chezron

I vote for keeping him! He seems very happy there in your home. Do you have other birds?

So funny Dave!

Carol C, Wow that is quite a story! Maybe you can post it as new post (just click on new post on the left) and more people will read it, and be able to help you.

I hope it works out Ray! Good Luck! Maybe you need a one-on-one conversation with little Cricket.

Sounds like you are doing everything right. Please keep him away from 7-up though I mean the fact that he allows you to scratch him is AWESOME! I think he will start talking before you know it. Keep things calm and positive in the house, perhaps, a tad joyful, and he will come around. Don't force anything, and let him give you the tempo he wants to progress with. Now this worked for my bird when he started messing with his feathers, you might try taking (what's his name?) out in the sunshine for at least 15 minutes a day. I added regular sunshine to my bird's routine which totally mellowed him out. I also added a cooked drumstick bone, once a week, to his diet (for calcium). He LOVES those bones. A couple of DAYS after I started this he has never messed with his feathers since. I guess the sunshine is necessary to change a precursor of Vitamin D into an active form which is good for adjusting hormones, and for assimilating calcium - very important. Besides, my guy LOVES going outside and he even asks to go outside. Just something to keep in mind. Who knows maybe his feathers will grow back. Good luck and keep us posted. Just curious how did you find the bird or how did you find the couple with the bird? I hope they realize how lucky they are to find such a conscientious new owner!

I know Egan is going to a good home!

Pancho has been with us now about two months. He continues to get more beautiful and healthy-looking day-by-day. He had his shower today, and when he spread his wings, I was astonished by how brightly colored his red feathers are. Before, they looked kind of dingy and ragged, and now they are smooth and an amazing color! He LOVES showers and immediately unfolds his wings when hit with water, accompanied by a excited clucking sound. The nice thing is Brutus, CAG, (who has ALWAYS hated showers) has started to mimic Pancho's wing-unfolding. Maybe soon, Brutus will start to enjoy showers too. Pancho has also started talking and whistling more. When we come home we are always greeted with a cheery and enthusiastic, "hello" that sounds just like a little girl. He was practicing whistling the other day and saying some new things. It seems he is imitating me. He definitely is a man's bird, but he trusts me. I believe we have an agreement that I will take good care of him and he will trust me enough to be obedient and sweet. My husband really makes his eyes pin and Pancho is uplifted by his presence. Hubby can even pet him now if he is careful. Lately though, he stretches and pins his eyes a bit for me too. Nice! I am very happy with how things are going for him. The other day he flapped his wings wildly which was new for him. It made me feel he has more energy and a zest for life that he has not displayed before.

I use it in Brutus' food. I am convinced that it is beneficial for them, being that they evolved to eat palm fruit as the majority of their diet.

Building trust is essential, but it takes time. Only your bird and his individual personality will dictate just how long. You must be patient because wrong moves can set the clock back. Try to follow his lead and do not force anything that will cause him discomfort. Keep everything positive and he will grow. If you do that, he will be more and more willing to allow you greater access. He just may be more of "woman's" bird, but that doesn't mean he is only a woman's bird. Our bird loves us both, although he prefers me. Patience and mutual respect has allowed my husband almost the same degree of affection from him.

My two cents- I would rather have a sweet bird, or one I have good chemistry with than a "pretty" bird that was a breeder. There is a reason the bird is priced so low. I think you made a wise decision holding off for now.

Can you swap the cage for one that fits in your house. A bird should be with you. The leg-chain thing - Are you prepared to get a bird? It sounds like you NEED to do a lot more research before getting one, or even not getting one.

I think you were made for handling big birds! Good luck!

I have "goosebumps" for you. I KNOW he will be a great companion!

Congratulations on your new friend! I personally think he looks like a "Lancelot." Keep us posted on his progress.

Nice job Doug! For giggles, Let's see your hands

Beautiful Amazon!

Welcome Ray. You are a great person to run this show.

Congratulations Louie! Be good to your Momma.

Yeah, sorry misspelling Morana

So funny what they pick up. Never a dull moment.

What a cutie pie! Thanks for sharing.

Congratulations on the new addition to your family.

How cute! Thanks for sharing.

Can you distract him with something else? If i spend some time fussing over anything, that's the thing he wants, so I "get excited" over a different thing to distract him. But normally, this is not such a problem for him. His problem is being willing to step up whenever I want him to - I wish. I have to do all sorts of mind games to get him in his cage. This bothers me because sometime it may be an emergency and he will need to get in his cage.

I have a really cool bird sitter who asked me where my travel cages are in case of an evacuation. I thought that was very thoughtful of her.