I'm in a bit of a pickle.. (African grey)

[Stevieg786]

So we've had this parrot for 10 years now and no one dares touch him as we're scared he'll bite, apart from my brother who is the one that bought it, that can't be healthy for our bird..

My brothers not around all the time so can anyone give us some advice on this?

We always let it out around the living room etc but it's just touching it, scares us, I would love to just pick it up and stroke it but can't get myself to do it lol

Also, I bought him a new swing for £30 but he hasn't even gone near it, it's been like 3 days!


Thanks in advance.

 

[getwozzy]

What's the AG's name? I'm assuming you take care of him? when your brother isn't there..?

Does he lunge at you? Or can you give him treats with your fingers?

As far as the new swing- new things can be scary or intimidating to some birds, so it may just take a bit of time for him to adjust to its presence.

Birds can also sense what you're feeling, so if you're always in a state of fear around him he'll pick up on it and some birds will use it to their advantage. If you want handle him make sure you're relaxed- take some deep breaths.

 

[Stevieg786]

What's the AG's name? I'm assuming you take care of him? when your brother isn't there..?

Does he lunge at you? Or can you give him treats with your fingers?

As far as the new swing- new things can be scary or intimidating to some birds, so it may just take a bit of time for him to adjust to its presence.

Birds can also sense what you're feeling, so if you're always in a state of fear around him he'll pick up on it and some birds will use it to their advantage. If you want handle him make sure you're relaxed- take some deep breaths.

Hi, thanks for reply. His name is bubbles, my brother doesn't live with us.

No he doesn't lunge or anything like that, I give him food all time, he puts his head down for a stroke that's when I be reluctant, his beak is very sharp!

:54:

 

[getwozzy]

Ok, so Bubbles isn't aggressive towards you at all?

Him putting his head down is a welcoming sign!! He WANTS you to scratch him so- next time he offers, take a few deep breaths, have a treat in hand (for afterwards), and gently stroke his head- you can go with or against the feathers. I usually use two fingers and use a motion like I'm making my fingers walk -if that makes sense.

Do it for a brief period of time and then give him a treat afterwards if things go well. Watch his body language- and if you see him getting uncomfortable, stop and back off. If he closes his eyes or poofs his feathers, he's enjoying it.

Good luck!

 

[getwozzy]

How are things going with Bubbles?

 

[Stevieg786]

Still going good. My brother passed away in 2014 sadly. so we’ve been taking care of him properly. I stroke him now but still reluctant in picking him up

Also. I’ve just found out he’s a girl! He laid an egg which caught us all by surprise.

Her name is still bubbles lol

 

[Ellie777Australia]

Still going good. My brother passed away in 2014 sadly. so we’ve been taking care of him properly. I stroke him now but still reluctant in picking him up

Also. I’ve just found out he’s a girl! He laid an egg which caught us all by surprise.

Her name is still bubbles lol

Welcome to the forum Stevieg786 and bubbles...sounds like your pickle just got more pickled as he laid an egg and now is a she . That puts her behaviour in a whole new light!


Regarding the biting: here is our link under the 'training' section of the forum that will hopefully assist you Bite pressure training?.


Regarding the egg: I joined the forum because my Ellie laid an egg and I needed help..here is the link with the advice you may need on how to proceed from here: New Member (

1 2 3

 

[texsize]

I don't know if you have had experience with other parrots but African grey's have different body language to other parrots.

Yes lowering the head is a sight she want to be scratched on the neck/head.
But with African grey's when they are upset and want you to stay away they have a way of raising there feathers so they all stick out like a pin cushion. When they do that you can expect to be bitten if you get to close.

When our CAG does give us a bite ( does not happen very often) it's more of a quick nip. This is very mild compared to our YNA who bites like a pit bull. He bites very hard and hangs on for all he is worth. So you end up with a (insert body part here_____) bloody and feeling like it was hit with a hammer.

 

[Scott]

Welcome back, and deep condolences for the loss of your brother.

Bite pressure training as referenced by Ellie777Australia may be helpful.

Texsize brings a great point about body language. A few additional threads you may find helpful:
http://www.parrotforums.com/congo-timneh-greys/59366-cag-101-a.html
http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49144-tips-bonding-building-trust.html

Good luck, please keep us updated with progress!

 

[bigfellasdad]

Sorry for your loss and a huge thank you for looking after bubbles

With greys, and no doubt most birds, its about trust which is easy to shatter and hard to build. Id err on the side of caution if her body language is anything other than flat feathers on her body/wings. I ask my grey before i do anything with her, and she lets me know if she is not in the mood so I can avoid any bites....there have been some times ive been nipped but its down to me not reading the signs.

Sitting and talking to bubbles, calmly, is all good....as are treats in moderation. ive not really needed cliker training but that looks like it works well.

Does she ever lift one foot up when she is in her cage or when you are near and she is out? If so, she WANTS to be picked up. When you do offer a hand, or an arm, or a shoulder (it will get there!), make sure you offer a solid platform, no flinching, and only move your 'perch' when she is on you, both feet and all of her weight on you, dont have a finger pointing out etc... Continue to do this, trust will come pretty quickly, flinch once and she falls/flies off, then she will use her beak as well as feet as she doenst trust you are going to be secure for her, so she uses THREE points of contact, not 2.


Keep with it, they are beautiful intelligent, and very emotional animals who when bonded are also incredibly cuddly.....

 

[bigfellasdad]

one other thing, one egg? in the last few days?? if so there could be more on the way, watch her closely to make sure she is ok. She will be low on calcium too at the moment, so calcium rich foods are good, lots of veg and a bit of fruit along with her seeds/pellets.

 

[Stevieg786]

Hi guys, hope everyone is well

so bubbles has laid another egg.. she's 20 years old now, is it too late to get her a buddy? i feel like she may be bored..

 

[Scott]

Welcome back, hope you are doing well with quarantine.

So another egg roughly 9 months later? That is not terribly excessive. Not too late to get Bubbles a friend, but that is fraught with potential problems. No guarantee two birds will bond, and it might cause the relationship with you to suffer. Breeding parrots is not for the faint of heart!

 

[Stevieg786]

Welcome back, hope you are doing well with quarantine.

So another egg roughly 9 months later? That is not terribly excessive. Not too late to get Bubbles a friend, but that is fraught with potential problems. No guarantee two birds will bond, and it might cause the relationship with you to suffer. Breeding parrots is not for the faint of heart!

Thanks, yeah all good, hope you all are too.

Yeah that's what i was thinking, if they dont get along then that will cause big problems, i want just thinking out loud as she's 20 years old and has always been alone and is most likely bored without a friend. I really should have got her a friend a long time ago

 

[lollipoppy]

My condolences about your brother. Way to go for taking on his bird and helping her thrive. [emoji175]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[RedLoredAmazonLover]

African Greys are social creatures as they live in flocks in the wild. If you’re going to get Bubbles a friend, please get a female African Grey that has been genetically identified (via DNA blood test) as a female so there is no breeding. We don’t need more breeding of birds, whether it be accidental or intentional. Best wishes to Bubbles and to you and your family! I am sure she is grateful you did not send her to a shelter.