Citron cockatoo help

[DR zuum]

Hi i have a citron cockatoo 5 months old,the pet shop i bought him from trimmed off part of his toe,and he has some trust issues.I've kept macaws,cockatiels,umbrellas,greys so im experienced and have always been able to bond and train the other birds.

But im coming up blank with this guy he's smart picks up words right away within 10 or 12 repeats which is rare,which is why i want to keep him,and will let the baby touch him and everything but not me or my wife.I dont want to take him back because i know he will just be put in a cage in the back and left to rot.Anyone else thats had experience with issue birds any info or tips you can give will be greatly appreciated.I need someone more experienced than me with issue having birds.And yes i've hit up the dedicated bird sites as well.

 

[Socrates]

At his age, he should eventually come around. Was it a man who cut off part of his toe? Does he take any treats from you? How exactly does he react when you want to pick him up?

For now I'd suggest opening his cage, sitting right there next to him, but don't make direct eye contact and just talk to him until you turn blue in the face. Holding his favorite food in your hand while you talk to him may entice him to check you out closer.

I wish you the best of luck with him. I'm sure your patience will be greatly rewarded.

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Wendy
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[DR zuum]

Thanks i'll try that,no a woman cut his toe.The only person that can touch him is the baby.

 

[Mina]

I agree. Try keeping him in a room where the family spends time, so he feels a part of the "flock". Talk to him, or read to him, but don't look him directly in the eye. Give him his favorite foods, and make sure the only time he gets them is if they come from you or your wife. The ony other thing you can do is be patient. In time he will understand that you won't hurt him.
In case you are wondering, I have 12 parrots myself, and doing what I suggested is how we turned around a very badly abused Quaker parrot. Good luck!!!!!

 

[Becky Wheeler]

Hello!

I got an african grey 10 days ago and i've got the same kinda problem, but with some great advise i got from some lovely people on this forum!, Little holly is finally starting to trust me, she also comes out of her cage now.

What i did was sit next to her cage and talked to her exactly the same way as i talk to my 2 year old son and i think it's important to smile at her too! and approach her slowly. Also try giving her a monkey nut! and if she takes it from you, say "good girl" And make a fuss of her.

Thats what i've been doing with Holly. She's still a bit weary with men, but she's a lot better. And all this in just 10 days?.

Stick with her, She might just suprise you! They just need to learn to trust you.

 

[joey]

Bowing The Head

I have always found that bowing your head to a bird helps. If you watch them interact with each other, they use this approach. It seems to be a "look I'm not going to hurt you" sort of stance.
Talk gentle and be patient. Everything above.
Good luck with him.
One of my senegals had to have two toes amputated just last year, he has gotten over it better than I have. But he has got over it.
hugs and all that to you, you sound like a great family and the bird is lucky you found him.

 

[DR zuum]

Thanks guys i'll try those methods.Im hip to the head thing i can get most macaws and too's to be my friend in a few minutes using that trick,this boys got issues though,but i'll continue to try to connect with him.Another strictly bird forum member said he may have been seperated from his mother too soon at 4 months,he's still getting in a few of his feathers.Regardless im not taking him back to that shop,if i do end up having to let him go i'll make sure he goes somewhere good with the right people.Thanks again

 

[MicahHall]

I once had a conure that had SERIOUS trust issues. He would go totally insane if you so much as approached his cage door. I had bought him as an adult from a pet shop that specialized in birds, but because of the charming noise level of this little monster mouth, nobody wanted him. I did the talking to thing all the time.. singing, talking.. they dont care as long as you are making fun noise. I also used to call to him from the other rooms in the house, and he started calling back. The best day of my life with him was when I was calling to him.. got no answer, and the next thing I knew, he was squalking like a maniac behind me.. he had come out on his own and wanted to know where I was! Patience is a wonderful thing with birds.. when they finally decide to trust you they do it with all there hearts.. but if you ever betray that trust they will NEVER forget it!! Mine .. the antisocial little monster.. now lives in a daycare where he finally can be in a place full of not only activity that keeps him entertained, but voices that are actually shriller and LOUDER than his.. The Mrs Hall