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Post by joseph on Feb 16, 2016 17:42:58 GMT -5
hi, about a month i brought a 5 months old hand fed quaker parrot from a breeder.
at first he stuck to his cage, but after a few days he stepped up and got used to his new home.
sometime he scratches himself at night and some white feathers come off. is this normal? i bathe him twice a week but it dosent seem to stop.
also, i dont know if he is afraid of me or just need more time- most of the times he will respond when im talking to him but every time i put him on a flat surface he will just walk around it and wont stay in one place. i got him to sing with me sometimes but i still think that he isnt really used to me.
i just think he isnt fully comfortable around me. will it pass with time or is there anything in particular i can do about it?
btw- he is with me most of the day, playing with things on my desk (pens, toys) or just watch tv on the couch.
i forgot to mention that he sometimes chew my fingers or knuckles, if it matters
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Post by easttex on Feb 16, 2016 18:15:25 GMT -5
Hi Joseph, and welcome to the forum! Of course I can't say precisely what is going on with your bird, but I would say that, yes, he may be still adjusting to the changes in his life. My best advice would be to not push him at this point, but short periods of training would be a good way to start building a bond with him. If he already knows how to step up and down, just about anything will do. Be gentle, calm, and positive with him, and he will come around. There is no set timetable for a parrot to get comfortable. They pick up on our moods and anxieties very easily, so even if you don't feel very positive, it's best to act like you do. Also, unless it's an emergency, don't try to force him to do anything. They really respond to being able to choose to participate or not, and it's best to respect their wishes as much as you can. If you mean he is losing white downy feathers - they're short and very fluffy - that can happen anytime. If you're seeing more than a few of them at a time, though, I'd recommend an avian vet visit. He could have allergies or a skin condition that can be easily treated. You can try adding a little organic aloe vera juice to his bath water, but I would keep it pretty diluted and not use it every time so it doesn't build up on his feathers. At six months old he may be ready to start a regular molt, too. Birds can be a little testy during molt, as it makes for a lot of stress on their bodies. You'll probably get some good advice from other forum members shortly. Good luck with your little buddy.  |
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Post by cnyguy on Feb 16, 2016 21:14:38 GMT -5
Welcome, Joseph! Losing the little white down feathers is a normal thing for parrots-- they do that year-round, but lose more of them during a full molt than at other times. Your parrot probably is still getting used to you and his new home. It can take weeks, months, or sometimes even longer for a parrot to become completely comfortable with new people and surroundings. Sometimes it helps to just sit near the parrot's cage and talk softly to him, or read aloud to him, even when you're reading a book, magazine or newspaper for your own enjoyment. Just sitting and relaxing with your parrot will help him get used to you and your body language-- you can watch television or listen to music together, things that you're already doing. |
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Post by Caseysmom on Feb 16, 2016 22:28:58 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum Joseph! Like others have pointed it it takes time to create that life long bond with your Quaker. Casey is very sweet and will let us do anything with her, but if I were to put her down on the table she would walk around it exploring too. Maybe have a favourite treat handy like a raw pumpkin seed and she will come back towards you to get it. She does stay on top of her cage during the day as there are perches and food and water she can use, generally only flying off if something startles her.
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Post by aaron on Feb 22, 2016 11:05:46 GMT -5
Welcome Joseph! It sounds like things are pretty normal with your Quaker. As the others have indicated, it can take a lot of time for one of these guys to become fully comfortable with you. Just try to be patient and enjoy your time with your little guy. It's normal for them to want to wander around and not sit in one place.
What Easttex pointed out is truly an important detail-- they pick up on your mood and it will affect their behavior. If you are uncomfortable, or unhappy, or worried about them, they will most likely feel similarly. One thing we learn as bird owners is to try to always maintain a happy demeanor around our birds, regardless of how we are feeling. Maybe you're already doing this, but I wanted to emphasize it, because it's one of the less intuitive parts of bird ownership and it can make a *huge* difference.
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