My timbeh coco (first post)

[Sadek]

Hey guys, what's up! Well this is my first time posting on a parrot forum, even though I've had parrots since I was a little kid, so here we go! ��
I've owned about 6 budgies and 5 cocktails, a lovebird, an conure, but couldn't keep them on my side because I've moved overseas.
Right now I just have my lil homie coco who is a 1 year old male timneh african grey.
I have him on a pellet diet and he gets some fruits and veggies once in a while, even though sometimes he won't considering eating them.
I've had him for 6 months now so I got him when he was 6 months. He wasn't handfed or manhandled or ever socialized with humans whatsoever. When I got him at the pet store I had the owner of the shop to clip his wings before putting him in the carrier to take him home in.
He has a big cage about 4'x4'x3' with multiple toys and lots of perches.
For the first few months he wouldn't let anyone come close without growling, but is slowly getting better and we are almost past that.
He comes out of his cage in an instant when I open door of the upper door of the cage. He won't step up on my hand and growls at it for a few seconds and if I don't back off he tries to run away. He is very vocal and make cat noises the neighborhoods and makes up his own toons but still hasn't learned to say any words, which I'm still working on.
He gets about 3/4 of his 12 hour day on top of his cage which is placed in the living room where he watches tv with me and the family.
He will only take a seed to eat or a stick to play with from my hand but besides that everything I hold and my hand and bring up to him makes him very nervous.
If I want to get less than like 3 feet away with him I have to become 100% still and not say a word he or he will growl.
He is this nervous but the only thing he lets me do is put him on my lap, then I put my hand on him and massage his neck and he loves it! He can stay hours under my hands with me petting him but if I stop petting him for 15 seconds he growls and if I don't pet him again he will run away! Good thing he doesn't bite though! He's shy not aggressive.
Any suggestions for us to get more along and thanks for your time! And sorry for the kinda long post

 

[Flboy]

Yep, that's a grey! Everything will eat him! Sounds like you are making good progress!

Just noticed the photo, stunning guy! That cage isn't his main cage, is it? He will destroy it!

 

[Kentuckienne]

There are good links in this forum. One video in particular I liked...you start outside the room and slowly walk toward the parrot. As soon as the parrot begins to act nervous, you freeze. Wait and watch. Eventually the parrot will relax. At that instant, you take two or three steps back. Wait a moment, then slowly begin walking toward the cage, repeating the stop/wait/back up process. The idea is that as soon as the parrot relaxes, you are rewarding him by doing something he wants - moving further away. The parrot eventually picks up on relaxing = reward. It might take a long time, but eventually you should be able to approach the cage without eliciting a fear response.

I used this technique with Gus, a rescue blue and gold macaw. Made slow progress. Eventually, I was the one who learned the lesson. Gus was out of the cage after having not been touched for years, and I was walking toward him looking right at him. He didn't know what I intended to do - was I going to make him go back inside or torture him somehow? I learned that all I had to do was walk toward the cage, toward the side of it, without looking at him at all, and then stand there a few moments looking out the window before glancing over at him. Eventually he got it, that I wasn't coming over to do something to him, and now he allows me to walk right up or right by. We still have a long way to go, but we'll get somewhere eventually.

 

[Kiwibird]

Timnehs are so small compared to the more common (in the US, at least) Congo AGs! Cute little guy. Just give him time. I'd suggest (if you aren't already), pull a chair up next to his cage and talk to or read to him every day for 10-15 minutes. Doesn't matter what your saying, just be sure to say it in a soft, soothing voice. It's a proven way to start building trust with a timid parrot. Praise him and offer a reward when he comes closer. You say he likes seeds as treats and sticks as toys? Offer seeds as rewards when he comes closer to you and give him a stick at the end of the session for him to play with to leave off on a positive note (just be sure the sticks are clean and of bird safe wood).

 

[Scott]

Welcome to the forums, thanks for a great introductory post!!

I'd say Coco is doing rather well for a timneh who wasn't hand raised or previously socialized. It will take time given their cautious nature, but you've already had a breakthrough with him sitting on your lap and massaging the neck.

Check out some links that may help. Some may be basic given your experience:

http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49144-tips-bonding-building-trust.html
http://www.parrotforums.com/training/60435-clicker-target-training.html
http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-...7-converting-parrots-healthier-diet-tips.html

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

Smokey was also a Timneh,that I purchased from a pet store,my first real "parrot". I knew squat about greys,or parrots to begin with.

Smokey would growl like a pack of mad dogs anytime I tried coming close to her. Even after nearly 30 years,till the day she passed away,she detested hands,would only step up if it was her last options,and soon as she saw a better place to be,off she went.
BUT she would sit on my shoulder for hours,gurgle in my ear,regurgitate on my shoulder,band her beaky on my forhead,nibble my ear etc..it was just hands she hated. I'm assuming some mean human stole her from her nest when she was a baby and never forgot it.

It wasn't until Amy came along about a year later,that Smokey would even TRY any kind of "good" food. As soon as she saw that big green thing eating everything,is when she decided to give it a go.

Banana,red grapes,not green,chicken leg bone * she'd literally rip a bone from my hand when she saw it) corn nibs..peas..orange on occasion,pizza,mac and cheese,corn curls,nutraberries..she ate it all,all because she saw Amy enjoying herself.

Take it slow and easy with your timneh..it will take time and patients but will be well worth it in the long run..I can go one for hours with stories and Smokes...I miss her to this day so much :31:



Jim

 

[Sadek]

Hey guys thanks for the all the great support and answers! And no that's just a cage I use as a perch��

 

[Sadek]

And hey Amy how old was your tag when you rescued him?

 

[Sadek]

Almost the same exact situation as you! I feel you buddy

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

And hey Amy how old was your tag when you rescued him?

Smokey was about 6 months old..




Jim

 

[PetoftheDay]

Aww, what a cutie, stretching soooooo tall! I am so glad you are here, and know with time and patience, you will win his trust.

 

[Sadek]

Ahh so we can really relate! Smokey is soaring at high altitudes in a parrots heaven remember you rip smokey

 

[Sadek]

Oh we can really relate then! Smokey is soaring at high altitudes in a parrots heaven right now thinking about you! Rip smokey

 

[Sadek]

Thanks it's great to all meet you guys!