Some Cecil success....

[parrotntn]

I have had Cecil for two months now. He was pretty skiddish when we started sitting him. The owner only handled him with a stick, not much human contact.
Tonite, with slight smidge of pnut butter as reward, he responded nicely to step ups. It's a great feeling of success. He would do it before when he wanted to. But tonite, with a long sweatshirt on, sleeves pulled down over my hand, he'd reluctantly step up and with practice over and over, he got to do it without pnut butter everytime, just a good "Good boy Cecil".
AFter reading a book on parrot behavior, I took a cue there. To use something to distract his bite, like a pencil, and it worked fantastic. He'd go after the pencil and not my skin. Soon, he got used to that and the bites diminished. And when you just mention pnut butter, haha, he'll stand on his head and sing the preamble to the constitution.
Don't worry, he's not getting much, just a taste as a reward. It's my failsafe.
I'm very proud of Cecil.
Another book I've read also explains that squatting, spreading wings thing he does as "begging". If he does that, I let him step up and he wants to be on my shoulder.
Garsh...I'm so spoiled...
My kids really are taking to this. They are excited about getting an eclectus this summer.
Cecil's owners return in March. Makes me sad already, they've not even called to check on him. I call from work and check on him. Oh well, their loss. Well, his too, cause when he's gone, he'll miss step ups/pnut butter and Lilo and stitch movies. haha
Oh well...there's the update.
Mark

[AmandaB]

Maybe you can show the owners some things when they return? Show them how far he has come in the time he's spent with you, maybe they'll be more willing to continue it when they get him home.

Great job, keep it up!

[stepht25]

Maybe when they get back they'll realize they don't really want him and that he's better off with you? Sounds like you're making good progress with him!