Question on a Senegal

[Sandybottomsmn]

Hi,
Im new to this board and have signed up to get some advice on what to do with my bird. Im pretty sure I know the answers I will get, but maybe someone will have some different advice.

I have a 5 yr old Senegal that I have owned for a year, I got him from a rescue group. He is very afraid of towels or kennels. This last week, I thought he was getting ill he appeared puffed up one night, so I brought him to the clinic the next day, where he got a clean bill of health. It was a fight to get him into the kennel and at the vet he screamed and screamed. Now that he is home and calm, he has turned from thinking the world of me, to thinking Im going to harm him. He presents in the typical fearful Senegal first backing away from me, then lunging at me and biting me, and if I do get him out he flys away from me screaming.
So Ive been taking it very slow, not trying to coax him out of the cage, but going over to his cage and offering him treats (which he takes from me) cleaning his cage and giving him water, and then taking out the other bird where my Senegal can see, and petting him.
I know it will take some time, but I was the only person he truly liked and I absolutely adore him. It breaks my heart that he now thinks that I was out to hurt him! (in his bird way of thinking)
Does anyone have any other advice, or even some uplifting stories about how he may come around?

Thank you all!

[shellbeme]

Ugh I am so sorry to hear that happened :( There are others here with much more knowledge than myself, however I thought I'd just suggest that you don't look at him directly for too long. When you approach, keep your eyes down and present yourself as submissively as possible. I'm sure you'll get some more great suggestions here, and welcome to the board!:)

[jimpierce7]

be patient and move slowly. By doing the right thing and taking him in to the vet it seems he has made you the culprit. That's too bad. Just take your time. There may be a very good reason he doesn't like towels and carriers.

[Sandybottomsmn]

Good news! So far this am, he has come out of his cage, and let me scratch the top of his head for about 15 seconds, so I gave him a treat. Then he stepped up on my finger and immediately hopped down, so I gave him another treat and let him be. When it was time to go to work, he let me pick him up and put him in his cage, so of course, treat. This is the most interaction Ive had with him since last Monday, so things must be moving in a better direction! Thanks for the advice so far!

[jimpierce7]

right on!! That's good news.