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Harley's Dad - do not give up so easily. Birds are not like other pets we are all used to having (like dogs...) they do not respond on a dime. It takes time, we had a rescue and it took months for her to trust my gf and then years for her to trust me. So it is basically a slow and steady work. You might not see any change for months, but everything you are doing with harley is not in vain - it is all getting accumulated as brownie points - if that makes any sense. Please do not give up or even have the feeling of lost cause. Some times I think my macaws can sense my feeling and emotions. So sensing that you have given up Harley would not be happy, so keep your chin up, think positive and then just do what you are doing. Do not expect anything in return and then sooner than you think harley will begin to trust you.

George

Thanks for the words of encouragement.

For those interested, I have two books right now. Funny enough they are written by the same person though I only noticed that later. Went to a commercial pet store and they only had a book called "Your Otta Control Bird" by Nikki Moustaki. I then went to a commercial mega book store and for birds they only had "Parrots For Dummies" by the same author.

I am no longer going to trick him into stepping up. I have decided to put a bar stool right next to his cage. I get home, power up the computer and sit in the chair. I read these book out loud at times or just sit quitely reading. At times I speak directly to him all nice and quite or a little excited. Praising him. He is always trying to do some gymnastics to get my attention I think so I try to say something everytime I notice.

I also show him and tell him I have grapes and walnuts in my hand if he would like one he can come out and get them. My unrealistic expectation was to give him the grapes and walnut when he finally either climbed into my lap or stepped up onto my arm. I quickly realized that I would have to give them for just interest in me and good behavior. We are going to take baby steps.

He did peak out of the cage to nibble on my jeans. That was as far as we got today.

I try to get him new items to interact with every day too. I bought some natural cotton string and I braid it and knot it up all kinds of ways all around his cage. By the time I get home he has undone all the knots so I start again. The string is thin so in order to make it into something Harley can use is a lot of hard work. I got some tired hands. I don't mind. I also have paper lunch bags and I stuff them all over just so he has to do something with them even if it's only to get them out of his way.

So I am trying and I pray it will work out for us both.

Please let me know if I am doing anything wrong

Jim

Good to hear your update, Jim. Letting Harley set the pace will speed you along in the bonding process. The only thing you've mentioned that might be a red flag is the cotton string. Birds can easily get toes and feet tangled, with horrible results. Since you're leaving your creations with Harley while you're gone, the danger is much greater than supervised play. Maybe what you're using is safe, but take a look at this product and see how yours compares: http://www.greyfeathertoys.com/cgi-bin/ ... iliate_id=

Have the links I provided earlier been useful? If so, I have many others

Bluebird Yes the links are hlepful keep sending them.

Update:

Progress...

3 times I have been able to get him out of his cage and on my arm. I still have yet to just get in and say step up while he is on his perch but that day may be coming.

Here is how it went down. I have been hanging outside his cage just singing, talking, humming, and clanking walnuts together. Every once in a while showing them to him and asking if he would like to have it.

I noticed that he had either chewed all the wood or managed to tear down all his toys. I decided to string up some more. Instead of just adding them to his cage I hung them on the outside of the cage. His love for them prompted his coming out. One strand hangs really close to the door so he has a hard time getting his footing right so I quickly said step up and he offered a foot.

I gave him a walnut and praised him. That happened 2 more times over the course of the weekend.

So I wonder did he really want to step up or did he just really want to chew on the wood and had no other choice? LOL!

Anyway I feel a lot better.

Hi, just wondering how old is Harley? or where did you get him/her from?

tyshstupor wrote:Hi, just wondering how old is Harley? or where did you get him/her from?

He is 3 and I got him from a friend.

As for more of an update, we are ok. I am still not his favorite person. I still get some really good bites. In fact they are worse than before but nnot as often. I am looking for a good vet in my area. Just to make sure his health is good. And I am considering moving his cage to see if that helps the attitude. He is just extremely fearful of everything and that makes him lash out and bite.

Other than that things are great.