I did that when 11 years ago I adopted a then 9-year-old BF Amazon that was really a mess due to poor diet (she was fed pigeon food, pizza, twinkles and french fries), had NEVER had a toy, and was kept in a cage so small she could barely turn around (think parakeet travel cage). Her first stop was to the vet (high cholesterol and elevated liver enzymes, but no diseases). It took two years for her to look normal (feathers the right color, no stress bars, blue on her head, feathers under her wings instead of grey fluff). It also took her two years to learn to eat pellets and veggies (although she immediately would take legumes, sprouted seeds, and most fruits). I let her feathers grow, which helped a lot with her condition. It was close to four years before she could fly with any skill. Before that, I just let her flap on my hand with a thumb over her toes (she doesn't bite when I do this but some parrots might). Her first toys were made from balsa wood. As she built her confidence, we moved up to other more challenging toys. Once she was eating well, I hid her food all over her large cage, in cups she had to tear into, both high and low, in puzzle toys, in boxes. I also put her out in the outdoor aviary on the covered back porch on every nice day. Now, at 20, she doesn't look like the same bird. She is queen here, full of confidence and vitality. Her feathers glow and she flies where ever she wishes. I wish you luck with your new bird. She sounds like a great one to help. Can't wait to follow her progress.
. Also, she has been moving around a lot lately in her cage--much more mobile. I'll get a weight check on her later today or tomorrow.
