We brought Santana home 6 days ago. He loves to cuddle and get his beak rubbed. Our biggest issue is flight. If I put him on my finger or on a play perch he flies off right away. I'm not sure how to handle this. I know they're curious birds but I thought they liked to perch. Any advice will be helpful - I feel that this limits our time together. Thanks!

Hi and welcome to the forum. Have you considered clipping his wings, if only until he gets accustomed to you and his new surroundings? I know many think birds should not have this done, but it might be a good idea just to do it once (now) until he gets accustomed to you. Love to see some pics of your new buddie, and good luck!

I did get his wings clipped but he still jumps off my finger or the perch and lands on the floor and runs off. It's very frustrating because I don't want him to feel chased all the time.

Welcome to the forum,this is a great place~!

Hi there and welcome! Sounds like you haven't had your little guy for very long yet. He's probably still trying to get used to his new surroundings. That can take a few weeks. I have two rescue Quakers and here's what I've found. If they run from you, don't chase them. Let Santana decide the pace for a while. If he wants you, let him come to you rather than have you chase him. If you let him decide how fast to trust you and want interaction, he won't become shy and afraid of you. This approach has served me well in both of my Quakers. One of them is a biter from habit (Buttons) and one a biter from preference (Pickles). Because they have soem issues, I let them decide how fast to trust me and how quickly to move toward physical interaction. Pickles chooses almost never and Buttons loves to be held and petted but won't accept scritches. If they feel forced into something, my birds will run or put up a fight and bite for blood.
Once you've established a relationship and Santana's gotten used to his new home, you'll be surprised at how his attitude changes. He will more than likely come looking for love every chance he gets. Do you have pictures? I love Quakers pics.

Welcome to the forum.

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Give your little one time to settle in.

Try giving a treat when Santana comes to you.
Or try playtime with a special toy with him.
He will soon decide to spend time with you.

Tricia

Hi!! and welcome to the group..Hows your little guy behaving now >>?? any improvement...
Don`t be shy join in check out all the forums and share pictures we love to see them...

Welcome to the forum.

Welcome to the forum. Just give him time to get use to everything. Repetition and consistency. They soon will get use to being on Mommy.

Santana has actually been making great strides! He stays on his play gym now without flying away. He just gets flighty when it's time to go in his cage. Maybe I'm rushing him but I'm also afraid that he these bad habits will stay with him if not corrected soon. I'll be taking pics when he is a little more comfortable.

Thanks for the advice. Actually since my e-mail he stays on his playgym for pretty long stretches. So, I'll try to very patient. How soon would you advise to start step-up training?


Santana has actually been making great strides! He stays on his play gym now without flying away. He just gets flighty when it's time to go in his cage. Maybe I'm rushing him but I'm also afraid that he these bad habits will stay with him if not corrected soon. I'll be taking pics when he is a little more comfortable.