Meet Freddie

**SharonC** · 06-29-2010, 05:41 PM

I was here a few months age, agonizing over what would be a good flock addition for me. I've really taken the plunge, and bought a Yellow Naped Amazon named Freddie. He's just over six, and is loads of fun.

He needs a little work, but is a sweetie overall.

Here he is in all his glory! He's singing How much is that Doggie in the Window, but he's always off key! LOL Rrrrrrrico, which he also says, comes from Frederico, which is his full name. He also uses Freddie or Fred, depending on his mood...
http://s446.photobucket.com/albums/q...0.mp4&newest=1

**WD8CEB** · 06-29-2010, 06:03 PM

Sharon, Fred is sure a talker.. Loved the vid's

**eliza** · 06-29-2010, 06:41 PM

Isn't he something!

Best of luck with Freddie

**SharonC** · 06-29-2010, 06:52 PM

Thanks! He is a great guy. His previous owners handled him firmly, which is, I suppose a good thing. It has made him hesitant to step up, as he was often forced. He bit, when he was forced. I'm trying a different approach. I've clipped his wings to make him easier to manage for now. I've got him used to stepping up on a stick perch, and he's doing well. He does fight the step up at bedtime...little toad

...but no biting since the wing clip! He's been with me for three weeks, and seems happy. I'm going slowly with him, and not handling him much for now, until he trusts me a little more...

**mster70** · 06-30-2010, 02:13 PM

Wow, I pretty much laughed out loud when I watched that!
He's very entertaining, in a good way, of course

Makes me wish lovebirds could talk

**rottncosmo** · 07-01-2010, 07:57 AM

Oh my gosh that vid is priceless! He really loves to talk! He's adorable. Congrats on your new addition.

**SharonC** · 07-01-2010, 09:09 AM

Thanks! He's a lot of fun!

**McDenny** · 07-01-2010, 12:18 PM

A firm hand with a parrot is never a good thing. They don't understand discipline in a conventional way. YOUR way (patient and slow and loving) is much better. Reward the good, ignore the bad. You can use 'light' punishments like time-outs....but birds don't really understand negative reinforcement. All that results in is what you have with Freddie, biting when being forced to do something he does not want. You cannot force a parrot to do something he does not want then expect good results. You have to coax them into doing something YOU want and reward them for doing those things.

Good luck with Freddie. Amazons are a handful! He is going through an adjustment phase with you that could last for months, so don't be shocked is his behavior goes through some crazy changes.

**SharonC** · 07-01-2010, 12:53 PM

Oh oh...that sounds ominous!

I knew there would be a honeymoon period, but I've actually found that Freddie is "kinder" now than he was at the beginning, and is easier to deal with. I have noticed that he's not talking quite as much as he was...He often scolds himself very loudly, which he did not learn here. It goes like this....Fred, no, NO, NNNOOO! Get in...Get IN, GET IN!!!! It's quite disturbing and quite LOUD! I'm hoping he forgets it. I'm beginning to worry that the neighbour's will think that it's me! He's choosing to spend more time in his cage, which has surprised me...the door is open, he goes in and out, but he's just as soon be in. He also eats better, and naps more than he did at first.

**Blue and Gold** · 07-01-2010, 11:34 PM

Sharon, Ours talked up a storm when we first got him and he's slowed down somewhat. I think ours started talking less as he got more comfortable with us. I'm not sure why this is, and we've heard 30 words in the past, but now he only says his favorites. It's truely amazing what some people will say to a talking bird. Just remember he'll change for the better when he realizes how much better off he has it.

**SharonC** · 07-02-2010, 04:41 AM

That sounds good....I really don't mind the talking slow down. Although fun, there are times when it's a nuisance. Hubby hasn't heard the Evening News properly in days! When he turns up the TV to hear better, Fred just gets louder too!