About a month ago I moved to Hawaii and I get to live with and care for a beautiful African Grey Parrot named Alex. I love him but I've noticed that he is a funny little bird. It took a month before I convinced his daddy to free him from his cage. He built him a brand new perch, litter box, and even put toys on it for him to play with. Alex pretty much stays on his perch and typically will dance with me while I clean and do chores around the house.
I've only had him on my hand a few times. The first time I offered him to perch on my hand to my surprise he took me up on my offer and refused to get off lol. I stayed calm and continued to try to get him to go back on his perch but he ended up on my shoulder and near my face. I still stayed calm and continued to try to get him to perch on something else but he liked where he was at. Soooo, he can be a bit nippy I was a little afraid of his unexpected love so I kept turning my face away and hoping he wouldn't get me lol. Anyhow, check out what a good and smart boy he is. Once I told him verbally "o.k. Alex, sweety your kinda starting to freak me out please get down" he instantly flies down to the floor and comes walking back up to me putting his claw up as to say ok put me back on my perch now.
I love him and I keep seeing all these little videos of people petting their African Greys and playing with them with toys and I would love to get to that place with him. I believe his daddy has had him for over 7 years and had him since his birth or shortly there after. He has told me to be careful because he can bite. Which of course is a risk you run with any animal but I'm trying to learn as much as I can about how they communicate so I can interpret what he's trying to say.
I've got the NO, I said I don't want that down pat lol. They are highly intelligient and they make up their minds pretty darn quick. They don't need to be encouraged or at least it appears that way to me. Alex will take what is offered if he wants it the first time. If I continue to offer he will grab it and throw it on floor. Now, I have held him for a few moments since the first time when he refused to get down but not for any length of time. Only to put him back on his perch. Lately I offer my hand and he typically puts his head down which I usually take as a no, get out of my space. When I change his food and water sometimes it feels like he's going in to peck my fingers so I tell him no and pull back quickly. I dont want to lose a finger lol and the owner said he's bit him so hard once it went down to the bone. Scared the crap out of me. So anyhow, I'm confused. Alex seems to like me but maybe he senses my fear?
I've only had him on my hand a few times. The first time I offered him to perch on my hand to my surprise he took me up on my offer and refused to get off lol. I stayed calm and continued to try to get him to go back on his perch but he ended up on my shoulder and near my face. I still stayed calm and continued to try to get him to perch on something else but he liked where he was at. Soooo, he can be a bit nippy I was a little afraid of his unexpected love so I kept turning my face away and hoping he wouldn't get me lol. Anyhow, check out what a good and smart boy he is. Once I told him verbally "o.k. Alex, sweety your kinda starting to freak me out please get down" he instantly flies down to the floor and comes walking back up to me putting his claw up as to say ok put me back on my perch now.
I love him and I keep seeing all these little videos of people petting their African Greys and playing with them with toys and I would love to get to that place with him. I believe his daddy has had him for over 7 years and had him since his birth or shortly there after. He has told me to be careful because he can bite. Which of course is a risk you run with any animal but I'm trying to learn as much as I can about how they communicate so I can interpret what he's trying to say.
I've got the NO, I said I don't want that down pat lol. They are highly intelligient and they make up their minds pretty darn quick. They don't need to be encouraged or at least it appears that way to me. Alex will take what is offered if he wants it the first time. If I continue to offer he will grab it and throw it on floor. Now, I have held him for a few moments since the first time when he refused to get down but not for any length of time. Only to put him back on his perch. Lately I offer my hand and he typically puts his head down which I usually take as a no, get out of my space. When I change his food and water sometimes it feels like he's going in to peck my fingers so I tell him no and pull back quickly. I dont want to lose a finger lol and the owner said he's bit him so hard once it went down to the bone. Scared the crap out of me. So anyhow, I'm confused. Alex seems to like me but maybe he senses my fear?
