Bosco is very unsocial ...

[BoscosMoM]

Okay everyone Bosco is very unsocial he gets extremely aggitated when I introduce him to anyone new. He is a second hand Quaker. I have had him 3 months now he's 1 1\2 yrs. He also gets extremely upset if my kids 1 and 3 talk to him. I have done alot of reading and maybe it is just going to take time for him to trust anyone else. I don't want to push him into situations he is uncomfortable in but I want everyone in our household to be able to enjoy him. My husband has just now got it to where he can give him a treat without threats and under breath mumbling.

:p

[Jenny]

Hmmm... Maybe you could try tape recording your kids' and husband's voice on a tape, and then play it by his cage softly for a little while every day. Then gradually play it louder and louder, until it's about level with the volume of their actual voices. Just a thought, but it might help him in getting used to them more. Giving him a treat while he listened to the tape would be even better. I don't really know how well something like that would work, but you could at least give it a try. I think that it is going to be fairly hard to get Bosco to trust your kids since they're so young. Chances are that he had at elast one bad experience with kids in his old home, and even if he didn't, most birds don't trust young children as much to begin with. How much do you know about his background and previous home? That information could possibly help you figure out why he's so upset around new people. Like you said, sometimes it just takes time, so that's great that at least your husband is getting farther with him! It would help if he'd work with him on step-ups or something in a separate room, without anyone else around, where he could praise him and give him treats and spend one-on-one time just with him. Some parrots also benefit when they are taken on short outings with a less-favored person, since it makes them depend and rely on that person more and learn to trust them. Good luck! :)

[JSimko]

Some birds are one person birds, however I have not yet found one that has not responded to being bribed.

[Amanda]

I've heard some birds prefer women over men, or vice versa. Is it possible for you to get in touch with Bosco's previous owner? Maybe you can ask them if Bosco preferred one gender over the other. This may help you understand some of Bosco's behavior.

Glad to hear that your husband is making progress with Bosco.

[BoscosMoM]

I know that he had a family mom, dad, daughter. And the craziest part the wife and little girl teased him. But he still prefers me over anyone. I geuss just time right. I also know that they got a gold and blue and nobody had time for him anymore.

[JSimko]

I don't know how old your bird is however this site may help.
http://sprout.phpwebhosting.com/~feistyhome/puberty.htm

[Redstorm1721]

Like everyone else said,time.................your baby needs more time to get to know all the noises around your home.You see, this is all new to bosco. Try and think like bosco,he has a new home all new people and all new noises. If we were in a cage and all these people were looking at me,. I would feel funny. Some birds are shy and it will take a while. My bird Sunni,who is a senegal,Parrot is exstreamly shy,and is not good with others, unless I am also in the room. Then when anyone from my home takes her out I have to then leave the room, or she will just fly to me. If she is out on her play stand, and I need to go get something she will scream to the top of her lungs, and try to fly to me. Which ends her on the floor,since she has no flight. Question? have you had Bosco's wings clipped? That will sometime tame them enough,to where you can work with him? Well I hope I was helpful? good Luck with your new baby! Gail

[BoscosMoM]

Yes, his wings are clipped. And I have great news everyone......My husband finally got to pet Bosco this morning he said his goodbyes to everyone including Bosco and he was such a good boy he didn't even shake. He puffed himself up and winked at him. Time....thats what it is going to take.

[Redstorm1721]

Oh how cute is that? He will come around. Its all new and he will get to know your personalitys and go from there. His other family was mean to him by doing what they did to the poor little guy. He needs you and your family. God Bless you for adpting him. Gail

[Jenny]

Thats' great!!! Tell Bosco to keep it up! :) I bet in a year from now he'll let most of your family touch and hold him.

[pionuspasion]

Congratualtions on your new family member! I've heard Quakers are quite the little personalities!

[Mrs.Birdy]

I have read that staring at a parrot makes them nervous because they think of the person as a preditator. It was stated that we should not stare into their eyes if they get aggressive, just speak softly with our eyes closed. I told my daughter to try this with my Pionus, because she is the only one in our family he is aggressive with...he puffs out, flares his tail, and tries to attack her. She has been trying to speak softly and does close her eyes when he gets like that and I think it might be working.

[pionuspasion]

It's funny my Pi does the same thing with certain friends of mine. She'll puff up, strut her stuff, and grind her beak. She seems to do it more with people who are larger than me. Maybe she is intimidated...

[JSimko]

I have the exact opposite problem with my blue and gold. When we are outside and he spots someone he tries to make me go over and let him say hello. He seems to want to greet everybody. Taz just will not let someone strange touch him.

[Redstorm1721]

You know my parrot grinds her Beak? I thought it ment she was ready for bed? LOL. She does so many things I am still learning!:)

[BoscosMoM]

won't it be neat 20 some years down the road when we can know every move or thought they are thinking. I can't wait till I know Bosco and how he feels.

[Redstorm1721]

I think we all pretty much know what they want now? But for our new birds? Yes that is awsome!

[Jenny]

Redstorm mentioned beak grinding, and in my birds it is a sign that they're ready for bed. They always do it late at night on their perches, and after a few minutes they're sound asleep. I haven't noticed them doing it for any other reason ever.

[Amanda]

I remember reading somewhere that when birds grind their beaks, that means that they are very comfortable and content. I guess that's why they are doing this behavior just before going to sleep.

[Mrs.Birdy]

Yes, my cockatiel and Pionus do this beak grinding too when they are ready to go to sleep. Also, Marcel will occasionally do this when he is content after eating a treat.

Soooo cute.:)