New FID won't let me touch him

[Buffyski]

Hello - I have a 7 month old BFA that I brought home a month ago.

He(George) has been adjusting very well and eats well, destroys his toys, and is quite the "closet" talker. He has started to speak a bit in front of us in fact he knows most of the George of the jungle theme now.

He steps up nicely and seems comfortable sitting on my arm now. He lets me touch his beak and feet, but growls and lunges if I try to touch his head or back. The people who raised him picked him up and gave him kisses all over when we took him home, so I know touching him is possible.

Do I just have to give him more time?
A A A A AHAHAHAHAH AHAHA (Tarzan yell) LOL

Thanks in advance.

[sassie]

It takes time for any new addition to settle in. Amazon's are not known to be cuddly birds no matter what. You do need to give him more time, Positive recurrence, love & stability -- good luck

[SDavid]

"The people who raised him picked him up and gave him kisses all over..."

Could that be because he was a baby? I think maybe he's just getting a little older and can now assert his will more.

".....but growls and lunges if I try to touch his head or back."

You shouldn't touch a bird along it's back, it sexually stimulates them. You don't want your fid to look at you as it's mate. Birds generally don't like to be touched on the back or underside.

My Galah started out the same as George. I'd guess that once he learns that your hand gives him his coveted "head-scratches," he'll allow your hand near him more often. Just be patient and don't force anything.

[huntress]

I dont give kisses that quick - lol - give him some time to get to know you first!

[Buffyski]

Thanks for the input. I'm trying hard to be patient, but he is so cute I just want to give him some scratches.

I was trying for his back because it's further from the lunging beak, but I'll stay away from that now.

He seems confortable with my hands staying close to his face he just seems to freak when I reach up to his head - I guess because he can't see what I'm doing.

[Valo's Moirana]

i also think it's a matter of time.... i don't know how long you've head him, but just take it easy and slow... maybe at some point he changes his mind and lets you pet his head

[Alibluemoon]

Since you've only had him a month, don't panic. Gabbi was a bit stand-offish when I brought her home, too.

But I would sit in a chair and watch TV and let her sit on my knee. We'd play and I'd sing songs to her. Eventually she would scoot in and I could cuddle with her. She'll do somersaults and flip herself over to get those lovely head scritches--and it doesn't matter if she's on a perch or my arm. If I put my arm up like I'm cuddling a sleeping baby, she'll lie down like a baby and hold my shirt with her feet.

Now I have a very cuddly amazon...although she hasn't hit puberty yet, so that may change.

And let me tell you, he'll start with one song and then use it (and everything else he learns) to develop odd songs of his own making. It can be quite amusing.

Good luck and keep working with George. Sounds like he's coming on fine.

[Buffyski]

Thanks for the encouragement. I'm able to put my hands closer to his head on a daily basis and now he'll just cock his head and give me a look like "what are you doing?"

He is picking up quite a few new words now and called my daughter by name after me just saying it a few times. Now to find some toys that last for more than 1 day!! I think I should have named him shredder.

Thanks again.

[Beaks]

just start by rubbing the beak and cheeks and over time you will be able to pet the head.

[upstate1975]

Originally Posted by Buffyski

Hello - I have a 7 month old BFA that I brought home a month ago.

He(George) has been adjusting very well and eats well, destroys his toys, and is quite the "closet" talker. He has started to speak a bit in front of us in fact he knows most of the George of the jungle theme now.

He steps up nicely and seems comfortable sitting on my arm now. He lets me touch his beak and feet, but growls and lunges if I try to touch his head or back. The people who raised him picked him up and gave him kisses all over when we took him home, so I know touching him is possible.

Do I just have to give him more time?
A A A A AHAHAHAHAH AHAHA (Tarzan yell) LOL

Thanks in advance.

Fid? Feathered-kid I take it. LOL
BFA's are BFA's
teasing