Work cut out for me!

[Cotora]

So.... i have the work cut out for me so to speak. I have to learn how to train my lil GCC many things, show lots of love and come to find out transfer him to different cage. How? i have no clue how thats going to happen!

Quick run down. He wont get on my hand, he wont come out of his cage. ive only had him since May, 10yr GCC. I believe two previous owners. Does interact with me fairly well. I "think" i have a good diet for him. Change the water container daily food also.

Lets see what happens!

I probably will take a small vid so you guys can see his behavior.

[NotEnoughTime]

If 10 years old then time and patience are needed... Lots of time and lots of patience... Daily reading by the cage with an open door... Offering treats by hand but not being discouraged if he doesn't take them right away... Making an offer to him to come out - but not forcing... And so on... It will open up a whole new world to him - but it takes patience.

[Cotora]

Patience.... wow i guess im screwed. LOL. There is a saying that say do not ask God for patience for he will give you tasks instead? i think thats how it goes!

I will try my best!

I open the cage door and he clings to the cage waiting for me to close it.

Originally Posted by NotEnoughTime

If 10 years old then time and patience are needed... Lots of time and lots of patience... Daily reading by the cage with an open door... Offering treats by hand but not being discouraged if he doesn't take them right away... Making an offer to him to come out - but not forcing... And so on... It will open up a whole new world to him - but it takes patience.

[LovelySydney]

Patience is the only advice I can give. This guy is 10 years old, probably doesnt think he will be sticking around long and hes going to take a little longer to trust you than a baby bird would. Just let him know you are around and let him know you are willing to work with him. Let HIM come to you, dont force him to do anything he doesnt want to. He will come around, it might just take awhile. The waiting is worth it!!

[Cotora]

yeah i hear you guys! Will do just that!

I believe his previous owner would grab him without him wanting! Bad, Bad, Bad.

[asulli]

Let him see how much fun you are having and he will come around to see what all the excitement is about. I think in parrots is all about trust. When I first brought Baby Isis home and would wear a funny hat that I call my parrot hat. It has all kinds of stuff on it.

It's really one of those cloth birthday hats that have the birthday candles on it and I have just made it into a playground. Isis saw how much fun Shakti had on it and she could not help herself, one day when I was just sitting next to her cage reading a book, and came down and took a peck or two.

I am sure at first she must have thought it was a growth.

[MLaCross]

Yes 10yrs old will take time. But it will be so worth it in the end.

[Cotora]

I did some work with Harley last night, i talked to the bird for about an hour. Once Harley got more at ease with me i opened the door a bit. The door has a perch which the bird loves to be on. So i got the bird to sit on it while the door is open a bit. i fed her treat and had her dancing while i gave her treat i got my hand really close to the bird. I was smooth, i have to say it took me a lil bit of time to do all of this! I will try again today! Wish me luck!

[Jag]

Conures are not only curious.. they are natural clowns. That is your 'in'. As long as the 'fun' isn't so outragous that they get spooked... the sky's the limit. I think the saying "Curiosity killed the cat" should be "conure" instead of "cat". Even a timid bird that hasn't had enough interaction or positive stimulation will be curious... it's the nature of the beast (so to speak). I REALLY thought that my CAG would be a complete mess for a really really long time. She's chosen to respond VERY well to the environment and attention and the 'stuff' going on around her. I think that the curiosity won out... and she has made an amazing transformation! Even my boys came around... and they were VERY aggressive! (OK, Angel is still aggressive to me, but not to others )

I think if you hang in there and keep trying to engage him, you'll be surprised what can happen! You'll learn along the way to read his body language, and know when enough is enough... or when he wants more... I've had so many times when at first I wasn't sure what the 'body language' was telling me... but you just get used to it. Each bird is a little different. Some 'displays' you can't miss. Watch for his lower belly to be shaking.. Papi does this when either he's afraid, or over-stimulated (either excitement, or he's getting too wound up from something). When he starts that I tone it down or back off.

I think if you spend some time imagining what this bird could be thinking (take a walk in his talons) keeping in mind the things he's been through... you can come to a pretty good point of 'guessing' how he'll react to things. Stuff that we wouldn't think would make such a big impact does... like bringing treats every time you 'visit'. Even just dropping them in the dish at first. They feed each other as a sign of affection. So even that could mean more than you'd think. Backing off when they're giving subtle signs that they're stressed or afraid... that builds trust that they don't have to go 'all out' to tell a human to stop...

I have enjoyed my parrots more than any other companion animal in my life. If you knew how much I LOVE my shepherds.. then you'd know just how much of an impact my fids have made in my life. There's nothing like them. Giving one a chance at feeling secure and happy and cared for when it hasn't had that before... well, that's doing you BOTH a great service!

[Cotora]

Thank you for the great Advice! I do have to learn the body language. Sometimes i see the feathers sticking up and the head slightly to the side and shes good to talk to and give her treats other times her feathers and all down and sleeked back and she looks alert or nervous. Other times i kidna see her shruging her shoulders back and forward slightly, dont know that to make of that one yet!

Originally Posted by Jag

Conures are not only curious.. they are natural clowns. That is your 'in'. As long as the 'fun' isn't so outragous that they get spooked... the sky's the limit. I think the saying "Curiosity killed the cat" should be "conure" instead of "cat". Even a timid bird that hasn't had enough interaction or positive stimulation will be curious... it's the nature of the beast (so to speak). I REALLY thought that my CAG would be a complete mess for a really really long time. She's chosen to respond VERY well to the environment and attention and the 'stuff' going on around her. I think that the curiosity won out... and she has made an amazing transformation! Even my boys came around... and they were VERY aggressive! (OK, Angel is still aggressive to me, but not to others )

I think if you hang in there and keep trying to engage him, you'll be surprised what can happen! You'll learn along the way to read his body language, and know when enough is enough... or when he wants more... I've had so many times when at first I wasn't sure what the 'body language' was telling me... but you just get used to it. Each bird is a little different. Some 'displays' you can't miss. Watch for his lower belly to be shaking.. Papi does this when either he's afraid, or over-stimulated (either excitement, or he's getting too wound up from something). When he starts that I tone it down or back off.

I think if you spend some time imagining what this bird could be thinking (take a walk in his talons) keeping in mind the things he's been through... you can come to a pretty good point of 'guessing' how he'll react to things. Stuff that we wouldn't think would make such a big impact does... like bringing treats every time you 'visit'. Even just dropping them in the dish at first. They feed each other as a sign of affection. So even that could mean more than you'd think. Backing off when they're giving subtle signs that they're stressed or afraid... that builds trust that they don't have to go 'all out' to tell a human to stop...

I have enjoyed my parrots more than any other companion animal in my life. If you knew how much I LOVE my shepherds.. then you'd know just how much of an impact my fids have made in my life. There's nothing like them. Giving one a chance at feeling secure and happy and cared for when it hasn't had that before... well, that's doing you BOTH a great service!