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Fledgling
 
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Last Login: 6/4/2010 2:50:58 AM
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Hello Everyone!
I am new to the Amazons and look forward to learning all I can from you and your FIDS. I adopted a 17yr old male Mexican Red Headed Amazon, better known to some as a Green Cheeked Amazon. He was with a couple that just did not have the time for him. Right now he is nippy and untrusting and I cannot blame him  They have him on an all seed diet and I hope to change that for him slowly over time. From watching them handle him, I think they were a little over birded (I know that that is not a word) so to speak. One thing I didnt understand was the man beating on the cage and screaming step up..... then Murphy would preen his feathers and pin his eyes.... Even never owning a Zon I know this is a warning to bad things to come... So I have a challenge to Rehab, good thing I love challenges  In addition to him pinning his eyes and puffing up he also sings a little song before he nips LOL Does anyone else's Zon do that?? Just wondering.... I think I will teach him to step up on a stick (perch) first before offering a hand to him LOL Tonight he got some fresh apple, 15 bean soup beans, and fresh greens. He has yet to touch them but I hope he will.
On to other things he has one toy!!! I need to know and see examples of toys your Zon's like. I am going to go shopping for him this weekend. Overall I think after the first part of the year I am going get him a bigger cage. the one now is (guessing here) it is 3 feet tall, 3 feet wide and 2feet deep in your opinion is this to small for him?? I have my 2 quakers in a slightly bigger cage then him and they are a lot smaller bird.
Any advise would be great!
2 Mexican Red Headed Amazons- Tasha and Murphy
2 Quakers- Johnny and June
1 Cockatiel- Jane Ann
2 Budgies- BB and JJ
2 Quarter Horses- Sable and Sir
1 Dachshund- Lola
1 Betta- PH
and I guess the Hubby- Scott
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Fledgling
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 6/4/2010 2:50:58 AM
Posts: 26,
Visits: 134
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I guess a picture would be helpful huh....
2 Mexican Red Headed Amazons- Tasha and Murphy
2 Quakers- Johnny and June
1 Cockatiel- Jane Ann
2 Budgies- BB and JJ
2 Quarter Horses- Sable and Sir
1 Dachshund- Lola
1 Betta- PH
and I guess the Hubby- Scott
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Feather Fanatic
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 10:10:45 AM
Posts: 3,717,
Visits: 1,236
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| Hi and nice to meet you. Well, IMO I would do a bigger cage for sure. I guess it really depends on if he will be out most of the day or not. For instance my nanday had a pretty small cage, but it was more like a roost cage because he was out all day. Toys, well if he only has one he may not know what to do with them. Take it slow, one toy at a time. My recent rehomed bird is a CAG and he had a difficult time with toys. He now plays somewhat with toys. I started him with some toys with corn cob on it. It had a bell and she soon figured out that she likes the sound. It will take a lot of time to figure out what he likes etc. since he probably doesn't know yet. Good luck.
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Feather Fanatic
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Yesterday @ 7:46:14 PM
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He's a beauty
Pippo-"Pipz" Tiel
Catania "Kitty Cat" The faby
Garth-"M'boy"-germ shep
Pebbles-"wiggle butt"-blk lab
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Fledgling
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 6/4/2010 2:50:58 AM
Posts: 26,
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Thanks Ditty! I am taking baby steps with this guy for sure! I have a few I rotate around with my Quakers (they are larger) I think I will sanitize them and add one to see if he shows some interest. Wow you have a CAG!! I went to a bird fair recently and there was a woman there that had a 6 week old CAG that she was handfeeding. One of the cutiest looking little things I have ever seen!!
2 Mexican Red Headed Amazons- Tasha and Murphy
2 Quakers- Johnny and June
1 Cockatiel- Jane Ann
2 Budgies- BB and JJ
2 Quarter Horses- Sable and Sir
1 Dachshund- Lola
1 Betta- PH
and I guess the Hubby- Scott
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Big Talker
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 8/18/2009 9:22:13 PM
Posts: 1,733,
Visits: 1,463
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Well good for you for adopting an older bird...and he is a beauty! There are a few zon people here, lets hope they see you post and can help you...good luck.
 The difference between parrots and kids is that it's cute when a parrot talks back. www.macawsandmore.com
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Feather Fanatic
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 2 days ago @ 12:38:07 PM
Posts: 6,100,
Visits: 12,301
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Fledgling
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 6/4/2010 2:50:58 AM
Posts: 26,
Visits: 134
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K&T Mom that is what I thought about the banging on the cage to step up also  I am now home from work and I opened his door up and let him get up on his play stand on top. He is talking and snacking away. I totally agree about waiting on getting a new cage. I dont want to shock him to much all at once. I plan on letting him be out as much as he lets possible. My quakers in the other room know someone new is here and are squawking to him now. They do not speak because they are breeders. I am quarantining him for at least 30 days to make sure he is completely healthy, as well as getting him in to see the avian vet to run some panels to make sure everything is alright with him. Well time to clean everyones cages and let the Tiel' and Budgies out for their play time.
Thank you everyone for your complements on him! Surprisingly enough his feathers are in great condition for never having a bath at his old home.
2 Mexican Red Headed Amazons- Tasha and Murphy
2 Quakers- Johnny and June
1 Cockatiel- Jane Ann
2 Budgies- BB and JJ
2 Quarter Horses- Sable and Sir
1 Dachshund- Lola
1 Betta- PH
and I guess the Hubby- Scott
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Feather Fanatic
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 2 days ago @ 12:38:07 PM
Posts: 6,100,
Visits: 12,301
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Feather Fanatic
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 2:25:25 PM
Posts: 5,776,
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Hi! Welcome to the forum and to the world of Zons!
I have a BFA, Willow, and am very fond of Zons in general. They are not a bird for every one. Right? My other bird is a macaw. You have Quakers! My favorite birds!!!
Try to keep him in quarantine for 90 days if at all possible. It can take some time before he shows signs of any illness. Also, it will give him time to get used to you on his own before you stick him in the same room with the Quakers. I know they can hear each other. That is good. By the end of 90 days, they will be interested in actually seeing each other.
One of the good things about Zons is they wear their emotions on their sleeves. You can always tell what is going to happen if you watch the eyes and feathers. Moving his head in a snaky fashion is another aggressive move. When Willow does that, I don't even offer a perch to step up on. I know she will run right up it and into my face!
As you work on getting your bird to trust you ( slowly) get others to do this too. I've had several birds in the past and Willow ( and other zons) bond with one person and shun all others more than any bird I know with the possible exception of toos. She is down right dangerous around my husband. When one is out, the other has to be locked up;)
They can get fat, so try to encourage as much exercise as you can. If you put the food on one side of the cage and water on the other they have to go back and forth. Of course, got strenuous exercise is really important. But if he has been sitting in a tiny cage for years, he may have to slowly work up to that.
He may improve his eating habits and bond to you ,too if you eat healthful foods around him. Get a piece of fruit and prepare it in front of him. Make a big deal of it and eat it with lots of yummy noises and such. He may soon ask for a bite. You can try this with pellets, too.
I give Willow a lot of picky toys. She does puzzle things, but she loves to tear paper. If you have old phone books, they make good toys. You can use those zip ties to hang one on the side of the cage, or lace it through the bars. I get the pinata toy for macaws for her. You may have to pick at it a bit first so he sees that is what it is for. Birdy bagels are good. Willow also likes the pressed paper cup holders that are tray shaped that come from fast food places. I use heavy duty D ring sort of toy hangers, the ones with the screw closure. I used to use the ones that came with mid sized toys that are like a cheap dog chain clip. She got caught on one and hug by her pallet for God knows how long before I came home and found her! Even with these hangers, I use a pliers to tighten them down. she will use her tung to unscrew them other wise. You may have to introduce toys by sitting them across the room and playing with them for a while. Some birds are very afraid of new things. Although I have always found zons to be pretty NOT neurotic.
I guess holding off on the new cage for a while is a good idea. I know how it must bug you to keep him in the small one, though. When you get a bigger one, bigger it better. I have Willow in a great BIG macaw sized cage. With all her toys and books ( ha ha) there is really not as much room in it as you may think. i did make the mistake though of getting cages so big for my birds that is is hard to get them through doors in the house. Pepper's Pa had a web site and he has a cool cage. It is very expensive, but you get what you pay for. Mine is similar only it does not fold up. If mine every end up in bird cage heaven, I think I would get one like his.
I am sure other zon folks will come out of the woodwork here and let you know their experiences.
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