Poor Little Morgan needs your help

[emily1m1]

I just got a Congo Gray two weeks ago. I got her because the people could not take care of her any more and she was plucking and biting herself and biting people. They had left her with various people while they had to travel and apparently she didn't like this at all. Now she has moved to a new home. She is plucking more and biting when any one puts a hand in to her cage. I took her to the vet a couple of days ago for her first checkup, now things are worse than ever. She has pulled all the feathers out on her chest and part of her back. She is biting me more now. I will be holding her and she will attack me. I have to use gloves to pick her up and pet her. I think I have taken on more than I can handle. I have two other parrots, Zeke and Chloe. They are loving friendly and outgoing little babies and I would like them to remain that way. I feel so bad for Poor Little Morgan but I am at my wits end on how to help her adjust to her new home and family. I hate to see her hurting herself and others like she does.

[Pepper's Pa]

I’m sorry for what you are experiencing with Morgan. It’s easy for us, especially if we have had success with other parrots, to think we will have what it takes to quickly help a bird with behavior problems. Based on your post, you knew Morgan was biting, plucking and biting herself before you chose to bring her into your life. These are behaviors that may have developed and been demonstrated for years. All she is doing now is demonstrating the behaviors she has found successful in her past. Being in a new situation, I would expect her to increase her behaviors to try to gain control of her new situation. As far as she thinks, if it worked before, it will work now.
All I can say is give her time and be patient. Don’t force physical interaction with her now, but let her simply observe you and learn that you are safe and will cause her no harm. After the quarantine I hope you are doing, let her watch you interact in a positive way with your other birds. Sit and read to her, be entertaining and enthusiastic, if there are colorful images, show them to her.
When it comes to bringing a re-homed or rescued bird into our home, each bird brings its own baggage and specific needs. Our timeframe for improvement changes from days and weeks to months, years or the realization that the changes we desire will never occur. That doesn’t mean that our efforts and care aren’t making changes and improvements in the bird’s life.
I hope you will continue to help Morgan. Though you may not think you’re making a difference, you are. Be confident, don’t let frustration guide you and good luck. You’re doing an important thing for Morgan.

[kensbuns]

You are just gonna have to let her work it out. And she will. Eventually. My Cleo came to me fully feathered with a plucking past. She wasnt here 2 week and was down to all down. No serious plucking but plucking none the less. She is now growing back all her feathers. Almost a year later. I love this little girl and as long as the Vet says it is not disease related then youll just have to accept it. Now as for the biting, keep handleing the bird. I say handle the bird more. I think that being on a schedule helps! Consistency is the key with Greys, and dont change things for a while. Just keep it simple and consistant. OH Godness I didnt see this was the professionals forum till I responded. Sorry!!

[emily1m1]

Your advise has been very helpful. I appreciate everyones ideas. Morgan seems to be doing a little better. She will go for a few days without biting or pulling out feathers then she starts again. Now that she is in the same room with Zeke and Chloe she seems to be watching me play with them. Yesterday she actually let me pick her up. This was a first. Should I try working with her. It seems to stress her and make her pluck more?