Advice please for african grey

[patti]

I have just aquired a 10 month old African grey. I bought him from a pet shop. He is very tame and let lots of people stroke his head. I have settled him in over the last couple of days and put toys in his cage. He plays a lot and whistles and says a few words. Today though, I opened his cage to get a piece of fruit out . He tried to get out of the door and I had to stop him. Now he wont come to the bars to let me scratch his head, although he still takes food from my fingers. If I have upset him in any way how do I rectify this? The people who owned him at the shop took him home with them at night and they let him come out of his cage. They told me to keep him in for a week or so and then let him out. Is this the correct thing to do?

[patti]

Thanks for your reply. I bought him the day I saw him (saturday). They told me to keep him in his cage for about a week because he would need to get his bearings. His wings were clipped before I bought him. What is the best time to let him out (at night when he wont fly into a window?) Is is ok to place his cage on the fooor and leave the door open so he can do his own thing. He will surely go back inside when he wants to feed? Please bear with me as I have never done this before and have heard that some people have a hell of a job getting them back in their cages.

[The Outlaw]

Patti:

Congrats on your new bird. I have two greys, a Congo and a Timneh. If you have purchased a Congo (bright red tail) then they do tend to be a bit more standoffish. However, since he seems ready to come out, I'd leave the door open whenever you can be there to supervise him. He's just trying to get his bearings and stretch his wings a bit. Sounds to me like he's ready to come out and meet you.

The Congo here, Cleo, belongs to a friend who is probably going to give her to me. She was very curious and very wary of me for a few days, but now comes looking for me whenever I have her cage door open. They are wonderful and smart creatures who are used to living in very large flocks. That's why they really tend to crave the attention of their owners.

You might want to try this old trick: simply move a chair next to his cage with the door open. Now, read a book and eat a few peanuts. Usually, their curiosity compells them to come out and take a look. Of course, if you offer a peanut and he takes it, then that's the first break you'll get. After that, simply let him move at his own pace.

When Cleo came to me she was plucking feathers with a vengence. On the third day here, she stopped altogether. Now she is regrowing feathers and seems very content. She still comes to me on her terms and won't come to me if she's in the cage without a struggle, but she happily comes out and will step up most of the time without any problems whatsoever.

Take your time, talk to him a lot, always acknowledge him whenever you're in sight and before you know it, he'll be calling your name and begging to come out and play.

THE OUTLAW

[smallonion]

Normally the advice is keep them in the cage for a week or so when you first get them, *IF* they are scared and just settling in. If they're scared, you don't want to try to force them out of the cage.But yours sounds tame and wants to come out and be touched by you, so, as Tritak said, it's ok to get him out of the cage, definitely!

It'\s ok to let him out during the day. SInce he can't fly, he won't hit the window. Most of the time, parrots' wings are clipped so that they can glide down from somewhere (and not fall like a brick) but they cannot gain 'lift' if they try to fly.they can only glide down from a high place. Nevertheless, keep all windows and doors closed - you've only been told he was clipped, you haven't seen if he can actually fly a little or a lot yet!

Parrots don't like being on the floor - they like height (except don't put him higher than you - he will feel superior). What most experts and people here advise is to teach your bird to 'step up'onto your arm or finger or a perch. SInce he is fairly tame, he may know how to step up already. What you do is put the perch or finger aove his legs, gently touching his lower belly. Say, "step up". If he steps up, praise him like crazy and tell him what a good bird he is. You can take him out of the cage this way. If he does it, then you know how to get him back in!

I'd recommend you read some books on parrots - and read this board a lot. THere's so much to learn and it's great that you want to learn about your new friend. Mattie Sue Athan is a popular and well-respected bird expert, and she has even written a guide specifically for African Greys. You can order it from amazon.com

Don't be afraid to ask any question here, and let us know how you're doing. What did you name your bird? Please post a picture when you can, too!

Best wishes,
Michele and Humphrey

[patti]

Thank you so much for your advice. Although he bit me quite hard a little while ago, he is still taking peanuts from my fingers. Should I keep trying to scratch his head or shall I leave him and try again tomorrow? I dont want to lose his trust. I am a little upset that i cant stroke him today. Are they termperamental like this sometimes? Sorry about all the questions.

[The Outlaw]

Patt:

(LOL) slow down, girl! These birds are divas, I tell ya. Greys are very picky about who they interact with and you're very new. Also, most greys won't even allow you to skritch their heads for a long time. Some folks can barely hold them after many months. Sounds like you have a sweet, curious and typically suspicious Congo. That's simply their nature. This bird will be all over you before you know it. But, you do need to slow down. They aren't like puppies and kittens. They are more like peers. I think that if you simply talk to him often, sing if you dare and try to spend some quality, undistracted time with him, you'll be holding him in a week. It may take a bit longer, but he just seems too curious about this new home.

While we're on the subject, you need to do some homework about greys. Bobbie Brinker has many books on the subject and can clue you in on their personalities. They don't like change at all. In fact, whenever you add a toy to the cage, expect a certain amount of stress. They take a while to trust anything new. In fact, when I changed Cleo's boing while I laundered her old one, she refused to use the new one! They were exactly the same, only one was dirty. My Timneh is totally fearless. I can put her anywhere, move anything and she happily lives on the cage more often than in it. That's why I usually recommend the Timnehs for new grey owners. They are more user friendly.

The Congos are show stoppers and so intelligent its frightening. When Cleo talks, EVERYONE listens!

THE OUTLAW

[patti]

Thanks for the info. Yeah you're right. I'm over reacting!! Since posting the last message, he's let me scratch his head and stroke him, He's taking food from my mouth as well. I think from what you have told me that I am very lucky in that I have put a few toys in his cage and he's just immediately played with them. By the way what would you suggest for treats. What specifically shouldn't you give them to eat? Thanks for all your help.

[Joel]

Hi Patti,

We are all glad to help but please ASAP go out and purchase a few books on your bird and birds in general and study up as much as possible for everyday care and even for emergencies etc......... Library is a great place to go also if $$$$ is a problem....

I would stop feeding your bird from your mouth or lips for health and safety reasons. Limit the peanuts & sunflower seeds too. I would purchase a good pellet also like Zupreem Fruit Flavor Blend.

Go with natural stuff for treats IMO like fruits and veggies. I peel everything and remove the seeds. I use fresh veggies whenever possible. I never use canned except for well washed beans occassionally. Frozen is my second choice but fresh is always more preferred by the birds IME.

Do not ever give avocado, chocolate, caffeine laden products etc....Stay away from fried foods for the most part and sugary, salty stuff too....Some people may give a little taste of sugary and fried treats but in moderation, once in a "blue moon"......Others will give you some more no-nos.......

[Graehstone]

Very very very first off, you should never ever ever allow your bird to take food from your mouth, ever. I hope I used enough "e's" and "v's" there to get my point across.

Chocolate is a No-no
Avocados are a No-no
Coffee is a No-no

There is a list somewhere here (if not i will find one) of safe and not safe foods.

Oh and Congratulations on your new baby, :P


Oh and back to the first part of my reply, ... never ever!

[patti]

Ok. Understood. I will tell my daughter and her friends as well. Is that because of infection from us to them or vice versa? I'm going out tomorrow to find books. I have one but I obviously need more. It's really good to know there are people who know all these things.Thank you all. I've called him charlie.