Anyway, here's my new family member
I rehomed him a week ago from a young woman who'd got him as a baby but couldn't keep him; he's 6 months old. I say 'he' - I'm of the mind that he might be 'she' but we'll see. When I take him for his vet check I'm planning on getting him DNA'd. I've been sorting his cage out as, though the cage itself is fine, he had nothing but a couple of 'twist on' budgie perches and a bunch of baby rattles and the like.
So far so good. He's very friendly but hasn't been taught anything, not even 'step up' and is a bit like an undisciplined toddler...he does what he wants, when he wants....which mostly means hanging out on your shoulder, which is a very dodgy proposition with that beak! Or chewing on anything and everything other than the numerous toys I've provided him with. I was giving his cage a good scrub the first day so my bf had him on his shoulder (he reeeellly likes my bf which is one reason why I think he might be a she) and I heard a little squeak and turned round to see that the sennie had firm hold of bf's earlobe with said large beak. Bf was being very brave but still....
So now I keep a wooden kitchen spatula to hand and put it up against my head when he's on my shoulder while I start to work on 'step up' and, more to the point at the moment, 'step down'. He looks at me over the top of it but is getting the picture (I think). It's not exactly what Michael would suggest I'm sure but short of keeping him in his cage almost the whole time it's the best I can come up with while I'm working on his behaviour.
I do sympathise with Nir about the shoulder issue...if a bird is flighted and it's not about to step up (or step down) on command then it's tricky!
He's shown no aggression and hasn't bitten, or even really nipped, yet but is very 'beaky' and will get hold of your finger rather too firmly for my liking and I'm working on that. I either keep him occupied with toys etc or keep him on the back of my hand with fingers out of the way as much as possible. As I said, though, he's very friendly and will get very cuddly in the evening and will take as much neck scratching as you'll give, while half closing his eyes and looking all blissed out. And is really enjoying and making the most of his new perches, boing and Chube etc.
