Hi! New here and just adopted an Orange Winged Amazon today!

[Sprecker]

Originally Posted by berger232004

Here is a pic of him going bowling lol



How does your bird react to the towel ? I think Gizmo has a sore right foot, but the vet didnt say on his visit, he will lift his left foot like he wants to step up, but more reluctant to lift his right leg.....

Most Parrots/Birds, from what I was told, are left footed. I know all of my Fids are. So it's probably not that he is injured but just not comfortable with using/grabbing w/ his right foot. It's would be like someone tossing you a ball unexpectedly. You will try and catch it with your "good" hand. Same goes for Fids and the way they use their feet. Left (in most cases) for grabbing and right for ballance.

[fresca99]

Originally Posted by MelodicBunny

Hi, I'm new here! Nice to meet you! I'm not a newcomer to parrots, but it's been awhile. I haven't had a large parrot since about 10 years ago, when I had to find a nice new home for my Congo Grey. My husband and I got married six months ago and share our home with our great furry-feathery-finned. family which includes our doggie, cockatiel, two budgies, a bunny, and fish. I'm a dog trainer, so I am also blessed to get to work with lots of very nice animals!

Today I had the opportunity to adopt/buy (rescue I guess) an Orange Wing Amazon. I wasn't even looking for another bird but I saw his picture online and he looked well, like he really needed a new home. I just had to go meet him. I was told he is about 5, but I don't know for sure; he has no band and not surprisingly there was no paperwork or anything. The owner said they had him for about 2 years. I really don't think they were at all bad or mean people, I think they just didn't know what he needed at all. His nails were overgrown and all he had to stand on were two concrete perches. His beak was overgrown a bit and it always stayed slightly open. He's been eating a junk parrot mix. He didn't have any toys or chew blocks. They didn't even know what species of Amazon he was. Of course I took him home (with the blessing of my wonderful and very patient husband )! I'm not sure if I will help him get in better shape and then adopt him out or if he will stay with us permanantly. I certainly don't mind if he stays permanantly if things work out that way.

So, here he is. He's scared of hands (again not surprisingly) and I don't think he's been handled in awhile. I didn't want to push it too much on the first day, but I couldn't help but play some peek-a-boo with him to lighten things up after I trimmed his wings, nails and beak (don't worry! I learned how to do those and got practiced years ago with animal school and a bird job). I tossed a soft throw over him and started the game. He seemed to relax a bit. When I uncovered him he laughed and asked something that sounded like "What're you doing?" or "Where are you?". So far he has also said "Pretty bird! What a pretty bird!" several times, and made kissy noises, lol. And after the biting subsided he actually did let me scratch his head, lol, he seemed a little confused about it but it obviously felt good to him. So many pinfeathers in there, must be itchy! He doesn't look like he's had a bath...ever.

His grip isn't normal from having such long nails. He sometimes seems more comfortable either hanging or cuddling up on a cloth sort of leaning on it a little. Of course I want to him get him a check up as soon as I can, and I will be working on switching him to better food, but for now he seems to be adjusting as well as I could expect. We're both exhausted from our big day together!

Sorry this has gotten to be such a long post! I found my way here while looking up OWA specific info. It looks like a great forum! I'd love to hear from anyone with experiences with or tips for Orange Wings (they're one of the species I haven't had as much experience with personally) or anyone who's had a similar situation, or from just anyone who wants to say hi, lol! I could really use a birdie support group right now.

Hi, i just got a congo african gray almost a week ago when my quacker passed away, i was so upset that my husband told me he was going to get me another bird, and that the cage where my bird could not b empty. I know you will do good with your new featherly friend, he or she is going to need a lot of love, i believe you will do just fine.

[fresca99]

Hi, i just got a congo african gray almost a week ago when my quacker pasted away, i was so upset that my husband told me he was going to get me another bird, and that the cage where my bird could not b empty. I know you will do good with your new featherly friend, he or she is going to need a lot of love, i believe you will do just fine.

[fresca99]

[quote=fresca99;987325]Hi, i just got a congo african gray almost a week ago when my quacker pasted away, i was so upset that my husband told me he was going to get me another bird, and that the cage where my bird could not b empty. I know you will do good with your new featherly friend, he or she is going to need a lot of love, i believe you will do just fine.

[MelodicBunny]

Hi everyone! Thanks so much for the support, I really need it. I have been feeling really like finding him a good home asap, because I've been feeling guilty about not spending as much time with my cockatiel in the past couple of days. But I think part of my problem is really that I'm stressed about the fact that I can't really quarantine this guy, so I feel terrible about possibly exposing my tiel and budgies to anything, but getting him was spur of the moment due to his situation and I just wanted to get him out of there. Plus we are doggysitting for the next couple of weeks, and I am interviewing for a part time job tomorrow, so it's really busy here and I just am really stressing.

Fresca, congratulations on your new birdie too! That's so cool!

Berger, he hates the towel/cloth to be caught but loves it to play peek-a-boo! LOL! I don't know why, every grouchy or scared bird I have tried peek-a-boo with just can't resist! I will try to get some video up tomorrow so you can see him "live".

Okay guys, now I have some HUGE NEWS about big birdie here, Mr. Orange Wing...he has so far been absolutely terrified of stepping up, fleeing from the mere mention of a hand near his feet or tummy.

HE IS SITTING ON MY SHOULDER RIGHT NOW WATCHING ME TYPE THIS!!!!!!!

I can't believe it! This is HUGE! Day one (Monday) was very stressful for him, he came home and got trimmed, met the pets here etc. Day two (Tuesday, yesterday) I was busy with our canine houseguest and my fingers were so sore from being bitten; I pretty much totally ignored him and let him sit in his small cage in the kitchen to get used to the hustle and bustle. Day three (tonight!) I noticed he was more active in his cage so I "toweled" him out (pillowcased, actually) and brought him to the couch. I handed him a cherry, which he took and ate. Then after a little fussing around he leaped off the couch to head under a desk. I picked him up with the cloth again and plopped him down on my lap on the couch and started to play peek-a-boo. He couldn't resist as usual, and stayed on my lap for the game! He was laughing and talking each time I "found" him. After a little bit I pulled the cloth to the side and let him just hang out on my lap. I discouraged him gently from running away like a big green turkey with a slight suggestion of my arms, and after a minute he climbed up to my shoulder! I handed him another cherry, which he took! I am so thrilled! He's even let me pat his head up there! He has been up on my shoulder for at least about 20 minutes now. I am thrilled! He's interested in what I'm doing and seems to like hanging out. Yay! :)

[berger232004]

Thats great news you have progressed, Gizmo nearly stepping up xx

Video of Gizmo head scratch xx - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

[kristie]

You are so great for taking this bird and giving him the wonderful human person he needs. We are getting a baby amazon this week I cant wait. Good luck and will be watching your story more..

Kristie

[berger232004]

Hi all a reminder Gizmo is a five year old male OWA .... Does anyone have any advice on the amount of food Gizmo should be getting in a typical day ?? Know what is good but dont want to be over feeding him. Had him 5 weeks now and was getting worried he is maybe getting too much ........................

[Lisa B]

OWA are my favorite zons....So sweet! congrats

[georgeandcharlie]

Hi i rescued an orange zon called george who we discovered later was a girl.. all i can say about amazons in my experience is to be patience... they will let u know what they want to do and how long they want to do it for.. my george doesnt talk so u are very lucky... but i am bonded enough with her to know what she wants and her mood...she had been mistreated and had never even had her neck tickled!!! but even now she will let me know when she has had enough. and i respect that and leave her... its all just slowly slowly... plus she is so moody! and after seven o clock you have no chance of doing anything with her! but the moments of love you get with them are so much worth the effort and she will always know you saved her! good luck xPut the time in and she will be your friend forever!