9 month old african grey,, please help me !

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9 month old african grey,, please help me !

by saif malhas
(jordan)

I bought an african grey parrot before two days ... at the first day it refused to eat infront of us and it usually turns around the cage and roll upside down,i dont know if this is a sign of feeling frightened or happy?? it often whistle,while i was thinking that it should shout and whistle alot, is this a good sign ? and im not sure if i should let it out of cage or still its not ready ? please help me !!!

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9 month old african grey,, please help me !

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Dec 30, 2011

New Parrot
by: Renie

Hi Saif,
Try hand-feeding your parrot with small bits of fruit. (Ours like bread!) Keep the cage in a place where people are, i.e. in your lounge - they like company around. They take a few weeks to settle into a new environment. He/she sounds happy to me, if he/she is whistling. Sometimes they have have funny habits like yours rolling over.

Dec 30, 2011

new environment
by: Anonymous

Im not an expert but Ive had a parrot for about 6 years. They are complex and yet simple, I will tell you, but they are amazing. I don't have all the answers but my first thought is likely one anyone would encounter. Your bird is trying out his new world..smells, sounds, people, food..He is new to his environment (he spent 9 months of his life elsewhere,correct?) and while he doesn't seem to be threatened he is new to the crowd and may feel embarrassed as the center of attention. He may also be trying to entertain himself by turning upside down and also make you laugh as well, since some people that are nervous in a crowd would do the same thing.I would still work with him and nurture him and interact and get to know him as he gets to know you. As long as he is eating and drinking and he gets to see the vet, I think things are moving along at a normal pace.

Dec 30, 2011

9 month old african grey
by: tracey somers

he will need time to settle in his new home just talk to him in general not go up to cage once he feel safe and feels he trusts you he will be fine x i have had my grey for 13 years x hes great company

Dec 30, 2011

9 month old african grey,, please help me !
by: Linda

First, it best to not buy a larger parrot if you have no experience with parrots at all. Now that you've already brought this bird into your home, you will now need to start learning all you can about your parrot's behavior and needs.

The first thing any new bird needs is a trip to an Avian Vet to be checked for infections or other physical problems. You cannot begin any training or dietary changes until your bird has been examined and cleared by an Avian Vet ONLY.
Find an Avian Vet

Secondly, cage needs to be made for a Grey or Amazon and needs to be quite large. Cage needs to be large enough so he can spread his wings out to each side and flap without hitting sides of cage. If your cage is amaller than this, it is too small. Perches have to be safe wood natural branch perches as the dowels that come with cages hurt bird's feet and legs.

Your bird needs to be eating high quality organic pellets found here. If you can get them into your country, you need to change him over from seeds to the organic pellets. It takes time, and below is a link on how to go about it. Make NO changes in diet until your bird has been examined by an Avian Vet as dietary changes and training are too stressful for a sick bird.
Switching Birds To Pellets article

For the rest of learning, you'll need to get a few books and make use of the wide range of information found on the internet. You can find the safe natural wood branch perches online too with hardware already installed. Measure inside the cage for your length and get the correct size diameter for your bird's feet.

Learning never stops with birds, and so your job is to get busy. Handling a larger parrot is a different kind of learning. If your bird is already tame, it will go well. If not, then there are training materials found here and other places on the internet to help you. Keep bird OFF your shoulders because this is a place where bird can bite you in the face, neck and ears, so don't start with the shoulder sitting. Parrots are exotic wild animals and can be very unpredictable. Always be safe rather than sorry because all parrots bite sometime no matter how tame they are.

Learn about your bird, and give him a chance to learn to trust you. Trust is earned not freely given, and this is done by taking good care of ALL your bird's needs including being taken to Avian Vet when needed.

Thanks for writing and let us know how all is going,
Linda

Dec 30, 2011

african grey
by: Anonymous

Not sure what you mean by turning upside down, but african greys can be very shy.

Just make sure it is eating and drinking. If you bought it from a pet shop, I would definitely take it to an avian vet to have it checked over for health problems, as alot of pet stores are out for the money only.

If it is whistling, that is normal. It needs time to get used to it's surroundings and become familiar with you also.

Just give it time. You could open the door and see if it will come out on its own, but don't force it.

Dec 29, 2011

9 month old african grey,, please help me
by: Shannara

African greys are very smart parrots. You build a relationship with them just like you would a child.
sounds like he is playing with you.
Making whisles not screams is a good sign. Talking to him will help him learn words, he is young.
Is it time to take him out of cage?
I would take that one step at a time. You need to know you can handle him to get him back in the cage.
I like to try feeding a treat threw cage first.
once they accept it I try opening cage and giving a treat again.
I use a 18" long dowel to touch a new parrot first , giving a treat each time I can touch it.
I move my hand further up the dowl until it is my hand touching the perrot then and remove the dowel.
This allows the parrot to get used to my touch and my fingers be safe.
Once you can touch the parrot and all seems good. Move your hand two fingers with thumb well tucked is a good step up perch just under it's belly and say up or step up , pushing the parrot back a little. This puts them off balance and they will step onto your fingers. reward with a treat and good boy .
When you can do this several times you KNOW it is safe to come out of cage.
let me know how it goes. I know how loving and smart african greys can be and you will have a loving companion with a bit of hard work and patiance.

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