Taming help and travelling

[GeorgeMas]

Hi everyone!:)

I have a 1y.o. sweet male derp.:happy: He is parent-raised so I'm currenlty in the bonding process. I've had him for two months and he is still scared of me a little. I can come close to his cage without him panicking (except some times), and I used to be able to give him millet when he was outside, but that progress reset when I had to leave for 2 days. Because I study abroad I'll have to travel on mid-April and I hoped he would be tame by then so I don't stress him into the travel cage. This seems like a distant dream now though... Am I doing something wrong? Is it normal to be that slow and how can I possibly speed up the process? Im also afraid that when I have to travel the training will reset. Any tips?:confused:

[linda040899]

Taming any parent raised parrot has its set of challenges and many take this long to realize, by experience, that you don't intend to make him your next meal! Put yourself in his position. You are taken from a place that is familiar, where you feel safe, and moved to a completely different location where nothing is the same and you don't know anyone. My first gut feeling is fear and so is his. You have to earn his trust and some birds just take more time. I have an imported African Grey who has been with me since 1991. She will interact but is the original touch me not.

If you plan to travel, always, always, always use an airline approved travel container! I use one even with my tame birds in case an accident were to happen. The carrier is protection. I put food on the bottom of the carrier (no dish unless you have one that attaches tightly to the side of the travel container). I you are traveling by car or truck, be aware of how the sun will shine on the area where you will put the carrier. You don't want direct sunlight, as the carrier will become too warm.

Hope this is helpful.

[GeorgeMas]

Thanks, I understand he will be scared but I thought he might get used to it after 2 months. I guess it depends on the personallity.

I am in fact travelling by boat. I have a specially designed travel cage for the case and it has two water bottles attached (I might use one as a feeder). I will take all the necessery precautions, it's just I hoped he would be tame and make it easier to get in the cage when the time comes.