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

[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.

[Ina246]

Congrats on your newest addition. Be sure to post some pics.

[Amazonlady]

Hello and welcome. You'll find lots of info and a ton of new friends. I myself have several amazons. My Orange Wings seems to be the loudest of them, but that could be just mine of course. We love pics here.

[berger232004]

Hi MelodicBunny,
Your story is so much like mine. I got Gizmo three weeks ago, no band, no paperwork etc, five years old, im apparently his fourth owner in the space of his already short life. He doesnt mind hands as in feeding but wont move from the viccinity of his cage. Im working on step up with him, but not forcing him, he does put one foot up, but as i say trust...... Dont think he has had much stimulation of late and like you i am trying things. Like the sound of the throw game, do you take him from his cage or does he come ??

Anyhow obviously ive been doing loads of research and have found that OWA have their own characteristics. There are some articles in this lot that make minteresting reading, good luck xx

BirdsnWays - Library of Articles & FAQs on pet birds, pet parrots & exotic birds - Training, Behavior, Socialization

[berger232004]

In his new home first night




A couple of weeks after, just shows what a good diet does .....

[MelodicBunny]

Thanks for the welcome! I'll try to get some pictures up today.

Wow Berger, that's so cool! And Gizmo has come such a long way already! He's so beautiful! Do you have any more pictures? If you have posts about him I will try to look them up.

We need to pick a new name for this fella. We're kind of waiting a bit to see what he's like. I was a little concerned this morning because he didn't look like he had gotten into his food at all (his familiar junk food that he came with). But when I offered him some fresh cherries he grabbed one and started to eat it. Yay! And then a bit later I got him to eat some yogurt from a spoon which he seemed to enjoy.

Yesterday when I started playing peek-a-boo, he was still out from arriving home and getting trimmed. To remove him from his cage I have to sort of wrap him up with a cloth and gently pull him out, because of his feet. I think he might even be arthritic?

I feel like I just brought home a foster or adoption child, lol. What have i gotten myself into? And yesterday morning I wasn't even thinking about getting another bird! NOT that I'm complaining!

[MelodicBunny]

Here he is! This is from last night; I'll try to get better pictures later.

[Sashagirl]

Welcome to BB

I was owned by an Orange Wing Amazon over 8 years ago she was rescued from a Pet Store they didn't know her age or her history but you can tell she was old.I named her Iris she wasn't that noisy compared to my other Amazons which were a Blue Front Amazon,Red Lored,Hybrid baby of the BFA,Red Lored Amazon.Someone talked me into rehoming her.She is still missed.Orange Wings are very sweet Amazons.I wish you luck with him.

Marcia

[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.....

[Ina246]

Your new baby is just too cute.