Well.. most of you wouldn't have read my introduction thread. So I'll go over it again. I purchased a 1 year old IRN from a breeder a few weeks ago. I think he was hand reared, but he's been in an aviary with other birds for the rest of the time. The plan was to get a baby but there were none left.
First weeks ok.. He took food from my hands, I started moving my hand towards him.. getting close, then withdrawing.. until I was able to pat his chest. His cage is open everyday unless I'm not there... and I've started taking him out into the loungeroom to stay with my mother while I'm at school.. He seems more active and very talkative out there. But he's still so scared and shy.
I thought I had gained his trust by now, But he won't let me pat him anymore.. he runs away and gets bitey. He can fly very good for a bird with one wing clipped. -.- He flys around my room during the morning and around the loungeroom in the day..
I have never had a bird before.. I've looked up heaps of stuff on the net because of that.. But everything starts after the bird is stepping up.. I can't get him to step up.. he just runs away. Or he flys away whenever I try to interact.. I guess he just doesn't like being handled. It would have been easier if he wasn't able to fly at this stage.
So.. I need help. What should I do? I've been reading methods.. and I was thinking of the Towel Method.. I'm sure you all know of it.
Can I get help/advice/opinions?
Just ask if you need more information.. I'm sure I left alot out with my quick type up.
Taming my 1 year old.
Moderator: Mods
Hello, I am sorry I missed your introduction, so I'll say hiya now and welcome to the world of IRNs! 
Being a new bird parront, you might find gaining a birds trust is not so easy. There is going to be many ups and downs over the years. But it sounds like your going well. It can take some time to develop a trusting relationship. There is no time limit of when they will gain some trust and bond with you. Its an on going thing that can get better and better. Just have to stick it out through the tough times... hormonal changes, biting...
Firstly, it is best to have both wings clipped. Having only one wing clipped puts the bird off balance and they can injure themselves quite badly when wings are not clipped correctly. Also this might help with being able to handle him, since it also takes some ability to fly away. Sometimes they can just have a little attitude when they have the freedom of flying away. Cant blame them really. I would too if I could fly. haha.
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About handling him, you want to gain some trust before holding him and petting him. Softly talking to him sitting by the cage and offering some treats is a good start. Find something he really likes, it can be a toy or a favourite food, offer them to him, let him come to you and become familar with your hands before step ups and petting. It takes however long it takes. Patience is key.
If he bites, ignore it and act like it didnt happen. It hurts, but if you don't show him it hurts, he will realise it doesnt work. Just have a favorite food or toy handy and be patient. Let him come to you. Keep trying, you'll get there! Just remember it takes as long as is needed. Alot of people who havnt had a bird before, give up too early, when really all is needed is a little understanding and time.
I'm sure you'll do great!
Toweling seems to be a common method of handling birds, I tried it with Yoda when we first brought him home. I think it just made him more scared. I just think every bird is an individual and some just hate it, some are more laid back about these things.
"Jibby aka Gilbert" Indian Ringneck 13 years "Charlie" Rex Rabbit 1 year
Lauren wrote::D Hello, I am sorry I missed your introduction, so I'll say hiya now and welcome to the world of IRNs!
Firstly, it is best to have both wings clipped. Having only one wing clipped puts the bird off balance and they can injure themselves quite badly when wings are not clipped correctly. Also this might help with being able to handle him, since it also takes some ability to fly away. Sometimes they can just have a little attitude when they have the freedom of flying away. Cant blame them really. I would too if I could fly. haha.
About handling him, you want to gain some trust before holding him and petting him. Softly talking to him sitting by the cage and offering some treats is a good start. Find something he really likes, it can be a toy or a favourite food, offer them to him, let him come to you and become familar with your hands before step ups and petting. It takes however long it takes. Patience is key.
If he bites, ignore it and act like it didnt happen. It hurts, but if you don't show him it hurts, he will realise it doesnt work. Just have a favorite food or toy handy and be patient. Let him come to you. Keep trying, you'll get there! Just remember it takes as long as is needed. Alot of people who havnt had a bird before, give up too early, when really all is needed is a little understanding and time.
Toweling seems to be a common method of handling birds, I tried it with Yoda when we first brought him home. I think it just made him more scared. I just think every bird is an individual and some just hate it, some are more laid back about these things.
He has his right wing clipped.. This causes him to fly better going to the right.. but he has no problem flying around to be honest. The only accident he's had is hitting the kitchen window x.x but that was just because he saw an escape route.
I don't really want to clip his other wing this late.. he's used to flying around and I like letting him. This is why I was pondering the towel method, because it's kind of hard when he just flys away.. lol
I'm aware of how to act with the bites too... I think it's about on every site lol. He's not a very hard biter but I'm not the kind of person to jump as soon as he does it lol.. whenever he bites I push against it.. I heard that teaches them their bites have no effect.. But I do read his body language.. I pull away if he really doesn't want my hand their, and try again later.
Thanks, Lauren. ^^