Question about my new friend

[TangoTroubles]

Hello, I am a new member. I just found this forum while I was trying to find out the answer to a question I have...who better to ask my question to than all these Grey families.

Here's my story, I got my new Congo African Grey only 4 days ago. His name is Tango. I'd done a lot of research about Grey's, before I made my purchase. I'm not new to birds (I've owned budgies and currently have a wonderful conure). I found my Grey on craigslist from an older couple that have just retired and they are planning on doing a lot of traveling. They didn't think it was fair to leave him home and couldn't come up with a reasonable way to take him with them. Tango is 5 (will be 6 in October). When I went to their house to see Tango, I really didn't expect it, but he actually let me hold him. I purchased him and brought him and all of his belongings home. I knew going into this that it was going to be a long process of love and patience. I know that. The first night all he would do is back up from the cage and growl at me (I expected this). I just continued to talk to him and tell him that everything was going to be okay. By the end of the second night he was talking and taking food from my hand, through the bars. By the end of the third night (and today) he is still taking food from my hand, with my hand in the cage. I can open the cage door and clean up the cage, hand him food, and give him fresh food and water. He does not growl at me and does not act scare of my hand being in there. However, he will not allow me to touch him...again, I expect this...he fluffs all up and tries to bite me. I don't pull my hand back and I just say "no biting". I don't expect him to let me hold him for a while, but I will continue to do everything I'm doing and eventually he will stop trying to bite me. My question comes next. I feel awful that Tango is in his cage all day/everyday (my conure is out of her cage from the time I get up in the morning until the time I go to bed). However, he is flighted and won't let me touch him. Am I doing the right thing by keeping him in his cage and going slowly? Or should I open the door and let him go up to the play gym on top? I'm just afraid I won't be able to get him back in his cage once he comes out. What should I do?

 

[thekarens]

Will he step up on a dowel or an arm covered in a jacket or towel? If so, you can let him out and not have to worry about not being able to get him back in.

 

[TangoTroubles]

Actually, I hadn't thought of using a dowel. So I haven't even tried. I'll be trying that! I just hate for him to be in his cage all the time!! Thank you so much for the idea!

 

[lotosha]

Congrats on a new friend.
When I brought male CAG home I didn't know whether he'll step up, but I took the chance. Opened the door and he was happy to go out. Luckily he stepped up and we had no problem.
I think that you can use a stick to handle him in case he wont step up.
Wish you a very good luck.

 

[TangoTroubles]

It worked like a charm, kinda. I tried to use a dowel, but I'm pretty sure that scared him. So while he was worried about what that stick was, he stepped up onto my hand. He let me hold him and talk to him. I put him up on his play gym, on top of his cage. He stayed there for a few hours and then it was time for bed. He stepped up onto my hand again and went back in his cage. Thank you so much for your advice.

 

[lotosha]

Great! I am very glad that he settles in so fast.

 

[Kiwibird]

Sounds like he's settling in well. Is he clipped? If he is, I wouldn't see an issue letting him out since he can't go anywhere. You can always entice him back in with a tasty treat if he isn't willing to step up to your hand or a dowel. If he's flighted, you might want to consider having him clipped before he can come out of his cage, even if it's just this once, to aid in the training process. That not only lessens the chance of him injuring himself in a new and unfamiliar home as he starts exploring, but a clipped bird becomes reliant on YOU for transport. It helps build a better bond, and you can just let the flight feathers grow back in if you want him to be flighted in the future (don't worry, he won't forget how to fly). Best of luck with him! DO you have any pictures?

Once other thing, large parrots are smart animals, and they often try to train people, instead of the other way around. His lungs may just be bluffs to test how much he can control you or he may not understand why your hand is there if you haven't explained to him that you want him to "step up".

 

[TangoTroubles]

He is flighted. I'm not sure if I want to get him clipped or not. I was able to get him out of his cage last night (and this morning) with just my hand. I tried the dowel and it just scared him. So while he was distracted with the dowel I put my hand in and said "step up" and he did. He flew into the kitchen when I was trying to put him back into his cage, but I was easily able to get him and put him back into his cage for the night. He has been out of his cage for several hours now today and seems very happy to hang out on his play gym. I agree that he is trying to see how far he can push it with me. I think he's realizing that I'm not going to back away from his "threats", so he is stopping. He could have easily bitten me, if he really wanted to, but had never actually bitten down, so that tells me that he is just trying to see what his limits are. My conure, Charlie, did the same kind of stuff when we first got her, but now she is the most amazing bird EVER!! I'm crossing my fingers that Tango will turn into a wonderful family pet. Thank you for your advice. Oh and I have some pictures of my birds in an album on my profile. I tried to attach some here, but I'm not sure if it worked. Still new.

 

[Terry57]

Charlie and Tango are both gorgeous! Congratulations on the progress you are making with Tango

 

[TangoTroubles]

Charlie and Tango are both gorgeous! Congratulations on the progress you are making with Tango

Thank you!! I totally surprised at how well it's going with Tango!! I'm on cloud nine with my new birdie.

 

[Gizmomania]

Congrats on your new baby! CAGS are amazing birds in so many respects. They are very intelligent, and love to be with their people once they become comfortable with you.

My recommendation to you is to keep him flighted. When I got Maalik last fall, the breeder told me that keeping CAGS flighted helps build their confidence and actually helps reduce the potential for plucking over time.

I love watching Maalik soar around the room and feeling the whoosh of air coming from his wings. It's a beautiful thing!

 

[Kiwibird]

Tango sure is a handsome looking boy. Glad you were able to get him out of his cage and let him explore a little. See, he wasn't being vicious, he just wanted to know why your hand was there Kiwi is also one of those birds who will sit there and lunge at you and not step up unless you say "step up". Some birds just don't get the picture without the verbal cue. Keep us posted on him!

 

[Katiejayne]

Congratulation sounds like he's settling in really well and now your able to let him out hopefully he'l be happier and settle more quickly. Both your birds look lovely. Have they met yet? Do they get along?

 

[TangoTroubles]

Thank you! And no, I've not introduced the birds yet. Their cages are next to each other, so they can see each other. So far just through the bars.