How to make it like me.

[SerBonz]

I have a Grey Congo and it is not tame and I would like to be able to talk to it without it becoming upset and afraid. Every day that I am at my dads I sit down and talk to it and the whole time I am near it has its feathers puffed up and it paces back and forth on its perch.
I want it to like me like everybodys birds like them.

[sodakat]

Originally Posted by SerBonz

I have a Grey Congo and it is not tame and I would like to be able to talk to it without it becoming upset and afraid.

You have your work cut out for you, but it can be done. There is a reason why people pay a substantial amount of money for hand raised babies, and this is part of it; they want a bird that will interact with them right away.

Anyway, here is a link I hope will help you. Please read the whole page. Notice that the woman used a long handled spoon to deliver a treat to her bird when she first started working with her cockatoo, and the treat the bird would finally accept was canned peas! Anyway, maybe you can get some ideas and encouragement from this:

www.AnimalBehaviorAnswers.com-Clicker Logic


Kathy

[SerBonz]

sodakat I want to give you a hug. You are the only person to help me here in this board.
I used to think that Smock was a tame bird that just bit sometimes but then I read so many stories here about what a actual tame bird is and I was wrong.
I will do what that site says and hope it works.

[Lisa B]

hello. There is no guarentee that the grey will like you. my oldest doesnt like my husband one bit.
but with that said, there are things you can try. First thing is to take it slow like you are. Greys dont move fast and will asess the situation first.
I suggest when you are sitting there, try to read to it, and show the pictures. move slow and talk low. show him you are not a threat.....

[LovelySydney]

As with any bird and taming, time and patience are key. It takes a lot of time to build trust with a bird, I am still working on my parrotlet and its been nearly 4 months. The benefits that it brings are worth all of the patience and taming and hours of earning trust. When a bird trusts you its amazing! However, like Im sure you have read and like another poster said, there is no guarantee that the bird will EVER like you or another member of your household. & taming and trust dont come over night, these things take TIME. Keep us posted how everything goes, try not to get frustrated, good things come to those who wait!!

[birdlover912]

It always helps me to think of a bird as a human friend. If you want to befriend someone, you don't smother them or force them to spend time with you--everything starts out slowly, depending on both people. You don't become friends quickly, it takes time.

In the same way, taming a bird takes patience and time. Like other members have said, work at your grey's pace. If he seems frighted, back off for awhile. Does your grey have a favorite treat? Try slipping a bit through the cage bars without looking at him or facing him directly. Eye contact can be threatening to birds, especially ones that aren't tame. The goal is for your grey to equate his favorite food with you, so he looks forward to seeing you. Eventually (days, weeks, months, however long it takes--it varies from bird to bird), you can hold the treat in your hand through the bars, and offer it to him.

Let us know how it all works out! Taming is can be a long, daunting journey. Just remember, we're all here for you!