I have a problem and I need advice

[Myka]

Let me start at the begigininng I have a blue and gold macaw I have had her for one year and 39 days. Very well adjusted, friendly with others. Then I went and got a baby African grey for my niece ( who is 13 and lives with my hubby and I) . My hubby and niece was CONSTANTLY on my case about spending time with the grey. So since she isn't my bird anyway I stopped spending time with her. So grey bonded with my niece . Well that's great and all but she comes after me! She literally flies at me to attack.she has bitten me more times than I can count. Now my niece stopped taking care of her and does not give her the attention she needs. I'm afraid she will start feather plucking.i feel bad for the grey. The only attention she gets is when she comes after me.i let her out for about 4 hours a day while my niece is in school. I clean her cages and give her treats. I change her beddings everyday and give fresh food and water. While my niece does not even look at her.will not spend ANY time with her. She takes treats from me when she is in her condo ( I don't like to call it cage)but when I let her out or have to put her to bed she bites me.she also has a play condo where she naps and plays with her toys and at 9:30 she is put in her bed condo. My problem is can I get this grey to bond with me since she doesn't have anyone else? Please help

 

[cdog]

My family had the same problem with my Sully, he loves me but attacks everyone else.
Here is what worked for me...
Find her favorite treat then just feed it to her through the cage everyday(as long as it isn't sunflower seeds), then gradually work up to feeding it to her on top of her cage. Do not remove her from the cage, just let her climb out herself.
It took about a week for my Sully to start liking mom, but now he is fine with her.
If you still aren't getting anywhere you may need to consider clipping her until she is trained, the feathers will grow back but you will find it is a lot easier to train a bird that sits still.
Good luck!

 

[Myka]

Thank you for that I'll try it

 

[wenz2712]

cdog has given you great advice You could also try Clicker Training... I know quite a few people that have used this method with great results.

 

[Myka]

I wouldn't even begin to know how to do that.

 

[Myka]

My blue and gold was so easy. She hasn't bitten anyone. As a matter of fact when she finds something good to eat she forces it into your mouth. She loves to be kissed by everyone. And if she doesn't get her kisses she will hang on your hair till she faces you and then she gets her kiss. I want this grey to bond with me so bad. She would be so much happier. I don't think my Myra has had a bad day yet. My house keeper when she comes in the morning Myra will call out to her either by her name or mom. She calls me momma. We play with her and just recently we didn't know she knew how to fetch things for us. She is free flying in the house. Zola ( the grey) seems very unhappy. I don't raise my voice at her I give treats I let her out of her condo. But I think she misses my nieces interactions. How am I gonna replace that?

 

[Ginkai]

This is going to sound harsh but if I was you I would start taking away the things your niece did want as punishment and trade for neglecting the bird. If she wanted it she should be prepared to put in the hard work for its whole life not till she gets bored. Once she starts taking care of it again you can give her back the things you took.

That's if this was my house. But as its not I agree with the others clip her wings and do everything you can to make her associate you with positive things.

 

[Myka]

I did take EVERYTHING away. Tv, ipod, her dog, I even took her allowance away for a month! I'm just not going to give her back this baby that I'm working soo hard to keep happy. I didn't need another baby. Myka is already a hand full. But now I have zula I need to replace that bond she once had with another person so she can enjoy a full life. My niece WILL NOT GET HER BACK!

 

[Myka]

I once gave myka a bath and when she tried to fly she hit her play gyme pretty hard. What if I trim zulas wings won't she try to fly and then hurt herself? I' do it if the chances of her hurting herself is slim.

 

[wolf0994]

A vet or yourself if your trained to can clip a certain number of her wings so that she can glide down in safety but not elevate. You dont want so many clipped that she falls like an anchor. It's the elevation your trying to prevent. I wish you the best of luck.

 

[Myka]

I'll do it! Thank you for telling me. Did not know I could just do it so she can't elevate. After I read your reply I made the soonest app. To the vet. Myka is due for a nail clipping too. I have brought both of my babies into the vet and she hadn't said anything about clipping the wings just enough to glide down. I don't dare do it myself. Too scared. But I haven't had any problems with my macaw so I didnt think about doing that. Thank you. I thought to clip the wings and bam! Smack straight to the ground. I am soooo thankful for such an easy macaw. She hadn't given any of us a bit of a problem. She loves her dr. Hopefully this will not get her to be more aggressive bc of flight or fight instinct. Thanx