I am just unable to tame my 1.5 years old alexandrine.

[aroona]

Hi all,

I bought this parrot when he was just 4 weeks old. I fed him his food. He was so attached to me. But don't know what happened. He just started ignoring me. And then he even forgot sitting on my hand and coming out of his cage. But somehow I have managed to make him love me a bit. He now kisses me on my cheeks. He just loves to play around with me. But he never let me touch him with my hands.

I have subscribed to parrot wizard on youtube. And love to watch killi, Truman and santina. I have seen all the videos in which Michael sazhin taming santina. In one video michael has treats in his hand and santina steps on other hand to get the treat. I tried the same to my parrot. I put some seeds in my hand and put the other hand in front of him to step on it and get his favorite seeds. But guess what he did. He bit me. And then he came from other side and took them.

I almost forgot to mention. He can step up on any cloth but not on hands.

I am just unable to hand tame him. Please suggest me what should I do?

Thanks
Aroona

[Pajarita]

My dear, I am afraid that he is as tame as anybody can ask from an alex and, going by what you tell about him (kisses on your cheeks and hanging out and chatting with you), you actually have a very good relationship with him. Psittaculas are known for not been cuddly birds (they don't really like been touched) and difficult to keep bonded to their owner so it's not as if you've done anything wrong, it's just that he is now growing up and no longer a baby so he is more assertive and self-assure -and those are not bad things, quite the contrary, it's to your credit that he is like that! It's their nature to be like that. You can't compare a psittacula to a poicephalus or a macaw, they are completely different in their behaviors, likes and dislikes and you will never get the same reaction from an alexandrine that you would get from a Senegal, for example.

But you can still train him. Start by identifying the seed or nut he likes the most and don't give him any of that one in his food, save it for training. Then start by teaching him to target while he is on a stand and, when he does, give him his reward and praise, praise, praise profusely (you can also use a clicker if you want). Do short sessions of 5 minutes twice a day at the beginning. You can make them ten minutes long but I would not do them more often than twice a day because he will get tired of them and you might end up losing the advantage. Once he learns to target, it would be an easy step for him to step up to your arm and then you can teach recall.

[Wolf]

This is probably the number one or two reason for most parrots being rehomed and it is so sad because in most cases it is easily prevented. The problem is that pet stores and breeders do nothing to help the perspective buyer of the nature of these birds. They like to show what a sweet loving dependent baby bird they have for sale is, but they don't explain anything about the fact that this will only last for so long and that the bird is then going to go through puberty and become an adult bird who is no longer so dependent and that will probably change who it likes at that time or what the adult birds personality may be like.
While I don't have IRNs, I do have a CAG. They are one of the most sought after parrots next to the big Macaws and Cockatoos and they are one of the most difficult of birds to keep happy so that it does not pluck or self mutilate. This is due to the amount of personal attention and interaction that they require, despite the fact that they do not like to be touched very much, and then only when they want it.
Pajarita has given as good of advice on how to approach this as anyone can give, so give it a try and keep us informed an we will try to help if you have any need for more information or suggestions.

[aroona]

Thanks Pajarita and Wolf for your replies.

I really liked the idea to hand tame him. I tried this today with a stick and I have had an old mp3 player, which I used as a clicker. And gave him his favorite seeds. He first tried to bite the stick but then after sometime he just touch the stick and look for my other hand for the treat. I think he'll learn very fast.

[Wolf]

Here is a link that may help you with this viewtopic.php?f=11&t=227
Please keep us informed as to your progress or if you have any problems.

[Pajarita]

Thanks Pajarita and Wolf for your replies.

I really liked the idea to hand tame him. I tried this today with a stick and I have had an old mp3 player, which I used as a clicker. And gave him his favorite seeds. He first tried to bite the stick but then after sometime he just touch the stick and look for my other hand for the treat. I think he'll learn very fast.

Hey! That's GREAT! He is very smart and obviously trusts you! The thing about parrots is that each species has its own pros and cons and the best way to be happy with them is not to expect something that they cannot give us!