Except for a few budgies and a teil growing up, I had no bird experience. But I've been owned by CAG's for over 4 decades. Think of them as intelligent but emotionally toddlers to kindergarten individuals. They watch every thing you do. Then somehow analyze it and do things that encourage or discourage you. I see people who suggest clicker training. My first grey reversed it. He'd click then tell me up or sit (dogs were click trained). If I ignored him, he'd get off his cage/playpen, grab a body part and repeat the order/command. I was trained rather quickly! Then he started doing that sound to the point I had to leave apartment. I knew responding would encourage him. Both rapidly became experts at my triggers. I ignore the fire/smoke detector. The neighbors however reported it to maintenance. He learned to limit it to when I wasn't there. I have yet to understand somethings. Like saying 'watch it' if I stumble or bump into something while on my hand or arm. Or saying 'sorry' before squeezing an arm with those talons. Both loved TV but different types of programs. One loved sound mimicking and the other talks and talks. She asks questions and you're expected to respond appropriately. For awhile I had electric mats near cage. Both would drop food near cage or pen edges. Then food morphed into canine or feline chum. Both were smart enough to grab tongues or tails randomly! They're intelligence is amazing. Removing food dishes, toys, unlocking cages, testing the cage bars or doors and more. Yesterday purchased a new type of 'locking' food dish. It took Nameliss 40 minutes to throw it on floor. It took me 15 minutes to set it up and I got thumbs! I concentrate on making changes in environment; moving furniture around, leave for it week or so, then relocating cage if desired. Both of mine became irritating with unexpected changes. Grey's are very good at training their pets. Like screaming or saying something that gets you rushing to them. Nameliss nearly got dropped by a new vet tech for screaming and crying. I had to remind him that he hadn't even touched her toes yet. Both trained to avian harness, umbrella tolerance and my pockets. Umbrella because sometimes there's need and they look scary. My pockets because sometimes I've needed to go somewhere and the travel cage has been destroyed. Trying to keep them stimulated can be a challenge. Those fancy foraging toys are often ignored for a chance to get them dropped on floor, remove yarn from shelves, etc I don't understand their why's. Nameliss has an expensive swing that's over 10 yrs and has never had a drop of poop! But she got on the new skateboard after 90 seconds and lets me push her around. TAG/CAG love learning new things. It's fun listening to them practicing syllables, watching the toy, dish testing and more. Then trying to set restrictions that they'll think are their ideas for maximum compliance!
