I got asked for scritches!

[Jag]

The first day I saw Ziva, I talked to her for about 45 minutes. She leaned her head down at me, and I went to give her scritches... and when I got close she tried to bite. The next time I saw her, she came right up to me (she was inside her cage, though) put the top of her head against the bars and let me give her a quick scritch. Yesterday, she was acting almost like she wanted me to either give her scritches or to step up...but I couldn't quite read her movements and didn't want to get bit.

Tonight, she was very clear about it... leaned her head forward and down..even tilted her head towards me. So I was able to really give her some good scritches. She did this about three times, then the next time I reached, she growled at me! LOL!! It freaked me out, I'm not used to hearing a bird growl! I was very glad that she decided to let me scritch her, though! She also came out and onto the playtop with me standing within two feet of the door. Usually I have to move totally away from the cage for her to come out. She made siren sounds for me today, too! She says "Yeah" a lot.. in a way that sounds like a sheephish child agreeing to something, lol!

[FloorCandy]

Awwww congrats! sounds like she is settling in very nicely.

[brdfvr]

Oh Jag, that is so great! Cougar growls at me too. At first it kinda made me wary, but she didn't move when she did it so now I just grumble with her! I'm sure you'll get better at reading her after a while. They sure make the conures look tame in comparison, LOL! Sounds like you are doing fine with her and she is very happy!

Have you caught her plucking anymore since she has been at your place?

[Jag]

After watching some video links to greys 'growling' I'm now wondering if it was a happy 'grumble' because it didn't sound or look like that! She has been preening, and come up with one little piece of fuzz now and then...so I'm not sure if that's her plucking, or if it's just her rough preening. When she preens her wings and tail she seems like she's being so rough.... She also 'drops' whatever she has in her mouth right away. BUT... I have seen a couple times during her 'preening' that it's a brand new one with sheath still on that she's removed! I try to distract/discourage her... but honestly from what I've read if they pluck it's nearly impossible to stop.

Her skin still looks sooo dry that I don't blame her. We'll have to see...but it's not just my imagination, my wife also says she has a lot more 'fuzz' than when she came. So as long as she does, I would think she's at least not plucking 'as much' even if I do see some odd fluff....

[tkirsch9368]

My grey does the samething sometimes she will let me scratch her but most of the time he truns to bite me after I go to scratch her head so I have quit when he lowers his head. He has never bitten but i think he can do some damage if given the chance.....so I think I'll keep my fingy's for nowlol!

[Jag]

I was told by someone with a TON of grey experience that that is a 'classic grey game'. They will invite you to scritch, then try to bite! She did this the first day I got her, and I thought maybe she didn't like me because of that. However, it's apparently more of a 'flirty' behavior if they're asking for scritches! She hasn't done that to me again, though. She didn't snap at me or lunge or anything when she did her low little growl.

[FloorCandy]

I know you said she barks like a pom, so maybe the growl is just mimicking the poms? If it doesn't sound like the grey growl, it might be just another sound effect she picked up somewhere.

[Jag]

Originally Posted by FloorCandy

I know you said she barks like a pom, so maybe the growl is just mimicking the poms? If it doesn't sound like the grey growl, it might be just another sound effect she picked up somewhere.

That's what I'm wondering today... and also if it may have been a 'happy purr' I know the conures purr... maybe I didn't recognize it in a louder form! She didn't change her demeanor at all..but I did stop trying to touch her at that point. I just don't want to misread her and get a bite. It's difficult, isn't it, to learn to read a different kind of bird? Or maybe I'm just too worried. However, I'm on blood thinners, and hoping to go back to work tomorrow night. I just cut myself shaving yesterday morning, and I'm STILL oozing from it!

[hollyhawkz]

I got to cuddle some greys on the weekend! Awwwww, there are four for sale at one of the pet stores in Abbotsford. The sales lady kept trying to get use to hold two of the different larger males because they were cuddly.... I insisted on the smaller red factor (may grow out) female. The clerk promptly told me she doesn't really like anyone yet, and she bites a bit but they are working on it.

So I promptly ignored her warnings, and said "may I?", the clerk warned me again but reluctantly said ok.. I stuck out my hand, said step up, which she did, without hesitation. I was able to touch her feet, and I gave her many, many kisses. She eventually worked her way up to my shoulder, which yes I know can be a no no, however I just kept the kissy game up and she was fine.

That was the same scenario with Sam. My niece said she didn't like women, well she was fine with me. I used to let her ride around on my shoulder too! Sam was promised to me if she ever needed to rehome her (she was a rescue that they were going to keep). Next thing I knew my niece was going through a divorce and Sam had been rehomed.... I was crushed!

[Jag]

Originally Posted by hollyhawkz

I got to cuddle some greys on the weekend! Awwwww, there are four for sale at one of the pet stores in Abbotsford. The sales lady kept trying to get use to hold two of the different larger males because they were cuddly.... I insisted on the smaller red factor (may grow out) female. The clerk promptly told me she doesn't really like anyone yet, and she bites a bit but they are working on it.

So I promptly ignored her warnings, and said "may I?", the clerk warned me again but reluctantly said ok.. I stuck out my hand, said step up, which she did, without hesitation. I was able to touch her feet, and I gave her many, many kisses. She eventually worked her way up to my shoulder, which yes I know can be a no no, however I just kept the kissy game up and she was fine.

Aww if only we had more room!!! LOL

Oh, lucky you!! She sounds adorable! Ziva is a red factor, also. You should have told her that you're the 'bird whisperer!" Are greys normally cuddly then? That's what I still don't know. I *think* that Ziva is wanting more contact, but we haven't figured that out yet. I'm going to try to put her on a large table or the floor today to 'play' and see how she does. I'm just waiting for my wife... as I'd like her to have camera ready to record how she acts to see what others think her behavior is saying. Lucky you to get to cuddle with a baby!