I brought my new baby Quaker, Ollie, home last Sunday and he took to the transition wonderfully. He was eating his first night home, sleeping on one foot and came out of his cage to work on "step ups" (which he does great now) with no problem.

The problem is now when we go to take him out of his cage. He'll often latch onto his perch or grab onto the cage bars with his beak. I'll need to gently pry him loose and do a quick step up to get him onto my hand. Then when he's out of his cage he'll continually try to fly back to it. The day we brought him home the clerk at the Exotic Bird store said his wings didn't need a clip, but Ollie is getting really good distance. I'll be taking him for a proper clipping this weekend. Even when he sits on our hand, he seems to be looking for his cage. I live in a one bedroom condo and his cage is in the living room since we spend pretty much all our time in that area when we're home. I tried taking him into the bedroom yesterday, out of sight of his cage, and he still tried to fly away from me. He doesn't seem scared or upset when he's on our hands though. We can pet, kiss and snuggle with him (though he kind of just sits there when we do)and will step up with no trouble. It's just that he will just try to fly off or be looking for his cage rather than just enjoying our company.

Will he grow out of this? Is this normal for a new bird? Is there anything we can do?

Thanks in advance.

You just brought him home so he is sticking to what he knows right now, his home.

Just give him time to get used to his surroundings. Talk to him and get him to trust you.

Don't try to pry him out of his cage. Just leave it open and talk to him and he will come out in time.

Don't worry you will have a spoiled little green chicken in no time.

I agree with sgtcluck. Dont force the bird to come out. He is still getting used to you and what you have been experiencing so far is the honeymoon phase. A wing clip is a good idea tho.
I would just keep his cage open when you can and sit near him and talk to him. Eventually he will come out.

I agree with the others. He hasn't been home very long.....and he can fly. Good idea to get a wing clip to "humble" him now. Later on if your conditions are right you can let them grow out. Never force your bird out of his castle. He needs to feel safe in his home. Like the others said, just let him come out on his own. He just needs some time to adjust.....

I agree if Ollie is unsure of the surroundings he will be shy for a lil bit , but leave the cage open and when hes ready he will come out and then you can work on getting him used to it.

I definitely think he'll adjust eventually-- his cage is just his "comfort zone" for the moment-- but soon he'll develop other ones around you guys. Hemingway is a huge green chicken with new things and it seriously takes awhile for him to adjust to some novel ideas. (He still refuses to take a bath anywhere but the kitchen table in his glass pie plate-- he looks like a deer in headlights if I take him near a sink anywhere). Keep hanging in there-- sounds like you're doing a good job giving Ollie attention and trying to include him in your family! Hang out with him and curiousity will get the best of him-- talk to him while he's in his cage (or climbing around on it) and eventually when you walk away he won't wanna be left behind.

I am having this SAME problem with ZeZe. I have left his cage open and he doesn't come out. I don't want him going days without being handled, so I "pry" him out of his cage. And then he is constantly looking for a way back to the cage. How old is your bird? Maybe they are just really insecure at this age. ZeZe I think is 3 or 4 mos??

Most birds are a lot smarter than just coming out of the cage with the door open and trying to talk to it. Especially if they are frightened and are new to a different environment than what they are used to. I am beginning to use this new technique and it works!

Lure the bird out with food. Find out what the bird's favorite food is. For example, it likes an apple slice. Stick the slice next to the bird and wait for it to eat it. After a few minutes it eats it, move the food to the next perch that is closest to the door. Keep the door open. Wait for it to come down and eat it. Then move the slice close to the door. KEEP YOUR DISTANCE WHILE IT'S CHASING AFTER THE FOOD. This takes awhile, but be patient. This trick especially works if they are starving and really want to eat
If they don't eat the food within a whole day, keep it there. They will find it. Bird will eat when it's hungry and will become braver. If they finish eating the slice, replace a fresh slice in the same location where you last left it. The bird will work it's way closer to the cage door.


The slower and patient you are on the bird, the more they will begin to trust you. They need to adapt to a new environment so give it time. Falconers use food to lure and train their birds.

I'm clicker training all my birds, at least to targeting.

I might have been very lucky with the 6 birds I have. None of them are afraid (Duke used to be, but clicker training fixed that - he's now a pussycat - Sam used to be, but he's gaining confidence every day).

I don't 'lure' my birds. It might be something you need to do with Raptors, but certainly not with parrots.

I think that confidence within people themselves to deal with their birds makes all the difference.

If you think you bird is going to behave badly, it most likely will.

Some expert advice as been posted and I would like to say it may take a month or so before birdie is comfortable enough to come out of his house...But please don't pry him out.....That place is becoming his security and that is where he feels safe right now...Just time and patience please.....

Check back with us and let us know how birdie is doing.....

I did force gizmo out by picking him up but i wouldnt reccommend it. I dont know how your birds will react.