She holds on for dear life to the bars and screams. I rub her head and hold her beak and she is fine until I try to take her out then all heck breaks loose. She is eating fine. When I bought her privately they said the person that can take the bird out was not home. When I tried to take her out she would not come out and they said that was because she did not know me "yet". I just spent $800.00 and can not hold the bird. What can I do? Please help me.
2006-10-01 12:46:13 · 12 answers · asked by Artsch 2 in Pets ➔ Birds
I have a Timneh African Grey and got him at 18 months old. The first week or two were quite nerve wracking for him more than me. Grey's are known for their shyness and are the more intelligent parrot. Just give each other some time to get to know each other. You may want to try and throw a towel over her and take her out and hold her gently and speak very softly to her, using her name often. She is afraid and unsure, certainly. Grey's are not always affectionate as the Cockatoo's are. They are more leery and not as trusting initially.
It doesn't sound like the best situation as far as the purchasing of your parrot. Of course, the owner may have been too upset on selling her and could not bring themselves to be present when she was sold. Benefit of the doubt here.
You will want to have her checked out by a vet as soon as you can. That is just a normal preventative for the health of your parrot and your piece of mind.
Also, get a book about Grey's and check online for detailed information. Make sure your sources are reputable.
You have to give her some time to adjust, and while she does that, give yourself some time to focus on grabbing hold of all the info you can on Grey's. You will both be grateful you did. If you work with her, she can become one of your best friends.
Best to you and her.
2006-10-01 12:59:43 · answer #1 · answered by Animaholic 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As others have said, be patient! Put her cage in an area you're near frequently, so she can see you there. Don't make any move to take her out of the cage for a week, only change her food and water daily. Spend some time watching her and try to learn her body language. What's she look like when she's hungry? What's she do with her wings when you get closer? Does her head bob up and down ever? Where are her eyes looking? Are her feathers ruffled or flat? Learning her body language will help you tell when she's distressed so you can learn to not push her into being afraid.
After a week, put your hand on the outside of the cage for a few minutes at a time, longer if she's not freaking out. When she's used to it, put your hand inside the cage. If she tries to bite you a few times, get a stick instead. She may also "nip" at something which is not the same as a bite - it's a beak motion that doesn't hurt, and can be either to test whether a perch (stick or hand) is sturdy enough to handle her weight, or it can be a warning that she doesn't want you closer and will actually bite you if you keep it up.
Most of all, have patience and watch what she does. It will take time, but when she learns to trust you it will be so rewarding!
2006-10-02 01:39:11 · answer #2 · answered by zandyandi 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At two years old she "IS" still a baby. African Grey's can outlive humans. She's very much afraid. Her flock has abandoned her and she doesn't know you. Give her some time to get acclimated to the room and new environment. Use a perch to get her out of the cage, then slowly show her another area of you home, one where she cannot see her cage. All the while talk sweetly to her, tell her she's alright every time something new is introduced. If someone walks by, tell her she's alright, if she hears a dog bark, repeat, "you're alright". Carry some organic cereal, something like a Cheerios's or kix and give her one when you tell her she's alright, she needs to know you are taking care of her and are going to protect her. Each day, cut your carrying perch to make it a little smaller, (always use the step up command) within a week or two she will have adjusted and will perch on your fingers. Always do your training in a room where she cannot see her cage. Right now that's her only security and she only feels safe there. Let her know she's safe where ever you are. Two years old is NOT to old. Work with her and you will soon have a love-able companion that will last a lifetime. CONGRATULATIONS!
2006-10-02 07:51:48 · answer #3 · answered by professor grey 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Patience is a virtue. Have a heart. How would you feel if someone suddenly uprooted you to a different PLANET tomarrow? That's what new birds face in their new homes. Please, show some respect to this fact and don't be in a hurry to be kissy-kissy with this new guy. Let him get accustomed to his new cage, new lighting, new surroundings, New EVERYTHING!Probably new dishes, new food, different water. Really show some patience during the first 3 to 4 days without trying to pick up. Had you seen how his previous owner handled him? or what..
Please walk softly for the next few days: speak to him at eye level, ask him how he feels, if he likes his new dish, toy or whatever. Check to see he is eating. Keeping his cage clean with fresh water and food daily. Try putting some fruit pieces, grapes, or such separately by his dish making a big deal over it while you give it to him. You are referring to her..... are you certain it's a girl?
the way to a bird's heart is through the stomach!
2006-10-01 23:52:56 · answer #4 · answered by robyn.lynn0@sbcglobal.net 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Her environment is new to her. She needs to feel comfortable with it. She will let you know. Let her go at her own pace. First off, inside her cage is her domain. She screams because you are inside her "safety zone" so to speak. The best thing to do is to start out talking to her softly, tell her it's ok and what a beautiful bird she is. Open her cage and walk to the other side of the room or sit down and go about your business. She will want to explore outside her cage to. She will call to you when she is ready. When they let out a series of two chirps, they are calling their flock. You are now her flock. Slowly walk up to her. Talk to her more. Hold your hand out and say step up. If she backs away..she's not ready. Walk away. They are very social birds and she will want you to come to her and will want you to hold her. But if you push the issue to quickly, she will only back off into her cage which she knows to be safe. Each day, open the cage, let her come out and explore and she will eventually want to explore knowing you too. It's true. She doesn't know you yet, but she will want this...IN HER OWN TIME. It has to be at her comfort level. And I promise you, it will come. Sooner than you think. You can email me privately if you need more help at
kbadger914@yahoo.com
Kris
www.badgerscents.com
2006-10-01 22:50:57 · answer #5 · answered by Kris 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, you have got to allow her to acclimate to your house, she doesnt know where she is or understand who you are or why she is there. Give her a couple of weeks to get used to the place and YOU. Give her permission to be who she is right now and learn her new surroundings. After 14 days, leave her cage open then walk away allowing her to come out IF SHE WANTS TO. You have got to make it seem like her idea, then she will learn to trust you once she knows she lives with you forever. Give her time and be patient it will be worth the wait.
2006-10-02 01:33:59 · answer #6 · answered by reasonable-sale-lots 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Trust me, this is normal. I have had my Grey for 8 years. It took several weeks (and she was about 4 years old when i got her) for her to get used to me and her surroundings. It took about a year before she completely trusted me and let me pick her up, pet her, etc. They are a very skiddish bird. Just keep her environment calm and make sure there's a routine with feeding, bedtime, etc. She'll get used to it. Good luck and I hope you enjoy her!
2006-10-01 20:50:22 · answer #7 · answered by July 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
she just needs to trust you.. she obviously is not used to the new surroundings yet, either..
give it a few days before you try to hold her.. move very slow so she doesnt get uncomfortable with your hand..
greys are super smart birds.. when she gets to know you and bond with you then you will have an excellent companion..
good luck with her!!
2006-10-01 19:57:52 · answer #8 · answered by lugar t axhandle 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is important to give her time to get used to you. Leave the cage open and praise her when she comes out. Give her treats and love on her as much as you can. (you got a great deal at $800!) It can take a while, but it will be worth it. They can be as loving as a cat does....
2006-10-01 19:56:09 · answer #9 · answered by Lil' Dog 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's why it's important to only buy baby birds. Older ones don't bond as well. You have to get one that was hand raised for it to accept humans.
2006-10-01 19:53:43 · answer #10 · answered by nondescript 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋