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HI I have a new Hy and I have some behavior questions. When I am petting him he will just squawk do you think that is a warning sign? I usually pet his head because when I pet his chest he will put his foot on my hand and I cant tell if he wants to step up and wants me not to touch him. My brother went in to see him today and he kept squawking at him, but had been fine with him the other day. Also does anyone know how to get him use to moving objects around? When I pick up something in the room that might seem big he gets scared and usually falls off his perch. I have wanted to put some extra things in his cage but he jumps off the perch when I come near the cage with the new item. I am afraid I put it when he is out of the cage and then take him back and he sees them new item he wil be too scared to go in. Thanks!

How new is he to you and how old a bird? It seems likely he has not yet bonded with you and is scared of all the new people and things in his environment. It might be best to gain his trust before making changes. Have you done your reading on how to gain trust? If not, just ask for suggestions.

I agree with Bluebird. I need more information. Is this a recently weaned or a rehomed bird? A couple comments...

Generally, it's best to keep the petting to the head and neck areas. Petting the back and under the wings can "stimulate" a bird. I'm not sure about petting the chest, but I wouldn't recommend it.

If you need to move objects in the room where your bird's cage is located, talk to him and say things like "it's okay." That's a phrase that many of us use, and chances are your bird has heard it also, either at the breeder's or previous home.

Some birds are scared of new things in their cages and need time to adjust. I can stick new perches and toys in one of my Grey's cage, and he is on the item as I'm trying to put it inside. The other Grey will get scared and upset . With her, I will lay the new toy on the other side of the room where she can see it from a distance. I will slowly move it towards her cage over a few days. Lastly, I will hang it on the outside of her cage for a day or two before putting it inside.

I have a Hyacinth who is almost 2 y/o. I have had him since he was 4 mo/old. As he gets older, he seems to spook at things more than he used to. When he is frightened, he flies away. Before he could fly, he would strike out with his beak if he was afraid. He also squawks when he is afraid, and often vomits.

You should be able to tell if your bird is asking to step up or pushing you away--it's usually fairly obvious, because the pushing away is exactly that--he puts his foot on you and pushes. If he wants to step up, you can feel his weight shift as he tries to do so. Also, watch the face. A frightened Hy has a certain look in his eyes that is hard to mistake. An angry Hy will often raise the feathers on the very top of his head, and have his beak in the "strike" pose--mouth slightly open and panting a bit. A happy Hy looks and feels relaxed, and is usually quiet or talkative, instead of screaming.

Keep in mind that this is ONLY my experience, based ONLY on my interactions with my own bird. Other people might have different insights. However, keep in mind that Hys are sensitive birds--they seem to be much more so than other large macaws, ime, and it can take them awhile to bond to their human (it took Mikey at LEAST 8 months to bond to me and decide he prefers me to his original handfeeder), and awhile to adjust to new things in their world or new routines. Until that time, they can be defensive or frightened. A frightened Hy, especially one under a couple of years old, can develop stress-related medical issues, including yeast infections, etc. Because the mortality rate in Hy youngins seems to be higher than that of other macaws, I've always been extremely tuned-in to Mikey's feelings at any given time. I would suggest spending a lot of time simply observing your new bird to get to know his/her personality, fears, likes and dislikes, as well as its body language.

Thank you all very much. He is almost a yr old and I have had him a week. I will read some more on developing trust. When he gets scared and jumps down ( if he is out of his cage) he does run to me and climb on my feet wanting me to get him so I do think he is trusting me. We will keep working on it though. I have been trying to pet mostly his head and neck. Sometimes when I am petting him he lets out a loud squawk not sure what it means. Thanks again!