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Post by amidsbs on May 13, 2018 14:58:26 GMT -5
My girlfriend has a Quaker that’s very cage aggressive (he’ll attempt to bite even if you are some feet away from the cage or scream outraged for you to step back) and only allows her father and her brother to handle it.
I’m trying to encourage her to build her own relationship with the bird, and someday try to get it out of the cage herself, but she is really afraid of it, and any problem it might lead to. She thinks the bird could either bite her, become uncontrollable outside of the cage and hurt himself (like take off flying away from her), and she is afraid she won’t manage to get him back inside the cage. She also thinks she wouldn’t be able to open the cage because the bird will try to bite her.
Is there any way she could approach this that will end up well? Should she avoid trying or is there something she can do to get him out and away from the cage? Will the bird try to bite even if it’s away from the cage?
I saw a video where the owner takes the bird out of the cage using a perch that the bird bites first and then climbs onto, but what if the bird tries to bite her when it’s on the perch?
Is there anything else we should be aware of when and if we try, any possible problems?
If you could give me some recommendations I’ll appreciate them
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Post by julianna on May 15, 2018 15:42:37 GMT -5
First I would recommend that she sit with the Quaker... close to the cage and talk to him softly.. or sing to him. He must accept her as not a threat. Most quakers do not want to be taken out of their cage with a hand coming in for them.
Put a perch on the cage door and let the Quaker come out on his own. After this... he will be more accepting to stepping up. There are a lot of good posts in this site recently that speak of this exact situation. It would benefit you to read a few.
Cage aggression is normal... that is their house and their food and don't anyone try to touch it. Even after years and years... it never fails... that is theirs... so do not touch unless the Quaker is away from these things.
If the Quaker hates you... it will not only try to bite you while on a perch... but will fly and attack... and that is not fun. You need to start very very slowly and have lots of patience.... before they become trusting. Talk softly... do not stick your fingers in their cage.
As far as the Quaker going back in his cage... he eventually will. Dim the lights and they will go back... but not too dark as they cannot see in the dark. And... that is where their food is... he will definitely go back to his food.
A Quaker is very comfortable on someone's shoulder... but will want to preen your face and if you wear earrings, they will get chewed. The more fear you show them... the worse things will be. So not only does the Quaker need to adjust to your girlfriend... but she needs to adjust to him too.
Wishing you all the best.
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Post by dinucci on May 16, 2018 5:27:04 GMT -5
All good things there by julianna. It is a fear thing that your bird is experiencing. With patience and guidence,he will grow out of it and feel more trusting. One thing parrots do is use their beak to test strength before they step on to something like a finger. They will open their beak and it looks like they're gonna bite but test softly. Once established,he would probably not do this again,but it's important not to pull your finger back fearing a bite! When my guy buddy is being a jerk and won't let me reach in for him,I just let him come out of the cage on his own. Then,once in a neutral area,I go to pick him up and he's calmer away from his cage. Sweet talking him and using comforting voices does the trick as well as not becoming loud or anxious as a bird will pickup on that right away.
Again, patience is the key,but it's so we'll worth it cause they can be adorable!
Buddy spent the evening hopping from me to my girlfriend, preening both of us !
Search back on some of the threads here and also the web on behavior,training ect.
Let us know how it's going !
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Post by dinucci on May 16, 2018 5:53:18 GMT -5
One thing that works for me is to offer an open hand,palms up,when trying to pick him up and he's reluctant to go to my finger. I do this while sweet talking him and in a somewhat excited voice say "lets go!".he must view this as less threatening and also as a sign of attention to follow!..like when I wake him up for breakfast here in a little bit..I make sure my Palm is level or slightly below his feet..also,1st thing in the morning and after he stretches out,he's anxious to get out !
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Post by amidsbs on May 17, 2018 14:06:21 GMT -5
Thank you for your advice, I'll tell her to try what you told me and read some more about it, and hopefully the bird will be calm when she tries
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