how to help my rescue bird

[nsteele]

hello i'm having trouble getting my bird to do more activities on his cage. its a timneh african grey parrot. I recently adopted him for horrible conditions.

please read my intro for more information:
Intro and about my bird

he dosen't like males much likes my wife and will step up for her. he will chew paper cups on his cage with me and loves to eat but when ever hes not getting any attention he sits on top in the middle of his cage doing nothing.

Any ideas for toys i could hand there.. or a way to teach him to play?

i do sit with him even though he doesn't like it. will sit with the wife fine and lets me pet him when the wife is holding him

[Congobongo]

Just leave them alone and they'll come home wagging their tails behind them.

I cannot stress enough to just let the bird familiarize with you. And it will take a long time. Do not expect to have things happen over night. Particularly with an abused bird.

I've had my grey for 2 years and he is just now stepping up and interacting with me.

[nsteele]

ok thanks for advice just worries me when they do nothing.. we moved the cage into the living room with us hopfully that will help.

[hollyhawkz]

They love being around where all the action is, I think that was a good move.

[Congobongo]

And, talk, talk, talk to a grey! They love that! Every morning when I walk in the bird room I say Good Morning and my Greys say it back. When I leave for work I say good bye and they say it back. At night when I turn off the TV they say good night! It is so sweet! I talk to them all the time.

[nsteele]

i will speak to the grey as much as i can.. he loves to whistle with me very cute

[dranger1108]

http://www.companionfids.com/enrichm...enrichment.pdf

making foraging toys might help him have fun.

[dranger1108]

http://www.companionfids.com/enrichment/pdfs/PEABV2.pdf
here is another link...

[nsteele]

wow thanks for the guides dranger1108 should be very useful

[pippy]

Sit near the cage, side-on so you aren't looking directly at the bird but he can see you. Make yourself comfortable and read to him! A children's book is best, a story which you can read aloud (but quietly, if you see what I mean!) with lots of enthusiasm!

Read for as long as you can stand to then calmly walk away. Keep doing this several times day. I'm sure it will help the bird learn to trust you and the sound of your voice.