Introduction

[rheashard2]

I am the pet of African Grey. She's spoiled as all pets should be. But she knows bites are illegal. It means being ignored w no TV for 20 min. She's harness and travel trained. Every few months harness on, go to petstore she picks out a toy. If she shows interest, then she'll play with it. She did have a birdie diaper. It seems all the stitching came out when I wasn't looking one day! Hope to enjoy forum.

 

[wrench13]

Welcome and be welcomed! FYI, shunning ( the method you are using) only need be done for a minute or 2 at most, otherwise the lesson is lost on them. But kudos for using it!

Biting, whether intentional or not, just over preening your skin or actually taking chunks of meat out - all are PAINFULL! In the wild that sort of behavior is not tolerated by the flock. They ostracize flock members who continue to act like that. We call it 'Shunning'. This WILL work, but needs to be done correctly to get the message across and it needs to be done IMMEDIATELY so the parrot can associate the bite with the shunning action. And it needs to happen every time and with anyone involved with the parrot.

When the bite or over preening occurs:

• Say in a forceful but not shouting voice "No Bite" or other endearments.
• Immediately place the parrot on a nearby, handy chairback. NOT the cage (that would only teach the parrot to bite when he wants to go back to his cage).
• Turn your back to him and ignore him for 1 minute. No peeking, no talking about or too him, NADA. NO eye contact. No less or the message is lost, no more or the bird will not associate the action with the bite.
• After a minute you can try to re-establish contact.

Rinse, repeat as needed. Most parrots get the message after a few times, some may need more. Also very important - make sure the bite is not your fault. Annoying your parrot, asking him to step up when he is otherwise preoccupied with eating or playing, bothering him during known moody times like mating season, or ignoring the warnings and body language of your parrot - these are bites that you deserve! Learn, and be a better parront !!

 

[rheashard2]

Misunderstanding here. Biting as in breaking skin is illegal. Nameliss preens my hair, clothes, grabs fingers to hold etc. I carry a towel for redirecting clothes preening. The breeder decades ago had me go daily for 2 weeks handling and instruction prior to purchase. She emphasized beaks were sharpened nut crackers! I was under instructions to avoid jerking. Honestly in over 4 decades of grey ownership I have ZERO memories of skin breaking bites! That breeders birds loved attention more then treats. So they learned being ignored was punishment. She said words, tone etc didn't seem to work well on greys. They'd mimic it, voiding punishment and watching its effects on surrounding people and pets.

 

[wrench13]

LOL, yeah greys are SOoooo smart! Scheming little devils!

 

[kme3388]

Hi there, and welcome. What is your parrots name? I just adopted a parrot who loves watching TV. It’s incredibly strange when he starts reacting to what he’s watching.

 

[rheashard2]

My owner named herself 'Nameliss' at 3 months. I had doubts she understood. But she called my siblings (including the one who called that) by name at same time! She calls other dogs, cats, siblings, and daughter by name. When she wants me, I get kisses and/or requests 'go go by'. Nameliss likes TV but loves watching me or daughter playing computer or video games. There should be a why did you get a parrot post. I wanted something long lived, intelligent, replacement for daughter's backtalk AND I wouldn't go to jail for confining to a cage! I knew absolutely nothing about birds, especially parrots. So I hit the books. I read everything I could and ordered others. That's how I ended up with a grey. I was expecting smart but not to this extreme. She's older then this forum!

 

[Jexnell]

Welcome to the feathered family!

 

[GaleriaGila]

I love this thread!
Stay with us, and share more of your story, pleeeeease!

 

[rheashard2]

Which story? How about us visiting daughter's graduation on army base. I was trying to gain entrance. But, I had to wait, (eventually arriving late). Seems like my feather duster started weapons effects, shooting, blowing up the surrounding soldiers. The guards tried to identify the weapons. I had a minor fear of being arrested. After all how could my parrot have such a range of weapons? It was a hot, humid July in Georgia. Then the birdie poo hit. Imagine the sound of marching booted feet on concrete reflecting off buildings IN your car for 700 miles. My mantra was 'ignore, to pay attention is to add fuel!' It only took a few months. But restarted whenever a military uniform was near. That was funny but it was even funnier when my daughter fresh out of basic was given orders by the self appointed drill Sargeant. She actually obeyed! The 'stop and drop' was hysterical. The new private was definitely outranked. I was accused of excessive tolerance. But she didn't have to listen to clunky marching boots in her car for 700 miles!