New Chico pic - Page 2

06-07-2007, 09:26 AM

He's a very beautiful little boy. Good luck with your progress with him and, as always, thanks for taking him in and giving him the type of home he so deserves.

06-07-2007, 09:38 AM

I believe that Chico will learn and trust you through your patience and by watching your interaction with your other birds. You have only had him a short time when considering trust has to be built slowly. You are questioning him and he is questioning you during the building process. I believe you will know the right times to act appropriately. With Cyrano, our biggest trust challenge, also without knowledge of his background, it took 2-3 months with very slow body language indicators that we could move closer. Each rehomed bird has a different amount of time that is necessary, but as that slowly builds, it is worth it. Sounds like raising his foot is a good indicator that he is thinking about stepping up, maybe isn't sure just yet. He sure is a cutie and the eyes show the need for love.

06-07-2007, 09:59 AM

Nate, your patience will pay off. I really believe that. Through patience, Rocky has learned to trust me. Trust is the best thing you can have on your side, it's all downhill (as in easier) from there. Taking the time, as you are doing, to learn the body language is key. With Rocky, in the beginning, some of the sounds and body language I had originally thought were aggressive have turned out to be completely different, and some I'm still trying to pin point.

Your time and patience is appreciated by more than just Chico. My hats off to you. Thank you for taking him in. He needs you.

As JR had stated, I taught a lot to Rocky by having him observe my interactions with my other birds to help him understand my intentions. It works wonders.

High five to you.

06-07-2007, 10:15 AM

He's so very handsome! I have no doubt that in time the 2 of you will have a wonderful relationship.

06-07-2007, 06:37 PM

About the raised foot -- I've found that it can either mean he wants to step up (and this seems to be the case here, as he immediately dropped his head for skritches) or else is saying "Step AWAY from the bird!" The context will tell the story.

As for the "When is it time?" issue -- have you tried sitting by his cage with the cage door open and a bowl of his favorite treats on the arm of the chair? Amazons are very food motivated. It seems to me he's developing trust in you, so may be willing to take the next step and venture over for a little nighttime snack.

I agree with BJ and Lara that having him watch your interactions with the other flock members is invaluable.

As an aside, from the blue wash on his chest it seems to me that he may be either a Magna or a Tres Maria. Whatever he is, he's gorgeous.

06-07-2007, 06:49 PM

What a fabulous looking bird! My take on the high lifting of the foot - back away from the bird! My YNA does that, and I fell for it WAY too many times, and got nailed every time. It's a trick w/ Pacino. He was cage bound for 12 yrs, kept as a back up bird in case something happened to the owners "real" bird

When Pacino wants to step up (on Dh, not me!) he barely lifts his foot. When we see that foot go high, we know he's going to bite and bite hard.
If I were you, I'd try offering him a 36" long (minimum) stick to step onto. That's what I do w/ Pacino now, and it works out great. If he steps up nicely, he gets to come out, and he's far enough away from me that I don't get nailed. If he's doing the fake-out thing, the stick gets the bite not me.
Even though Pruitt (BFA) loves me, he does the same exact trick if he is higher than eye level on me. With him, I just offer him a short perch, lower him and he's fine.

Male amazon's are something else, aren't they?

wendy