Trust Issues (Indian Ringneck)

Fantastic!!! Always make sure it is easy for him to hop off your hand again so that he is in complete control. It will give him confidence to hop back on in the future. Sounds like you are making tremendous progress!! :applaudit:
 
Quick update, progress is still the same with just the one leg that he's happy to put on my finger and then stretch out for the treat. I've switch to using the target now to see if that's any better but still the same, one leg and then stretch. I guess over time he'll be more confident with two.

Im currently holding my finger perpendicular to the perch he is stood on, is there a better position to hold my finger that will make it easier for him to hop on?

Also should I incorporate the cue "step up" from now? Even though he isn't fully stepping up?
If so then do I say step up when he puts a foot on then touches the target or just when the foot is on?

I.e
Foot -> "Step up" -> touch target -> treat
Or
Foot -> touch target -> "Step up" -> treat
 
Perpendicular sounds ok. You could try holding your finger in front or make it an extension of the perch - whatever gets best results and that would come through trial and error.

There are different thoughts about to when to add a verbal cue. I prefer to add the cue when the bird has learned the full behaviour, or else he will think/learn that "Step up" means just putting one foot on your finger. I would just cue touching the target for now.

It sounds like you are doing very well. It is progress that he is now happy to put one foot on your finger. It takes a lot of courage and trust to put two feet on the finger. When he does, immediately let him step off again so that he realises he is fully in control. This again will give him courage to do it again in the future.
 
Success, he'll now step up with both feet onto my finger! I switched to the perch method and used the perch that came with the cage. Used the target stick initially but now luring with a treat, just to make the process of him hoping on and comfortably stepping back off easier. I'm incorporating the word "step up" each time both his feet touch grab my finger. Hoping in time he'll step up with a lure.

Also I keep mentioning him as a he but I haven't actually had him DNA tested. The only thing I'm going off that hints he might be a male is a ever so slight ring forming. Also he should be around 10/11 months as of this month, I've attached a picture, could anyone potentially guess gender/age from it? I guess it could be very hard to so it's now a big issue.

I was actually at Hyde Park (London) today on a walk to see how the flock of ringnecks there were doing and it amazes me at how tame they are to come sit on your hand
IMG_20210403_184353_compress51.jpgIMG_20210403_184326_compress72.jpgIMG-20210403-WA0030__01.jpg
 
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Thanks! @Michael Reynolds if you need more pictures let me know! I can create a new thread aswell if it helps? Would be easier for other users to scan through when they drop into the forum!
 
i just love going to Hyde park and yes Roz the ringnecks are very friendly their, i try to go twice a year to see them but had to miss out last year owing to covid restrictions. i will look back on the posts to see your ringneck @mehul93 can you tell me how old it is?
 
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i just love going to Hyde park and yes Roz the ringnecks are very friendly their, i try to go twice a year to see them but had to miss out last year owing to covid restrictions. i will look back on the posts to see your ringneck @mehul93 can you tell me how old it is?

Yesterday was the second time I've been and it's certainly not the safest place to be in the current climate. Even though it's an outdoor area the ringnecks tend to always be in one place, and that area is swarming with people trying to feed them. I don't think I'll be going anytime soon again!

So when we got him last November we were told he was around 5/6 months old. So he should be around 10/11 months around now. Could you tell from the pictures? I'll try get some more pictures later on today
 
if you can try to take a photo from the side with your bird stretching its neck then this may give me more of a clue, the photos so far and your birds stance looks like a male but as its head is so close to the body in the photos i cannot tell for certain
 
The only thing I can say is, any progress is positive, well done. I thing trust building is crucial and not to be rushed. If you offer a finger/treat for him to step up to you must ensure that you do not move your finger during these interactions until trust is consistantly in place, its hard to take a step forward and so easy to take a few steps back. Birds pick up on your mood/anxiety levels even before you realise yourself. If you are finding it a stressful experience during training or wanting to rush it, the bird will realise. Relax, smile, talk softly and let him know its ok, in fact a little excitement in your voice when positive things happen goes a long way. Ive never found clickers, or indeed treats work with Enzo but i think she isnt normal. Enzo prefers a 'good girl' or a beak rub when she does something positive. She understands 'its alright' too.

Of course, constantly read his body language, any sign of a warning or nervousness, back off. A shake is good, thats generally a de-stress action, feathers and wings tight isnt etc.
 

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I've just noticed some weird behaviour today, he spent around 5 ish mins doing this yawning motion. I looked it up and it looks exactly like a bird adjusting its crop, however, today's he's been really sleepy and has heard sneezing a bit more today. Nothing has changed but the only thing that he's been doing is chewing on the window frame, which is stained and varnished. I'm not sure if he's eating it but wondering if that's possibly why? I've taped up the frame now so he can't chew it.

I'll keep an eye on him but is this something to worry about? I've got a travel case coming so will be able to take him to the vets if needed.

Video below @Roz @Michael Reynolds @DizzyBlue @dianaT

 
The video won't play. From what you say I would guess it is likely through chewing the window frame . You may be best to contact your avian vet for advice.
 
Chewing of the window frame - it's what parrots do, unfortunately. It can be dangerous if the varnish contains toxic ingredients. If you are worried about him do contact an avian vet as Diana said. Avian or exotic vets know a lot more about birds than an ordinary vet. That's good you have a travel cage arriving soon.

If you can load the video to somewhere like YouTube and then paste the link here, we should be able to see the video.
 
I rang the local vet, who has someone that isn't just an avian vet bit has worked with birds for many years. He said that the chewing is fine and most likely won't swallow but to keep an eye on his faeces. When I put him back in his cage he was fine, was flying about and seemed happy.

I've posted the link below, hopefully that works.

Also not sure if you can hear in the video but he has always made that weird squeaky sound. I always thought that was him try to talk or something. What does that sound like?


 
Just seen this on his left nostril, it looks like it's just is feathers out of place but never seen it that much before. Does that seem normal?

I believe he's going through his first molt, he is dropping feathers every now and then throughout the week and he's getting to around a year old now
 

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In the video and the photos he looks pretty normal to me. Kobe, my Pionus used to have an issue with sneezing and a runny nose - after numerous visits to the vet and tests, we decided he probably has an allergy. When Kobe sneezes, he often scratches his nares and sometimes he scratches off the feathers around them... especially when molting. It is similiar to your Ringneck and sometimes a lot worse. Just keep an eye on him as you have been doing. Love his little squeaks.
 
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