New first time owner of 1 year old

[celeste]

Hello! I am so glad I found this site. I have learned so much already.
I have just received a 1 year old IRN and don't know much about her. I was told that she is friendly thats about it. I don't even have a name. So I have named her Luna. She is will not purch on my hand yet and goes in for a bite, fluffs up her neck feathers, and grumbles at me from the back of her cage when I try. I have been able to get her to eat a apple slice from my hand this seems to be helping the trust issue. She screamed at me yesterday when I left for work I hope it was her way of saying don't leave. If not don't tell me and spoil my high hopes. Any info on taming and gaining her trust will be great. One more thing she has full flight and is it possible that she is just cage aggressive and should I have her wings cliped?

Celeste

[Mikaela]

Love the name... welcome to the board. Looks like you are off to a good start and are reading old posts to acquire knowledge. That is by far the best start.

Please feel free to post any questions or concerns. We love pics

My advice:

For a few days (weeks depending on the bird) sit near the cage and speak softly in a high pitch tone, much like you would a baby in a crib... that reassuring tone. Have the cage door open while you do this. Always let your baby know you are approaching as not to freak him out and start the session out on a bad foot.

As he warms up and becomes curious, believe me he will, have some spray millet handly and place your hands 'on' the cage door opening offering the millet. Do not maintain eye contact, rather, glance from his chest to his eyes, otherwise this is very intimadating to the baby.

You need to begin working on getting him to 'step-up' for you as soon as possible because it doesnt take long for a ringneck to become nippy if not handled daily. This is an easy task, as the action is actually a natural reaction to feeling your finger against the chest, just above the legs. Getting a new owner to bite the bullet and go for it is way harder than getting a bird to do it.

If your baby bites you, ignore it completely. As far as the bites, I recommend offering the back of your hand or your forearm to step-up on. There isnt as much skin there and it hurts much less.

Let us know if you need us

Forgot to mention: Due to the level of activity in my home and the fact it breaks my heart to see a tame bird fending for itself, I am VERY pro-clip. Especially in the case of trying to tame a bird or to get it use to you, unless it is a baby you almost have to clip. Otherwise you will find yourself chasing the bird more than anything, thereby making the bird see you as a predator.

[Neokireina]

The decision to clip or not is completely up to you. Before you decide really think about your situation and what is best for you and the bird.

If there are lots of people opening doors and leaving toilet seats up, no fly screens on windows and so on, it's better to clip. If your bird can fly and be safe then make sure your house is as safe as it can be, really research alot before making any decision.

[celeste]

Thank You for the advice I let here out for the first time today because I had the feeling her last owners gave her free range. She came out right away and seemed happy to be out of her cage. I was so afraid though because of Luna's full flight status. I tried to get her to step up and she took off to my horror, and landed on the floor I then walked up to her and she did step up after going in for a bite. I did tell her no bite and she did seem to understand this and backed off a little. I can't wait to here her first word. I have also told my husband and 8 year old daughter to stay away because I want Luna to bond with me first, Was I right in doing this?

Celeste

[Neokireina]

It's really hard to get the bird to bond with someone you choose, usually you try so hard but the bird just picks someone else. My friend loved his ringneck so much, and his ringneck loved me more. and now that he moved in with his gf the bird loves HER more ALSO this could be a bad thing if they bird becomes too attached to you and then attacks anyone thats not you. So I would reccomend getting everyone involved.

I think birds usually like the person who loves them the most. usually... Maybe you can spend *more* time with the bird but let your family have some also.

[celeste]

Yes your right about letting the hole family join in and after I posted that question I did let my daughter sit and talk to Luna as long as she promised not to put her little fingers in the cage. I guess I got caught up in finaly getting my baby and forgot how to share.

[Mikaela]

Feel lucky your family *wants* to be a part of your baby's life. Mine doesnt

[Melika]

Welcome, Celeste, and we look forward to seeing Luna in some pics soon!

It is a good idea to let the entire family get involved. We don't want a one person biting IRN, LOL! We all have a tendancy to want our animals to bond "to us" more than others, but birds will have their own minds about who is the favourite.

I commend you on adopting an 'older' bird. It's quite a task to undertake, and hopefully we can help you with any issues that may come up.

She may still be adjusting to her new home, and may be tame under all of her temporary insecurities. Apple is one of our IRN's favourites, and a good choice for bribery!

We look forward to more updates on your relationshop with your little moon-bird.

[celeste]

Yes your all right about letting the hole family join the fun, and I am lucky she is loved by all 3 of us. All of our animals have been rescues. Luna seems to be adjusting well to her new home. I'm going to have her cliped today because the weather here is going to be as milded as its going to get for a long time and I don't want to take her out when it's really cold. I hope I can get her in the box LOL. I have know idea where your all from but right now we are having tipical New England weather It snowed about 1/2 inch last night and today it will be about 65 degrees. I will take some photos ASAP. She is not has bright in color as the photos you all have posted she is gray with some yellow on her wings.

[Mikaela]

Snow? I wanna see pics of that

And of you birdie

[celeste]

Sorry the snow has melted due to it being about 55 right now. Photos of Luna will be coming though.

[jen5239]

Mikaela,
You wanna see pics. of snow?? I'll post some pics. of what we went thru last winter. We got about 2 feet in one night and then had a MAJOR ice storm the next week and the ENTIRE city was without power in parts for over 2 weeks and then it snowed again. So go to photo forum and I'll post a couple pics. Just to show you guys how lucky you are you live in warm climates.

Jen


Heck yeah, never lived anywhere it snowed, not even on the reservation in NC.

[Melika]

Mikaela,
You wanna see pics. of snow?? I'll post some pics. of what we went thru last winter. We got about 2 feet in one night and then had a MAJOR ice storm the next week and the ENTIRE city was without power in parts for over 2 weeks and then it snowed again. So go to photo forum and I'll post a couple pics. Just to show you guys how lucky you are you live in warm climates.

Jen


Heck yeah, never lived anywhere it snowed, not even on the reservation in NC.

I visit New England in the winter, LOL! Just so I can play in the snow. I went snowboarding last time- ow. Beat myself up on that mountain...

[celeste]

Yeah I know what you mean we had a tough winter last year also. One night we got 4 feet on top of what we already had.

Today I took Luna to have her wings cliped poor baby was real upset. When I got her home she hopped out of the box landed on the floor, I called her, and she walked over to me and let me pick her up. I was soooo excited!!! and I still have all 9 fingers l mean 10 lol After my neighbor came by to see how we made out, so I opened her cage to let her out again she let me pick her up, transfered her to my neighbor, then my husband, but she would not go to my daughter who was heartbroken. So I am happy to say it was a great day . I do have a question for you all though. I was told not to use some cleaning products around the house. Like wood polish, glass cleaner, Lysol, is this true? If it is can you all tell me what you do, or what is safe. Also I was told not to cook with teflon pans because it lets out a gas that can harm birds. Thank You again for your help.

[Melika]

Yes, when non-stick pans are overheated or heated beyond a certain temp (somehwere in the 400 degree range if I remember correctly) they give off toxic gases that can be deadly to birds. Makes me wonder what they do to us, lol, so most bird people just don't use them ^^


Good article with cleaning alternatives: http://www.landofvos.com/articles/wingt ... nsafe.html

[peter_dvs]

Yea.congrats on your IRN.I have bred ringnecks for many years and I think that luna is the best name that I have ever heard.

[kyria]

Hiya Celeste. Wonderful to see new owners joing this great site all the time.

I am from Victoria, Australia. My Kai came to me just before his first birthday. I have had him about 7 weeks now and I have learnt so much from this site and many others. His wings were clipped by the breeders for me when I bought him and when I got him home I let the whole family handle him, with me constantly on the watch.

At first, very scared, jumpy, easily spooked, after the wing clip, it took him quite a while to learn he couldn't just take off, he would hit the deck, but not long before he has learnt to climb and half hop fly from place to place. They are very quick/intelligent birds.

Kai is now (7weeks on) a very well socialised bird, very comfortable being out and around us all. He joins in with everyday life and is starting to become mischevious, adventurous, playful and chattering like nobodies business. He already does the wolf whistle, kissing noises, and copies my laugh perfectly.

Each member of my family has a phrase that is particularly theirs that they repeat to him for him to learn to talk. One of my daughters says Oh Ohhh! every time he sees her, and she calls him a little blue chicken , hubby calls him the big blue moth.

Luckily he adores me the most, even though everyone has free reign with handling and playing with him, but I smother him with kisses and attention and I am the only one that is allowed to feed him his favourite food, melon & melon seeds, sneaky huh!! of course he loves me the most .. hehehehehe

Hint - You are going to have days where you are adored by the bird and days when you feel like the bird hates you. Always remember, in all things, there are good times and bad times. Thats how we learn and grow

Enjoy !

Angie

[celeste]

Thank You for the advice Please keep it coming I need all that I can get.

Poor Luna didn't have much out time today it being Halloween and all. I think she is starting to mimic my dog who is totaly fascinated by our newest family member.

[celeste]

Hello! I have a question for you all. Tonight when I got home from work I said hello to Luna as I walked in the door and went to let her out. Then the little bugger went to bite me and did a growl like she was out for blood. Talk about being in a bad mood. So I did not let her out for fear of not being able to get her back in her cage. I know we will have our good and bad days, but should I still let her out when she is acting like this? Any information on this kind of behavior will be great.

[Mikaela]

Maybe she was sleeping and you walked in.

Give her time to start moving around then go to the cage and talk softly and see how she acts. Ask her to step up. If she bites again she is obviously pissed off so leave her be but with the door open, if you feel comfortable with that.

She will probably step right up and think nothing more of it.

[celeste]

I just went to give her a treat and she went for me again. Also she will not step up from inside her cage only when she is out can I get her to do so. Should I push that issue?

[Mikaela]

Is this tonight or always?

If it is just tonight, leave her in her cage. She is in a bratty mood.

If she never lets you get her from her cage that is something you need to work on. Imagine if there was a fire, no time to negotiate. But for now, if she climbs out on her own, then steps up I wouldnt push it but work consistantly on it.

[ScarletKnight]

its not jsut stick pans it teflon and other matterials. keep this in mind and please stainless steal for all ure cookign purposes. i knwo it too much but please stay away from non stick unless ure willing to lose your birdie. google it u will find terror stories. and please keep the kids ( irn) away from kitchen. another thing i notice is people starting to use plastic as a liner in cage. plastic is not good for these indian buzzsaws. what ever u don't ure want ure 2 yr old into is same thing u don't wnat ure birds into and please while im at it do not leave any exposed cords around these birds. Keyword is PARROT PROOF your birds room. plastic plants are toxic to. ciao
scarlet

[kyria]

I am only new at this, no expert, but from my experience so far with Kai -(being an older bird like luna):-

He was the same as luna to start with, took him a good two weeks to get use to his cage and surroundings (noises, movements, shadows etc.) and me trying to get him to come out.

Sure be considerate of her time alone in her cage and let her get use to it. But you need to master her anywhere. Persist with getting her from her cage, you need to be able to get her from anywhere, you are the Boss.

I persisted with Kai, two bites later, and a few weeks of continuous and relentless practice at step up, he now shows total excitement to come to me.

When I say step up now his wings(shoulders) come out and he leans forward ready to come.

He has also learnt to let me know if he is ever in a really bad mood and really wants to be left alone, simply by pushing me away over and over with his beak and i respect those times.

Time and persistance, just like a youngster

note: if you want to try and avoid the bites, maybe try a treat or gloves or a fist instead of the finger.


Good luck

Andrea (Angie)