jess
Hatchling
Posts: 2 
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Post by jess on Dec 7, 2015 11:05:23 GMT -5
Hey all, I adopted a quaker parrot yesterday. I was under the impression that he was 6 mos, friendly and talkative. Turns out he's 10+ yrs and not very friendly (I have 4 bite marks on my neck). I'm going to keep him, he needed a loving home (he's very stressed and has pulled out his feathers in a few spots). Anybody have any pointers on how to get him to warm up to me? I really want him to be happy and healthy ♡
Thanks,
Jess
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Post by aaron on Dec 7, 2015 11:32:17 GMT -5
Welcome jess! Wow, that's quite a bait and switch you're faced with there. It's very good of you to take on this troubled little one, especially given what you thought you were getting. Thank you for that. So, the name of the game with this sort of situation is taking things at the bird's pace. Don't force any sort of interaction that inspires a fear response. Provide treats, hang out near the cage and talk to the bird calmly (if it isn't freaking him out to even have you nearby), and ultimately give him the choice as to whether he wants to stay in his cage or not. It's important to understand that it's not that he's not a very friendly bird, but that he's probably completely terrified, and has likely had some pretty tough experiences in his past. But if you are patient he will certainly come around in time. These little birds never stop learning, and he will eventually realize he is in a good place. But it could take quite a while, so be prepared for that. At any rate, I believe there is a good bird in all of these little guys, but it takes the appropriate scenario and treatment to coax it out  The others are more experienced than I when it comes to rescue parrots, so I'm sure they will have more to say. Good luck, and please feel free to ask as many questions as you might have. Keep us posted on how things go! |
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jess
Hatchling
Posts: 2
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Post by jess on Dec 7, 2015 23:31:25 GMT -5
Thanks Aaron, I couldn't just say no and leave the poor little guy. I was doing exactly what you described all day today, left the perch on his cage open and gave him some teats. By the end of the night, he was out on the perch watching me cook ☺ still too wary to let me touch him, but off to a good start!
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Post by biteybird on Dec 8, 2015 1:25:33 GMT -5
G'day, Jess, & welcome to you and your little quaker guy. What colour is he?
Aaron has given you some good advice. It sounds like you have, as you said, got off to a good start.
There are several threads & posts about this very issue here on the Forum, if you have the time to read through them (now THERE'S a challenge!). Good luck & let us know what happens.
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Post by easttex on Dec 8, 2015 3:38:27 GMT -5
Hello and welcome! I adopted a 21 y/o cage bound Quaker. I let him set the pace, and it was seven months before I started handling him comfortably. It actually started because he needed to see a vet, but once we crossed the line, he made very rapid progress. Now he is an extreme cuddler. You can't tell at this point what sort of bird you might have there.
I don't know how long it will take your little guy to feel at home, but keep interacting with him as much as much as you can, as long as he doesn't stress out about it. In the meantime, there is a link to a good article at the top of the Quaker Parrot Talk board, called Good Read for Rescues.
Good luck with him!
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Post by aaron on Dec 8, 2015 10:00:54 GMT -5
Sounds like things are going well, jess. Glad to hear it. Good luck! Let us know how things progress!
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Post by cnyguy on Dec 8, 2015 21:03:08 GMT -5
Welcome, Jess, and your new Quaker friend.  |
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Post by bruce on Dec 26, 2015 20:58:25 GMT -5
Hello Jess. In encouragement, I inherited a QP who was 23 at the time. It took some time; now I have a moderately friendly, fairly independent companion who is usually cooperative. Good luck. I think you will get good advice from people far more experienced in QP crisis management than I.
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Post by julianna on Dec 28, 2015 14:07:39 GMT -5
Hi Jess.... I hope things go well for you and your little guy. If you need any help please be sure to post your questions and we will all try to assist you.
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Post by beccilouise on Dec 28, 2015 16:46:04 GMT -5
Welcome Jess. I hope your little one is ok. My QP is 6 months old (miscalculated and thought he was 7, but is only 6!) and very friendly so I don't really have the experience you need, however, I do have a really good book called 'parrot training' by Bonnie Munro Doane which offers advice to deal with parrots who have been through trauma and neglect like your little one possibly experienced. It might help to suggest some techniques that could come in handy. It isn't specific to Quakers but has helped me in training my QP, Byron. Best of luck!
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