Shell shocked 3 yr old, is it too late to bond?

[bluebirdjoe]

Hi, I have recently adopted a blue male 3 year old. Unfortunately Buddy hasn't had a particularly nice start in life. He has had absolutely no love or interaction with humans at all. Not even a companion. He lived in a cage which was almost in darkness day and night and was quite likely mistreated by his previous owners. At the moment he doesn't trust me at all. He doesn't panic as much when I'm near his cage as when he first came home. He is very quiet tho, sometimes he'll go a whole day without making a single sound. I have introduced him to fresh fruit which he loves, but he wont take it from my hand, he wont come near even. i think fruit is a first for him. He still panics a lot when I have to open his cage to change water and food. I'm worried that his first few years may have hurt him too badly to ever bond with me properly. Does anybody have any experience with an older bird with a sadly unlucky background? Any tips or advice on how to form a trust with Buddy would be greatly appreciated.

[ellieelectrons]

Whilst I don't have any experience with the situation you have described, I think one thing you need to do is look for very small signs of progress. For example, once you've ascertained his favourite fruits (or other foods), hold them up to him through the cage bars (like you've been doing). It might be too much to expect him to come to you to take a bite just yet... but to start with, you can hold it there for a few seconds and then leave it in a food dish... so that he associates the food with you. After a while you could start to reward him taking just one step toward the food you are holding... so if you see him look in your direction or take one stop toward you, say "good boy" or whatever you say when he has done something right and then put the food in his food bowl.

He may never be as tame as some birds can get but I'm sure with time you will make some progress.

Also, make sure he is in a room where he can feel safe and observe you at the same time. You will find that he will like to watch you but won't always liked to be watched himself.

Eating in front of him is also a good idea and if he comes closer to you when you are doing that, you can offer him some.

Just remember, you've got to look for the little things and reward those.

Good luck and best wishes!

I'm glad he's found you and I'm sure, over time, he will be too.

Ellie.

[bluebirdjoe]

Thankyou for the advice and also for taking the time to post such a long reply, very kind of you. Yes i will be taking things very slowly with him. He's getting used to me very slowly, i put some cucumber in his cage today and although he didn't come near me at least he didn't panic this time, he just watched me. Thanks again.

[ellieelectrons]

That's a great sign! Well done.

Ellie.