Weird African Grey - Help Please

[Kalidasa]

Personally I don't think wild spirit should rehome the bird...rehome to what? I've been overseas many times, and bird care elsewhere is light years away from bird care in the west. However, wild spirit is showing a sincere desire to make this birds life better, and should be given the benefit of the doubt for his/her (?) concern for the birds well being. If you really want to help, than offer help rather than condemnation. If that bird is rehomed in Lebanon, it's conditions will almost assuredly go from bad to worse, as a birds worth in many areas of the world is dependent on it's taking ability alone. Toys are unheard of. Avian vets are nonexistent. I personally commend wild spirit for taking the time, and realizing that the bird is not happy.
Wild spirit, I would say a good start with shredding toys would be pine-cones and safe wood. The more the bird has to chew and to keep itself occupied, the less it will pluck.
Plucking is usually a habit, but it can faze out with time and persistence. I'm glad you're there looking out for the bird. Stick around and learn.
Pine cones should be brown. Soak in hot water, rinse, and bake in an oven at 108 Celsius. Then they'll be ready to chew.
Pellets (a prepared diet) can be ordered on amazon, as many other sites. If you need more help, have more questions, just ask....and welcome to the forum

 

[LeaKP]

Wow, I feel badly about this post, especially bc I have loved african grays for a long time and owned them while living overseas. While I didn't have access to the bells and whistles we have here, I always made sure they had things around to keep them busy: wood for chewing, fruit, music, etc. They are so smart, without enough interaction, they act out. There are lots of good points in this thread. Please take them to heart.

 

[EAI]

Hi, so sorry to hear you're having trouble with your grey. Please reread over what the previous members have said and do take their advice into consideration.
There's a DIY posting section where you can find some easier, more locally and economically available items that can be used for your bird.
Is there a chance that your Grey could be moved before you dad water's the plants? I'm thinking that maybe the water could be a source of fear, causing screaming. This will also stop your dad from being able to strike the cage as African Grey's can and will hold a grunge on people. You might be taking the fall for your dad's actions.
He might also like a nice bath, grey's are dusty birds so I would think bath's would be great for him, but keep it slow if he hasn't received one before, bathing could also cause him fear.
For the diet, this will be one of the hardest things to break IMO, it could always be the most frustrating. When introducing new foods make sure to go little by little, don't make a drastic change that could result in your bird starving. Birds don't constantly drink water all day, so I think it might be somewhat normal, but its never a bad thing to keep a waterbowl by his favorite perch to make sure he's hydrated.

I'm not sure which animals are located in Lebanon, but maybe predatory birds could be scaring him while you arn't there and he's starting to mistake you for predators.

I hope to see a really big transformation of your bird's process! Remember, don't give up, he could always start to warm up to your hearts when you're about to stop trying. Try keep this post as active as you can so you can gather the most information possible.

 

[Darci]

I almost feel like we should suggest your parents find him a new home......sorry, but he's clearly miserable and they seem uninterested in doing anything to make him happy.

I hate to sound judgmental but I agree with this.

If your parents are actually interested then I would suggest a few things. Greys are very very intelligent thus they have many needs that need to be filled. The first step is to buy a few books and study them. Don't just read them but study them. Their instincts need to be considered when planning housing and toys. I would also suggest that you try and find some sort of parrot club or parrot support group in your area.

If you would like, I make some pretty simple toys for my Grey. I'd be happy to make some and send them free of charge.

Darci & Shadow

 

[Darci]

One thing you can do is get un-treated pine wood with no chemicals in it, and get some different color kool aid paackets add a little water to make a watery paste and color the blocks(if you have this) or food coloring, drill holes in the blocks and braid some twine, run it through the holes, and tie it to the top of the cage. (he may be spooked at first so try and do this slowly, let him see it outside the cage first)

Edit: This will give him something to do, destroying the wood will give him an activity so he will not be bored,which causes him to pluck.

This is how I make Shadow's toys with a few small additions. I use food dye and isopropyl. Other than the ones I buy her. She goes through them but it's great because I know what she'll like. It's still new but bird toy making is a fun hobby.


Sorry for the dbl post, posting from my phone