (google, here and youtube.com)) proper diet, treats, harmful items and woods. Most of those you can find in the forums and threads here. Look up touch/clicker training and read threads that talk about routine, training, etc.
[ame="https://youtu.be/RTJ39BFna3A"]#30 WHAT PLANTS OR FLOWERS ARE TOXIC FOR BIRDS - YouTube[/ame]
[ame="https://youtu.be/wPZkqALzfus"]YouTube[/ame]
[ame="https://youtu.be/CPeL5jxs_3A"]Building Trust with your Parrot through Step Up Training - YouTube[/ame]
[ame="https://youtu.be/RT_9WFWWInk"]Tame Your Parrot Through Check Point Treat Training - YouTube[/ame]
for starters. Enjoy. jh

 

[SailBoat]

Welcome to the Wonderful World of Amazons!

Mealy Amazons are in fact the largest of the Amazon Family. As a result, everything including perch diameters need to be larger. With great luck they are real lovers and tend to be far more tolerate of being handled. That doesn't mean that they cannot or will not resort to bitting someone, if pushed. Know what your Amazon's Body Language is and what they are telling you. Amazons EXPECT that you know their body language. Failing to learn it will assure a bad day.

You are miles ahead of where most people are with an Amazon on day one...

Sneezing this time of year in the South of the USA would be rare and as stated above, well worth having your New Amazon see a Avian Professional for a New Parrot examination.

Welcome to Parrot Forum, you have certainly come to the correct place!

 

[1oldparroter]

What SailBoat said, plus you have to understand; ALL parrot's see into the ultraviolet range of light, much further tan we do. They see a segment of "us" that we aren't aware of. jh

 

[Scott]

Welcome to you and Oliver, wonderful advice above!

Parrots carry much baggage from their previous home(s) so you may find challenges building trust and creating a "forever bond." First few weeks are adaptation for you and Oliver, might find some great tips in this thread: http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49144-tips-bonding-building-trust.html

Please let us know how Oliver progresses, and we love pics!!