adopted tag- some advice please??

[NOPItheTAG]

hi everyone, im chris, and my 6 yr old daughter Kyrstin and i were chosen by a TAG at a local breeder's shop set up at at of al places, a flea market. We decided to name him/her NOPI. This was a previously purchased bird that was returned by a lady who did not have time to spend with her, and only wanted to get a measely $400 for her. i have always wanted an african gray, so i have been researching to make a purchase for over a year, and have previously lived with my yellow collared mini macaw untill its unfortunate demise, due to a respiratory infection that just would not go away. it took 3 yrs for me to open my heart to another feathery friend, but now it has happened.... but i have a problem or two-
You know how most birds can be defensive of their cages? This bird makes it a career& passion. she charges and rams the cage walls on occasion, starting last night for the first time. but only towards me once she goes to the floor, im golden. i can give the "step up" and im ok. otherwise im attacked, but with no eye pinning or tail feathers spread- no signs of aggression at all??? prob 2= anyone can scratch her head, but me. lol, my baby hates me. we even share dinner every night side by side, each with our own plate to buy some love?? any suggestions???? thanks

[Lordian]

I have no suggestions. I have presently a 8yr old TAG that makes me bleed. He wont even begin to do a step up on to me.

So good luck

[Conure & Macaw Mom]

I think I read somewhere that some bird can be protective of THEIR space. Maybe the bird had a bad experience with men. I have heard that you should get one of the opposite sex. So a man should get a female & vice versa. I can't really help cause I don't have a TAG. Sorry, Crystal

[MrRick]

I have 2 CAGs who never showed that type of behavior except when one of the other birds dropped by their cage for a visit. It is possible that Nopi was abused while in her cage hence the reason for how she acts. It may take awhile for her to change this behavior so be patient. In the meantime, try to teach her to step up on a stick (use an old perch) while she's inside the cage. When she steps up on it, slowly pull her out of the cage while showering her with all kinds of praise. Be persistent in this effort but don't over due it. Try it a couple of times and if she wants no part of it, stop and try again later. I used this method successfully with a Senegal who was cage territorial.

I hope this works for you. Keep us posted.

Rick

[CALVINS MOM]

Don't give up. Give him time to trust you. Remember,this is a new environment and you don't know his past. Perhaps do not force her to come out of the cage. When she comes out, reward her and see if she will step up. I adopted a previously owned TAG who was said to be vicious. It took me several months and a lot of patience, but she is now one of the sweetest birds who own me. Good luck with your new fid!

[RingneckedPrincess]

Ok so I don't own a grey at all but trying to 'tame' a bird is the same no matter the species.

Pattience and love! Are you going to be able to love this bird even if she never accepts you? I am sorry but it does happen. They choose who they get attached to and it might not be the main keeper. We have to accpet them for who they are.

Most parrots don't fit our 'perfect' mold and if you wanted that you probably would have bought a baby. I am glad to hear that you decided to give this girl a home she deserves finally. Again I am going to give out the best advice given to me by anyone. Outlaw, Nancy, told me to wrap my arm in an ACE bandage and a long sleeved shirt and go for it. They quickly learn that biting does nothing and you don't go away.

Dani

[NOPItheTAG]

lol!! fortunately im as thick skinned as thick headded, so biting doesnt deter me 75% of the time. as for sticks, that definately has something to do with the previous owner- one view of the unhooked cagetop perch, and its a screamfest follwed by wing beatings. sticks are out, but thanks. i do love my bird, though tender fingertips are terrible when workin on my car. im lookin for a good treat to lure and reward with right now, but there is no magical item ive found. my macaw's was pineapple- he'd flip!! nopi's is?? hard to beleive this bird could be so very different than my mini macaw....
and Dani, how well do the eclectus talk? i was told by a lady who raises them that hers rival her grays and out talk 90% of her double yellows and such?? supposedly my bird is 8-9 months old, but has no pin feathers, and is picking up a word a week or so. no real well defind voice, except when im on the computer like now. lol. "pretttttyyyy buuuuuurdddd" "mumble mumble mumble" lmao