[Search for users] [Overall Top Noters] [List of all Conferences] [Download this site]

Conference 7.286::pet_birds

Title:Captive Breeding for Conservation--and FUN!
Notice:INTROS 6.X / FOR SALE 13.X / Buying a Bird 900.*
Moderator:VIDEO::PULSIFER
Created:Mon Oct 10 1988
Last Modified:Tue Jun 03 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:942
Total number of notes:6016

141.0. "LOST CAUSE??" by GIAMEM::TORTORELLI () Thu Mar 09 1989 18:34

    
    I have a conure that was "partially tame" when I bought him - 
    however - training him has been a chore. Having been in a 
    pet store for 2yrs prior to moving in with me - he is deathly 
    afraid of gloves. When I first got him, he stayed in his cage,
    then, we let him come out of his cage and stand on top - this 
    is when I got him to stand on my shoulder by putting him on a 
    perch first. Now he'll come onto your arm (not hand) and sit
    comfortably (he even lets strangers pick him up) on your 
    shoulder - but - I want to take this one step further and let
    him know that he shouldn't be afraid of me. HOW????? I can't
    use gloves and once he's out of his cage I wouldn't be able to
    catch him once I've scared him. I could reach in the cage and
    grab him, but wouldn't he start to not trust me when I go to 
    feed him? Is this a lost cause? Should I just leave him alone 
    and be glad that he is a happy bird and will sit on anyones 
    shoulder?
    
    HELP!!!!!!
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
141.1Patience young man.EUREKA::WHITEthe PARROT_TROOPERFri Mar 10 1989 14:4625
    Birds are NO DIFFERENT than humans when it comes to feeling comfortable
    with their owners........Think back to your last 'best-friend'...
    
    Did it take a minute, or a day, or even a week to develop that
    friendship?  Remember, these birds will live in excess of 20 years.
    
    If it takes 6 months to develop that rapore to which the end result
    is the TOTAL loyalty, and lack of fear in the bird, then THATS WORTH
    THE TIME INVESTED.    
    
    Please remember that the true 'loving and affectionate' bird pet
    is one that the friendship was derrived through patience and the
    bird itself was allowed to evolve (in its own time) to that friendship.
    
    I understand how badly you may want this to happen, BUT YOU CANT
    FORCE IT.
    
    Also, another point to make, if you want the bird to be your unscared
    and affectionate pet, then only have ONE bird as a pet.
    
    Hope this dosen't sound like a lecture, that was NOT the intent.
    Its just that I've been doing this for 10 years, and i've learned
    that patience is the ONLYU thing that works.
    
    Good luck.   Chet
141.2no glovesNEXUS::M_ROBSONNews item from the Banzia InstituteFri Mar 10 1989 15:0818
    
    I don't believe that you should use gloves in any case.  When taming
    him you have to expect a few bites.  But if you use gloves the little
    guy will not be getting used to "real" hands, you could easily (I
    think) over handle or hurt the bird due to the gloves not giving
    you a "true" feel of the bird.
    
    When you are working with him do it in a small room (like a bathroom)
    so he can't really go anywhere.  Get him use to your voice, get
    him so that he will perch on a stick that you are holding.  Then
    as he gets calmer get him to step from one perch to another then
    subsitute your arm/wrist in place of one of the perches.  Pretty
    soon you can start getting him used to sitting on your hands.  
    
    Always talk to him and even when you are not working with him he 
    should be in an area where he can see you.  In time he should 
    start realizing that you are not going to be a threat,  once the 
    trust starts the friendship will take off.
141.3I agree no glovesGIAMEM::TORTORELLIFri Mar 10 1989 15:518
     Thanks for the advise - I dont use gloves when he gets on my shoulder,
    I've had him for about a year and a half - and he trusts me enough
    to get on my forearm, but won't get on my hand. I think he trusts
    me - it's just my hands he's not too sure of. I would just hate
    to have him loose his trust in me because of overhandling, don't
    some birds like to be left alone (not completely alone, but not
    handled very often?). He is also very unresponsive to toys - thats
    why I think he is kind of passive.
141.4Close quarters trainingODIXIE::BIRCHMon Mar 20 1989 19:3113
    Good advise #.2
    
    First of all gloves are out.  I use a small dish towel if the bird
    need to be recaptured, they seem to find it less threatning.  
    
    What you need to do is spend a lot of time in the bathtub with your
    bird (no water).  Grapes or a favorite food will help gain trust.
    Go very slow at the birds pace.  For the first two sessions (max
    20 to 30 minutes) you may just take a book to read and just let
    the bird be near you.  Check back issues of Bird Talk for training
    ideas.
    
    Good luck
141.5Did I give up too soon on the attacking nape???MPGS::TAIGoneTotallyBirdserk!! ^0^Mon Mar 20 1989 19:4626
    What if you're in my situation?
    
    Maybe I gave up too soon...??
    I wrote the note sometime back about curbing bites.  My yellow nape is
    impossible.  Sometimes he lets me scratch his head and be sort of
    near him.
    
    Most times he lunges at me!  Recently he's taken up a new sport....
    the 'FLYING ATTACK!!!'  Lately, when he's out on his gym, and he's
    not in the mood to tolerate me, and I happen to walk by, he will
    fly at me (as far as clipped wings will take him).  Usually,
    I happen to be close enough for him to fly at my head!
    
    He's bonded to my fiance', which is no problem - hurts the ego, but I
    can handle that.  What I can't handle....is the bird....
    
    I've tried numerous approaches of getting him to accept me, but he
    just won't.  (I think he is a she).
    
    At this point I just want the bird to tolerate my presence.
    Any suggestions?
    
    Juliette
    
    PS.  I don't think working in close quarters with this bird is
         safe for me!  By the way I've had Piedy since mid-January.