New here from Northern New Jersey

[Pajarita]

Yes, parrots timetables often seem 'slomo' to us But it's always better to allow them to take the first step, it creates a solid foundation for a long term happy relationship.

[Wolf]

If he is lunging at the shadow you before he realizes that you are there, would it not help to ease his stresses to speak to him as you are entering his space or visual range? Just a thought.

[Maryellen]

I do speak to him as I'm going into living room so he knows in coming to his cage. He will still lunge sometimes, and sometimes he wont. Sometimes he turns his head so i can pet him then he lunges at me and sometimes he doesn't. I'm the first one he let pet at the shelter, no one else who was interested in him was able to do that, with me he doesn't panic and try to get away from either. Any adopters who tried with him he panicked.

[liz]

I have just given my cockatiels their own room. My intentions are to put a screen door on that room. Right now I have to tap on the door and start talking before I open it so they will know it is me.

[Wolf]

Maryellen, I figured that you were probably already doing that, but you never know.

[Pajarita]

Blind or almost blind animals require a verbal approach, VERY strict and exact routines and never having ANYTHING out of its proper place (and that means outside his cage as well as inside).

[Maryellen]

Thanks wolf:) i figured it was better to talk as i was getting in the room and closer, a lot of people wouldn't even think if that so you did give great advise.

Oh dont worry i keep everything in his cage in the same place and i keep his routine very strict. I've had him just about two weeks, he was with one family for 23 years then turned into a bird rescue almost a year ago, so i am his third home, so i am going really slow with him .

[Maryellen]

Pajarita he doesn't get out of cage time yet as i am still building trust with him, once there is solid trust then i will start the out of cage time.
Last night he bit me, i had him on my hand and he walked off the towel i had on my hand into my wrist and went for my skin and got me good. I dont know if he was testing his boundaries with me or was slipping on my arm .. Or i went to fast as i had him step up last week for the first time , last night i did step up again and it might have been too soon

[Wolf]

I would also consider that if he went through two other homes plus a rescue after being with one home for so long and if the vision problem was involved he may have just gotten accustomed to biting because no one was listening to him. I am not saying that this is what is happening, but it is worth watching for.

[Maryellen]

What do you mean Wolf?? That the biting is to get any type of attention?
I dont know the reason he was given to rescue . But they did tell me that i was the first person he iniciated contact with the first day i went to meet him . I spent once a week just sitting next to his cage hand feeding him . Maybe it is a learned behavior from his original home?
What should i watch for?
My cockatiel is much easier to read thats for sure.

Pumpkin I'm learning, like he only likes his head/neck scratched on his terms and when he is done he will turn to bite me if i dont stop in time, so i pet him for a but talking to him then when he shifts his foot i stop( its always thru the cage bars as he wont let me pet him with the door open unless i pet him with a toy