unfriendly amazon?

[fairydragon]

Adopted a female amazon about 5 weeks ago, she is about 2-3 years old and I was just hoping for some advise about how to start handling and training.. She will take treats from my hand from inside the cage and also if she is sat ontop of the cage but other than that she hates my hands, if i put them in the cage to change the water or food she growles at me (in a squaking kind of way) and is very wary of them, if i go to close she will try to bite me, does anyone know how I can start to get her to trust me and stop going for my hands? i am scared to get her out and try to teach her to step up..
Also every morning she does a really loud call and puffs her feathers, extends her neck and sings and shreiks, is this her mating call? or is she angry or excited? Any help will be so much appreciated! thanks x

 

[oled]

Dont worry 5 week is a really short time, just continue hand feed and prease hear when she takes the treats. Give hear some space and She will test you and soner or later ask for more of your company.

 

[henpecked]

Hey Dragon, maybe read up on clicker training to help with your interactions.She bites and lunges because she has learned to control her situation with this action and if allowed to continue it will get worse.Get over the fear of getting bit, it's gonna happen,as long has she has this control over you . Your reaction to the bite will determine how effective it is in her getting her way,and having some control over her own situation.Keep up with the feeding her by hand and try to avoid situations where she feels the need to bite you to let you know that she controls the situation.Maybe set up a playstand that she can reach from her cage without your help and after she grows fond of it ,move it far enough away that she needs your help to get there.Offer to have her step up and if she acts aggressive ,remove the offer and act as if it's her loss.Don't offer again for maybe 15-20 mins and try again.When she does allow pets or steps up very quickly stop and put her back before she has the chance to tell you that ,that's enough by biting you.In other words leave her wanting more of your attentions instead of feeling like she's had enough.Your in this for the long haul and things will move slowly just be happy with baby steps and things will work out over time.She wants to be part of the flock ,but doesn't trust you yet and feels safe in controlling her environment (cage). Loud in the AM/PM is an amazon thing (many other species) it says I'm here ,active strong and can defend my territory.I know you'll have many more questions and don't be afraid to ask,look thru some of the older threads and see if you can find some things that can help you understand your bird.Good luck and welcome to the forum, You may PM me if you feel the need, capt and Jake the YN PS i also might add moving her cage to an active part of the house not some side room with no activity,amazons love being part of daily activities and will increase her desire to be part of your flock.

 

[Abzeez]

There is no such thing as an unfriendly amazon. Just keep at it. She just needs to get comfortable where she is.

 

[KBEquine]

We're only a couple weeks ahead of you on amazon companionship - ours arrive in mid-July, so he has been here for maybe 2 months.

Once he got comfortable in the house, he began to shriek each morning like the heroine in a Grade B horror movie who just saw her first dead body. Which I now THINK is his way of saying, "Waitress . . . get the goodies here, NOW!" since he does it when I am out of sight, chopping breakfast veggies.

He 'beaks' me all the time, but has never actually bitten (and believe me, he has had opportunity). He puffs up, his eyes pin, his tail spreads & stiffens. He gives off vibes - and he is one of the sweetest, most affectionate birds I have ever known. (But I think if I was at all timid around him, he would definitely use it against me).

I wasn't an amazon fan until he came here to live.

Five weeks is a really short time & relationships take MUCH longer.

Just my humble opinion, but you should relax & enjoy the ride.