I rescued a 6week old Quaker Parrot on June 25^th that had broken its wing. Initially my hopes were to have the bird transported to a refuge or sanctuary for wild life, but I found that my efforts were fruitless as my list of possible organizations resulted in no positive feedback. I ended up taking in the bird, purchasing a very nice 300.00 cage with lots of room, toys, and food trays, and a roof top play pen, and footing the $600.00 veterinary bills. I have been feeding the bird formula 4-5 times a day-which it greedily gobbles up. The bird also requires pain medication which is administered once a day, and antibiotics twice a day.

Now that the bird is on the mend, he/she is displaying lots of fear when we enter the room that he/she is in, flapping the wings, scampering off to the furthest section, and screeching loudly. The bird’s beak is not yet fully developed so it still feeds from a syringe, and for the past week-feeding time is the only time the bird willingly allows us to handle it. I have no clue how to bond with the bird, I have tried moving slowly around the bird, and speaking to it very calmly, even singing to it-which every so often seems to get a good response (it sits on my finger perched on one foot and sleeps making pleasant chirping sounds). My fear is this bird will hate us, and become an unbearable burden. I do not want this as I have invested a lot of myself into it rehabilitation, and due to the fact that it will never fly again I was hoping to give it the next best thing-a loving home with humans who are willing to cater to its every need.

Note: This may be my paranoia but the Vet had to rewrap the bird’s broken wing as it was able to unravel the first bandage. I was then instructed to place Dixie cups as a collar to prevent further destruction of the bound wing. Since then the bird has constantly been able to remove and chew through numerous cups, it have scratched the feathers from its neck, and under one wing. Could this be the reason the bird now seems to fear us? Perhaps it thinks us cruel…I do not know. But that possibility breaks my heart.

So to summarize the issues I am having with the bird is:

-Hissing and biting

-Screaming when I am near the cage

-Frightened by food and water bowls

-Frightened by Food

-Fleeing from us when we need to clean cage or food dish

-Screaming in his cage even when I not speaking or paying it any mind

-Screaming when I am one the phone, or when it is hungry

One word...patience.
like any wild bird they have to adjust
i for instance at 16 years old took in a baby jackdaw that had fallen from the nest! and he turned into a talking (yes talking) and tame bird and now lives in our local animal park,flying free but feeding there!
he did the same with us,the noise etc and its fear of whats going on! new cage! new everything! new to humans! dont tiptoe round him.act normal! he will sense your nerves too.
act normal go about things as normal i.e,hoover up,have ur tv on,talk on the phone! he will settle down but with him being wild it will take time! your obviously a very good person fitting the bill and helping this guy and it wont be in vain!quakers are amazing birds! goodluck and keep us all updated

Bless your heart, Cindy. Those who have dealt with this sort of situation will likely have good advice, I just wanted to say what a nice thing for you to have done and I hope that you get the answers you need!

Cindy
Squawky Q
Pearl Q (new adoptee)
Scooter Macaw

OMG. Wowee you guys are super nice! Thanks for the kind words. We've name the Birdie Apples, and we are hoping that Apples will overcome his fear and not have any psychological scars from his string of bad luck.

Thank you for your warm comments.

Awww, Apples is adorable! Thanks for saving this poor little baby! ... and Welcome to the forum!

I'm sure after he heals and the meds are finished and the cast is off he'll come around. With a lot of time and patience I'm sure you can win him back, but he's probably just a little scared, nervous and confused at the moment.

Casey (our Quaker) broke her leg just after she was weaned. Our friend rescues birds and she fell into their care. She had a cast and pain meds/antibiotics etc. just like Apples. Casey hates our friend with a passion (even though she saved her life!) due to her previous experiences with her... so it reminds me of your situation with Apples. The only difference is we 'rescued' Casey from our friend and she hasn't really been with her a lot since. Whenever she does come over Casey screams and flies off her cage in fear (which she never ever does for anyone else!). But I truly believe had she lived with our friend permanently and she worked with her after she healed Casey would have learned to love her as well. Everything takes a lot of time and patience, especially after an experience like that.

Screaming when you're on the phone or when he is hungry is normal. They all seem to have some issues with the phone, possibly because they feel they have something to compete with, kind of like a kid who is quite and playing contently until you pick up the phone! Screaming for food is normal too as they would have to cry for food in the nest to be seen by their mom if they wanted to be fed.

Maybe it would be a good idea for you to work with him for very small time periods in a different room away from his cage (maybe you do this already?) It would give him a little "Apples time" where he would be one on one with you, no medications, no hand feedings, just positive interactions, love and maybe some treats.

Good luck, others should have some more ideas! Welcome to the forum!

The poor little thing what a start in life, thank goodness you found it and gave it a loving home, no wonder it's frightened but with some TLC and patience I am sure things will turn around once it's wounds are healed. good luck and I love the name Apples.