Taming my 1 yr old Senegal

Question
About 2 months ago, I was given a 1 yr old Senegal Parrot, female we think. She has been comin out of her cage since 2/3 days after we got her, she takes treats gently from your hand, but if you go near her for any other reason, even just to walk past her, she tries to bite you or fiercely attacks her toys. She has twice flown at my head, flapping frantically both times. She has loads of toys both in and on her cage, and she gets loads of attention from us. We are trying to teach her to talk too but she wont even mimik a wolf whistle. I don't much like the idea of getting bitten but would love to get her to sit with us. Are we doing something wrong or are we just being impatient?

Answer
Hi Kae,
Sorry it took me a few days to get back to you. I have been getting sent out of town a lot lately to teach cpr classes and dont always know when I am going to be going. When I do go, I dont usually have net access.

You have a lot of work ahead of you and the first thing I want to tell you is to have a LOT of patience. You are dealing with a behavioral issue here and they take time. She also needs more time to get used to life with your family.

You don't say whether she was handraised or whether you got her from a pet store, another owner, or ??? But the answer to that can make all the difference in the world. I do want to give you a few ideas and then will direct you to a very reliable website where you can do some reading that should help both you and your bird.

First, make sure her wings are trimmed. This will not only keep you safe from being flown at and attacked but it will keep her safer as well. Also, many times trimming the wings will reduce aggression quite a bit because the bird will come to realize they need to depend on your for "transportation".  You also want to check the height of her cage. If she is above your eye level, try to find a way to bring her down to your eye level. In nature, the birds that are at the top of the flock will be perched the highest. You need to be the "flock leader".

Next I would suggest spending a few weeks just sitting near her cage and letting her observe you as you read, watch tv, etc.... don't try to actually interact with her but do include her in what you are doing. When I have worked with cage aggressive or fearful birds I have done this and read a book outloud while sitting next to them. I substitute the birds name for a name in the book I am reading so that it gets their attention. As I said, dont let her think you are watching her or doing anything toward her, just let her watch you. Then when she shows interest you might try snacking on something healthy that she also likes. Once she is interested in that and seems comfortable, open her cage door while you sit quietly by. You keep reading or watching tv and eating the yummy snack. Chances are she will get curious enough to get out of her cage and climb on to you. If she does, remain still but praise her.

As for talking, she may never talk, you may have to just love her for who she is. Senegals are not known to be big talkers, but even in the birds that are known for talking ability, there are some quiet ones. I have a Blue Front Amazon that I raised from a baby and they are known to be prolific talkers. Kelli says very little and can't wolf whistle to save her soul. She does use a few words but more often speaks to me in her own bird language which is fine. On the other hand, I have two cockatiels that say quite a bit. To get the best chance at her talking to you, don't repeat any words over and over. They will get bored and tune you out. Just have conversations with her and be VERY expressive when you talk. When you put her to bed at night tell her "night night" and "good morning" or something similar when you see her first thing in the morning. When you giver her food say something like "want some?", "yum yum" or something similar. Name her foods. When you give her a slice of apple say apple and do it with expression on your voice. You will think you sound crazy but birds love it. And if she never talks, be patient and watch and I will bet you will learn her language. I talk to my bird Polo in "macaw" all the time and have a ball doing it.

For some good reading on hand taming, stick training, ideas on getting her on to a playpen instead of her cage when you want her with you, etc... pay a visit to: www.birdsnways.com

Best of luck to you. Hope you have many happy years with your bird.

Jan