by Pajarita » Mon Mar 24, 2014 3:30 pm
The information given is correct although it doesn't have to be 2 weeks, it can be more or it can be less but, usually, it's more. Parrots are distrustful things and completely undomesticated so you need to 'earn' his trust and love - and that means not imposing on him. Tiels are the sweetest tempered of all parrots (in my personal opinion) while quakers are cantankerous things which can one minute love you to pieces and the next bite the heck out of you if they feel you are not respecting them properly. They are also known for their cage aggression so putting your hand inside his cage is usually a no-no with them until they bond deeply with you (and, sometimes, even after that).
3 days is nothing to a parrot so forget about getting him to step up for you for now and concentrate on winning him over. Open the door to his cage and let him out and, if this takes 2 hours, then that is what it takes and you will have to wait. Just talk/sing to him, keep him company for, at least, 3 to 4 hours a day and, every now and then, offer him a treat but, if he doesn't take it, just leave it there for him to take on its own. Most people would tell you to take the treat away if he doesn't take it from your hand but I bet you none of them has a quaker -LOL- Quakers are kind of special, they are a bit different from other parrots their size... they are highly intelligent and very independent, the females are the dominant gender and they live in communal nests all year round and the entire flock that resides in these nests is an extended family all related through the females as they live in a matriarchal society. They are also the ultimate survivors and, because of this, they can be quite difficult so yes, learn the body language. When they get real mad, they usually vocalize loudly non-stop while putting their head down -like a little bull- and going either round and round or straight for you -LOL- I LOVE them to pieces! But, when they love you, they can be the sweetest things! I had one that would even allow me to put my hand inside her cage, go under her body and take her eggs! So, arm yourself of patience and start winning that little sweetheart over, you won't regret it!
