Please help me decipher my CAG's behavior

[Beba]

Hello everyone. I am a new member of the forum. This is my first post.

My Donnatella is 3 years old. When I purchased her, she was 4 months old. I have handled her ever since she first entered my home and I truly love this bird. She is my first large parrot and is a handful. She talks and learns extremely quickly. She is also incredibly stubborn. I am the only person in my family who handles her (there's only two of us and my husband is afraid of her).

I was wondering if anyone could help me decipher some behavior I have observed. I can't find any information on this type of behavior in my bird books. When she is out of her cage with me, usually hanging out in the kitchen just the two of us, she runs around on the counter with her wings hanging low on either side of her body making little whining noises. She also tries to regurgitate when she's with me like this. Like if she were trying to feed me. She seems nervous and anxious. Since it's had to describe, I uploaded a video on youtube. The link is: [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGicJRh773A]YouTube - African Grey behavior[/ame]

You will see her trying out my fingers although she rarely bites down hard. Lately though, she goes for me, like an attack (not as violent as it sounds) then she will run away because she knows she's not allowed to do that. When she's in her cage she is much more relaxed and friendly and chats away. By the way, Donna is flighted and does fly around some areas of the house. I recently lost her and it is a true miracle that I found her. I stayed under the tree she was in for three hours calling her. She got scared by the wind and flew around a while before coming down. She always comes to me when she's on the floor, it's a game we play at home.

Let me also point out that I used to spend much more time with her but lately have not been able to. However, the strange behavior has been going on for a long time.

Sorry for this long post and thanks in advance for your help and comments.

Esther and Donna

 

[greycloud]

Hello and welcome! Your girl is entering breeding age. She is sexually stimulated. The whinning and low wings are all signs. Regurging to you also is a sign she is attached to you. Try not stimulate this with your fingers. Most birds will become slightly grumpy during this time period. All of this is normal and it too shall pass!

 

[Spiritbird]

I agree with you GC what she is doing is natural behavior. Best thing to do is try to distract her if she's in the mood for loving. I wouldnt say "discourage" it, because it is instint for her. When they are in the mood less hand/finger touching would be helpful to decrease the frustration they must be feeling. Best not to give her anything that she could use as nest building material. When the behavior is intense a time out in the cage may be of value but do it so that she does not view it as a punishment.

Your CAG is healthly and beautiful. You have done well with her. Welcome to our forum. It is a fun place for bird lovers.

 

[Parrotlover15]

Hi , parrots are extremely hard work, and there not for the faint hearted. You will notice many strange behaviour as time goes on, my little buddy cost me $500.00 in vet bills because I thought there was something wrong with him.

No, it was just parrot behaviour and I found a little site that has saved me so much money on vet trips because every thing is explained in graet detail, the guy is a real life bird wisperer you should take a peak it free to get advice parrot training dvds. Hope this helps you out.