Ways to increase trust.

[parrotntn]

What have you done to successfully increase trust between you and your bird?

[4HAND]

I've been working toward a trusting relationship with an older wild caught blue crown conure for almost five months.His hatred of me gave way to disgust,then annoyance,followed by tollerance,acceptance,and at the moment friendship.Food has helped[raw cashews and pecans given from my hand at strategic times].I think keeping expectations in check is crucial.My motto is "the slower you go,the faster you get there".
Tena

[greencinacheeks]

"the slower you go,the faster you get there"

YES!!!

I agree....i had a mistreated black cap. and i have learned NOT to rush things. This bird HATED me but after 6-7 months of good hard work...she is on the keyboard right now...LOL


~N

[Nazir's]

Well, with my first bird I had to take things really slow and also let her know that I respected her wishes and space. Everything was done positively, allowing her time for me to get to know her and for her to get to know me, in hopes of building her trust. By the time I got the second bird I just continued my interactions with my first bird as I normally would. Clover (my second bird) learnt to trust me more easily because Iris accepted and trusted me and he wanted to be a part of the flock.

[MiniMama]

I brought home a foster bird that was so skittish that she typically freaked whenever she was handled and went crashing to the floor (her wings atrophied from being attacked by another bird and from no exercise). So.... lots of floor work for me. I would put her on the floor and lay down next to her. I took a few hard bites the first two weeks, but after that she climbed up on my leg and that was that. I also would hand feed her warm mash with baby pumpkin food mixed in (I needed to boost her vitamin A intake). Feeding birds warm food goes a long way, me thinks. Anyhow, she is sitting on my shoulder right now being sweet as pie...