Undersocialized?

**Silverstorm** · 10-18-2011, 01:36 PM

I have an 8 month old Green Cheek whom I've had for 6 months. He use to be very social when meeting strangers. He would automatically fly to them and perch himself on their head but now he is fearful. He won't let other humans pick him up and he backs away from them. Today I placed him onto my brother's hand and he kinda froze, unsure of what to make of this strange human. Then he flew to me and hid underneath my hair on my shoulder/neck area. This is very new behavior to me, he wasn't like this a month ago...is it some kind of fear stage phase? It's very odd. I know I was gone for 10 days and had my dad take care of him for me. Since I was away he was stuck in his cage without any free flight roam time. It was only for 10 days.

Is this normal behavior at some point? Or is my bird just way undersocialized?

I have some ideas for non-forceful re-socialization for him. We'll start out slow and go from there. If anyone has any suggestions, I would appreciate them. Thanks so much!

**LemonLover** · 10-18-2011, 02:23 PM

Just re-tame him. Thats all you can do.

**AmberMuffinz** · 10-18-2011, 07:25 PM

Neelix is kind of the same. When I got him he was super socialized and would go to anyone. He STILL goes to everyone but he likes to bite them a lot lol. I don't mind him nipping at me because he doesn't do it hard and I always tell him no when he tries, so he knows his boundaries with me. If you were gone and only came back for the past couple of days I would guess he just missed you or something. I would just try and socialize him some more and be patient with him.

**Silverstorm** · 11-05-2011, 12:03 AM

I stand corrected. While still a bit of a "Mama's bird"...he seems to be okay with other female humans. I'm guessing my dad must've "spooked" him somehow while I was away? Therefore causing Dreamer to be cautious/fearful of other men? -sighs-

Still a work in progress but not all is lost. Thanks!

**WookieePups** · 11-18-2011, 03:46 PM

What some of the other members (above) said is true.. You may want to make an effort to spend more time with him to re-socialize him again. After having you gone for 10 days, your poor guy might have become bored within his cage. Next time you go away, make sure that the person that you have watch him spends plenty of time with him. Also, it doesn't hurt providing him with a variety of toys to keep him occupied and stimulated while inside of his bird cage... and remember, be patient with the guy.

**jemmawaldrop** · 12-27-2011, 03:48 PM

He might have just missed you but my gcc is kind of a jerk to other people. I just try to keep people supplied with treats (his favorite are safflower seeds) and hope they can successfully befriend him.

**emdh** · 12-31-2011, 01:32 PM

I agree-my sun is as sweet as can be to me and to my husband but he can be pretty unpleasant to some people.

**Birdmanca** · 12-31-2011, 01:55 PM

The bird still seems to be quite ok with you. As for the actions with other people, perhaps he lived where he was very happy there. Perhaps in the new setting he is not as comfortable with some of the people he has been meeting. Humans react to these situations exactly as your bird does. Let the bird relax and be happy and relaxed. Don't try to control birds actions, let it wish to like people.