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Well, unfortunately our 16 year old daughter has been in the hospital for the past 2 weeks. Severe depression. We brought her home today. Every day is go to work, go to the hospital, go to bed. With a little bird time between. Last weekend we were working on giving her room a makeover. Prime & paint have been done. I did the prime on Saturday, her friends did the painting on Sunday. And one of her friends has been working on a mural. This weekend will be a new vinyl plank floor. Since everything but the bed came out of the room, it meant much of it went into the living room, where the birds are. Things going by greatly scared the CAG. She fell off her perch at least 2 times. For the past 3 nites she's been freaked out by covering her cage. Tonight was the first time she had no problem with the cover, probably because I did it. Every morning when I take off the cover I give them food and water, and give the CAG scratches. The past 3 mornings she did step up willingly at least once. Yesterday she was climbing the edge of the doorway opening and I was amazed she stepped onto my finger! By mostly she wants scratches and wants to do her wing drooping, wimpering, attempting regurging. I don't giver her exclusive long time attention, I move from bird to bird so they don't get too jealous. These are 3 medium size birds that could do some serious damage to me if they wanted. Fortunately all 3 of them like me very much. Maybe pictures tomorrow, but no promise. Our 18 year old son graduates from High School on Friday. thursday after work I have to get him some fancy clothes to wear, a one time use. He lives in shorts and t-shirts. Busy, busy!!!!

I brought Alfie home when I was 17 years old and still in school. Of course, as a teenager, I knew everything.... or so I thought.... I wasn't in a situation where I couldn't leave Alfie with family because they did not bond with him. They tried at first but they were wary of him and couldn't quite understand the differences between the family dog and cat to Alfie. (I mean absolutely no disrespect to my family here by the way- just telling it how it was). I was the single caregiver for Alfie. He started life living in my bedroom until I was able to move him downstairs in the lounge/dining room, safe in the knowledge that neither the cat or dog would bother him. My family would try and socialise with him often enough, but were too scared to handle him and would try and avoid him when he was out of the cage where possible. To this day, whilst my parents will look after him if I'm in a bind, he would always be in the cage and they wouldn't dare let him out if I wasn't there. Life moved on, as it tends to do and I moved out into a rented house with two friends- neither of who wanted much to do with Alfie. The only place he could live was in the main hallway, so he saw a lot of foot traffic but not enough regular attention. He wasn't in the main room in the house. Again, things changed and my two housemates moved out, allowing me to move Alfie into the living room of the house. But I was studying as well as working full time and gaining more responsibilities at work, which meant longer hours. I didn't give him the attention he deserved or needed and I will be the first person to hold my hands up and say that I was failing him as an owner. In fact, when I first joined these forums, I had gone through the agonising process of trying to decide whether I should rehome Alfie. I had actually contacted a possible rescue organisation but (thankfully) they never returned my message. Since then I decided that it was MY failings, not Alfie's and it would be unfair to turn his world upside down because of my mistakes. So I started making small changes here and there with a view of improving Alfie's lifestyle. A bigger cage, moving furniture around so I was in the same room as him more often. Making more time for him and working on fixing our relationship. When I was looking to buy a house I went in to each one with a view of where Alfie would fit in and making sure he would be the centre of attention in the house (which he now is). When I moved into my house I put Alfie in the centre of the lounge/diner and I put my desk next to his cage (I don't own a dining table to allow for this). This means that even if I'm working or drawing or playing games etc, I am with Alfie and he can come out and play or watch what I'm doing and get all of the attention he wants and needs. The difference between my situation and yours is that it sounds like you have a family who will happily look after your flock if things do get a bit hectic. That option alone makes a big difference. So if you do decide to add a grey to your flock, I would strongly recommend making sure your family are on board and are involved with the bird as much as possible.

Several years ago, my son brought to my attention a neglected grey living nearby. The owners keep it in a rusted cage outside with very little protection from the elements. Apparently they only feed him seeds. My son mentioned that there are rat feces all around the cage, and that the owners never pay any attention to it. Unfortunately they weren't willing to part ways with him. Fast forward to yesterday. My son tearfully brought up the ongoing sad living conditions of this neglected grey. Apparently the owner now has early onset dementia, and often forgets to feed the poor thing. The owner's neighbor is a friend of my son's., and both he and my son plan to go over there within the next few days to see if he'd relinquish the grey to my son. His plan is to rehabilitate him and then find him a loving home. I'll keep you posted if we get him.

I apologize in advance for my lengthy post. I just like to write! :?) First, an explanation of my forum name – CTGull. I am from Connecticut. Simple so far. Gull – I do not have a Seagull, nor am I obsessed with them. I use this name in many guitar forums, in reference to Seagull acoustic guitars. So, yes, I am actually obsessed with seagulls, but the wooden variety with strings on them. And vintage Yamaha FG acoustic guitars, but that’s another story. We’ve had a few birds in the past 10+ years, including a crazy Amazon and a large Cockatoo. They were total opposites! We currently have a Love bird (it LOVES human flesh!!!), and Alexadrine and a mostly naked male Eclectus. The Alexandrine and Eclectus love to step up and come out. We’ve had a couple birds who did not, including the Amazon. I’ve always wanted a Grey. On 5/21/18 I saw an ad in the Free Stuff section of the local CraigsList for an African Grey parrot. I’ve seen ads for parrots before but they have been scams, stealing someone’s name and phone number. Why I have no idea. Both times I contacted the people and they didn’t have a parrot. So I figured this was the same, but I sent an email anyway. As usual, the ad was flagged and disappeared shortly after I saw it. Just before lunch the next day I got a reply to call him if I was interested in the bird. I replied I didn’t feel comfortable talking about the bird at work and I would call when I got out at 3:30pm. So I called and asked a few questions, with the main one being “Why do you want to get rid of the bird?”. His response was, “We just want it gone.” I attempted to process that for a few seconds before responding. And I arranged to meet at 5:30pm. It had been raining all afternoon and was expected to continue until about 7pm. After a 40 minute ride we found their condo, after driving past the street twice. They have a few animals. Who doesn’t?? The bird has chewed off its wing feathers and has down all over its body. What does the bird eat?? A seed/nut mixture!! They say she won’t eat anything else. The worst thing she said was their ferret runs around and sometimes goes on the cage. OMG?????!!!!!!! I didn’t want another basket case but it’s obvious she isn’t wanted there, so we had to take her. A couple of stubby chewed wing feathers were bleeding after a long struggle to get it out of its cage and into an open wire carrier. We load out in the rain and drive home in the rain. When we get home the rain has stopped, but there are a few droplets of blood on my wife’s clothes and her van’s dashboard and door panel. We bring the carrier in and find the blood stop powder. It’s a struggle to get the bird out and restrained enough to apply the powder. But there are at least 3 blood feathers bleeding, however infrequently. My wife is concerned and calls the local 24 hour vet, which also has an avian vet. We ask our 6’3” 18 year old son to bring in and set up the 30” x 30” x 60something” cage by himself. And we’re off. They take the bird as soon as we get there. And we wait 1.5 hours for them to bring her back. (We’re assuming her.) Then we have to wait for the vet to come out to talk to us. Another half hour. Then we BS with the nurse for another half hour. It’s now 10:30pm. They did the same thing we did, but a bit more thorough. They found 5 feathers bleeding. They gave us (I use that term loosely) some meds, including one for pain, that have to be given every 8 hours. They also suggest dropping her off in the morning and leaving her there for a full exam with the avian vet. So the next morning I get up at 4:50am (my usual time), take a shower, and get my wife up, 1.5 hours before she normally gets up. While we would rather have had the bird set up in our bedroom to isolate her, there just isn’t room at the moment so we have her in the Livingroom next to our Alexandrine. I attempted to take out the Alexandrine to show that I’m not a threat. He’s usually more than willing to step up, but it’s 5:20am and all he wants is head scratches. More scratches. And more scratches. I finally come up from behind and get him to step up and show the Grey. I kiss his nose and put him back. I opened the Greys cage and slowly advance my finger towards her. She growls, as usual. Then she drops her head!!!!!! SCRATCHES??? So I gave her scratches. And tried to get her to step up. Lunges, growls, and wants more scratches. Well, I guess that’s progress. A little chasing around the cage ensues before I got her on my hand (with the other hand) and started to pull her out. She’s looking for anywhere to go. Her first choice is my chest. She latches on my shirt, fortunately only getting shirt. I pull her off and the struggle continues to gently restrain her for my wife to give her the meds. My wrist was very scratched up from her needle sharp nails, but no blood was shed. Progress. I put her in the carrier and load it into my wife’s van. She goes to the vet, I go to work. We picked her up that evening. They said she had a good day. She was tough getting out but was bopping around and making noises otherwise, and watching everything that was going on. She even ate a little of the colored ZuPreme pellets, which is what we use. Excellent!! I’ve noticed, and the nurse at the vet mentions, that the bird seems to like me, she watches me a lot and blushes. Hopefully I can use that to my advantage to get her to step up eventually. My wife pays (we must be $600 into this bird!!) and we go home. So far in the less than 24 hours we’ve had her, she’s spent more time at the vet than with us! It was a little struggle to get her out and into her cage. Since it was 6:00pm, we left to get some food. Later I attempted to take her out for her meds. Nope. Not happening. She put up quite a fight. And we had to give up after a few minutes. I AM NOT HAPPY …… I thought we had made some progress, but she was probably tired after a long day of excitement. This morning we prepared for battle. 5:20am again. Again I took out the Alexandrine (didn’t want scratches) and showed him to her. Again she fought to not come out. She ended up falling off the perch and I corralled her on the bottom. She’s not pinning like she wants to kill, she just doesn’t want anything with us taking her out. She got her meds and we went to work. We can’t continue like this. She’s going to get hurt. And never trust us. I had really hoped I’d be able to take her out to put her on a stand to get to know us better. But I can see it’s going to be a struggle. We want to reduce her stress so her feathers will grow back, but if we have to fight to get her out, I don’t see how we’re helping. Obviously, our biggest problem is not being able to handle, or even take out, a growling, feather destructing, and stressed bird. The change of homes can’t help. I don’t think they ever took the bird out. They just opened the cage and let her walk around, and she would go back in eventually. I’m not like that, I’m hands on with our pets. We also have reptiles (lizards & snakes), along with 2 cats and 2 dogs. I can’t see having a pet that can’t be taken out, even if it’s only for a few minutes here and there. Of course, for my enjoyment, not theirs. Obviously, this bird is not enjoying it!!

Well....long time no speak all. Me and Isaac are now going on 8.5 years together and still a good pair. :) I still have issues with him grazing on his tummy feathers, but he is pretty consistent now and I know what to expect. What I continue to wonder about is how I can make life better for him. I feel like would benefit from another of his kind around him. The curiosity he expresses when he sees other birds is super gentle and I think he would not be hostile toward new members, but more curious. I work during the day and I feel like added company would help along with all his toys and stuff he plays and forages with. This would be another corner cage next to his so they would have separate space, but be able to see and observe each other. I am overcome by this idea that they need another of their kind. I also would not mind having some of the spotlight taken off me as the required playmate. It is not that I want to play with him less, it's that I never think I can give him enough. Recently, I went to a thing for my job where I ahd to be gone for two ays. I paid someone 200 dollars to come over and handle my baby, feed him...etc. He still did some major damage to a wing and i am still waiting for the flights to come back. Only one wing, but it grounded him and I have been struggling to keep him safe as he lets them grow back. (Hopefully) Other than work, I give my baby a great life with tons of attention, toys, showers, everything I can think of. He appears to be a very happy bird.....I just think the time alone sometimes wears on him. I have been battling the feather barbing for years now and have hit the limit of things I can try. I want to try to put an aviary out on my patio so he could be outside during the day.....well....then I fear of someone being malicious somehow. Someone help me if you can. I can dedicate the time to another Grey for sure just like I do Isaac, it's a bit additional, but hell, I never leave home these days anyway. I have the greatest heart for these birds and want to keep my baby happy. Let me know thoughts. Thanks! Is this a bad idea?

His friend will attempt to offer him some fresh food from time to time. Right now he's on an all sunflower seed diet. Grrrrr.

We are ready for some more updates or pictures please.🕊️

Always worth another try, good on your son for stepping up for the bird. If the current owner has some dementia the answer could change day to day. Perhaps they would allow help with birds care and feeding if not willing to relinquish?

I respect you for your concerns...Having a Grey is similar to having a child. They require the same amount of love and care, worry, and concern and emotions. A Grey is not a child but if you are comparing jobs and lifestyles, each are more similar than not. A Parrot's Bill of Rights By Stewart Metz, M.D. GET TO KNOW ABOUT PARROTS BEFORE YOU BRING ME HOME - I am not a domesticated pet like a dog or cat. I still have the spirit of the jungle in me. I have special needs which you may find it hard to fill. Please don't learn these too late for my well-being. And please don't acquire one of my cousins wild from the jungle—it will jeopardize his survival and well-being, and that won't be a party for you either! GIVE ME THE LARGEST HOME POSSIBLE - I am used to flying through rainforests or savannahs. I have given up this great gift for your pleasure. At the very least, give me enough room to flap my wings and exercise. And I need toys for my amusement and wood to chew—otherwise, I might confuse your Home with the forest and its trees. GIVE ME A NUTRITIOUS DIET - I need a wide variety of fresh and nutritious foods, even if they take time to prepare. I cannot survive on seeds alone. Take time to learn what my needs, and preferences, are. LET ME HAVE A SOCIAL LIFE - I am a gregarious flock animal—but I am not one of you. I need lots of socialization to learn how to act with you, and with my siblings. I also need to have adequate quality time with you every day—no matter what your schedule or other needs are. I am a living, feeling creature. Above all, I need to be able to have complete trust in you, and count on your predictability in looking after me—every day. LET ME BE CLEAN - I may like to drop food or even throw it, but I need meticulous cleanliness to be healthy. My skin itches without frequent showers, the barbs of my feathers won't seal if they become oily and, worst of all, I may become ill if my food or water is not always sanitary. I NEED MY OWN DOCTOR - You may not understand my physiology and therefore you may not recognize it early on when I get sick. And it may be too late when you do, because I hide my illnesses (remember what I said about my being an animal of the jungle, where there are lots of predators). And I need an avian vet—a specialist (no HMOs for me please). If you can't afford one, perhaps you shouldn't have taken me home. PLEASE DON'T PUNISH ME - Just as I don't always understand your peculiarities, you may not understand mine. I don't TRY to get in trouble—remember, a house is not the jungle. If I do screw up, don't yell at me and never hit me. I have sensitive ears and I may never trust you again if you strike me. Hands are sometimes scary things to us (why in the world would you not be zygodactylous like us?). Even more importantly, we don't learn by punishment. We are gentle creatures who only strike back to protect ourselves; we learn through patience and love. SPEAK MY " language" - I know you get upset with me when I knock over my water bowl, throw food, scream or pluck my feathers. I don't do these to annoy you—I am probably trying to tell you something (perhaps that I am hurting, lonely, or sad.). Learn to speak MY (body) language. Remember that I, alone of all creatures on this planet, learn to speak yours! SEE ME AS AN INDIVIDUAL - I am a unique and feeling being. No two of us are alike. Please don't be disappointed in me if I don't talk like you wanted, or can't do the tricks that your friend's parrot can do. But if you pay close attention to me (and I always empathize with you, whether you know it or not), I will show you a unique being who will give you so much more than talking and playing.. Give me a chance to show you who I am; I think you'll find the effort worth it. And remember—I am not an ornament;. I do not enhance ANY living room décor. And I am not a status symbol—if you use me as such, I might nip at your up-turned nose! SHARE YOUR LOVE WITH ME - Above all, please remember that you are my Special Person. I put all my trust and faith in you. We parrots are used to being monogamous.(no bar-hopping for us!).So please don't go away for long periods or give me away—that would be a sadness from which I may never recover. If that seems to be asking a lot, remember—you could have learned about my needs before bringing me home. Even having a baby or taking a new job isn't a fair reason—you made a commitment to me FIRST. And if you think that you must leave me because you might die, provide for me forever after you leave. I may live to a ripe old age but I can't provide for myself. Remember I'm in a small cage amongst people who are not of my blood. YOUR RIGHTS - You have lots of rights, but I can only assure one. And that is, if you treat me the way I described above, I will reward you with unwavering love, humor, knowledge, beauty, dedication -- and a sense of wonder and awe you haven't felt since you were a child. When you took me home, you became my Flock Leader, indeed, my entire universe – for life. I would hang the moon and stars for you if I could. We are one in Heart and Soul. About the Author ... Dr. Stewart Metz is the Director of the Indonesian Parrot Project, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to wild Indonesian parrot conservation ... and educating pet owners on proper pet bird care and conservation of endangered birds.

Thank you everyone. My son's friend who is neighbors with this guy was working late today, so they'll try to speak with him within the next few days. We have an extra cage here, so that's good. My son will be taking him into his room for quarantine precautions if we're able to get him to relinquish him.

Wow, I hope your son is able to get hold of the poor thing.

Anything new in a grey's world is out to kill them (in their minds, anyway). You may notice that they are incredibly observant. Sometimes they will sit and observe for a while before being brave enough to edge towards the new thing and give it a prod. Sometimes they may need to observe 'the thing' for a few days before they finally realise it's not actually going to kill them. In regards to the hair... Is she attacking your hair (e.g lunging at it and acting aggressively) or is she just having a gentle poke at you to see what that fluffy stuff on top of your head is? Alfie likes to play with my hair on occasion. They will 'beak' things when checking them out. I'm just curious if it's aggressive or curious behaviour. Sounds like it's aggressive from your post though.

I am going to repeat what you will see many times on this forum. Greys are unique and very special. They each move at their own pace. This is known as "Grey Time." It is much better to allow the bird to make the first move. Please give her more time and space! You will be rewarded with a much happier and friendly bird.

Thank you everyone, so far!! I should be able to get some pictures this weekend. A little update from last night: I made some progress last night. I've noticed she spends a lot of time looking up. There is a large tray on the top of the cage, about 1" from her head. When I got home last night I removed that tray. Now she can see all around her, and it's easier to see her. I did my usual of picking up the Alexandrine a few times to show he's OK with it. I said step up to him. I tried step up on her and got the usual growling, warning open mouth lunges (no bite) and moving away. Then she changed to putting her head down for scratches. I'm thinking this bird is more intelligent than me. By putting her head down she blocks access to her feet!!! All I can do is try to push her head out of the way, which isn't appreciated. My son and I and I spent 45 minutes talk each other, my daughter, the other birds, and her. I would occasionally pick up one of the other birds, using step up. The other progress, major progress, is she is eating the colored ZuPreme pellets without a problem. She ate for at least 10 minutes of the time the cage was open and we were talking to her. Picking up individual pieces, biting, chewing, rotating, biting, chewing, etc. After the 45 minutes by back was sore from bending over so many times. She never stepped up, but she's allowing scratches. Any attempt to touch her feet gets a small growl and she will move away, even up the side of the cage, and put her head down for more scratches, blocking any other attempts to touch her feet. I think she will come around quickly. She sees and hears the 2 other birds in the room. She sees them getting picked up willingly. She is very curious about what is going one. Her eyes were open very wide just about the whole time last night. I may be pushing it, but I'll bet I get her to step up this weekend. We'll be moving her into our room this weekend, where my wife usually is, the TV and the lovebird. But I'm wondering if maybe she should stay in the "flock" with the 2 larger birds for a while. Not sure what to do. Once I get her out of the cage willingly, or she ventures on top, I'd like to move her primary high bar down slightly, maybe only 1-2 inches, but to get her head a little farther away from the bars, but still have access to the food bowls at that level. And she needs some new toys, the existing ones are tired.