Scared unconfident Senegal

Charliechap

Registered
Hi Guys,

I'm new to the forum and parrot keeping and i'm trying to get some advice on how to give my senegal parrot more confidence and be less scared. I've had him for about a couple of months now he is just over a year old but always seems to be scared, when someone walks towards him he walks away or freezes and just stares, sometimes he gets startled by someone walking past and starts flying around.. so far i've managed to change his diet onto pellets and target trained him and he steps up (when he wants to) - but even when target training him he only walks up and down the perch, he won't target the stick if its further away or somewhere else

I'm not sure if i'm trying to rush him to quickly? Any advice would be great thanks
 
:welcome: A few of us live with Sennies such dear little birds, in fact Boxer is on my shoulder right now.
Mind they can give quite a nip if they feel like it and for what seems to us no apparent reason :buenrollo:
Just lots of patience and taking things slowly seems to work lets ask @Roz for advice, but do have a read on the tips already given to other with scared birdies.
What is his name please and can we have a photo :thumbsup:
 
Hi and welcome to forum
have a read of this post by Roz am sure it will give you some assistance
 
Hi and welcome, I have three myself but have helped train a few keepers, I am busy at the moment but I will try to reply later, can you tell us a little of your birds background was it human or parent reared was it an aviary bird, how old is your Senegal?
 
Thank you for replying guys - He is 1 year old, purchased him from a breeder but I was told he was hand reared (he doesn't bite and steps up) he is very VERY quiet - apart of me feels as though he has been passed on a few times because of his skittish behavior, I found out later on after I got him that his wings were clipped which I'm against so hoping his feathers grow back quickly, he also looked like he had been over preening but it could have been his diet as he was on a seed diet.
 
:welcome: Charliechap!

It does sound like you are moving a little too fast for him. Ideally the aim is to keep his body language as relaxed as possible - it may mean changing the way you approach him... ie. slower, smoother, even lower - birds like to get as high as possible where it is safer/easier to spot predators - in a cage they can't get any higher, but you can get lower, especially when you service the cage/slot in food and water bowls. If he gets startled, try giving him a verbal warning that you are about to pass his cage.
when someone walks towards him he walks away or freezes and just stares, sometimes he gets startled by someone walking past and starts flying around
Lots of lovely information here. Every time he reacts as above, you are being paired with aversives, which you don't want. Instead you want to be pairing yourself with a many good experiences for him as possible. If you can work to getting his body language relaxed, then you will become associated with that relaxed feeling.

What are you using as a reinforcer for target training?

If he is stepping up only when he wants to, think about how you can make it reinforcing enough for him to want to step up every time? You might like to reinforce the step up with a special treat too.

With clipped wings, it makes me think that that might have been used as a training aid in the past? He steps up because he has to - there is no way of escaping which is a sad way to train a parrot. You never get offered more behaviour, the bird gives you just enough behaviour to avoid the aversive.
 
Hello, and welcome from me and Dora (who is on my knee as I write). She was clipped when we got her but it didnt take long for her feathers to grow back and she is now free flighted. A good diet will help the feathers too and dont give up offering things - Dora has eaten a few things this week that she has been offered time and time again and previously refused.
 
Thanks for all your advice guys, i'll start getting to work with this and start approaching him slower. At the moment im using sunflower seeds as a small reinforcer and for a bonus he gets a peanut which is his favourite - i will keep you guys updated with his progress.

Thanks for all your help and advice
 
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May I just say that peanuts are not good for our parrots as are ground nuts and can cause breathing difficulties, I find best treat is unsalted cashew nut or pistachio (I buy from Lidl) a piece of walnut or almond or a tiny pine nut. It is hard when they do love peanuts though. Do keep us up to date.
 
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