Advice needed on Red Bellied Parrot

[Pchela]

Hi,

 

So, I recently was given a Red Bellied Parrot named Nicholas to either foster or keep if it works out that way. He is 6 years old and loves head scratches and pistachios. And that seems to be all he likes. He sits where ever you put him and doesn't move until you put him someplace else. He won't fly to where he wants to go. If he does want to go somewhere he leans and fidgits a lot but won't actually go on his own. I also have not noticed him playing at all. He seems to just sit for the most part. Could this just be his personality? I've read that Red Bellies are clownish and playful but he's not at all and according to his previous owner, never really was. Any ideas?

[SchroedersJen]

It is possible that Nicholas needs to be taught how to play with his toys. Some birds dont figure it out on their own and need to be shown how to be curious, how to investigate new items, that they are fun......and when they show those behaviors they need to be rewarded for them. Does he only eat pistacios? What else have you tried feeding him? A good alternative to baby formula, that works well in adults is a pellet mix (zupreem is most fun) warmed and mushy in juice or apple sauce. it might incentivize him to try new foods if they are warm, mushy and sweet. Once he figures out that you have a history of presenting him with warm, sweet mushy food, he will trust you to pick out tasty stuff for him. You might also try sicking his fruits and veggies in the food processor.

[Pchela]

Oh, he eats well! He eats everything I give him... veggies, fruit, soak mix etc. His previous owner had him on a great diet. Pistachios are just his favorite treat. What concerns me is just his lack of... any activity at all. He even has his flights and will not fly. I know his breeder so I know he was allowed to fledge. The breeder does not clip until the birds are weaned and then only if the new owner requests it. It just seems weird that he won't fly. Or walk anywhere. Or play.

[she]

I remember a cockatiel just like that,he just sat all day long. The solution for him was a new home in a very large avery in a botanical gardens with lots of other birds. He changed almost at once. I think in the tiels case he just hated to be caged and was just not interested in humans.I am not sugesting that is the solution for your bird ,the tiel was not tame and just not a house bird.I think the solution for you is to show him what fun can be had with toys and have a vet check him out to rule out any physical problems.

[katana600]

Hey there, this is one of the first posts I have seen about another red bellied parrot. This little guy might just be cautiously getting settled in a new place. How is he doing?