AboutRev. Dr. S.August Abbott Expertise Certified Avian Specialist; Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council member; Own animal rescue org; National Wildlife habitat #66378; bird care, nutrition & behavior consultant; International Assoc. of Animal Behavior Consultants Associate; National Wildlife Federation Leaders Club member; published bird care, info and behavior articles and guides.
Ongoing education in exotic bird behavior and nutrition
I can answer behavioral, nutritional, environmental, characteristic/personality questions as well as general health and health care.
No animal emergency can ever be addressed on the internet. We cannot see your animal, perform an examination, provide necessary care or medication.
Please value your companion for the priceless, living creature they are; not for what you might have paid for them.
Experience Certified Avian Specialist.
For more than 30 years I've worked with veterinarians, protective facilities, nature centers, preserves and on my own in providing care and education with regard to multiple animal species, including raptors (hawks, kestrals, owls, etc) and marsupials. In recent years I've focused on parrots, usually rescued from abusive or less than ideal situations and helping educate owners as to proper care. Expert in behavior studies and modification of problem behavior.
Organizations 4AnimalCare is the organization I run as an animal ministry; World Wildlife Association, Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, National Wildlife Federation Leaders Club and more
Publications Bird Talk Magazine articles about rescued and problem macaws.
Education/Credentials Doctorate, Ordained Minister
Question I have a very timid parrot named Pepsi, we got him 8 years ago, and he's always been very timid and weary of him. I've spent so much time with him and he still only shows little trust in me.
I've been trying to get him to "step up" for a long time, but he seems to only want to ever put one foot on my hand.
After researching into the past of the parrot, its been confirmed its previous owners kept him cage bound and didn't show him attention, i also found out that the previous owners would wrap him in coats and towels in order to handle him.
I was only young when we got the Parrot, but i'm 19 now and i love the bird more than anything.
We also have an African Grey which i managed to train out of his timid ways (which i bought from the same owner because i don't want any bird going through what i know the Amazon went through)
The Grey is fine now, but my Amazon is still only showing a small bit of trust in me.
He's never bitten me before, but he refuses to allow me to touch him.
He will take food out my hand and when my hand in under him he is fine, as soon as my hand reached his stomach level he squaks and shifts away, clearly afraid.
I don't understand why after so much time he is still acting like this?
Is there any way i can get him to gain full trust in me, i've tried for 5 years now, spending my nights with him whenever i can but still nothing.
Answer Parrots are actually much more intelligent than these mammals, recently ranked with apes, chimpanzees and dolphins in their highly developed sense of awareness and intelligence.
Once people really understand that it's just a matter of being compassionate, patient and understanding. Imagine a child, no more than a toddler, barely able to speak - snatched from the home and the people they were comfortable with and thrust into a new environment with new people speaking a language they can't understand and not really knowing what's expected of them.
Even though he's not new, you have to be very patient and very careful. It's easy to let them get the upper hand and never come out of their cage (which is 'cage bound') or even end up with a problem biter and screamer if the right input isn't maintained.
Let's start all over with him.
Every now and then approach the cage slowly and talk nicely – reassuring them and telling them how good they are. It’s the tone of your voice and the sound of your voice that is important and is being established at this early bonding time.
Once the bird has tried some of their food or taken a drink of water, they’re relaxing a bit. Offer them a treat from your fingers by holding it over the food bowl from outside the cage bars and if they’ll come over and take it, excellent! It may be an especially human oriented bird that you can start taking out and handling right now. Otherwise, don’t expect too much right now, you’ll probably have to drop the treat into the bowl.
You might also want to establish a separate nighttime cage. Bird mental health (and thus, overall health) relies strongly on regulated day and night hours. When they’re in their nighttime cage, covered on all sides with just about ¼ of the front open so they can see out and feel secure, go up and start whispering. Nice, reassuring comments. When the bird stretches their wing, stretch your arm. Only a few minutes at a time and then backing away, letting them get a good night’s sleep in a darkened, quiet room makes a huge difference. In the morning, at the same time every day (no matter what), slowly pull the cover away while talking nicely, in a soft voice and telling them what you’re going to do. Slowly opening the door and reaching in with a smooth motion, flat hand (or closed and tucked under fist) a firm “step up” instruction – no matter what, don’t hesitate or withdraw, take your companion out.
After feeding breakfast in the day cage (whole grain oatmeal with cut up fruits of the season) - a couple hours to enjoy their chewy toys and the view outside.
Come afternoon it’s time to come out and be with the human flock. With portable perches and spiral rope perches hung securely from the ceiling - these will be the bird’s goals, but they should interact with you first.
Most parrots will need no less than 2 hours out of cage every day; many will get an average of 4 hours and ours always get 7 hours.
Cooing, chortling, even a sort of purring noise can be expected when your bird is relaxed and next to you. Requesting head ‘scritches’ by lowering their head and enjoying gentle petting with a finger at the back of their head is a show of trust and further bonding.
