I got my African Grey "Sydney" 8 years ago as a tiny baby. I hand fed her myself several times a day to ensure that she would bond to me. The first 3 years were great....But then she suddenly turned on me, and fell in love with my mom and dad... The two of them can reach into her cage whenver they want...pet her head, and even give her kisses... I stopped trying to touch her after many blood drawing bites. Recently, my mom placed her onto the floor beside me, she walked right over to where I was sitting and said "Hey bird" and then bit my leg...She also calls me a B*%$@ from inside of her cage!!! She doesn't say it when anyone else is around!! My parents just bought a new house, and my mom says that Sydney is my bird and must move in to my apartment with me...How can I make this situation work!?! How can I get Sydney to be happy with me?? I don't want to live with an evil bird for the next 40 years... Any suggestions, PLEASE!!!
2007-06-13 16:35:35 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Birds
Ohh I would LOVE to have a cockatoo...But, I can't just give up on Sydney and have her passed around like a toy. When you buy something that lives 40+ years, you make a commitment...She is part of the family, and will be with me for the rest of her (or my) life.
2007-06-13 16:54:22 · update #1
I've had a few parrots, and the only "used" parrot I couldn't teach to love me was an African Grey. They aren't as friendly as a Yellow Nape for example.
If you can't get your bird to love you when you live alone with it....I'd try giving it to your parents. If they won't take it, then I'd try to sell it or give it to someone else that your grey seems to like.
If speech isn't the most important thing for you....get a cockatoo. They are cushy teddy bears and love to be held, give kisses and hug. Those are very loving birds.
2007-06-13 16:42:45 · answer #1 · answered by Daddy 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There are somethings you need to understand about African Greys. They are not psycho. They are too intelligent for most owners who don't understand them. An African grey lives almost as long as a human being and indeed in many respects, they behave the same way.
For the first three years, you were viewed as the 'mother' figure because you raised it.
At three, African Greys become sexually mature. They are programme to 'not like' their parents so that they will fly off and find a mate (to prevent inbreeding). You happen to be the mother figure which is why his loyalty has switched to your parents. Don't take it personal. The papers are FULL of parrot owners who can't understand why their sweet babies became frankenbirds and are offering to sell them off.
You need to read up on African Greys because they are many good books that are out there to teach you what not to do and what to do right. Letting your bird run freely on the floor is also not a good thing because he is able to assert his independence and dominance over you.
You need to always be on top of the situation when you have pet parrots, they are not oversized budgies. What you have right now is a spoilt 8 year old (just imagine having to deal with a rebellious boy that age - you'll get the picture).
It really can be solved. You just need to arm yourself with the necessary information. If you do manage to get him throught the next few years, and train him well, African Greys normally mellow in their teen years and become the best of pets for the rest of their lives (as long as you are always on your toes).
Good luck!!
2007-06-13 23:51:02 · answer #2 · answered by aken 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't know if this will help, but here goes. Have you tried keeping your parents away from the bird for a week or two? When you are the 'new lord and master', maybe Sydney will come around. Or change her name to "Hannibal", and put a little mask on her face.
Try reading the book "Body Language". The first part of the book deals with a safe proximity to animals.
Just kidding, I knew this wouldn't help.
2007-06-13 23:54:24 · answer #3 · answered by ponytailed_1 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She turned on you around 3? Sounds like hormones as the bird probably started her adolescence then. They will become more territorial and possibly form new alliances. Some serious re-training may be ahead for your bird and much patience will be needed if you want to keep her. Let the bird move into your new apartment so you can be it's only companion for a while.
2007-06-14 18:49:34 · answer #4 · answered by Tom 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This can be normal, even common, for African Greys.
Any parrot, really.
Don't think there is a quick fix. There isn't.
Chances are, the bird will never be your best friend.
Explain the situation to your parents. Ask them to keep the bird.
2007-06-13 23:44:34 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should sell him and get a green cheeked conure. There the most cuddly little rascals. Just do the same thing you did with Sydney and your guerrenteed a cuddly friend for 30 years.
2007-06-14 02:45:18 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://www.itsagreysworld.com/home.html has great info on Greys. You will need lots of time and patience to retrain her. You can't rush these things. Maybe once she moves in with you and your parents aren't around she'll become your friend again. Remember, she's just an innocent bird and is only reacting to what is natural for her.
2007-06-13 23:48:14 · answer #7 · answered by KimbeeJ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If she won't eat out of your hand, maybe you should try washing them once in a while. I mean like with soap. Outside of that, it just sounds like you're getting a just a bit pananoid. Do you really expect anyone to believe she only calls you names when no one else is around? Tell that one to a shrink and see if they don't have you coming back on a regular basis to check your meds. Come on! It's a stupid bird. You act like it's going out of its way to set you up or something. Get real. Believe me, if you end up alone with the bird in your own apt (which I doubt you're ready for) I'm sure the bird will eventually let you feed it out of necessity, even if your hands do stink.
2007-06-13 23:50:31 · answer #8 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
i have an african grey and they are pretty psycho! lol jk
they just favor random people like my brother will poke and bother it and such but the bird favors him over me, but i dont do anything to it and it hates me.
so start slow and give it treats let it sit on ur hand on shoulder and give it treats and it will slowly start to like you again just be nice to it and dont show that ur afraid if it trys to bite you. i do that with mine and he rarely trys to bite anymore cuz he realized i dont care so he gave up lol.
2007-06-13 23:41:52 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋