Advice on New Grey

[jamerson0199]

I bought a 3 year old Grey on Tuesday. I have been trying to clean his cage since the previous owner have not done it in awhile. I have also been keeping his food and water dish clean all without being bitten so far. I am trying to switch his food dish out and give him more food but he is perched on it and will not move. Normally what we do is, my wife will distract him away with some food but it is not working today. He refuses to move. When we open the cage he tries to come out. How can I get him to allow me to change his food dish without biting me? I am not sure if he will bite or not. He will move in with his beak very slowly and will lightly touch you with it. I am just afraid that he is guarding his food and will actually bite me if I try to mess with it. He is very curious as to what we are doing. I don't want to try and force him back into the cage because he may bite.

 

[ShellyBorg]

You need to trust him and get him to step up. yes you may be bite. Just go slow and try not to be scared. One of my birds will lunge while screaming with his mouth open for a bite, only to step up as nice as can be if you don't scream.( I really think this TAG was a macaw in a former life) you scream or react and game over you will be bitten.

 

[SandyBee]

You haven't had him very long so he is still scared and his cage is his safe spot.
We have an African brown head that protects her food dish with everything she has.

We make a foraging toy, a nut wrapped tightly in paper towel. Wrap really tight so it takes them a while to get to it. We inserted in the side of the cage away from the dishes. She goes for it trying to release and enjoy the nut. Gives us the opportunity to change out food and water dishes without getting bit and no stress to her.

She is much better now that we have had her for a while. I think distractions like this may work for you as you get to know each other.