Pet shop mis-represented hatch age, over 5 months old - wild

[AlaskanBirbs]

Help or hope for taming. My over 5 month old untamed GCC-turquoise, is terrified. This is only day 2, and I wanted to know some typical taming/trust timeframe to expect. I am being patient, and not trying to hold or move hands toward "her" yet, as she is so scared. The pet shop had to towel this young untamed bird in order to check the leg band. Paperwork was inaccurate, and instead of being a hand fed young bird, it is several months older than the door tag.
I do have the option to return this bird within 30 days, as we obviously have not bonded, which will take some time.

 

[LaManuka70]

Help or hope for taming. My over 5 month old untamed GCC-turquoise, is terrified. This is only day 2, and I wanted to know some typical taming/trust timeframe to expect. I am being patient, and not trying to hold or move hands toward "her" yet, as she is so scared. The pet shop had to towel this young untamed bird in order to check the leg band. Paperwork was inaccurate, and instead of being a hand fed young bird, it is several months older than the door tag.
I do have the option to return this bird within 30 days, as we obviously have not bonded, which will take some time.

You certainly do have the prerogative to return your bird if you choose, but I would ask you to please give her more time. Please remember that she has been through many dramatic changes in her short life so far, and she may have just got used to the idea that the pet shop was her "home" before being uprooted yet again.

I once got a little purple-crowned lorikeet from a breeder, her name was Lilly and she would've been about 6 months old or so when I got her. She was most definitely NOT tame, having spent probably a good 3 months or more in the outdoor aviary with little or no human interaction. The "breeder" btw looked almost more like a hoarder and the conditions there were absolutely filthy so she was 1000% better off with me. But she didn't know that, as bad as the conditions were that was her home, so she spent her first 3 weeks in my home being absolutely TERRIFIED of me!! But I sat close to her cage, I read things to her in a quiet voice, didn't matter what I read to her as long as my voice stayed calm and soft. I also played purple-crowned lorikeet videos from my phone to her that incorporated their calls and she found that quite intriguing so she would come closer to have a look, and then I would give her a treat for being so brave. After avoiding me like the plague for those 3 weeks, suddenly a little light flicked on in her head and she was my Velcro-bird ever since! All to say that some parrots will bond with us quickly whereas others take more time, based on their own individual natures and what they have experienced in their past. So I hope you will consider keeping her, and please post some pics and let us know her name, I bet she's beautiful

 

[AlaskanBirbs]

I do want to give her time, but I will have to make a decision by day 29. That was a lot of money for a pet store rescue. I will look for slow progress, knowing that trust takes time and patience. I've also learned to not make direct eye contact at first. I have no dna test, so I'm only guessing gender. I don't have a stuck name yet, either "Luna" like a setting blue moon... or "Nova" like the blue dragon.

 

[AMD62]

When we rescued are budgie "Petie Girl", she too was terrified of everything. It was a long slow process in getting her trust. I put her in her own cage next to where she could see everything going on. I talked to her in low sweet tones. It took weeks before I could hold her. BUT....here we are 11 yrs later and out of my five she is the sweetest of them all. Time and patience is the key. Good luck.

 

[osklvste66]

The ultimate decision is yours. Please give her a chance. Some birds require time to adjust. Pet stores usually aren't the best places for young birds. Noises, banging on cages or windows, often minimal trained handlers and more. What ever trust she had in humans was shattered. Your youngster may be terrified of anything. Calming music, audio books, TV or streaming when you're not in room. Sit where she can see you. Talk a lot, doesn't matter what, read from a book, keeping voice soothing. When she does something positive give verbal praise. Approaching cage slowly speaking quietly. Stop and going again. Yes it's going to be work. Believe me it's like this with ANY new bird purchase. The individual bird's personality and history determines how long this can take.

 

[Inger2]

The bird might have been the same regardless of age, if they haven't been tamed by the breeder. Building trust and a bond with your bird can take a long time - very possibly more than 29 days - but if you put in the effort, the reward will be worth it. Despite the fact that we keep them in our homes, birds are still wild animals - you didn't purchase a golden retriever that's going to love you on day one. Earning the trust of a bird is something that simply has no parallel, but does take patience.

Also, out of curiosity, how do you know the bird is 5 months old?