Hi all!
Having some trouble with my Green Cheek.
We recently moved, a big long chaotic horrible one. My bird had to be kept at a friends house for a week as we got the new house bird proof and livable.
When I brought him home, the first night we was soo happy. He came out as normal on my finger, stayed there and got loved for awhile. Seemed happy- and then went back in. Nothing strange
The next day when I went to take him out--- he FLEW out of the cage. Went in a circle and landed on perch. WHen I went to go have him step up, he flew in circles and landed on perch. Any time I moved my hand near him to get him---fly in circles.
I was hoping it was maybe just the new environment so I've let it continue for about a week now, but everyday it's the same thing. Won't get near my hand. THe only way I can even get him back in the cage is to put my hand over the perch, kind of tricking him. And if he realizes it- he'll come land ON my head! When I put my hand up to get him--again fly in circles and land on perch.
Obviously I want to reverse this behavior-- but I really want advice on how to make sure that I'm not rewarding the behavior. I work in a local petstore and everyone there told me I should clip him because "he has the power over you of flight"--but I really don't want to do this because of the possible damage to him. I've always believed birds should be free flighted.
I've tried to open the cage just enough so that he HAS to come on me to get out, but as soon as I pull him out on my hand- fly away again.
So how can I reverse this without rewarding it? For instance, if he flies around, should I stop trying as to not play into the games? Or should I keep trying to get him to step up and slowly work up his comfortablility again? I hate this because it's making his time out of the cage lessened because I don't know what to do with him--but obviously he needs time out of the cage.
Thanks so much for any advice. Hopefully I can fix this quick!