2006-08-09 17:16:54 · 17 answers · asked by Mike B 2 in Pets ➔ Birds
What makes this normal is that you have to understand that Greys 'feel' with their beaks. It's like a handshake. My friend's Grey would clamp down on my finger but not hard enough to draw blood. It was his way of socializing. However, their beaks are extremely powerful. They can take your nose off in a second. So, unless you've trained him (from the beginning) to interact with other people then, I don't suggest you start now. You really need to read up on your bird. Learn the best training techniques so you and your bird will be happier with each other. I cannot stress this enough...I'm not interested in the points so much as I am for you to educate yourself. E-mail me and I will put you in touch with someone who would love to help you. They could give you better advice than anyone here has so far.
2006-08-09 19:33:44 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes that is totally normal. Parrots aren't like dogs, they generally won't go to the first person with a treat , this is especially true with greys. They are trusting only of their owners and tend to only go to those people. My grey will barely make a noise if there are people over, let alone actually go to them. Now my male eclectus is the complete opposite. He'll fly right to the person walking through the door and land on their shoulder and stare them in the face...like who are you? LOL Greys are particular and very very smart.
I have a friend thats has one as well..and if anyone but my friends husband tries to pick her up she says.."don't bite me hard". It's a riot.
2006-08-10 09:21:39 · answer #2 · answered by Jenn 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, African Grey's are very territorial. I have an African Grey, his name is Bird Bird. He talks to other people and will entice them to pet him by lowering his head, but he snaps his head around and tries to bite them. African Grey's are kind of comparable to the behavior of a Chow Chow. They usually take to one person, and they just tolerate everyone else.
They make awesome pets though!!! They live to be 80yrs old. The way I figure it, if I ever start loosing my memory, the Bird will be there to remind me of things. Or just say, " Your loosing your mind, your loosing your mind!" LOL!!
2006-08-10 00:25:29 · answer #3 · answered by LaurieLynn 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, but he is extremely intelligent. Always remember this. African Greys rate about the same intelligence level as a 4-5 year
old human. Train him and expose him to other people but do it slowly and in a gentle manner. They are also timid, like children,
and respond to gentle care and will learn to trust others. Just
about everyone can handle our Grey, Paulie, and he loves the ladies especially.
2006-08-10 00:23:52 · answer #4 · answered by michael g 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
African Greys tend to be on the shy side for parrots. And intelligent. So that leads them to a sort of pride. Your bird likes and accepts you, so he is willing to do your commands. But he is uneasy and (I wouldn't be surprised) insulted by a complete stranger ordering him about. You could still try to introduce him to people, but don't be offended if he acts totally different with them as with you.
2006-08-10 01:28:34 · answer #5 · answered by Alia 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Greys can be selective on their choice of people, and can be wary of strangers. The Grey I knew liked me and the wife of the store owner, but didn't like the store owner himself and would try to bite him every chance that came up...
2006-08-10 00:27:24 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds that way. Your bird knows it's owner. It's just lie your first day at a new school- you have lots of new people to meet and it takes time to be comfortable around all of them. Maybe start small and you hold the bird while being near a visitor/friend that is over. Over time, the closer you hold the bird to the other person, the bird will realize that you aren't afraid of that person so they shouldn't be either. Worked with my parakeets
2006-08-10 08:59:48 · answer #7 · answered by Phoenixsong 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes. A lot of birds (especially parrot types) bond to one person, and only one person. I have a cockatiel who only likes to be around me, and when my mom was first married, she had a Conure that would call and call my dad's name out, but if my mom came near him, he would chase her across the room and try to bite her toes! So yes, this is normal.. your bird just loves you the most! Be happy!
2006-08-10 00:36:32 · answer #8 · answered by Tara M 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, African Grey's are very shy. They usually choose one person to bond with and that's you! My African Grey, Shadow, attacks my husband while saying, "Mmm it's good! "
2006-08-10 00:30:39 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
we saw one when we attended a party, he is ferocious but the owner said, he is as sweet as a button. but they did warn us that he will attack if you happen to be near his cage. i guess he is just like a dog, territorial and of course, they rarely bite the hand that feed them.plus grey is used to you, practically family to him. so to answer your question, it is a normal behavior of a bird.
2006-08-10 00:25:24 · answer #10 · answered by salome 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋