Pls help me with my bird!

[Ringneck]

Hi all, I need lots of advise as ive just purchased an IRN from a lady who just hasn't had time for it. It's around 7-8 months old, it won't let me go any where near it (poor thing I only want it to settle!) it bites me if I try n pick it up, it's pulled out its flight feathers from just one wing, Ive never owned a parrot before, but want to do my best for my Geordie n make it happy! Any advice on training, showing love n care ect would be much appreciated. I let him out of his cage on an evening when kids are in bed n it's nice n quiet n all he does when he does come out is hide either under the sofa or I'm my xmas tree! I've been looking on the web since I got it to get hints n tips but don't seem to be getting no where however he does grind his mandible often which ive read some where this means they're content? Thank you for any replies x

 

[weco]

Welcome to the forums...there's a lot of help around here and a goodly number of IRN owners who can offer insight.....

Since you've never owned a parrot, they're not like any other companion animal...most will take their time and accept human flock on their own terms and may take longer than many of we humans would like.....patience is the operative word here.....many find that sitting next to a new bird's cage, talking softly & offering food/treats by hand helps win them over.....

Trying to pick a new bird up is not a good idea until you have been accepted.....many birds don't really associate hands with parts of we humans and are afraid of them, often biting because you're chasing them, trying to catch them.....

Good luck.....

 

[veimar]

Oh you got a difficult starter bird! Riko was my 6th rescue, and very-very similar to yours - his/her owner handed me a screaming piece of misery in a thick towel! He did the same thing first days - hid under the sofa and didn't want anything to do with me. Now 2 mo later he is pretty tame, steps up very nicely and rides my shoulder. He finally started taking treats from me. But he just went into a bluffing stage (he is a bit younger than yours) and has been biting me quite a bit, but not too hard.
At first I would just let him explore the room - maybe even leave the room while he is there figuring it out. If you need to pick him up just use a towel in beginning. I did it only a few times and then just tried to sort of force him to step up which he did. But he wasn't a biter. he screamed at me though in a low growling voice! They tend to hate flesh and fingers, so after a while try to make him step up on your sleeve - he'll probably climb up right to your shoulder. It's not easy to earn an abused/neglected IRN's trust - my baby is still a bit shy. You just have to be very patient and calm. Try to put him on the big sofa or bed where you're sitting so he cannot escape and would have to walk around you (unless he is flighted - mine was clipped). If he flies I'd really clip him for now. I don't like keeping birds in cages so I let mine out on the second day and he was exploring my room (and then the house after quarantine) quite a bit. They are very smart and independent birds as far as I know. Best of luck with yours - keep us posted!

 

[Delfin]

Try this method

http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49144-tips-bonding-building-trust.html

 

[veimar]

Wow, that's a great article you wrote! Thank you. I've never used the clicker (I somehow hate the word "train"), but agree on main points. Very interesting! I've done many things similar way. When I wrote to "force him to step up" I just meant to put your hand under his feet in appropriate moment (usually when he is trying to climb somewhere) so he unknowingly steps on it. For me a thing that really works is talking to the bird! It's amazing how well they respond to the speech - I use the repeated words and their name, as well as exaggerated expression (but never loud). They always seem to understand what I want from them. With this particular IRN the breaking point was when I tired to nap on the 3rd day I had him and let him out on the bed (well, lots of cleaning afterwards). He first tried to escape, but then climbed all over me for an hour and then buried himself in my hair and had a nap too. He also explored my fingers (I was holding a bright bird toy just for that reason) and probably found them not too intimidating.
With each bird the taming/bonding process is different - you just really have to feel what is working for THIS particular bird and YOU.