NEW, and just got a blue fronted amazon!!!

[Bird_king]

Hi everyone, i am new to the board.
My name is Ryan.

I have recieved a bluefronted amozon from my dads friend, he is approx. 2.5 years old. And i need your help training him, he bites!, he dosnt come out of the cage, and if you go to pet him while he is in the cage, he moves away. But he talks alot.

The previouse owner said he never comes out of the cage, even if they leave the cage open all day, and he said he never handles him because he bites! If i open the cage to ge him he just bited me hard :(

Please help me!

I want to have a parrot that i can show off and have on my shoulder.

Thanks`

[chapala]

You'll have to take it slow and easy if you want to tame this bird. He is telling you very clearly NOT to try petting him, so use his body language to guide what you do with the bird. I would try hand-feeding him a favorite (very small) treat that he doesn't get at any other time. You may have to drop the treat in a small bowl near the door at first. When he figures out what's going on, he likely will start having more positive feelings towards you - bribery can take you a long ways! I would use either a shelled sunflower seed cut into about four pieces, or an almond cut into 5 or 6 pieces, only one piece at a time.

You may want to re-think your shoulder bird idea - many Amazons especially males are not trustworthy to have on your shoulder and can give nasty bites including facial or eye injuries. The fact that this bird has not been socialized and handled makes your job harder but not impossible. You might like to order some of Barbara Heidenreich's training dvds - all positive reinforcement training.