Hello from me and mollie!

[Benjaminannas]

Hi everyone,

I have used this forum to find lots of information to help me understand and love my new friend, Mollie.

Mollie is a 8/9 year old African grey who was wrongly sexed. I strongly believe she is actually a he! Which could make her one of the first transgender parrots ever!!! Myself and my partner rescue unwanted animals and have a bit of a zoo in our house! Amy grew up around parrots and other birds but it’s my first real experience with a large bird.

I wanted some advice on boredom. We are still building our trust bond as we have only been together for a week! Don’t get me wrong, I have learnt loads about her over the last week and she is a very well behaived girl apart from in the evenings.

She gets very noisy and I know it’s because she’s bored / has excess energy but I don’t have the confidence to let her out of her cage just yet. I wanted to know how I could entertain her without being bitten but that strengthens our bond!

How do I know when she’s ready to learn how to step up without biting or even just to come out of her cage and behave herself??!!

 

[itchyfeet]

Hiya and welcome Love the spelling of Mollie - but then my daughter is a Hollie...

Couple of questions! Is it boredom yelling or contact calling? Are you in the room when she does it? What happens if you call back to her/talk to her? She may be just seeking her parrot flock...of course it's a bit of a catch 22 here, as I guess responding could then teach her to call as a separation thing and maybe that'd cause behaivoural issues, I don't know. Someone experienced will add their 2c but it's something to think about.

Was she allowed out of her cage at the previous place? (Apparently I'm convinced it's a girl, no idea why, but for the purpose of this post...). Is she clipped? If so, I'd be inclined to open her door now. Going from being allowed out to never being allowed out could cause stress related behavioural issues quite quickly. If food and water are in the cage, then she'll go back in eventually, but coming out allows her to explore the new environment on her terms and may help her confidence. If the cage came with her and wasn't provided by you, then that's her security blanket. My experience is anecdotal and a once off with a different species of parrot so to be taken with a grain of salt. When we went through this with one of our IRN's, he wandered over to us at the table, and approached us to step up when he was ready. He was a fearful character and any other way would have lead to many bites over. I'm welcome in his cage now but it was a process.

These grey's have brains! Do a google for homemade foraging toys in the short term, and in the longer term maybe invest in one or two. My guys love twisted and braided paper with treats stuck inside, or empty boxes much the same. We have a foraging wheel, and also a kebob. The kebob can be threaded with cupcake liners for shredding, various veges, beads etc.

Chuck the telly on. Or the radio. They watch, and it's hilarious to watch them watch sometimes

Last but not least, consider reading up on clicker training. There are other methods but this one is robust and easy to find so could be a good starting point. An engaged parrot is a happy parrot and they can be taught to try all manners of tricks - Salty the amazon is a resident of these forums and has some impressive videos. Could give you something to look forward to in the long term

I'm looking forward to updates!

 

[wrench13]

Welcome and be welcomed. As you know, if you've read a bit, greys are the observant kings of parrotdom. He will want to sus you out a bit before starting to trust.

 

[Benjaminannas]

Hiya and welcome Love the spelling of Mollie - but then my daughter is a Hollie...

Couple of questions! Is it boredom yelling or contact calling? Are you in the room when she does it? What happens if you call back to her/talk to her? She may be just seeking her parrot flock...of course it's a bit of a catch 22 here, as I guess responding could then teach her to call as a separation thing and maybe that'd cause behaivoural issues, I don't know. Someone experienced will add their 2c but it's something to think about.

Thanks for the speedy reply!

All of our animals seem to have names that end in "ie" unless they specifically came to us with a terrible name that doesn't! (Vinnie, arnie, ruffie, alffie, freddie, daisy (ok, it sounds the same but you get the idea!)

Its a bit of both, I think its mainly contact calling. I have spent a lot of time with her and I think she has bonded with me in some way or another as she will constantly check where I am. I am responding with the same speech, so when I leave the room I look at her and say "i'll be right back" and then leave, if I hear her making a noise I shout "i'm here Mollie" and show my head. If she squawks, I ignore her until she stops and then show my face.

We leave the radio on for her during the day, Radio 4 only as she hates dance music! She also hates the TV, or at least anything we try to watch.

She is very well behaved overall so I shouldn't complain but that beak!!!

She did come out of her cage in her previous place, but only when they removed her cage to deep clean it! (they said maybe once every three or so months). Am I right in thinking that her need to bite is because she is in her territory and anything outside of the cage is unknown? If I open the top of her cage and let her out, do you think she will calm down if we leave her to it and let her approach us? Or is it to soon?! The last thing I want to do is stress her out needlessly and ruin what ever bond we have built so far. Also, she doesn't have her wings clipped. She knows how to fly!

I know the previous owner had a lot of cats which is why she probably didn't come out. I know this because she mimics a cat's meow. This is one of her favourite things to do! Along with a police siren (speaks loads to the area she used to live in!)

 

[itchyfeet]

Yeah that's a whole new ball game and I'm out of my depth, so the only thing I add is that you seem to have a decent understanding of her! Others will be along!

 

[Flboy]

Welcome to the two of you!

 

[GaleriaGila]

Welcome!

You'll get great advice here. Pay no attention to any of mine... I have created a monster!
But seriously, the SEARCH tab above is a great reading-buddy.

Glad you found us.

 

[Scott]

Welcome to you and Mollie! Thanks for rescuing the unwanted, they are appreciative in their own way and generally make the best companions!

One week is a short time, especially for a sensitive and intelligent Grey. Might try leaving the cage door open and, layout permitting, place a treat a short distance. There are many techniques to building trust, such as sitting alongside the cage, reading or singing aloud. You'll observe some progress, a bit of regression at times. This link may give some helpful advice: http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49144-tips-bonding-building-trust.html

 

[Benjaminannas]

Thanks for the warm welcome! I’ll be sure to have a browse through other posts!!

 

[Benjaminannas]

So it was my turn to cook dinner tonight and mollie just wouldn’t settle knowing I was in the next room but not knowing what I was doing! So while I did the washing up I wheeled her through to join me! Instantly silent with the occasional exciting yip and she loved helping me with the recycling!!!

(How do I upload images??!!!)

Heres a picture!

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[itzjbean]

(How do I upload images??!!!)

Most users quick-link their images from online photo sharing sites like Flickr, which is fairly easy. I used to use Photobucket but they recently changed their photo sharing abilities only to users who pay for it. SOO...I use Flickr now.

Once you upload your image to Flickr, you can use the URL of the image to post it here, by clicking on the boxed yellow image of the mountain and sun where you type a reply/new thread. I hope that helps

 

[Kentuckienne]

Welcome to both of you!

 

[Benjaminannas]

Thanks!

We had big adventure last night, we left Mollies cage open for her to come out if she wanted to. She took a while but ended up leaving the cage which was amazing! She sat on the sofa next to me for the best part of an hour before my partner did something stupid and offered her some paper (which of course she loves to shred and enjoys playing as a game!!!) Mollie then got over excited and bit her finger which sent amy panicing which of course got Mollie even more fired up and encouraged her to climb onto me, biting as she went which made my partner even worse! All in all, I tried to stay calm without reacting but with my partner panicing it really just sent poor mollie over the edge. I had 5 nasty bites (three to my fingers and two to my chest) as she scrambled all over me.

I had to put a pillow in front of my face when she climbed up my chest and stood inches from my face. It was the only time I felt scared and unsure of what to do. I gave her my hand which she joyfully bit and moved her away and back towards the sofa. She ended up on the floor (she jumped down) and started attacking my jeans. I managed to get my partner calm enough to grab a treat (instead of the towel she was trying to throw over her) and start to tap on the bars of Mollies cage to entice her back. Mollie was a star and returned to her cage, climbed on in and we closed the door.

Very traumatic for me and Amy but Mollie had a great time, no signs of her being scared towards us or in any pain. There was a large feather on the floor this morning which I assume got knocked during the panicked situation.

The annoying thing was she was perfect up until my partner got complacent and offered her the one thing that she knows is a toy / game where she can play rough and destroy things!

I think the next venture out of the cage will be without my partner in the room. It will make things easier. I would love to know how I was meant to re-act when she stood in front of my face? What should I have done when things started to turn pair shaped?

Heres some pictures of her before this all happened!

 

[Benjaminannas]

Thanks!

We had big adventure last night. We left Mollies cage open for her to come out (if she wanted to). She took a while but ended up leaving the cage which was amazing!

She sat on the sofa next to me for the best part of an hour before my partner did something stupid and offered her some paper (which of course she loves to shred and enjoys playing as a game!!!)

Mollie got over excited and bit Amy's finger, which in turn sent Amy into a panic which of course got Mollie even more fired up and excited which gave her the courage to climb onto me, the poor idiot still sat beside the excited parrot. She went a bit bite happy thinking (I think) that we were playing a game which made Amy panic even more!

All in all, I tried to stay calm without reacting but it was very difficult to calm down a panicing lady and a excited parrot when both needed the complete opposite methods of communication. I had 5 nasty bites (all drew lots of blood! Three to my fingers/ hands and two to my chest which she did as she scrambled from my lap to my face!)

I had to put a pillow in front of my face as I then panicked and didn't know how to say no without encouraging her more. It was the only time I felt scared and unsure of what to do. I ended up sacrificing my hand which she joyfully bit but it gave me the chance to move her away and back towards the sofa.

She ended up on the floor (she jumped down) and started attacking my jeans (which thankfully are parrot proof!!!) I managed to get my partner calm down enough to grab a grape (instead of the towel she was currently holding and trying to throw over Mollie which I think would have been disastrous!) and started to tap on the bars of Mollies cage to entice her back. Mollie was a star and returned to her cage, climbed on in and we closed the door.

Very traumatic for me and Amy but Mollie had a great time, no signs of her being scared towards us or in any pain. There was a large feather on the floor this morning which I assume got knocked during the panicked situation. I know it may have been a bit soon seeing as we have only been friends for week or so, but she was asking to come out and I figured from some of the comments I have read that it would be worth letting her make the decision if she wanted to leave the cage or not. It was all going well until I realised I didn't know what to do next!!!

The annoying thing was she was perfect up until my partner got complacent and offered her the one thing that she knows is a toy / game where she can play rough and destroy things!

I think the next venture out of the cage will be without my partner in the room. It will make things easier. I would love to know how I was meant to re-act when she stood in front of my face? What should I have done when things started to turn pair shaped?

Heres some pictures of her before this all happened!

 

[Benjaminannas]

Hey everyone.

The last week has gone really well! Mollie has been great if not a big clingy. She will happily sit quietly if I am around, but if I disappear/leave the room she hates it! It's not a big problem if I'm in the house as I don't mind it but when my partner is in the house on her own she can't get her to stop calling for me! Any advice on how to quieten her down when Amy's on her own? She has entertainment and Amy sits next to her but she just keeps calling "Bennnnnnnnnnn, Beeeennnnnnnnnn" over and over again.

Also, around an hour after we put her to sleep she has started to mumble full sentences in a very creepy male voice. Its actually quite frightening when you sit and try and understand what she's saying. Here is a recording from last night, can anyone understand what she's saying?! I'm worried my beloved pet parrot is going to try and flail us in our sleep!

https://soundcloud.com/ben-annas/mollie-1