Patiently waiting for Jackson to get used to me

[brittbritt]

I brought Jackson home last Sunday night. I left him alone after getting him settled in his room in the new cage. I occasionally walked into his room on Monday just to let him know I was around and to make sure he was eating and doing okay.

Starting Tuesday I sat by his cage and talked to him while he screamed at me and hung to the side of the cage for dear life. When he would settle down I would open the cage door. I would also continue to sit there while he would again scream and cling on side of his cage. He would settle down after a few minutes.

On Wednesday I did the same thing on and off during the day, but since he was settling down faster I put my hand in the cage. Of course he would scream at me but after a while he settled down again. I was able to get my hand a little closer to him on a higher perch and he did the screaming but settled down again.

On Thursday I did the same thing as Wednesday, but when I put my hand on the higher perch he flew out of the cage. His wings are clipped but he was able to fly to the mini blinds. I just left him alone and kept an eye on him as he walked around the room. I didn't want him to be nervous by me trying to catch him.

After an hour I finally had to catch him to put him up. I know I had to have scared him, but I didn't know how else to get him up without hurting him. I was not expecting him to rush out of the cage like he did.

Today I sat with him and would open the door to the cage and then give him a while to quit the screaming and hanging on the side of the cage. I didn't put my hand in the cage today. I didn't want him to fly out because he was scared.

I guess I'll continue just opening the door but not reaching in until I notice he is more comfortable. Is that okay, or do I need to keep the door shut and wait to start opening it? I want to build his trust no matter how long it takes.

When I come in the room he is always in the same spot. If I sneak around the corner and he is sitting some where else he runs to that safe spot so I don't see him in the other place. I can tell he's playing with his toys and eating his food, he just doesn't want me to see him doing it.:whistle:

[aprilluv2]

It does seem to take forever. However when it finally happens it will be such a great feeling that you will forget all about how long it took. :)

I am working with two little youngsters. They were in a home with little kids and a person who never cleaned or fed them for that matter. :very_sad:

They are scared but at same time they are so curious and so nosey that I am sure it will not be too long before they are out and playing on the bed.

[momo]

Personally, DO NOT GRAB THEM.. I know you want to play and pat your lovie but it does more harm in the future.. trust me.. I know.. i have the bite marks now to show you.

its all about patience and waiting.. leave the door open.. with some millet outside.. they just have to get used to you.. its not going to take a few days.. it may take weeks. or months.. but you will get there.. as long as you are patience and love your lovie for what it is :)

[brittbritt]

Thanks for the encouragement. Jackson is slowly coming around. Last night he played peek a boo around a toy with me. Tonight he explored all around the cage while I was sitting in front of the cage. Usually he sits in the corner giving me the please don't put your hand in my cage look. My daughter was being silly coming in and out of the room and our little dog was chasing her. Hope he gets used to our crazy but loving home.

[maya_exquisite]

Kano was given to me about five years ago from a family that found her but couldn't give her the attention she deserves because they already had three large parrots. She was definitely not tame and would attack at the cage any time I went near it. I'd get attacked when I changed out her food or had to stick my hand in for any reason...

Now, Kano is still kind of scared of me (she preferred the attention of Mika all these years) but if I stick my hand by her she lightly nibbles. If I would've worked with her hand in hand more I'm sure she wouldn't be scared of me, but that's okay. As long as she's a happy camper!!

Jackson will definitely come around!! ^_^

[bellarains]

It sounds like you are definitely giving Jackson time, and that, along with love and patience will win out in the end.

I would suggest using an extra perch to get Jackson the step up onto, rather than using your hands for awhile. It takes most a little time to accept hands. I don't want to discourage you, but some never do. If you let them accept them on their own terms, in their own time though, it is more likely to happen. I have birds that don't care to interact with my hands, but stepping up on them is fine. We still have very good interaction, just no pets.

Keep giving Jackson time, and when you talk to him, try using a little excited tone at times,tell him he is handsome, that you love him, etc..... I truly think they understand more than they are given credit for sometimes, and well, we all like to be told we are pretty, and loved:)

[brittbritt]

I will definitely try the perch approach with Jackson. He screams so loud when I put my hands in the cage for any reason. I've read they can be cage aggressive and sometimes it never goes away. I'll definitely give it a go.

He has been playing with his toys and moving around in his cage while I'm sitting in front of his cage. It's taken 3 weeks for him to feel comfortable doing so. My daughter gets tickled because I sing little songs to him. I tell him nursery rhymes as well.

He's got to where if we've been with him a while he'll call when we leave the room. I'll call or whistle back to him to let him know we're still home. Before we get up in the mornings he'll start calling so we know to come open his door and turn on his light. I love it. The best alarm clock ever.

[bookworm0550]

awww, he's getting used to you guys :) that's great.