IndianRingNeck.com

I am a college student who had wanted a bird for a VERY long time. I did A LOT of research on what breed would be best for my situation (apartment). I knew a bird would be loud and I made sure all roomates and neighbors were alright with it. I eventually found a ringneck named samia. She was given up by her previous owner to the CARRE orginaziation (a midwestern bird rescue orgnization) and not much was known about her past. The lady who was fostering her said she was very quiet but didnt like to be touched at all. I have now had her for close to four months and things have been going rather well; shes not to loud, SOMETIMES she eats out of my hand, and she is fun to watch take baths... but I would like to be able to train her. She is deathly scared of hands and will attack them if they are close to her (even when a tasty treat is being offered). I allow her to roam around her cage (on top) because I know she will never leave it but even when I enter the room sometimes she will hide in the corner like she is afraid I will attack her. I would like to be able to tame her (step up and such) just so that she will be able to be less scared of me. Does anyone suggest how I go about doin this.
Also the lady who I adopted her from says shes probably about 8. Her behavior seems alot like bluffing sometimes, making me think someone treated her badly when she went through that stage.
I just keep getting this feeling she wants to be cuddled and touched but is untrusting. - Nicole

Congratulations on your new baby! Funny how many IRNs seem to be weird about hands. Can you get her to step up on a perch? Maybe a good first step. Also, try searching here -- oodles of advice archived on this board!

Perhaps she is more cage protective than fearful of hands. Do you have a play gym for her? If you get one on wheels and you set it next to her cage where she can go from one to the other then you can slowly acclimate her to being furhter away from the cage on the play gym.

May help, may not but it will at lease expand her world.

And I want to say good for you for adopting an adult bird.
You are to be commended.

First up, congrats on taking in a IRN... Especially rescueing one from a shelter! Kind person.

Ok.. Basically, it sounds like she has been a little traumatised in her past, also obviously never had that close connection. If she has moved around a lot, she will feel that only in the cage is she safe... SO, you're not going to be able to go sticking any hands in there without getting bitten..

You're going to need to lure her out of the cage with some delicious looking treats... THEN when you manage to get her out, BAM!!! Close the cage and get it out of site!!

Now she's out of the cage and out of her safety zone, just "be" ... maybe put some food down on the floor next to you.. and let her walk over to it when she's hungry.. dont try and touch her.. Just let her play around you etc... Trust takes time remember!!

See how that goes for now, then hit back if you got any other questions!