I saw a tip on another thread here about a bird'flashing' pupils going from large to small.Does anyone have any other 'tips' for those of us who don't have a lot of experince in what to look for as a possible sign of impending behavior--I for one would be very grateful---I have a double yellow-headed amazon,male 13yrs old --

Well with my senegal Toby, when he flashes his eyes, that means that he is excited about something. Which means either, my hand is going to get abused , or I'm going to get bit. I know its recomended to not pet them from head to tail. That tends to excite them and they do option #1 that toby does. Sorry I'm not much more help than that.

Dals---you are great--it's tip's like this that help myself and others--thanks--I pay a lot more attention to Pancho's eye's than I did---he is out of his cage daily now, and makes no move to threaten?? me with the open beak like he did in the beginning---BUT --he does threaten hubby if he walks too close to the cage---for some reason he doesnt act like he cares for men at all and it was a man who owned him from a youngster til about 12--does that make sense??

well maybe Toby isnt suppose to display like that --but---he is cute doing it--yes Poncho has been dna'd and is a male.He was really kind of scary when I first got him --I have no experince as I have said and he did bite me a couple of times -hard enough to bring a bruise ,but not break the skin.when he takes off from his cage on a 'jaunt' thu the house and I have to bring him back ,I towel him ,at first he tried to bite but now he isn't biting hard---he refuse's to step on my arm-to be able to return to his cage --he will step up on a perch but won't stay there is I act like I am going to move with him-------any suggestions?

Umm, Have you tried to move him, while hes facing you? I wonder if you could get him on the perch, and just stand there and move the perch around a bit so that he maybe and hopefully gets used to it moving. You are lucky if all he has given you is a bruise from him biting. Toby, has broken skin, I've had to put a on because of the bite. No hes not supposed to display like that but it is cute. I think its funny when he does that to my husband, considering my husband is 6'1" and his hand alone weights more than Toby. But Toby has no fear of him. But if Poncho isn't biting you like he did in the begining, the I would say you are doing a great job. Do you want Poncho to stop making his jaunts through the house?

Dals---I would like for Poncho to not go exploring as he gets into 'stuff' he is very noisy!He went to 'my ' chair in the living room and got my ballpoint pen and distroyed it,while I was in the bathroom---when I came back and found him his beak and mouth were black---I put him back in his cage and he went to his water and 'washed' turning the water blackish blue---I was scared it was going to hurt him so I call the vet ---was told that since he got it washed off not to worry --but yes I would like for him to stay put on the gym or cage area---suggestions?He also wants to tear up paper if he can get to it--looks like it has been thu a shredder!--Do all parrots due this? or am I just Blessed !!LOL

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He also wants to tear up paper if he can get to it--looks like it has been thu a shredder!--Do all parrots due this? or am I just Blessed

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Both in the all parrots do this to a certain extent, some may be content with just a little, others love to rip paper up any kind of paper. Try explaining that one to the bill collectors. As far as Poncho making his jaunts though the house, is he clipped? How close are his cage and playgyms to items he can use to "help" him in his wanderings? Like is there a chair, couch, stand near those things that he can use to get off of the cage or play stand? These things might help you on keeping him in his areas. If he likes shredding paper, try taking plain printing paper, wadding it up, and stuffing it in to something like a cardboard roll or a small cardboard box. Let him watch you doing it, then give it to him. Or taking a piece of computer paper folding it up, and tying it to his cage.

Ohh yes, they all should come with the warning taped to their forheads. DO not leave me alone in a room, I am like a toddler, as soon as your back is turned or you leave the room. I will find something, anything very quickly to get into. As while I have been sitting here "playing" on my gym or cage, In reality I have been scouting out the room, for things to get into, while you aren't watching me. LOL

You need to be very careful with a amazon, they can be very agressive, and watch your furniture and wood work, fireplaces,(mostly soft woods) etc. Anywhere they can get a hold of the wood and start chewing it up, I have had all the above turned to tooth picks
The problem of the bird taking flight or jumping off the stick(perch) that you are using to pick him up, you just have to be persistant. Do it over and over and over again, just like with a child He's doing it because he was not handled much. On the biting...squeese the beak while they are biting with your thumb usually gets them to let go. A note to all going to buy a bird, if the person selling the bird keeps him moving from hand to hand, up and down whatever, they are usually doing so to keep the bird from biting . Keep your birds busy with food and toys, they make alot of toys that have treats that reward them with a treat when they make it to a certain part of the toy, this keeps alot of them active and from traveling all over the house, I have used the the dong toys for dogs with the bigger birds....fill it with peanut butter just like you would your dog