beginner!

[Kurdi]

Hi everyone!
Ive just joined today, as need some help! BEGGINER!
My boyfriend has bought a beautiful aqua ring neck parrot.. He's around 2 years old (she said he was young for a parrot, is this correct??) and loves being out of his cage. But she told us that he's not brillant to handle as he hasnt been handled much! We've brought him back, and cant get near him. He's very clever and backs away even if he see's us coming from a short distance. So we cant really get close to him. I know its a new home for him, and that hes scared, but how can we get close to him? Even if we offer him food to come he doesnt. How can we get close to him, and make him a bit more tame? Any ideas, or tricks?
We dont know alot about parrots, so would really appreciate some help and advice!

Beston and Ashleigh

[liz]

Most parrots are afraid of hands. Hands can GRAB a little bird. Abused or neglected parrots take longer.

Open the cage and just do your normal routine. You can talk to him but don't give him direct attention at first. He will get curiouse as to what your are doing and where he is.

What would you do if you adopted a scared little kid. Sometimes it takes months for them to understand that you love them.

[Kurdi]

Thankyou for replying liz!
Thats helped!

Is he young for a parrot? or average age. We was told 2 years old is young.
Is there anything we can do with him that will help at the moment? Or is the best thing to do, just to let him get used to everywhere and ourselves?

Thanks!

[liz]

Two is still at learning stage.

I rescued Myrtle when she was one. She loves me as much as I lover her. Still, after a year there are still things I can't do. One is that she will not let me put my hand above her. I can't imagine what all happened to her in her first year of life.

She flies to me and gives me kisses. Starts tickle games, hangs off of me any way she can, wants a bite of whatever I have and even tries to feed me. She is well adjusted and very social with everyone but there are things she does not like. We have the advantage that instead of getting scared she will fly away.

I forgot to ask if you IRN is clipped. I hope not.

[Kurdi]

Ah thats so lovely!
I hope i can get to that stage with Kurdi.
Theres so much i want to do, but we cant get near him! Lol.
Im talking to him non stop, and he seems to have calmed alittle and hes walking and flying around, i think he just needs to get used to it here!

Yes, he is clipped but he still flys everywhere just not really far distances. How comes? Is it bad that hes clipped?

Thanks

[cml]

Clipping isnt that great. Michael has an article that describes what most people on these forums feel about it, but basically, its harmful to a birds mental health and leads to a lot of behavior problems down the road!

Please let him regain his flight, it seems from your postings so far that you enjoy having him flying around as it is !

Here's Michael's article:
http://trainedparrot.com/Clipping/

Oh, and welcome to the forums!

[Kurdi]

Thankyou for your reply!
So, silly question, does clipping stop them flying properly? If so, how can i get him to regain his flight? He's flying a little bit, but he cant fly long distances. He seems to just fly into walls when he wants to stop & cant quite get his balance ect.
To be honest im a bit upset, he wont let anyone near him, unless he's wrapped in a towel, then he lets you stroke him lightly but to be fair its really hard to get close to him!

What can i do?!?!?!

Ashleigh and Beston

[cml]

Thankyou for your reply!
So, silly question, does clipping stop them flying properly? If so, how can i get him to regain his flight? He's flying a little bit, but he cant fly long distances. He seems to just fly into walls when he wants to stop & cant quite get his balance ect.
To be honest im a bit upset, he wont let anyone near him, unless he's wrapped in a towel, then he lets you stroke him lightly but to be fair its really hard to get close to him!

What can i do?!?!?!

Ashleigh and Beston

Stop chasing him around and stop toweling him !

You will quickly make him dislike you if it continues, which can be hard to work around if he gets a grudge.

Read the basic taming guide, and start with "Target Training". You can do this while he's in his cage, which will give you a means to get him in and out of the cage without forcing him, which is great !

[Polarn]

To let him regain his flight there isn't much you can do besides not putting any sizzors or other sharp objects through his feathers. Just let him regrow proper ones.

And I have a hard time seeing how clipping wouldn't affect their ability to fly try removing a couple of toes, their not really needed for your ability to walk but they bring a lot to the table as far as balance goes.

Oh and welcome to the forums.