Help me better understand my Senegal

[lightweight]

I see many of you have Senegals and I am embarking on taking on the main caregiving role of ours. I have to admit that I am terrified of birds with larger beaks and hers is large enough for me. There is aggression with other birds but not with people so no reason to be afraid. The past 2 days I have been petting her through the cage and outside of the cage and even had her step up once with no issues. What is some body language I should be aware of...good and bad. I've noticed when she wants to be pet she loosens her wings and lets them hang by her side and chirps to me. When I pet her, her eyes get very dilated and when I stop she starts chirping for more. So I am guessing this is her good body language although at first the feather dropping scared me a little. I am really afraid of having her step up where my finger is right be her beak (and she is known to lead with it which freaks me out even more...I know the first thing is that she senses my fear but I can't help it and she has still been receptive to me). Is it safe to have her step up in the cage or is that her territory?

Also what kind of treats do they enjoy? We feed her pellets and then I usually give her raw fruits and veggies daily. I have heard maybe nuts...what would be a good treat for her?

Any tips to help me along the way of just really bonding with her would be greatly appreciated

[Michael]

First off, the step up guide is a must read because it not only discusses the training but also all the requisites and taming. Then you'll want to take a look at our collection of articles about Senegal Parrots because they hint on some aggression issues. Then more specifically this is a collection of tips from Senegal Parrot owners about dealing with Senegal Parrot aggression. The article about reducing one person bird Senegal Parrot aggression provides advice that helps tame a parrot that doesn't like any people at all, the only difference is that it will take even more time and care in that case. Then you might want to take a look at this one about step up and grab techniques for tips about how to position your hands.

As for petting a Senegal Parrot and body language, this one shows a happy Senegal enjoying petting and purring. You cans see how fluffy she gets when she wants it.

[Kim S]

Edit: you beat me to it Michael. I still love the purring btw

Bodylanguage is a very difficult thing to tell someone about. You have to see it to understand in most cases. Plus a lot of good and bad behaviors are very much a like. The eyes for instance. You will probably have noticed that your bird will sometimes 'flicker' her eyes. I think you call it pinning here? Its where her eyes go very wide and then very small rapidly in a row.
That means she is excited. But what is she excited about? She can be very excited about you holding a juicy apple in front of her wich she very much would like to munch on. Or she can be very excited about some scary thing coming near her and she is making herself ready to attack it.

Dont be afraid of her beak when she steps up. She will probably try to hold you steady before stepping up. Just like you would hold on to the railing on a boat before stepping on. Its a way of securing she wont fall off. And like you said yourself. Dont be afraid. They sense that. And once they got the upperhand on you... Like Michael always says, slow but deliberate. Dont hesitate.

Nuts are a good idea, just dont use peanuts. They can contain fungi since they grow under ground. Mine loves walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds and such. I usually buy a box for human consumption (dry roasted without salt!).
Kika also loved dried bread, dog bisquits and crackers.

[Natacha]

I've noticed when she wants to be pet she loosens her wings and lets them hang by her side and chirps to me. When I pet her, her eyes get very dilated and when I stop she starts chirping for more.

Defintively sounds good. Eye pinning can be a good thing with Pois.
I find with my guys, Senegal included, when they don't want to be handled they'll move away and if I insist, they'll give a "warning bite" which isn't really a bite as they don't touch me but it's very clear that if I try to get closer, the warning will become true

So I am guessing this is her good body language although at first the feather dropping scared me a little.

Could you get a picture of the feather dropping? Do her wings go lower? It could be the "skirt dance", which is a mating dance, which is a good and bad - good because it proves she likes you - bad because you don't want to be encouraging this..you aren't the bird's mate after all.

But it would be easier to tell with a picture or video.

I am really afraid of having her step up where my finger is right be her beak (and she is known to lead with it which freaks me out even more...I know the first thing is that she senses my fear but I can't help it and she has still been receptive to me). Is it safe to have her step up in the cage or is that her territory?

Well at least you know that she will respond to your fear. You will have to learn to get over it and be assertive. I know, easier said that done.

As for stepping up from the cage, I actually work on that with my birds. Some people will say not to do so, to let the birds come out when they want, and I normally allow them to come out at their own pace, but I also know that if I wanted to, I could get them to step up from their cages without risking a bite. This is important for me since if there is a fire, I won't have time to wait for them to come out and won't have time chasing them around their cages - if we need to go out as fast as we can, at least I know they'll step up right away and ease the process.

Also what kind of treats do they enjoy? We feed her pellets and then I usually give her raw fruits and veggies daily. I have heard maybe nuts...what would be a good treat for her?

You'll have to see for yourself
Every bird is different so you'll have to try and see.

My Senegal is a pig and will eat anything...

[lightweight]

So the articles were definitely helpful. I love how easy Michael (?) makes stepping up look. Hopefully it will be like that soon for me too. I was just going to post about the mating Natacha because I think that is what she is doing (which strikes me as odd as she has done it since I first started handling her 3 days ago). Maybe she already feels bonded because I do all of the feeding and cleaning...is that possible? I think it is mating because she has tried to regurgitate food as well. It's always when she is telling me she wants to step up and/or when she does step up she immediately starts doing this until I pet her and then she settles a bit. Sometimes I have to sing to her as well to calm her down (and I am NOT a good singer lol). So she likes to sit on my finger while I stroke the back of her neck and sing songs to her, specifically songs with her name in them. She is very excited by the actual physical contact. I have heard that this mating thing is not good to encourage. How do you DIScourage it?

I have a possible lead on her breeder and apparently he does a lot of breeding for PJ's pets. So she may have been a pet store bird which would explain why she is so open to attention. She has had every reason to nip me because I am still nervous around her but hasn't chosen to do so yet. i think she knows that it will scare me off for good lol.

She LOVES cheerios and soda crackers. I tried the almond, walnut and papaya but she seems confused by them so far. I am trying to find something more nutritious for her to enjoy.