How to Bond with a new bird

[auntphibian]

Red has now been at the house for 5 days. He hasn't been out of his cage since I made him the first day to clean the cigarette smoke off the cage. I hand feed him food and treats and talk to him often. I put my hand and finger near him so he can get used to me, but he has bitten me a couple of times. He isn't ready to come out and see me.

 

Yesterday, I started leaving the cage door open, as he seemed to want that. He sits in front of the open door and checks everything out. I left the room for a little while today and when I came back in, he was on top of the cage. He went back in the cage when I came in the room.

 

My question is: How can I bond with this bird? He gets afraid if I try toweling him and he won't step up on my finger. I know it takes time, my cockatiel took 2 weeks before he'd let me touch him, but I wonder if there is something I can do to help gain Red's trust. He seems to like his new flock....I moved his cage near a wall yesterday and he seems to be more vocal now...maybe because he has the wall and doesn't have to be award of all sides of the cage anymore. He even danced in the cage last night...so, I know he's getting more comfortable....Any suggestions?

 

Thanks!

Becky

[judygram]

Becky this is a 4 year old grey so it is going to take longer to gain this bird's trust than it would a baby grey, plus the fact that he was neglected at his former home so give him plenty of time to settle down.

 

You can't rush things with an older bird, he is more set in his ways and it will be harder for him to trust you so take it slow.

 

Just keep talking to him, get as close as he will allow you to and talk softly to him, let him see you doing things and he will let you know when you can get closer or he is ready for more. Patience, patience and more patience is what will work for Red.

[auntphibian]

That's what I thought.....just wanted to make sure I was doing the right thing and shouldn't be doing something else. Thank you for confirming this for me. He's getting there. The fact that he's getting more vocal and dancing, he's getting more comfortable. I just leave his cage door open so he knows it's okay if he want to come out for a visit...which he'll do it I'm not around.... thanks!

[judygram]

He is a nice looking Tag, thanks for sharing a picture of him with us.B)

[Luvparrots]

Becky, Red is a very fine looking TAG. Patience is all you can do. If he is coming out of his cage when you leave it open that's great. Just don't say or do anything when you see that he is out. Let him get comfortable. One step at a time. Just be patient and with love and patience he will soon be a wonderful forever companion.

[auntphibian]

Red has now been here almost 2 weeks. He comes out of his cage, willingly, several times a day. His new free-standing perch came in, but I have to towel him to get him out of the cage. He sits just fine on the perch for hours and loves it. He steps up on my hand, but then tries to fly to his cage (which he can't do because he lost feathers on one wing). I've gotten a couple of good bites from him, mostly when he tries to fly and ends up on the floor and I have to pick him up. He takes any treat from my hand, very gently.

 

Sometimes, when he steps up, he tries to get on my shoulder and I swear today he was cuddling with my neck and shoulder and not just trying to sit on my shoulder...I'm not sure about that, but he's done that behavior twice.

 

I have found that he loves tortilla chips. I can pull one out and he starts dancing back and forth until I give it to him. He knows I only bring him good treats. This is a time-consuming, patient process. I'm trying really hard not to jump the gun, I just want to love on him!