about my african grey parrot?

Question

I have a 4 yr old female african grey that I got back in November 2006...

She's great with everyone and we all love her but theres only one problem.. she's scared of her toys???

I went to the pet store and got her different toys and she's scared of eveything. She wont get near anything she doesnt recognize, not a ball not the little bird mirrors they sell... can anyone tell me why is this happening and can I do anything to help her get used to the toys or should I just give up?

Answer 1

Gabby,

Try a soft rope and wood toy that she can chew on. If she has bonded with you outside of her cage you might try mouthing the toy yourself while she is with you, so that she can see her "mom" likes it and there's nothing to be afraid of. If that works, then slowly do the same thing closer to her cage until you can put it inside the cage without frightening her. One good thing is she'll probably live to be 50, so you've got plenty of time to work with her. I think the secret to my grey's being so fond of me is that I am completely relaxed around him, speak to him in a quiet voice and touch him a lot. He's sitting on my head as I type here, and is talking up a storm. Good luck.

Answer 2

I have had african greys .And what you need to do is put the toy to the lowest part of the cage at the bottom of the cage hung on the side inside the cage.give it a week or two then move the toy up higher.And only add one toy at a time until your bird gets use to the one you bought.She should be fine after that.I had the same problem.This worked

Answer 3

Hi Gabby No don't give up!! it will and can take a long time for any bird to be secure in a home i have a african grey i have had her for a almost a year and she still won't play with toys. greys are very shy with new things just keep letting her know that it is ok, slowly introduce things to her like show her it before putting it in her cage so she can see it for a few days before putting it the cage even play with it in front of her so she knows it won't hurt her. good luck

Answer 4

If she doesn't like them, leave her alone. I was afraid of a couple of toys as a child, and I must tell you it was not pleasant. Get her those toys that include food (seed bars etc). Actually, the other toys are mostly for parrakeets, not parrots like her. After a few weeks try to give her a toy again, and if she still hates it take it away. But replace the toys with your attention, playing with her, talking to her, getting her out of her cage, giving her a climbing tree etc.

Answer 5

I remember reading a few years ago, when I got my grey(and I can't remember the site either), they don't like change. It said that if you bought a new toy, to start out by putting it on the other side of the room(on a couch, or wall). Then slowly move it closer to their cage. That way they can get used to it slowly. Now mine, I don't have any problems like that with her, weird...

Answer 6

HI GABBY,
AFRICAN GREY'S ARE VERY CAUTIOUS BIRDS BECAUSE IN THE WILD THEY ARE PREY AND MUST BE CAUTIOUS IN ORDER TO KEEP SAFE. WHAT SHE IS DOING IS VERY NORMAL. HAND THE TOYS ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAGE FOR A LITTLE WHILE SO THAT SHE CAN GET USE TO THEM BEING AROUND HER. WHEN SHE SEE'S THAT THEY DO NOT MOVE ON THEIR OWN SHE WILL BE CURIOUS AND BEGIN TO INVESTIGATE. TO BE HONEST THOUGH, I THINK A LOT OF THOSE TOYS ARE USELESS AND VERY COSTLY. THERE ARE SOME SIMPLE THINGS YOU CAN MAKE FOR YOUR AND SHE WILL ENJOY THEM BEYOND MEASURE. FIRST LET ME SAY THAT HANGING WOOD TOYS ARE IMPORTANT FOR CHEWING, OUTSIDE OF THAT, TAKE A PIECE OF WRITING PAPER, (NOT COPY PAPER, IT HAS CHEMICALS) PUT A FEW NUTS OR SEED BALLS OR ANY KIND OF TREAT AND ROLL IT, FOLD IT, WHATEVER, LET HER WATCH YOU. SHE WILL BE ANXIOUS TO GET IT OUT. HANG IT OVER HER PERCH AND WATCH HER GO AT IT. ALSO, IF YOU HAVE FRUIT TREE'S NEARBY THAT AREN'T SPRAYED SNIP OFF SOME TWIGS, TIE THEM IN A BUNDLE AND HANG THAT FOR HER. I PROMISE, SHE'LL LOVE THEM.