Advice on Blue Fronted Amazon please?

Question

Let me start by saying I have already decided to take her to my avian vet, but would like other opinions as well. I have had her almost a year and she doesn't step-up on command. She had a bad wing clip job shortly after I got her. Needless to say we had multiple broken blood feathers and I decided to wait on training the "step-up" command due to her repeatedly knicking the wound. Now they are ggrownback out and I working on the command. I am torn as to whether or not to clip her feathers again, at the vet of course. Second, she is very resistant, not aaggressive but I literally chase her around the cage using the "step-up" command. Is the okay? My Avian Vet told me, at the time, to keep trying even though she kept getting hurt. That really didn't make sense to me, so I decided to let her heal. She said that I sould "chase" her arounf firmly saying the command for about 15 seconds, then stop and walk away, this did not work. Any suggestions? She does take treats, lets me rub her foot and beak. I am at a loss, my Lorikeet was so much easier. Thanks.

Answer 1

Hi, Sorry to hear that you're having such a hard time.

I would definitely have your vet trim her wings.  One thing I learned with parrots over the years is that when they can't fly, they are more dependent on their owners.  

I would have the vet do this, and then when you're safely home. Place her on her outside perch (if you have one) that isn't in the cage.  and then work with her each day with the Up Up command ,offering her the back of your hand.  or your glove if you use one.  

I wouldn't chase her around, that sounds ridiculous, no wonder she is getting hurt.

You don't mention if she will step up onto your shoulder.  If she will do that, Maybe you can get her to Up Up from your shoulder to your hand.

Hope you can work it out with her.  Good Luck.

Answer 2

How old is she? Did someone own her before you?

The good news is that she runs away when she doesn't want to do something, instead of biting a chunk out of you to get you to change your mind. :)  

She could enjoy being chased...might be a game for her, if she doesn't seem terrified or growling, etc.

If she is afraid when she's running, maybe at some point she's had a bad experience when stepping onto a hand, or maybe from the bad wing trim, and she hasn't gotten over it (and may not for a long time, if ever).  

Would she run if you asked her to step onto your forearm, or a stick?  If not, it's not the hands...maybe she doesn't want to come out (cage bound?) or, just doesn't want to be out of control on some object that goes someplace she doesn't want to go.

I wouldn't let her on my shoulder until she's comfortable with stepping up onto something else.  Perhaps offering her her favorite treat as an enticement to get onto the stick?  Then eventually onto your hand?  If she realizes the hands are ok, she'll get over it..

I'd also consider letting her wings grow out, to see if her sense of trust returns - maybe the hurts traumatized her a bit - and if that works, then trim gradually over a period of time so she gets used to it (take necessary precautions about doors/windows, etc. of course).

Sorry so many other questions - It's hard to figure out what will work - you'll just have to try a bunch more stuff.  But she sounds like she's a sweet bird other than that, if you can rub her feet and give her treats. Since she's improved so much already, you're obviously doing something right! So maybe she just needs more time.  Hang in there! :)