My African grey isn't getting along with me

[xo157]

Hi all,
Well I am new here. First of all excuse my English as I am not a native speaker. I am sure you must have gotten 10000 question like mine, but I want to make sure I don't make anything wrong.
I bought an African Grey around Christmas time (2 month ago), and I am not sure I am doing things right with him.
I have many concerns, when I first bought him I was told that he was going to be afraid of me for like two or three weeks.


2 month later I still can't approach him without him going nuts and start "screaming" or making a very weird sound (khhhhhhhhh khhhhhhhhhhhh).


If I ever want to move his cage, or giving food, he will go nuts to.


I read several places, that I need to get him out of his cage, but I am not sure about, should I get him out of his cage even if he is still in this state?


I am not home often, so he is alone a lot of his time, but I try to spend a lot of time with him and to sit near him when I am home.


Finally one more thing, I can't get him to eat anything other than sunflower seeds and peanuts, I tried to put him some veggie and some fruit nicely chopped, I left them there and he didn't touch them.


Thanks for your help

 

[HRH Di]

First, welcome! I hope we can help.

If you haven't taken him in for a vet visit, that should be the first thing.

I really think you need to address the diet next. Seeds and nuts only are like people living only on potato chips - lots of fat minimal nutrition. Mix pellets in with the seeds. Start with 25% pellets and 75% seeds, then gradually reduce the seeds and increase the pellets. Keep offering fruits and veggies. Like people, some parrots just don't like some fruits and veggies.

Greys have a reputation for being one person birds. So, they can be difficult to get to know. Please don't rush him. Talk to him softly so he gets used to your voice. Leave the door to his cage open and let him explore at his own pace.

This is a really scary time for him. Parrots, especially Greys, are very intelligent; some studies say as smart as a human toddler. Imagine a 3 year old leaving his home without knowing why and being in a place he's never seen before with people he doesn't know.

Good luck and I hope this helps.

 

[antoinette]

[FONT=&quot]Welcome, great forum, congrats with your new addiction.
Great advise from the HRH DI
Top on your list, a visit to an avian vet is a must. Let the bird be checked over, peace of mind for a healthy bird, as well as having the beak seen to.
Your bird must have time to settle down and adjust. Just imagine how many new things the bird has encountered, in these two days. So many new faces and voices, it must be so scary.
To gain your trust could take days, weeks, months even years. Each and every bird is so different. He obviously feels a comfort zone is his cage.
Sit near the cage, talking and singing to the bird. Let him become familiar with your voice. Leaving the cage door open, offer him treats through the bars at first. When he willingly accepts them, try placing a treat near the open door. Eventually he will starts taking the treats from the door, make no attempt to touch him. When he does come out, he will probably climb around on the cage. Let him explore in his own time. To get him back in, place a treat inside the cage, making sure it's visible.
Let us know how he is progressing okay
[/FONT]

 

[Spiritbird]

welcome to our forum. You have been given good information and I cannot add much more. An AG is so intelligent we must treat them like a member of the family. They need at least 2 hours a day out of the cage play time with you. Have the bird eat your meals with you. The bird (?name) needs a major overhall on diet as you seem to already know. Very very important to take to an avain vet if you can find one where you live. Here is a link where you will find many articles to educate yourself more on AG. I wish you good luck.

Welcome to Africangreys.com

 

[Maighen]

Welcome! There are a lot of helpful people here as you can already tell. My husband and I just got an AG this past Friday and we are working on trust. Frankie will not let me touch him and growls if he feels uncomfortable....BUT....he is coming out of his cage....playing with his toys.....and taking treats from me! Patience my friend and before long your AG will be your friend!

 

[Weniki]

Hi! I have a grey too! I don't know where you are exactly, I am in Italy and it is very difficult to find GOOD parrot food and supplies here, but it can be done. I found one shop through the Harrison's website, etc.
I am able to be home alot and my bird (Alberto) just hangs out with me outside of his cage most of the time. But when I do go out, I always leave him with some music or tv so he wont get bored. Also I make sure he has "food finding" toys to keep him occupied.
Mine was pretty calm with me from the first day, but it took 2 months before he got really comfortable with me. In my parrot research I learned about a technique called "Power Pause" for birds that sound like yours.
Basically you walk into the room the cage is, and as soon as he freaks out, you stop-freeze. Don't go forward and don't leave. Then when he calms down, try to take another step forward and when he freaks out you stop again. Don't do it for over 15 minutes at a time, after that time, just leave him alone again. Measure your progress in centimeters....but over time he should calm down and let you get close to the cage.

Here is the You Tube video for this:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMckRNgdXY4]YouTube - ‪taming wild african grey parrot‬‏[/ame]

Good luck!

 

[xo157]

Thanks for all your info, I hope it will help my bird (Feroce).
I had few more questions and clarifications:

1 - Even in this "state" should I open his cage and let him out ? What if he doesn't want to come back in ?

2 - How would he feel if I change his cage, I think his cage is a little bit small, and he would feel better in a bigger one

3 - Should I cover his cage by night ? I have read different things in different sources.

4 - Should I put the bird in the most living space of my house ? There is a room where we sit a lot, but I didn't put him there, I did put him in another bigger room, but where we stay less.

Thanks a million for all of you.

 

[HRH Di]

Bring on the questions! We love to help. So, here goes:

1. If he's clipped, you should be able to get him back relatively easily. If he's flighted, it'll be more difficult to get him back in but not impossible. Parrots can usually be lured back with food and treats.

2. If you get a new cage for him, set up the new one near his old one so he can get used to it for a few days. Then move him and his toys into the cage. Personally, I always think bigger is better; a place he can stretch his wings is good.

3. We always cover our birds' cages at night. Personally, I think it's a good idea unless you have a separate bird room/aviary with a door. Be sure that there is space for air flow.

4. Our parrots are with us in the main living area most of the time, then they go to their room for time outs and/or bedtime. If you get a new cage for him, you can use the old one as a sleeping cage in a less used room.

I hope this helps. If you can find it, get a copy of the book Parrots for Dummies. It has good info and it's arranged so things are easy to find.

 

[Chris Winkler]

Such excellent advise given. I had rescued a 21yr old CAG a few years ago and it took a good 6 months before she would step up for me. Even then she would make all kinds of grunting noises because she really didn't want to. Long story short she is now with a friend of mind because she (the CAG) wanted my friends affection not mine..

One of the things I did with her was after her cage was covered for the night I would sit on the floor with my head under the cover and talk to her. You will have 100% of their attention. Sing, Talk, Read to him. The most important thing is to let things progress on his terms only. His entire world has changed and he has no way of understanding why.

BTW do you know how old he is?

 

[Spiritbird]

Birds should be in the main area of activity because they are social. However at night they need 12 hours of quiet sleep. No conversatins, TV, music or such. You may want to put that new cage in the people room and the old one in a quiet room for a sleep cage.

 

[xo157]

Thanks a lot guys for all your answers.
The most important thing is I have to spend more time with her (or him never figured out the sex).
I guess I started on the wrong foot, as her diet wasn't healthy, and she was most probably not getting enough sleep.

@ Chris, when I bought my Parrot, I was told he was young, around 1 year old, but I can't be sure.

@ HRH so you think I can buy an ebook version of Parrot for dummies somewhere, because I don't think it's available where I live.

I had one other question, How long can my bird stay outside ? I live in Lebanon, it's a rather sunny country, I like to put his cage outside from time to time when it's sunny, and he get very funny, he start turning around himself, walking reversely around the cage for minutes.

 

[Spiritbird]

When a bird is outside in a cage for sunshine is is good because they need sunshine for health just as we do. However his outings should be supervised at all times. Predators can get to a bird in a cage if you are not there to protect him. You are his guardian now. By the way I was in your country a long time ago and it was so beautiful.

 

[xo157]

Just remembered something, I am out of my house for a long period everyday, I go out a 9 in the morning, and don't comeback before 7 in the afternoon.
What should I do with her in this time ?

 

[Spiritbird]

Then I would not leave him outside. He may not be there when you come back. You can get the UV or full spectrum lamps for his sunshine needs.

 

[xo157]

No when I leave home, I definitely don't leave him outside, and even when I put him outside I put him in his cage.
I didn't let him out of his cage yet.