How to make pals with my parrot?

Positive Reinforcement Training.

Here are some websites:

http://exoticpets.about.com/od/behavior/...

http://www.naturalencounters.com/parrot....

http://www.parrotconnection.org/reading_...

Barbara Heidenreich's "Good Bird" Magazine is excellent:

http://www.goodbirdinc.com/

Do your homework, study the techniques and you will be well on your way to teaching him all kinds of things.

You need to learn more about training.

First things first:

1.

Find out what he eats first out of his food bowl and make sure he only gets that when you are training him. Do not give it to him as part of his food. This is your "Reinforcer".

2.

Do some research and find out what kind of parrot you have. This would be an excellent start on things.

3.

Begin reading about diet, nutrition, proper care, training, positive reinforcement, vitamins, mineral supplements, safe toys, and get rid of your teflon pans. (If they are accidentally put on a high temperature, the fumes from the burning teflon will kill your bird. Better safe than sorry.)

Please see this:

http://www.ecomall.com/greenshopping/teflon4.htm

Parrots are not the easiest companions in the world to live with, but they are wonderful once they learn some manners; it's up to you to teach them. You simply have to do your homework. There's a ton of information on the internet. Use that teaching tool in front of you: your computer. It will be the best teacher you'll every have if you look things up and learn about your bird.

Best of Luck and if you work with him, you won't believe what can happen!

A green parrot...possibly an amazon or a quaker? One other thing...you got him when he was one and half mos old...so 7 or 8 weeks of age? Was he even weaned by that age? Did you handfeed him? I raise eclectus parrots and it takes at LEAST 12-14 weeks to wean them....8-10 for smaller breeds such as tiels. Sorry I'm a little confused how you got such a young bird that is weaned.... Well either way it doesn't sound like he's been well socialized by his breeder and if he's that young he's been force weaned/starved to make him eat on his own...which is very traumatic for them. Was probably fed and put back in the cage with no interaction at all. This is a problem with a lot of breeders, they are more interested in the money than the care and love of the birds.

At his age I would try to win his heart with food..get something that you know he'll like. Grapes, cherries, granny smith apples and try to hand it to him and talk gently to him. Maybe even go buy a container of handfeeding formula and a bird syringe, he may take to that and bond with you over it. Tell him what a good boy or girl he/she is and how much you love them. My 10 yr old african grey will STILL take a syringe full of handfeeding formula when I'm feeding babies.

Sit down nearby and talk to the bird, on occasion put hand near cage, so he gets used to it! Do this everyday same time of day, like before school and before bedtime. Spend like an hour each time.

Eat in front of the bird! Spaghetti or sandwich. Don't offer human food, unless it checks out okay in the bird book bible, made just for that bird. OR look on internet to see what foods can be shared.

I would handle him as much as possible, let him know that you are his friend. When you handle him have something like a bowl of fruit on your lap that he can reach and snack on if he wants, don't be upset if he doesn't go for the food the first couple times, he might wait until he's gotten used to being held by you before he decides to eat while being held. My african grey took about two months before he would eat with me, but he's a great companion now

The way you bond with your parrot is u don't move to quick around him, and when u reach in to hold him put your hand out without being scarred close to his chest and tell him to step up if he has not learned this he will, also do not shout around him, try and talk sweet to him with a gentle voice and most birds will actually kiss you, if he bites at all don't try this, even some that bit do like to kiss though. if he lets u pet him, pet him very gently, u will know if he doesn't like it. That's about all I can tell u!

Keep talking to the parrot

He may not be very sociable as he is still young but if you HOLD his food for him especially something he LOVES!!!!! While talking softly, eventually he will associate you with calm, gentle and Favorite food! I had a Mealy Amazon and he was a delight....teach him some words...just say them over and over and over and over EVENTUALLY he will respond...do not have any mirrors or other birds he can relate to...he will need you since they do not enjoy being alone...ALWAYS talk to him....very important to handle him a LOT and talk a LOT

Find out what kind of parrot he/she is and visit websites about that variety. There are usually good tips and suggestions.

Speak to him calmly, Try to feed him from outside the cage (pass a slice of apple)

all you can do is spend more time with him try taking him out and holding him on your hand while talking to him have a pocket full of sunflowerseeds parrots love them