Typical stages for a new bird to go through?

[entrancedbymyGCC]

Scotty seems to be doing pretty well considering he was in one place for three years and now WHOOSH! he is in a new place that is very different with a very different rhythm of life. However,, while he is eating and drinking, he isn't doing so with great enthusiasm and his poop is normal looking but rather scanty I think. He's also spending a LOT Of time preening, to the point of seeming almost obsessive. He's played with his toys a little but isn't into it yet, and today he's been sleeping a lot. He is happy to step up and come out and seems to enjoy being handled.

How long does it typically take before a bird settles in? Scooter was easy, but he's a happy chappy anyway and I think it was an obvious net improvement. At what point do you worry?

[Alcatraz]

Thats just one of those things you wont know until you see it. It took my bird about 2 weeks before I could tell it felt really comfortable

[Natacha]

It totally depends on the bird.

Both Piper and Shade I got as babies so there wasn't too much of an issue with either of them.

Joey I got just shy of his 3rd hatchday and he had a great owner and life before coming here and the moment he was here he wanted out and to explore, which I loved since I was told that he normally stayed in his cage a few days before heading out when he used to go at his old birdsitter. I took it as an extreme sign of his confidence in us

Petey....ah Petey. I took Petey in with the knowledge of him hating women. I had a great month of "honeymoon" and then, as suddenly as possible, he got really bad with me.
Now, I got him two years ago so he would have been 13 and he is still learning what toys are for. It's a very very long process, but he's getting the hang of it. I keep offering toys and let him go at his own pace.

Zuri. Was still very young when I got him (just barely one I think) and took to toys right off the bat. Adjusted fairly well, his trust in me grew quickly but trust in my boyfriend took longer. They are still working on it and it's getting better. Still is a picky eater of fresh stuff but is getting better as well (and I've had him for over a year).

Pixel. Didn't seem to know what toys were for and after a few weeks started to figure it out, although she isn't quite comfortable with all of the different kinds, she is starting to be "braver" about them. She also, after a little over two months, seems to be getting a bit more comfortable here but is still rather afraid of my boyfriend.

So with all of them the "adaptation" period was not the same. It really depends on how old they are and what their life prior to coming to live in their new home was.

[Rue]

I suggest giving a new bird at least a week to settle in, unless it demands attention, then by all means give it some...

It took Ever (Amazon, she was ~10 years old) a good 3 weeks before she seemed comfortable...and Nickel (CAG, 3 years old) was about the same I think.

I spent a lot of time with them...talking, singing, etc., but I didn't handle them...

Pekoe (Pi) was just weaned. And being a pionus (they 'freeze' when stressed or scared)...I don't think he even moved, other than to eat, that first week...lol...he had me worried...

[Michael]

That sounds totally normal. Truman did quite well at first, then it got a bit worse, and then it got better. The first few days are exciting and novel for the parrot which keeps it on edge a bit. It might not even bite and stuff yet cause it's more nervous and not settled in. Then comes a little while where the weight might drop a bit and settling in happens. The bird may even be more nippy than usual. Then finally after 1-2 weeks of getting used to your daily routine does it step into the rhythm.

[Kim S]

Same here.
Kika was quite happy to be with us from the first day. He explored his cage and liked to be out and about too, so we let him. But you could see he was a bit uneasy. Every unexpected movement you made, made him jump or freeze. It took about three weeks for that to calm down a bit.
After three weeks I thought he was well settled in, he would do everything a normal bird does. But he has been with us for three months now and if I look back I can see he is still becoming more and more comfortable with us and our routine. He is now trying out how far he can go. He has started 'biting' by bf a couple of weeks ago, and now he is trying the same routine with me. Its not really biting to hurt, but holding on a bit too firm for our liking just to see how far he can take it. Its quite cute

[TheNzJessie]

totally depends on the bird, Jango craved attention from the minute i put him in his cage, he loves EVERYBODY anybody who will give him attention, hes not food motivated he will recall just because he wants a scratch and not the treat. he seems to just want to please you (which is great for me) you will learn your birds body language and he will tell you once hes settled in

[BirdbrainJan]

Congratulations on your new bird!

If he's preening excessively, I've read that good soaking showers or baths can help. Have you tried those Shredders strips that you can get from PetsMart? That might give him something else to work on.

[Cozzy]

My senegal settled right away after coming home....He was in the shop for a while before comeing home. Eating, drinking and trying to get out of the cage.
My (un)cape took 2 and a half week to settled. The parrot was imported to Hong Kong from South Africa on 13Aug, quarantine for 4 days before coming. I covered half of the cage light color colth and sit next to him and talk to him for a few days, he was eating and drinking from the first. Started to hand feed him out of the cage after one week, meanwhile, open the cage door to let him come out if he would love to. By 25Aug, he is willing to climb out of the cage and sit on the cage top. Now after 2 and a half weeks he is willing to perch on my hand.
Now I let him perch on the training stand when we are at home.

[Azure Hanyo]

Scotty will settle in nice and soon, I imagine, he sounds like a real sweetie.