IndianRingNeck.com

Hello all.

I bought a IRN which i believe to be female just yesterday from a pet shop guy in Baghdad. He tells me shes not over 1 year old. I dont know how to verify.
The shop guy says the previous owner sold him the bird two weeks ago after the bird had "nipped" at the little girls hand. So they threw her in the backyard for 2 or so months... and then she sat at the pet shop for 2 or so weeks ... very sad!

I actually browsed around the bird shops and couldn't get my mind off of the IRN .. just had to have her so I brought her home and bought her a nice cage where the top opens up.

The problem with her shes not very happy with hands. I can give her food ((her favorite treat is cucumbers although she will eat almost anything)) through the cage and she seems to be OK with that now however if i drop the food and attempt a very slight touch she will run.

her flight wings are somewhat clipped. she can fly but not so high.

I really would love for her to trust me and so far it looks like there's a very small amount here so far. I can move close to the cage and chat with her while she's sitting on one leg (dont know why) but if i touch the cage with my hand or get my hand at her without food she'll make a run.

I am sweet talking her constantly. (named her LUCI)

here's a pic with her eating some peanut flavored chips (also tends to like it):




((on a side note; i have two cockatiels in a different cage. shall i keep LUCI far away from them as in out of sight? the cockatiels aren't so great. the male is psycho while the female is sort of like sick or maybe wanting to drop some eggs cause she is always sleepy))

Hello and welcome.

Luci looks like she is enjoying that treat.

As you really do not know her full history and only just got her, I would take things slowly and try not to rush things. It will take some time for you to gain her trust, especially if she has had a bit of a rough upbringing and left in an aviary for a while.

If she takes food from you, that is a great start. you can always use food treats to gain her trust and reward her when she allows you to do something like not move away when you put your hand near her for example.

Just take things one day at a time and remember "baby steps" will work quicker than "leaps and bounds".


Good luck with her, looking forward to hear the progress you make.

Oh, and I would keep her seperated from your other birds for at least a month for quarantine reasons. You don't know if she can pass on or catch anything from your other birds, just to be on the safe side.

Your cockatiel sounds like she is unwell and I would keep a close eye on her or even take her to a vet if that is possible. You wouldn't want anything to happen to Luci or the psycho male. Sleepiness in birds is not a good sign as they are masters at hiding their illness until it becomes quite serious.

I would play on her treat cravings. Sit beside her cage with the door shut and eat a packet of chips or something that will get her attention, don't give in and give her some but wait until she starts to come closer.after a couple of days if you feel comfortable open the cage and continue to sit beside the cage eating, give her some time to get used to your movements and talk to her like you would be having a conversation with a person. When you do get closer to her tell her what you are doing eg if you want her to get on your finger say a command , i say step up, if i want to scratch their head i say scratch scratch. It takes time but it really pays off.continue to feed her her staple diet and try to say the treats for taming.

Julie.

Thanks for the reply

Just before your post I put up a video on youtube with the issues i am having:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvxKWA8xh-U

I will perform your advise asap!