Would Love Some Advice!!

[Kylie]

So first of all I need to say that I have absolutely zero experience with birds, but I recently got a new job at a pet store, and we recently got in a new parrot (I believe she's some type of amazon but I'm not 100% sure) and I have absolutely fallen head over heels in love with her...

She's been at the store for 2 weeks now, and the people I work with haven't really been able to get near her, I haven't tried anything because I don't know much about birds, so I figured I'd leave it to the people who knew what they were doing...

But last night I went over and said hi to her after we closed, her cage door was open so she could come out if she wanted to... and I walked over to the cage and started talking to her and she was listening! So I kept talking, and she slowly started making her way over to me until she was right at the door right by me, I talked to her more and held up my hand and she started exploring it with her beak, not biting just exploring, then she put her head down and let me pet her!!

My manager was quietly standing by me telling me what to do, he told me to slowly move my arm up to see if she would climb on, she put one foot on and then started talking to me, she says "Hello" and "Pretty Birdy" and other things that I really can't understand.

After about 15 minutes she got tired of hanging out I guess and made her way back into the cage. I felt great, cause no one else has really been able to near her since she got to the store.

I would really love to know what I can do to help her become more social, since she obviously decided that she likes me. What can I do to help hand train her, gain her trust more, get her to climb on my arm, ect.

I wish I could bring her home with me.. but I just can't afford the asking price, even with my employee discount

So any advice would be much appreciated! Thank you!

[liz]

You have a problem.

You are working in a pet shop and have already started to bond to a bird you cannot afford. Since it has only been in the shop for 2 weeks it cannot be discounted for quick sale.

I would never work in a pet shop because I would never want to be in your shoes. You are in for a heartbreak.

The best way to socialize is to be social. Talk to it when you are near. Always say hello and bye bye. Talk to it like you would a kid. (In my case that would not work because I don't like kids) Carry it around when you can.

Good luck and may GOD have mercy on you.

[Michael]

There is a big difference between making the bird social and making the bird bond to you. I strongly urge you NOT to bond with the bird or encourage it to get bonded to you. Since someone else will eventually be taking this bird home, you don't want it to dislike them because it prefers you. It would not only be problematic for the new owners but for the bird as well. So the best thing you can do for the bird, yourself, and future owner is to make the bird more social.

Whenever I play with the birds at my local bird store, not only do I hold/tame the birds myself but I try to pass it around to other people or have them pet it. This shows the bird that all people are good rather than just one specific person. Of course you have to do some things to become minimally comfortable with the bird yourself. But once you do, immediately start encouraging the same from other employees and customers. Give the bird treats but also let others give it treats. Pet the bird, but also teach others how to pet it. This kind of socialization will make it more prepared for its upcoming home life and it will be best for both owner and bird. Good luck.