New African Grey Companion.

[ScottRoberts]

Hi Everyone,

Glad to find this forum. I have been reading for a few weeks around the web books and even a DVD. I have always wanted an African Grey but just found one from a rescue a few weeks ago.
I have had Baby about a week now she/he is 5 years old and was re-homed because her former owner died of cancer. Since then she has spent the last 6 months at a bird rescue until this past week.
She is so beautiful and inelegant. She makes lots of interesting sounds and says a few words. The only thing is the last 2 days she has gotten a lot more sure of herself and seems to be getting nasty nipping at me every chance she gets. The cage she came home in was very small I have since gotten her a much larger one. with a play top and an additional playpen.I am trying to be patient but want to be sure I am doing what she needs to feel secure and safe in her new home. I can tell I will spend a lot of time reading tons of post with wisdom from many loving experienced parrot friends.
All suggestions welcome.

Thanks in advance,

 

[brianlinkles]

Welcome to the forum! I rescud a lilac crown amazon and am about to bring home a baby cag. My amazon is 15 and she also came in a very small cage. She was very cage bound and very scared when I brought her home. She was very sweet when I played with her at the rescue once I brought her home she became very territorial and very aggressive! (I have the scars to prove it!) I sat by her cage talking to her, reading to her, feeding her from my hand. I took it very, very slow wth her. Maybe it has been to much too fast. Maybe it is hormones, maybe it is just that everything is new. There will be people with much more experience than I. My suggestion is that you just take it very slow with her, she has been through alot. Maybe just try communicating with her without touching her right now. She just needs to learn to relax and trust you. Congrats on your new baby, so glad she has found someone to to love and care for her.

 

[TeakwoodBirdHouse]

Just take it slow with her. You have to go at her pace. Try to gain her trust by talking to her, and let her come to you. It takes time to build a relationship. Talking to her a lot will get her attention. If you don't know what to say, sit by her cage, and read aloud from a book. The words don't matter. Your voice, mannerisms, and calmness is what she'll focus on. Keep the cage door open, and she'll eventually come out to you. Also, when she bites, try not to yell or react quickly. That will scare her. And reinforce the biting. It's slow and difficult, but they are intelligent birds. She'll get the idea that you're her friend. Be patient. Good luck.

 

[henpecked]

Hey Scott, welcome to the forum.I'm not big on CAGs ,mostly Amazons for me,there's lots of CAG people here who'd be glad to offer advice.That being said read topics under different species other than just CAGs,much of the advice will apply to more than just one species. Hope you can find some useful help here,good luck

 

[mele]

Congrats and welcome to the forum.

Baby is beautiful. I've adopted all of my birds and were around the same age as your Baby. Things are still new so just give it time. They do love to test. Keep things positive and fun while training and always reward the good and ignore the bad.

I just purchased a CAG and will pick her up Wed. She is my first gray and weaned baby. Im sure Ill be learning and gathering more info right along side you.
Good luck