Rescued birds
By sofs
@sofssu (23660)
September 21, 2015 8:28am CST
I have a few rescued birds. One of them is an Alexandrian parrot whom we call Xerxes. Xerxes is still baby.. seven months old and is just learning to talk. He has been battered and abused is what I have been told.
However he seems wild; when we try to pet him the other day he almost ripped off my finger. I have never had birds before; excepts for some pigeons and chicken when I was little.
I really don't know how to train Xerxes. He does say hello, his name, who is the good boy and stuff like that .. he likes me to sing to him.. but never lets me touch him or get near him.
Does any one have rescued birds? How do you deal with them?
If you are a bird person I would appreciate some tips. Or maybe you could just share you pet experiences
12 people like this
13 responses
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
21 Sep 15
Awww that is so kind of you. Teaching/training a bird is like teaching or training any other animal. For instance training a dog, if you want it to sit, you give the command and if it obeys you give it praise and a treat. The same can be said for a parrot.
Also depending on what kinda of parrot it is, (cockateils, parakeets (budgies), or larger ones like Macaws). If you dealing with the larger ones, I would say always wear some thick work gloves. Let them gradually get used to you handling them. If they sense fear, they will never come to be completely comfortable with you.
1 person likes this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
22 Sep 15
@sofssu Yes, from it being abused it will take more time than an animal that hasn't been. You will have to be patient, and use coaxing methods. Do you ever try opening his cage and let him get a feel of his surroundings?
1 person likes this
@sofssu (23660)
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22 Sep 15
@TexanTornado He is a huge bird. Alexandrian parrots are. The fact that he has been hit with sticks and a power hose.. makes him very wary of people. He wont let me get near him to handle him. I have personally trained 12 of my dogs.. they have all been very obedient and well trained.. But an abused animal is a handful and i have no way of figuring out what was done to him.. he is afraid of everything.
1 person likes this
@sofssu (23660)
•
22 Sep 15
@TexanTornado He comes out when all of us are on the other part of the house.. he explores the place but gets in the moment he sees us.. or runs under the plants .
1 person likes this
@gregario888 (1276)
• Aurangabad, India
22 Sep 15
Parrot bites are one hell of an experience. I got one as a youngster, when I picked up one red beaked fellow, who had got numb from cold. No sooner was his body warm enough to fly, the first thing he did, was to give me a bite, of my life off course!
1 person likes this
@sofssu (23660)
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22 Sep 15
@gregario888 Smart guy.. he knew how to make you release him. Oh yeah they can rip off your fingers.. their beaks are really strong.. and this bird being much bigger than a normal parrot is even stronger.
1 person likes this
@gregario888 (1276)
• Aurangabad, India
22 Sep 15
@sofssu Yes! It surely must have been strong.
1 person likes this
I have all kinds of animals and bird left on my door step in the mornings.. abused animals and birds. I wonder how they even have the heart to do such things.
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
21 Sep 15
We had a bird when I was a kid, but it wasn't a rescued one and we didn't really have issues. Maybe a bird expert can give you some advice on how to train Xerxes? 
1 person likes this
@sofssu (23660)
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22 Sep 15
@cahaya1983 I have been watching some youtube videos. But they seem to say the same things that doesn't work with Xerxes. I guess I need to find that bird whisperer..lol to help me.
1 person likes this
@sofssu (23660)
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23 Sep 15
@cahaya1983 Tha nk you sweetie, I read this link.. while it has some tips, the owner is trying to sell her E book and dvd's . I found another one which has some tips but maybe I need to do more research. I truly appreciate your help.
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
23 Sep 15
@sofssu Did you check this link? I didn't browse through it but seems like it's a good resource for parrot training:
Resources for parrot owners for parrot behavior problems including parrot behavior books, DVDS, workshops, webinars, videos, articles, magazines, courses, consultants and seminars
1 person likes this
@sofssu (23660)
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22 Sep 15
@Rollo1 Yes these parrots are usually one person pets .. we really have to be trained to be a family pet. They can be smart and mean at the same time. I am afraid when little children come home that he might rip off their fingers.. So I keep him out of their reach. He is a sweet thing otherwise.
@allknowing (153530)
• India
23 Sep 15
I am a bird person alright but I have them coming to my garden as guests. My garden is designed with birds in mind with a bird bath, plenty of fruits and lush greenery.
Your bird has gone through a lot. Give it time. Just feed it and be kind to it and slowly I am sure it will let you touch it.
@kevin1877uk (36987)
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22 Sep 15
Sorry I can't help with this one, I'm not a bird person. All the best with it.
1 person likes this
@sofssu (23660)
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22 Sep 15
@kevin1877uk No worries.. I am trying my best to see if there is something I can do with Xerxes .. if not he will be restricted to his cage.
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
21 Sep 15
Sorry I have never owned a bird but he sounds very smart maybe he will come to trust you.
1 person likes this
@wetnosedogs (1533)
• United States
22 Sep 15
Best of luck with Xerxes.Sorry I wouldn't know how to train a bird.
1 person likes this
@sofssu (23660)
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22 Sep 15
@wetnosedogs Thanks for the positive thought. I guess I need those wishes.,
