Post by twr on Apr 4, 2011 0:13:04 GMT 10
I've never had a galah, so others that do might disagree. I wouldn't force things with Rocky. If you do put your hand in & he backs away, don't try to "chase" him with your hand. Withdraw it & try another time.
An animal behaviorist specialising in birds, that I met on another forum told me to remember that birds are a prey animal & that the prey instinct is innate in them. She said in the early days with a new & nervous bird, I should spend time in his presence but not looking at him (makes me seem less threatening). Slowly over a period of days, to move my chair closer. Maybe sing to him, read aloud (in a high soft voice - they seem to like that) & eventually offer treats from my hand. This process can go as quickly or as slowly as Rocky needs it too.
The reason I needed this advice is because when I adopted Tinga, both the Rescue & his old owner told me that another family had tried to adopt him. They sent him back in the first 24hrs because they had him out of his cage & he was attacking them, coming after them. Apparently making aerial dive bombing attacks & biting hard. When Tinga came to live at my house in November last year, he was lunging & hissing at me through the bars. So I knew I had to go slow.
Now, 4 months later he ever so gently takes treats from my hand. He steps up, but does not want to leave his cage or play stand. My gut feeling is his hatred of my lorikeet pair is the stumbling block. But I'm hoping that slowly, slowly I will eventually see Tinga get over his phobias and venture out more.
You might make faster or slower progress than me. But you have a whole lifetime to build the relationship, so IMO, it's best not rushed. Slowly build up the trust account.
An animal behaviorist specialising in birds, that I met on another forum told me to remember that birds are a prey animal & that the prey instinct is innate in them. She said in the early days with a new & nervous bird, I should spend time in his presence but not looking at him (makes me seem less threatening). Slowly over a period of days, to move my chair closer. Maybe sing to him, read aloud (in a high soft voice - they seem to like that) & eventually offer treats from my hand. This process can go as quickly or as slowly as Rocky needs it too.
The reason I needed this advice is because when I adopted Tinga, both the Rescue & his old owner told me that another family had tried to adopt him. They sent him back in the first 24hrs because they had him out of his cage & he was attacking them, coming after them. Apparently making aerial dive bombing attacks & biting hard. When Tinga came to live at my house in November last year, he was lunging & hissing at me through the bars. So I knew I had to go slow.
Now, 4 months later he ever so gently takes treats from my hand. He steps up, but does not want to leave his cage or play stand. My gut feeling is his hatred of my lorikeet pair is the stumbling block. But I'm hoping that slowly, slowly I will eventually see Tinga get over his phobias and venture out more.
You might make faster or slower progress than me. But you have a whole lifetime to build the relationship, so IMO, it's best not rushed. Slowly build up the trust account.
You are up very late?