New Bird owner, ahhhhh

[Chris Winkler]

I use walnuts as a treat with my grey. Echo will do just about anything for a walnut! I buy them already shelled and keep them in a plastic container and always hear "what you doing" :jumping40 when I get out the container!

 

[Weniki]

He isn't really wild about walnuts, he does enjoy playing with the shell though... Now he is letting us pat him on the head. He wont step up yet, but sometimes he says "up" (in Italian) and holds up his little foot but when we come close he puts his head down for a scratch and doesn't come up. I think it wont be too long now. ....can't wait until he can dance the cha cha with me

 

[Spiritbird]

He is so so handsome. What a treasure you have. He looks in good health. You will have to experiement for his favorite treat.
Remember he is at the age where he does not recognize new foods as a food you must teach him. If he sees you eat it, he may join in. Congrats again on such a wonderful little guy.

 

[antoinette]

How adorable he is...... a true gem
So young and so healthy looking, how old is he?
He will soon step up, in his own time

Changing the subject here sorry,
translate from English to Italian for me Mommy has got a bird brain
Thanks in advance ..........

 

[Vickiesbirds]

Parrots for Dummies is definitely a great book... Nikki Moustaki has some really interesting points in there. And DO NOT be offended at all by the title. I'm a pretty experienced bird owner and right now I have 3 birds... two white bellied caiques and a goffin's cockatoo. I've had budgies and cockatiels as well. Picked this book up for 7 bucks at a local buyout store a couple months ago and LOVED it. Even the most experienced bird owner out there will find good info in it... and it's awesome for beginners, as well

Most importantly though, try to be as patient as you possibly can... especially with the nibbling. Birds are creatures of habit and even minor changes can really upset their psyche'. Give him a few weeks, and don't give up on him... I'm sure that if you give him time you will soon have an amazing friend for life When I got my first WBC, I was terrified of his beak... and WBC's are known to be just about the beakiest bird of all parrot species... they don't do it out of aggression though... they just like to play. It took me awhile to get used to him, but now I can't imagine life without him. He's my cuddler.. he comes to bed with me for a few minutes every night, and for a few minutes every morning. Maybe you'll find this with your grey Remember that a parrot uses the beak as his "hand". Since they don't have hands to help them climb, a beak is used very frequently. You will find that when you offer him your finger to step up, he may lightly put his beak on you before doing so... this is because all parrots like to test the surface they are going to step on before they do, to find out if it's stable or not. Also, if you can't get any good books... try using google, and google "African Grey Parrot". Make sure the sites are reliable... there are a lot of good ones out there. You can find everything from personality traits to good diet choices all with the power of the internet!

 

[Weniki]

I have got the book now, it arrived sooner than they said...I have already read through most of it!!
So far he is very flexible and calm, I think he was already trained, just has to get used to us, I mean, why else would he already say "up" and put up his foot?

...My Italian is, urm, coming along, but Mamma has a bird brain is : Mamma ha il cervello di un uccello.

 

[SharonC]

He's a beautiful bird...he sounds like he's going to be a lovely companion!

 

[lisamarie973]

WOW!! He is just beautiful!!! CONGRATS!! and WELCOME!! I've always wanted an AG, but my life was entirely too busy to commit to the time it takes to have one. Now that my girls (3) are all almost grown and I'm not working, I have the time, so my husband surprised me with "Maui" for my birthday!!! I've had him since he was only 5 weeks old and he is now almost 13 weeks old!! He is my LOVE, he's just now starting to develop a little personality which is so awesome to see, the last several weeks has been just amazing with him and I can't wait for him to start being more exuberant, now that he's got more energy and is more balanced on his feet and can fly. You will so love that little guy, he'll be the love of your life, besides your BF. Good Luck!!