Newcomer from Singapore with Senegal

[JuJu]

Hi everyone.

My name is Toki and I have recently adopted a wild senegal parrot whose owner had initially wanted to set him free cause he had trouble taming it. He had him for like a week....

The senegal was bought locally from a local bird shop, and all I knew from the owner was that it was wild caught and came from Senegal. In the shop, the owner said that it was kept in a small cage with some other wild sennies.

Anyway, to cut a long story short - Juju is now living with me in a new large spacious cage with toys. I got his wings clipped, and so far I let him take his time or sometimes gently urged him to come out of his cage. He would flapped out and then I will try to pick him up. He's quite okie actually, pinched me twice since, but I knew what I did to irritate him and he hasnt done so since.

Definitely not a biter, Juju's learning step up from the floor and from hand to hand. I only had Juju with me for 5 days so I'm quite positive with the progress.

He still wont step up from his cage, but I do not wish to rush him as I want to build a trusting respectful relationship with him first. I tried towelling him out on 3rd day but felt bad about it, though he wasnt stressed, he showed mistrust immediately soon after.

I have to say that in Singapore, we still get a lot of wild caught parrots imported here. Im not sure why, but seems its legal. I have seen cages chocked full of wild caught parrots - greys etc from Africa. Most are meant for breeding as majority of people wouldnt want or know how to tame a wild parrot nor the patience I supposed.

Personally, I dun think Juju would have survived being released into Singapore's concrete jungle and Im happy to share my home with him. Glad to be here and hope to learn and get to know more frends here.

[liz]

Clipping wings make them fearful. You are making such good progress now that when his wings grow back you two will get along even better.

[JuJu]

Thanks Liz,

Thats good to know Im quite apprehensive initially as I heard that wild caught Senegal can be impossible to tame, but so far its been quite smooth sailing. Im working now on getting him to be comfortable with me, and trying to establish dominance over him as I do fear it might lead to fear aggression.

Its quite rare to have fully flighted parrots in Singapore. Most owners enjoy bringing their pet parrots out in public, but the fear is having them flying off

I'll try to let his wing feather grow back though, right now he can flap short distances but usually away from me. Still trying to figure out what treats he likes... suspect its sunflower seeds though cos sadly thats what most birdshops feed their parrots.

Will take pics soon

[Shelby]

Welcome to the forum! You should check out Michael's Taming Article. It covers getting them calmly out of the cage, taming, touching, etc. It's very informative but easy to understand.

Im working now on getting him to be comfortable with me, and trying to establish dominance over him as I do fear it might lead to fear aggression.

In the wild, parrots don't have a "dominance" hierarchy like some animals do. They all see each other as equals. Rather than trying to dominate him and force him to do what you want, entice him to want the same things you want.

Its quite rare to have fully flighted parrots in Singapore. Most owners enjoy bringing their pet parrots out in public, but the fear is having them flying off

Contrary to popular belief, it isn't safe to bring a clipped, untrained parrot outside. A little gust of wind can help them to fly long distances. Because they don't know how to fly or have the feathers necessary to control their flight, they can't get back to their owners. If you want to take your parrot outside, you should train him to wear a harness. Then you can bring him out safely without fear that he will get blown away, spooked, etc.

[JuJu]

Welcome to the forum! You should check out Michael's Taming Article. It covers getting them calmly out of the cage, taming, touching, etc. It's very informative but easy to understand.

tHANKS SO MUCH sHELBY! I will

Im working now on getting him to be comfortable with me, and trying to establish dominance over him as I do fear it might lead to fear aggression.

In the wild, parrots don't have a "dominance" hierarchy like some animals do. They all see each other as equals. Rather than trying to dominate him and force him to do what you want, entice him to want the same things you want.

I left out "not" in my sentence, yup I do not want to dominate him as having read quite a few articles, its better to understand n learn to establish mutual respect for each others boundaries. The parrot is a companion not a toy or an animal being trained and kept solely for performances

Its quite rare to have fully flighted parrots in Singapore. Most owners enjoy bringing their pet parrots out in public, but the fear is having them flying off

Contrary to popular belief, it isn't safe to bring a clipped, untrained parrot outside. A little gust of wind can help them to fly long distances. Because they don't know how to fly or have the feathers necessary to control their flight, they can't get back to their owners. If you want to take your parrot outside, you should train him to wear a harness. Then you can bring him out safely without fear that he will get blown away, spooked, etc.

Yup... think I'll get Juju to be comfortable with me first before I subject him him to the world outside. A harness is definitely one of my must buys

[ejp.cheng]

Hi, I am a new to this account. I keep parrots too. Hope to have some chats on this topic. I keep 2 eclectus, 2 sun conures and 2 love birds.

[William]

Clipping wings make them fearful. You are making such good progress now that when his wings grow back you two will get along even better.

I think it is more dangerous to not have their wings clipped. It is common for birds to fly into windows on accident and die.

My bird is clipped and has never been afraid of me.

[janetafloat]

I'm sorry William but I think that's nonsense, and dangerous nonsense. An intelligent creature like a parrot is perfectly able to remember where windows are if you show them. Clipping birds not only has a lasting impact on their physical & emotional wellbeing but also engenders a false sense of security in the humans that have made that decision for their bird.