How do i get my amazon double yellow head parrot to be more comfortable with me?

Question

It will come onto my hand when i put it near it, but it will NOT let me touch it anywhere else (around the body etc.) I can get away with slightly touching it's chest. I just want the bird to be more comfortable with me and not scream anytime i try to pet it. The good thing, is my bird will never bite. I mean it bites, but it doesn't hurt at all. It's just a very light, light, light pinch. I think it doesn't know how to bite? lol. anyways.. i've done everything i know to make the bird more comfortable but it still screams when i put my hand anywhere NEAR it. oh and this isn't as bad as me wanting to pet my bird but i always want it to say a word or two. any advice on that?? i've repeated "hello" like a kajillion times but NOTHING comes out :(

PLEASE HELP! i'll appreciate it greatly.

Answer 1

you should'int just say hello like that! they learn how to talk and sing etc...  whene you play with theme and spend time together for exaple:

whene you walk in your house or room, just say hi or hello  reapeat this every time you walk in your house or room every day or mayby every time you walk in your house or your room. thene they will learn how to talk and sing example for singing: whene you sing your favorit song  or any song when your in the bathroom or enywhere your bird will get used to it and sing. just spend some time with your bird, and just try to pet your bird and your bird  will get used to you.  

Answer 2

If this pattern has been ongoing for some time, then the bird may simply be playing the pattern out with you.  

That being said, the first answer you received was spot on... how would you like it if you were thrown into a jail cell (no, I'm not against bird cages, but it IS the most accurate comparison) and your guard who was trying to befriend you kept coming up and trying to rub your chest?

Ummm... think you'd scream?  Don't think you'd quite be ready for any serious violence just yet, I mean, he hasn't hurt you, he feeds you, he's entertaining to watch, but he is certainly making you uncomfortable.  So you yell, grab his hand, and make him stop.

The simple fact is that you don't own a dog... you own a bird.  Not only a bird, a bird whose breed is notorious for NOT being cuddly.  Among the amazons, double yellow heads are known for their speaking and mimicry, not their snuggles.  Want a snuggly bird, try a Brown Head, or a cockatiel... but even certain individuals don't like to be petted, just like people.  

Along with that comes the fact that some Amazons also just don't feel the need to vocalize.  You also never said how old your bird was, where he came from, how long you've had him, what his past is... all these factors come into play.  If you're repeating hello a kajillion times but not associating anything with it, he's not going to have any reason to repeat it.  Try giving him some tiny pieces of mango or apple, and every time you hand him a treat, just three or four times a day, say "hello."  Make it the same time  you walk in the room every day.  When you wake up in the morning, when you come home from work/school, after dinner, and before bed.  Soon, he'll start expecting it.  One day, a few weeks from now, when you're late with the goodies, he may surprise you by reminding you with a "HELLO?!" from the corner to solicit a treat.  

If he never talks, if he never allows you to pet him or pick him up, it could also finally be that he's not keen on you personally.  Don't take it to heart, birds are like people that way.  Some folks they like, some they don't.  Plain and simple.  If he's not totally keen on you, you may win him over, you may not... if you don't, it may be in his best interest for you to find him a new home with someone he enjoys more.  You know how it is, you meet someone, and instantly you dislike them.  You don't always need a reason.  Now imagine you get to spend 60+ years living with that person... and they keep rubbing you on the chest.. ;O)

I'm not trying to be a downer, I'm just trying to put it from the bird's perspective.  Try ignoring him for a few days, talking to him from across the room, offering him treats quietly, see how he responds.  Let us know what happens.  Only time will tell....

By the way, a quick note... a fast google search will show a ton of sale ads for amazons (yellow nape, yellow crown and double yellows) who are all between the ages of 3-8 years old who do not talk).  Also, the Yellow Crown, Yellow Nape and Blue Front are known as the "Hot Three" because of their aggressive temperament around mating time and their tendencies towards dominance and constant testing of their owners willpower.