my african grey keeps attacking me please help?

Answer 1

I answered this question for someone else... I will repeat it here.

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First, of all, I would take the bird to a qualified avian veterinarian for a thorough check up to make sure that there are no underlying problems. Once this is established, you may ask your vet about the biting problem as well and he/she can give you better qualified advice on how to handle this problem.

In the meantime, to respond to your problem from my perspective. The bird did not get this way over night and it's not going to quit biting you over night. Obviously the bird has not always been with you, i.e. you did not hand-feed this bird from a chick, therefore, you have to overcome other people's mistakes with this bird. This will take a lot of time and patience on your part. Some birds just don't like their owners. Unfortunately, this is a basic fact. Sometimes, you must be willing to give the bird up because you have "differences" that cannot be overcome.

Just remember, you cannot treat a bird like a dog or cat. Their cognitive thinking does not work the way the cat & dog does. Punishment, such as thumping the beak might work, but is not recommended. Birds are of the "fright or flight" mentality. So point is, do you want the bird to be "afraid" of you? I don't think so. With birds, you have to earn their respect. They don't have to earn yours. You must think in reverse when training a parrot.

I have a Congo African Grey that I just worked thru this biting problem with. And I DID hand feed & raise her from a chick... When analyzing the problem, it was MY fault, not hers, I didn't realize that I was not spending as much time with her as I should be and she got a bit grumpy & nasty with me.

So I worked with her for about a month. Going over to her cage, even sitting in a chair by the cage... just talking to her in a normal voice, only occasionally looking her in the eye. Parrots consider eye contact as predatory. Some eye contact is ok. Keeping her calm; not giving her any reason for alarm. Kept my hands to myself. During these "talking" sessions, I did not let her out, nor did I do any cage or food maintenance. But did talk to her as I did maintenance as well. When in these "talk" sessions, I would lean my head toward her, not looking at her, and let her preen my hair on occasion. Then I would end the talking session and walk away. I would do this two or three times a day, for at least 45 minutes at a time or more, no less.

Later I would offer her a "cookie". I would give her a piece of animal crackers on occasion, and then a couple of times a day she gets a peanut or two. I started using these treats for good behavior; offering "scratches" to show her that I was friend, not foe. In about 2 weeks, I would start letting her out again, giving her a bit of cookie, talking calmly to her... Now, I can pet her again without the perverbial snapping & biting. Now, she doesn't try to bite anymore at all and we are buddies again.

Spending quality time with your bird is essential to owning a large bird. If you don't have time for it, find someone who does, for the bird's welfare. I would go to the library, or buy every book I could on maintaining a Grey. Educating yourself is the best thing you can do for you and the bird's benefit and for a healthy relationship.

I sincerely wish you and the bird the best.
~ kat

Answer 2

I already answered this on your other question.

Now...On to answer your question. There are a lot of unknowns here. How long have you had this bird? Approximate age of the bird? Are you having any other problems with the bird, such as plucking or anything else? Is this a new problem or an existing problem?

Birds in the wild do not bite, that is a behaviour that has started with birds in captivity. Right now your bird has or is establishing that he is top of the flock. You have to teach your bird that you are top of the flock. A few things that can help you do this are, never allow your bird on your shoulder. Shoulder birds tend to be biters, and feel as if they are top of the flock because they are higher than you. In the wild birds will try and get on the highest branch to show dominance over the rest of the flock. Do not allow your bird on the top of his cage if he is higher than you, for the same reason.

Do not pull back when your bird is trying to bite push in with your hand instead, pulling back only encourages his biting and it can/will become a game to him. If he sees that you will go away by him biting he will continue to do it. Try doing some "step up" time with him in 5 to 10 minute intervals away from his cage in an area he does not usually go in to. A bathroom is a good place for this training time or a spare bedroom he doesnt usually go in. Use two perches for this in the begining and have him step up from one perch to another. Praise him everytime he steps up on first command. If he does not "step up" give his perch that he is sitting on a lil shake (not a hard shake, just a lil shake) something to get him a little off balance and then firmly ask him to step up again on to the other perch. Every time he acts out with biting give him the lil shake, and then take him to go do "step ups". You can also do some positive reinforcement with this by giving him a tiny peice of his favorite treat each time he does what you ask him to do.

You just have to have patience, and try and make yourself top of the flock. I had a quaker that was a rescue and abused that did the same thing. I cannot even tell you how many chunks of my skin he took off, but I refused to give in and I used the lil shake and step up method and it worked really well.

Good Luck hon

Answer 3

I have heard that clicker training works,also make sure that he has the right diet.Try making his cage lower so he doesnt think hes boss.always reward good behaviour.....I also have a biting bird, what she hates the most is if she is moody or looking like she might want to bite I put her down staight away and walk into another room ignoring her(she really hates that and wants to then be cuddley). One final thing never let a bird that bites on you shoulder or up the arm.(keep on the hand so you have controll.)

Answer 4

From your question, it is hard to tell!! Is he just playing? Is he upset, or been made jealous. This is very common in most parrots, especially greys, if they feel they are not getting enough attention. Hopefully, no-one has tried to strike him with ANYTHING, as this will destroy his trust and friendship quickly towars humans!!! Tell him gently, but firmly "No, don't bite", and then get him a treat, so he associates your hands with good things. Don't forget to treat him as you would a 2-year old baby!!! Good Luck--Birdman

Answer 5

Buy this book Your outta Control Bird by Nikki Moustaki
get it on amazon.com, buy it used or new I bought mine used
for 6.44 shipping incl.

It is very to the point book not a bunch of crap you cant understand. It will help you, I too have a amazon who was abused and he gets like that around his cage toys food etc.
lmk if you buy it and it helped you. Denise

Answer 6

i have an african grey called gizzie and he was forever attacking me. joined www.birdtricks.com and now have a friend for life.
good luck with yours

Answer 7

i have had mine for 30 years and he still bites me, mine was imported so he was wild if yours is a young bird hand reared it will take time , but don't give up as they make good pets and you are never with out some one to have a chat to

Answer 8

1.what is an African grey
2.maybe your imagination
3.invite your friend

Answer 9

First, your loved ones are being idiots. A parrot is corresponding to a youthful infant: with the aid of fact of your loved ones, this poultry is turning out to be a spoiled brat, subsequently the topics you're presently having. Of *course* she's favoring them, they permit her do despite she needs fairly than offering mandatory discipline for undesirable habit. *They* are additionally coaching her to dislike you, for scolding you and yelling at you, the poultry is getting to understand that her "widespread human beings" dislike you and he or she will have the skill to too, as a thank you to better fit in with them. your loved ones desires a mind-blowing speaking to, with the aid of fact they are ruining this undesirable poultry. I desire she could turn around and chew them for as quickly as, with the aid of fact then they could get a style of what they are turning out to be. your loved ones ought to attain that they are turning out to be a issue that could carry on with the poultry for some years in the event that they do no longer give up in the present day. The poultry will only proceed to worsen till they regulate their act; you could not instruct the poultry to act back till they have stopped this ridiculous nonsense. What occurs if she desires a sparkling domicile some day? If she has grow to be a "issue poultry" with the aid of fact she grew to become into spoiled and now bites each and all of the time, it's going to be very complicated to locate her an enduring domicile. in my opinion, I advise finding an avian behavioralist. They understand a thank you to get with the aid of to those who do stupid issues like this, it somewhat is part of their job. listening to it come from a expert will upload loads of weight on your case.

Answer 10

i am sorry about the comment below me that just means he is trying to get points. I have watched this guy called "The Dog Whisperer" try calling him in no time he will obey you like no other