danmcq

Thanks all. I did not anticipate this becoming a sticky. But, since it has, let me ask you all. What have you seen in your greys behavior that coincides with the wild grey?

I thought I would post information I have gleaned over the years on wild greys and their social events with the group flock, family flock and as they age from baby to adult. It will help you in understanding why your grey starts changing as it ages, why it contact calls, why it becomes aggressive over "It's" cage (think tree hole) and lastly, why they are so nervously alert to any change. Behavior Wild African grey parrots are very shy and rarely allow humans to approach them. They are highly social and nest in large groups, although family groups occupy their own nesting tree. They are often observed roosting in large, noisy flocks calling loudly during mornings and evenings and in flight. These flocks are composed of only African grey parrots, unlike other parrots that are often found in mixed flocks. During the day, they break into smaller flocks and fly long distances to forage. They often roost in trees over water and are said to prefer roosting on islands in rivers. Young birds stay with their family groups for a long period of time, up to several years. They socialize with others of their age in nursery trees, but remain in their family group within the larger flock. Young African grey parrots are cared for by older birds until they are educated enough and old enough to become independent flock members. Young exhibit appeasement behaviors towards older members. As they mature, birds become more aggressive with conspecifics. African grey parrots in the wild must learn a complex set of skills. They need to learn how to separate desirable food plants from toxic plants, how to defend territory, how to recognize and avoid predators, how to find safe water, and how to rejoin their families when separated. Also, they must learn how to develop role-appropriate behaviors such as competing and defending nest sites and raising offspring. Competition for nest holes during mating season makes the species extremely aggressive. Because African grey parrots are partial ground feeders, there is a series of behavioral events that occur before landing and safe consumption takes place. Groups of parrots gather at a barren tree until it is completely filled with hundreds of birds that partake in preening, climbing, vocalizing, and socializing. Eventually the birds make their way down to the ground in waves with the entire group never being on the ground at the same time. Once on the ground, they are extremely vigilant, reacting to any movement and/or sound. Communicating Wild African grey parrot flocks follow a daily pattern of vocalizations. Usually the flock is quiet from sunset until the next dawn. At day break, the flock begins to vocalize before setting out to forage at different locations throughout the day. At dusk, upon return to the roosting site, there is a period of vocalization. There are a variety of different types of calls and vocalizations, including alarm calls, contact calls, food begging calls, and agonistic calls. Contact calls are of particular importance because they serve to identify where other members of the flock are and help promote flock cohesion. Alarm calls indicate varying levels of distress, these calls are particularly loud and of a frequency that carries well in order to warn fellow flock members. Young learn these vocalizations from parents and flock mates, so pet parrots will not learn appropriate wild vocalizations, but will show similar patterns and use of calls. It has been found that African grey parrots demonstrated complex cognitive competence in understanding both the similarities and dissimilarities among musical note frequencies and were able to master the musical code. It was determined that African grey parrots must isolate a sound from background noise, imitate it, categorize the acoustic stimulus, encode it into long term memory, and monitor the output sound to match it with the internal template, which is what we call calibrating.

That is wonderful news, way to go!!!!!

That is a tough one. Only you can determine why Oscar was upset. It could have been your distraction. It could also be anything that was different about you. Greys pay attention to the most miniscule details. Nail polish color, clothes you have on, pendants etc. A small change in you could do it. Something new in his area of sight, a throw rug off by a few inches, something you could be using like a nail file, clippers, you name it.. etc.

LOL - Perfect reasoning! Obstacle to "Good Nut" gone.

Hahahaha Jeff!!! Nice and very funny example of Gracie manipulating you to the point of having to run back to her. Thanks for posting this. I love the phrase "Gracie is a stinker".

Wow, stepping up on to the perch for you and allowing you to return him the cage is great progress! Sounds like a GreYt valentines day present to you from Oscar. Nice!!!

I thought I would share one story of Dayo's reasoning power, which all greys have. As I have stated in many posts, I have from day one since he was a wee 14 week old baby, described every thing I do and what food item I have in simple terms and words. Thus he knows everything around here that is common day to day stuff and events. He does not like being seperated when we go out on our patio and sit in the chairs directly in front of a kitchen window that opens to tile counter top outside it for serving foods and drinks from. He runs over on the kitchen counter, looks out, whistles, taps on the window etc. Wanting either outside or for us to come back in. He knows how to turn the kitchen water on/off, garage disposal on/off and light on/off. Well he figured out that turning the water on would not get us running in. So he figured he would see what happened if he turned the Disposal on. Obviously sitting outside we can hear it go on. Then I must go in and turn it off so it will not burn up without water through it. After a few times of that, I figured I would resolve this issue and just went in and turned the water on slow, turned the disposal off and went back outside. It was not 20 seconds and he turned the disposal on again. Then he waited........ thinking ...hmmmmmm aren't they going to come back in?? We watched as he became frustrated with it no longer working. After about 5 minutes of watching those wheels spinning in his head, we saw him run over and turn the water off. Well now the disposal is running with no water and I had to go in and turn it off, damnit!!! So, I have had to move the disposal switch under the sink and mount it inside the cabinet!! Problem solved, but jesus sometimes I wish he would dumb down a little. Turning the lights on or off is no big deal and he does it constantly when he wishes them one way or the other. Same with water facet, he will turn it on, get a drink, then turn it back off again..no big deal. Now, please share your glorious moments of your grey putting you to shame with all your human intellect! If non-bird people knew just how intelligent these parrots are, they would be AFRAID!!!

Thats wonderful news! Thanks for the photos, very cute. You will not sleep tonight.

The others have given good advice and ways to try administering medications. For difficult birds that will not eat or drink anything with the medicine mixed in, you do need to use a syringe. Many parrot owners do this with a warm favorite food like very liquified oatmeal, formula etc.

Sorry to hear of this bacteria infection. It is hard to say why he is making this growl sound at times. Could you post it here so we can see and hear as well? Your vet did say they were not concerned about it, but you are the best judge of whether your grey is acting out of character or not. Is there anything new in or next to the cage that coul dbe causing that growl?

Nice photo of the wing flapping! He is just stretching his wings and enjoying it. I have no doubt it is something he has not been able to do in a long time. I don't think it was so much problem solving for that nut. It was probably him deciding if it was worth stepping up for hoping you would give it to him if he backed away and finally ok I want it, I'm going for it. I appreciate your candidness of the small mistake. It is how we all learn. Even clipped, there will be times he will be frightened in the future and flap down from wherever he is.` However, with a good clip that will allow him to flap down at a 45 degree angle, rather than falling like a rock it will be safer as he will not be able to build speed like he can with full wings. Perhaps the next time he flaps down, you could try using a 12 or 18 inch perch to get him to step up on rather than toweling? It will take a little patience for him to make up his mind to step up on to it. But it will be less drama than toweling for you both. Everything new like this step up on your arm needs to be done in baby steps. Just stand there with him on your arm without moving. This will keep him close to his safety zone ans also let him know all is well and your arm and you can be trusted.

Oh, I did not realize your living arrangements. I totally understand your reasons now for being paranoid of chewing on furniture. Yes, when you move out it will be a very different story and you will be much more relaxed and able to give and do all the things you and Jasper only dream of right now.

Oscar is a good looking grey. Is that small abrasion from the flight? Thanks for sharing this photo.

Did someone say "Bat Bird"??? Dayo.....

Nice update and it seems things are going pretty well considering the time he has been there. You are both growing each day in understanding each other.

One thing I will say in regards children and greys. We socialized dayo with 5 children between 6 and 12 years old. They were of course taught not to poke, jam, run, hop or tease dayo. I have several photos of dayo on their shoulders, arms etc. and enjoying it. He is not fearful and angry towards any child. 6 years later, they are older and teens now, but dayo loves it when they come over and will fly to them and greet them. He also calls each of them by name as he see's them come in.. Hi Jeff, Hi Crystal etc. It all depends on how the grey was brought up and socialized. A rescued or rehomed grey that was not socialized with children, will certainly react the way others described.

The way I got Dayo interested when he was a wee lad. Was placing a 12 inch aluminum cake layer pan on the counter top in the kitchen. Then I took his 1.5 inch arcylic ball with bell inside that he loved to play with and toss and throw around. It put it in the pan and then flicked it arounds with my finger which got him involved. Once he got started with the ball, he didn't noticed the water at first. Then the next thing you know, he was in there splashing around and getting his breast feathers wet. I used ice cubes later because they would just melt away as he would grab them and try to bite a chunk off, then back in for a bath again. Now I must say, I did take a few bites in the action with that ball as I was flipping it around in his water. It totally pissed him off that I was playing with it. That was years ago, now I just place a large and deep 12 inch dog water bowl (totally sanitized of course) fill it half full and he will just go jump in if he is in the mood for a bath. The cake pan bath I described:

LOL Maggie!!!! Thats paints a mental image I'll have a hard time forgetting. But, I guess whatever works!

Welcome to you and Loki! It's GreYt having you here and thanks for the photo of Loki, nice looking baby grey. Based on your description of being overwhelmed of having that baby grey at your home and being responsible for her means your going to be a wonderful parront. Everyone here is more than capable of answering your questions as you go. I look forward to hearing more from you. WE love watching these greys grow up and hearing of their progress and antics. We also love photos and videos.

It is a hard decision. If you decided to keep him, it would needed to be unconditionally in terms of him warming up to you or not. He may do so over time, but maybe not. Like I said, if you want a grey that will be highly interactive with you. You should return Bogart and go visit other greys to see how they interact with you before bringing them home.

Well, if you are wanting to get a younger grey that would be more acceptable of you. Yes, if the return option was offered, the sooner you return him to the original owner the better. The previous owner must care greatly for Bogart, which is admirable.

You can reach the point of interaction with him over time. How long time time will be, is dependent upon Bogart. He obviously had bad experience perhaps with a female in his past or the previous owner that interacted with him most his life was a male. This is going to take time and patience. It is a good sign that he responded to you verbally. But, that is a long ways from wanting out of cage up close and personal interaction. You've only had him a few days, it will take longer for the possible step ups etc. Just be kind, loving and gentle in all you interactions with him. At 15, he is pretty sit in his ways and opinions of humans. It will take a while to have him accept that a female can be kind and gentle it seems.

Thats the right idea, make it look like a good place to play. Many will also go after ice cubes as well if you put a few in that water bowl rather than toys. They do not get in the way a much as a toy.

Cool, GreYT job getting Alfie accepting the carrier!