Devin Corso

Hello everyone, I am having trouble with my African grey Korra. She is two years old and I got her from a licensed private breeder when she was weaned. I trained her not to bite, and we were even moving onto learning to be on her back in the palm of my hand. She is very snugly and sweet. I actually took this when she was a baby. I went away to college for 9 months and sadly could not take her with me because the dorms did not allow it. My mom took very good care of her and it worked out nicely because Korra did not bite my mom. I think that is because we have similar hair and voices, and I also introduced Korra to my mom when she was young. I was able to visit Korra (and Yoshi) three times for a day (the college was far away). I worked overtime to get my degree faster and completed the program. I graduated and came back home last Saturday (June 27th). Yoshi and Korra both recognized me and let me hold and pet them. But the next day Korra started, and hasn't since stopped biting. I almost needed stitches the first time, and she has bit me many more times, and continues to draw blood and break skin. I reprimand her by saying "No biting" and "I don't like that" in a firm, stern, deep voice, but I make sure not to yell. I give her a mean look, and a very disappointed look, and shake my head a little. I tell her again that "I don't like that" and than say something like "I don't want to talk or play with you if you are acting like this. That's not nice." I put her back on her perch (outside her cage) and ignore her. I don't look or talk to her. *I have read that putting them back in their cage as time-out is bad* After about 10-15 minutes I go back to her and ask to try it again. Instead of "ending it" I want to give her the opportunity to change her attitude and end it on a good note. I tell her "Hey let's try this again. No biting this time. We can do better than that!" But when I get my hand close she lurches forward and bites me. Although some days I can expect this because of her body language while I am ignoring her. If I take a small glance at her she is leaning forward towards me with her eyes slightly pinned. Either that or she has her feathers fluffed up, her eyes pinned, head held high, and wings a little bit out. I reprimand her again and put her in her cage. I don't want to use her cage as a time out, but I don't want to keep her out if she keeps biting. I know what that body language means, but I still want to give her an opportunity, and I don't want to "let her win" by being scared. But it is frustrating because it hurts! I also feel hurt emotionally because I really do love her and it is kind of like her saying "I hate you!" I know African Greys are very emotional and smart birds. I'm sure she is giving me the message that she is angry at me for leaving. But how do I let her know that it is done now, and biting is still not accepted? Does anyone have any suggestions? I don't know what to do, but I want to mend our relationship. Am I doing things right? I love her so much.

▼ Hello everyone, my name is Devin Corso, and I have two birds. ☺ Korra is my 2 year old Congo African Grey. She is currently going through her "teenager/try to overturn dominance" stage, and is extremely talkative! I have taught her a lot and she enjoys trying to boss the dogs around. ↕ I have endless stories about her but one of my favorites is that she likes to make the sound of the door beeping (keyless entry-which gets the dogs to start barking at the door), and then she scolds the dogs by saying "That's enough! No barking!" Yoshi is my 4 year old yellow-sided green-cheeked conure. She is a clown, very silly and monkey like. She can only say two things "Yoshi!" and "Pretty Bird!" She likes to hang upside down and work on my computer. Her favorite place is being on top of my head, and she LOVES toys, more than any bird I have ever seen. I can put a new ribbon in her cage and it is like Christmas morning for her! »She likes doing photobombs as in the second picture below...like I said, very silly.« Notes: *Korra has a Cheeto in the second picture. I very rarely give her food like that. I prefer to treat her with fruits and vegetables. *I take all toys especially things like ribbons or things with cloth on them out of their cages if it could catch on their claws. I hope to give/get advice and share my love of birds! Thank you for reading and looking!