New Bird owner, ahhhhh

[Weniki]

Hi! My boyfriend came home yesterday with a beautiful 6 month old African Grey Parrot. He is pretty friendly and already talks alot! I have NO IDEA what to do with him, I am totally bird-ignorant!

The lady in the shop said he should stay in the cage to get used to us for a few days, but he REALLY seems to want out! Pretty soon I think he will figure it out on his own....

He seems to want to be friendly but if I give him my finger, he takes it gently at first, but then bites down pretty hard, eeek! It does not seem like "biting" really, he does not seem scared, he gently takes the finger and then bites harder, slowly!

He happily takes pieces of fruit from me and already immitates my voice perfectly!

Can anyone tell me where I should start??

Thanks!

 

[Spiritbird]

Oh my, nice boyfriend gave you a very good bird. Ok so no bird experience right? There are so many things to learn. Please get ahold of the book Parrots for Dummies as it is a good book with basics. Please I will list the important things you need to learn:

Safety - there are several toxic things you could damage the bird with. all teflon cookware, appliances should be out of your home. Best to use stainless steel cookware. Fumes can kill a bird. If the bird has unclipped wings and can fly please cover windows and mirrors so he does not fly into them. No one should smoke cigaretts inside your home.

Nutrition: Feed seeds only as treats. You will learn that our birds need lots of vegies and fruits but there is a list of foods that are also toxic. No peanuts of any kind. The other nuts are ok. a nice bowl of warm oatmeal is appreciated and you could finger feed or feed with a spoon to enhance the bonding process.
should have fresh water all the time. filtered is best but tap is ok too. You will need to get your bird eating pellets. The better ones are not found in a pet store. Harrisons is one of the best which can usually be purchased from your vet.

Cage: Hope you have a big cage with lots of natural perches and toys. The birds need enrichment and stimulation and like to destroy or shred their toys. They like to forage and you will learn about that. Cage should not be located right next to a window so as they may see something and get frightened. Locate backed up to a wall is better. Should use newspaper under the cage grate or on top and change as it gets droppings. Cleaning the cage is important and best to use vinegar and water together or lemon juice and water. Most other cleaners can be toxic. Remember to wash our hands before handling your bird.

Bathing: Greys have feather dust that looks white. They need a gentle spritz of water or shower with you but you introduce this slowly as greys are an easily frightened bird.

Bonding: takes alot of time and patience. talk softly, be near the cage, sing, dance or just act sillly. Hand feeding is good as I mentioned. They do need several hours of safe out of the cage time with your supervision. Have lots of paper towels handy as they will poo about every 20 min. or so.

Training: The first thing you will be teaching is a step up and you can see many of these training steps on you tube. Please never yell at, dicipline or get angry at your bird as it just will not work.

Keep asking us for help and we will be glad to assist you.

Very important that you find an avain vet as this bird will need a baseline exam. in about 2 weeks or so after settling in more.

Here is a link and I hope you will read each and every article they have. Welcome to Africangreys.com

 

[Bobby34231]

Hello and welcome to the forum, well most people new to birds start or at least should start by doing the research, and learning all they can about keeping exotic birds, and preticularly the species in which one is interested in, since we're past that point now, I would suggest getting a copy of "Parrots For Dummies", please don't be offended as this is a great book for beginers new to keeping parrots as companions, if you can't find a copy there in Italy you can order it online from such sources as amazon.com ect, the woman at the store was correct in that you should allow your bird to get used to its new surrounding for a few days by staying in the cage, but that doesnt mean that you can't have interaction with him, sit by the cage and talk calmly and gently to him, read a book out loud, just get him used to you and your voice, feed him treats through the bars, if he'll allow it pet his head,just take things slow and easy at first, this forum is a great place for info to help you along the way, I would also suggest doing as much research about greys as possible via the internet or books specific to african greys, its never to late to learn, but you'll find that if you do it right, teaching good habits and behaviors are much easier from the begining, than doing things wrong and having to correct them and re-teach all over again....good luck with your new fid (fid=feathered kid), just remember we're here to help support you and answer your questions when needed

Just something you'll learn as we all have at some point, we don't own our birds, but they certainly do own us :09:

 

[Weniki]

This is great! There are so many books and videos online and it's hard to choose! I am sure I can get "Parrots for Dummies" here, I'll just ask to order it.

The food he came with from the store is ALL nuts and fruit! I suppose constant treat food is okay at first so he'll be happy here, he sure eats a lot! And also kind of throws it around the room, brat!

I hope that after a few days I can get him to hop up and let me touch him and he can spend most of his time free. Is that realistic? He seems very very friendly and super intelligent!

Thanks a lot!

 

[Spiritbird]

He is not a brat he is just being a normal parrot. It is instinctual to scatter their food as this is the way it will grow again. Get used to a mess every day to clean up and sometimes 2 times or more a day. When I feed berries I feed Rosie in my sink because it is the worst of the messes. Most of all enjoy your bird. Greys are a treasure.

 

[triordan]

barnes and nobles or borders should have the book in stock~ good luck with your new bird! Do you have a name yet?

 

[nofearengineer]

About that mess...parrots are nature's foremost seed scatterers! They just don't seem to understand your living room floor is not a good place to plant seeds! You'll get used to it. Sort of like cleaning up after an infant (so I hear LOL). It's a package deal.

That little "crunch" he gave you is a test bite. Just like young humans have to be taught that biting each other is not good, young parrots also have to be taught. It's important that you not over-react, but just be firm and calm about it. A "no", followed by some ignoring will usually teach the lesson. Some more stubborn fids need a little "house arrest" to learn. Putting them in their cage for a quick time out (as little as 5 minutes) is a really good lesson when you can tell they did it deliberately.

Welcome to parronthood! I might be biased, but an AG is a great bird. If you take good care of him and give him lots of love, he will be able to meet your grandkids.

 

[Weniki]

Yes, he does have a name....being it Italy and all, his name is Alberto

 

[antoinette]

Welcome Alberto and guardian
Your bf is so special giving you such a special bird
So you must be a special person


Great advise from the members above.

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.
Alberto must have time to settle down and adjust. Just imagine how many new things the bird has encountered, New faces and voices, it must be so scary.
To gain your trust could take days, weeks, months even longer.
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 Alberto. 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.
For the diet Harrison's pellets are recommended. As well as fresh fruit and veggies, and some plain nuts.

I have an AG Mishka, the love and entertainer of my life. She is a 24/7 chatterbox, who NEVER stops talking. Mishka loves learning new things all the time each and every single day.
Good luck

 

[Cowtown]

Welcome Alberto and guardian
Your bf is so special giving you such a special bird
So you must be a special person


Great advise from the members above.

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.
Alberto must have time to settle down and adjust. Just imagine how many new things the bird has encountered, New faces and voices, it must be so scary.
To gain your trust could take days, weeks, months even longer.
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 Alberto. 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.
For the diet Harrison's pellets are recommended. As well as fresh fruit and veggies, and some plain nuts.

I have an AG Mishka, the love and entertainer of my life. She is a 24/7 chatterbox, who NEVER stops talking. Mishka loves learning new things all the time each and every single day.
Good luck

Welcome to the forum.. I agree will all the other members and Ant..

She is the guardian of Mishka a 3 yo AG.. who is just so sweet.
Do a search on all of Ant posts. She has several videos of Mishka..
They are great..

Good luck and I know you will find years and years of happiness with Alberto.

 

[Spiritbird]

Hope your first night with Alberto was a good one. I forgot to mention about sleep. Our birds need about 10 to 12 hrs. of quality sleep each night or they get really grumpy. That means in a room with lights out, tv off and no music or conversations going on. Please study full spectrum lighting and its benefits. for greys it is really necessary for the calcium leven to be in the norm. range between 7 and 10. I pay special attention to calcium which cometimes can be a problem for greys. It comes in their pellets (Harrisons high potency), foods and lighting. Rosie my TAG or timneh grey had a calcium level of 9.5 which pleased the vet no end.

Be careful of all metal objects in your home. Our birds can easily get metal poison. Most of the chains on toys are made of stainless steel.

One more item is your bird socialization needs. Coming from a pet store he must be used to seeing lots of people which is a good thing. Those who wish to have a relationship must earn that privlege. They are social birds yet cautious. He will call to his flock (you and anyone else living in your home) and you should answer if you are out of sight. I take my bird to a bird club meeting once a month and she has learned to not be afriad of others and will actually step up on a strnagers hand now. It is a very good idea to expose Alberto to something or someone new each day. Start out small with an object in the home. The more you do this the less afraid the bird will be in new situations. Wear a funny hat, glasses or neck scarf so you will look different also. The first two years of his life with you are crucial for the development of the adult bird that is comfortable living with people in a captive situatiion.

Here is another valuable link to put save http://www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/index.htm#toc

 

[Ladyeclectic]

Welcome to the forums and to bird ownership!! I can't add anything that hasn't already been said here by others with much more hands-on knowledge of AG's, but I will attest that "Parrots for Dummies" is a FANTASTIC book to learn on! Look for some books on African Greys specifically too if they're available locally.

As for the "biting" which was touched on in one post: birds do this to test a perch's strength. Baby birds, not knowing any better, may bite harder than seems tolerable for a finger or arm, but try not to take it personally: they want to know the "branch" is trustworthy under their feet. It'll help the trust-building between you and your new baby if you resist the urge to flinch, pull away, or in any way "discipline" the biting behavior (unless it becomes too much, in which case try to push into the bite not pull away, or distract the bird with your other hand or a toy).

Either way, welcome to parronthood! AG's are great birds; several here have phenomenally beautiful, intelligent and well-adjusted birds and there's no reason your new baby can't be that way too!

 

[Chris Winkler]

Welcome to the wonderful world of being owned by a Grey! This little guy will very quickly take your heart and wrap it around is little claw!

One of the things I have done with a new baby is once they are covered for the night I put my head under the cover and talk softly to them as part of a goodnight routine. They will listen to you with 100% attention and very quickly respond to your voice.

As said by the other members never get angry or react quickly. Something as simple as a quick reaction to a bite will quickly become a game and "fun in their mind"

Also when they try to nibble on your fingers when you are holding them gently shake your hand as to make him unstable he will quickly learn the cause and effect and will stop this behavior. The nibbling is a natural instinct for them and he will learn how hard to nibble in a short time frame.

Also anything shiny is very attractive to them so any earrings or necklaces will be something to chew on so you might want to have your jewelry off or hidden from him at least at first.

Just wait till the first time he says something in context you will crap your pants

 

[Weniki]

Thanks all, I have asked the local bookshop to order Parrots for Dummies...they say 10 days! In the meantime I he is chatting lots and taking sunflower seeds from me without nipping, and letting me touch his beak and occasionally his head. If I OPEN the cage, he sometimes takes the seed and sometimes lunges to nip me, it's difficult because I am also a little scared of him, I am not used to birds!

I am really worried about the temperature! The condominium does NOT turn the heat on until mid-November. The daily high is about 19 celcius but it can drop to 3 degrees at night, brrrrr! My boyfriend is still comfortable but I am freezing even with sweaters and blankets. I am worried about Alberto but I don't know how I can keep him warm!

I think the temperature IN the apartment is about 12-18 degrees (that's around 55-65 F) Will he be ok until these jerks finally put the heat on???

Thanks!

 

[Ladyeclectic]

See if your local pet shop(s) have a heated perch. Most of the time as long as a bird's feet are warm it can stay warm, but I'd also recommend a small space-heater for the room the bird's in (make sure the element in the heater isn't Teflon-based) and DEFINITELY cover him at night. Wouldn't want your birdy friend being too chilly and get sick.

 

[Spiritbird]

That is a little on the cold side. I thought a condo was your own purchase and your heat and AC were separate from eachother.
Worse comes to worse you could get a small heater for you and the bird. Please remember sunflower seeds are like french fries to birds. See if you can entice him with another kind of treat. A very small piece of cheese, grape or what ever you think would be good for him. The book is usually sold at Petsmart or Petco.

 

[Weniki]

Erm, there is no petco in Italy...

 

[Spiritbird]

Oh sorry I did not know that is where you are from. So sorry. Will you teach Alberto to speak Italian and English??

 

[Weniki]

Yes! He is already off to a bilingual start! Actually I am a cabaret singer and hoping he can do some things with me eventually on stage, he sure is a show off already and not shy in the least, I think he will love it!

 

[Spiritbird]

Mabye you could take a video of your show when it happens. Singing with your bird is delightful expecially when you can sing. I try but so so bad. If you are a good singer they say your bird will be one too.