HELP HELP HELP me with my IRN

[BILO]

I got Antonio for over a month now... till now every time i get my hand near him he freaks out...he JUST goes mad !!

i dunno why this happens i think the pet shop i got him from are idiots and dunno how to deal with animals...he is 1 year old by the way...

its not just my hand but even if i approach him from one side of the cage he goes to the other...he just ONCE and only ONCE ate from my hand (i offered him apple, he took a few bites then he became mad and started to fly all around the cage scared from my hand...

and he even never make voices when i am around except for a veeeeeeeery low squeking voice (i have to concentrate so i can hear it)...
he just makes loud voices when i am sleeping...

Can anyone tell me why is this happening with him !!!!

the other one i have back at home (i am in university in a different country) is very loving and energetic and makes voices all day but she is in Bluffing stage now lol ...

here is a Pic of Antonio



i am waiting for your replies people.....please type in what i should do so that he can trust me !!!

[Shelby]

Patience

[Bird crazy]

If that is a picture of the bird you are referring to he is at least 2 to 3 years old because he already has his ring. So you are going against several YEARS of established behavior.

If he has a leg band on you can find out what year he was born so you know for sure. I have not had to tame a bird in that situation but perhaps someone else has. I do know you need to spend time just sitting by the cage and talking softly, not trying to pick up or to handle the bird. Also there are some things that threaten the bird, for instance if you are standing higher and over the bird it may threaten him, Their natural enemies would come at them from above, so make sure you are on the same level or lower than the bird when you sit next to him, Also make sure he has one side of his cage against a wall to help him feel like he doesn't have to look everywhere to protect himself. His back can then be safe and he can watch forward. Also try the blinking game. Birds establish dominance by blinking last. So when you make eye contact with him close your eyes, lower your head and speak softly, then open you eyes with head lowered and look at him again, let him feel like you are not threatening him, you blink and hold your eyes closed for a few seconds before looking again. Watch him he should start to blink back for you.
Also try to establish what his favorite food is and withhold that food and only give it to him when you are there next to his cage. Move your chair as far away as possible until he relaxes and will eat the treat you allowed him to see you put in the cup and then gradually lessen the distance.

As you can see this is a months long project, not a week or two. If he has been mishandled or mistreated it will take him a long time to establish trust and that you won't hurt him. Hope it helps and that you end up with a loving sweet birdie.

[CatsChair]

What a great shot of Antonio -- boy does he ever have that "don't mess with me" look. Suspect my colleagues are right, and it will be a long haul to get him to trust you, but he will be worth the effort. Good luck!

[BILO]

well i tried something in the past few hours...i tried to touch him and he kept running away in the cage... untill he kinda surrendered and then after that i started petting him and he liked it !!!

he started making little voices as in he is enjoying it (i guess)...and every time i scratch under his peck he "licks" my entire finger lol but every 5-10 minuts he starts to freak out again like he is not sure lol

is that a loving behaviour or is it that he gave UP even though he let me scratch him for 30 minuts sometimes ??!!

[Bird crazy]

sounds like progress to me,
see how it goes, hopefully it was a breakthrough for you

[Dani03]

Yep...sounds like progress...keep it up...

More pics...he's gorgeous!

Dani

[Lauren]

I know that look! Dont mess with me! hehe looks just like my Gilbert.