doubletefarm

Problem is, when I first got him he was more trusting of me than he is even right now.

He's saying more than hello right now, but still from on top of his sleeping perch. At least he is saying more now. It's so disappointing. I knew better too. Ive trained wild mustangs- I know about trust and how hard it is to get it back. Three weeks of trust building down the drain. Heartbreaking.

For those of you that followed it, I have Sydney, a 2 y/o rehomed CAG that was in need of a new home because he was shriek/scream at his moms fiance, and then started shrieking at her. I've had him I think 3 weeks. I've been opening his cage, letting him out for as much time as possible, minimum of 2 hours. I've got lots of toys for him, feed him pellets plus fresh veggies/fruit, and treats. I felt like i was bribing him. He did get to the point that when I opened the cage he'd come right out. And was talking up a storm. Well yesterday I had opened his cage, he was out for about 2.5 hours. The normal way that I get him in the cage is to open a side door, put some treats in his dish and wait for him to crawl in. He had been doing it. Yesterday he didn't want to, and I took a perch that he isn't very familiar with (he dislikes NATURAL wood I'm not sure why), and asked him to step up from the cage door. He flew off the door and landed on the floor (clipped wings still). He stepped up on the perch from the floor and I put him in the cage. No problems. Later I let him out again. After about an hour I needed to leave the room and cant leave him out because of the cats. So I was impatient and got the perch again. Thinking it would go as it did earlier. It did NOT. He started screaming, and growling. And trying to fly everywhere on his cage. He was so upset. I finally got him in the cage, but not without severe hysterics. When i came back about 20 mins later he was still upset with me and screamed like he did at his old mom. I sat near his cage, which he would only let me do if I crawled. I apologized up and down and explained that I really didn't mean to scare him and would never hurt him and please forgive me. If I walked directly to it he would scream. It was late enough to put him to bed, so I said good night and hoped he'd wake up less upset with me. Today has been no better. He won't come down off his sleeping perch, won't come out of the cage which I've had open several times today. He has taken a few treats, but only if I crawl over to the cage and wait for him to chirp (his sign that he's ok with it) after I've asked him if he wants a treat. Most of the time he is screaming at me if I am near the cage or look like I am coming near the cage. I hid the horrible perch that I used yesterday because if he even saw me pick it up he'd scream. I'm so upset. Did I ruin the headway I had made???? He's only said a few words today, as opposed to normally chattering up a storm. It's brought me to tears. Did I ruin the relationship we were building????

As far as screening.. you can ask for a vet reference if they have another pet. If they don't then it doesn't apply. But... I would strongly advise against just "taking their word". I give away horses and have seen the worst. I now check all references that I can. With a parrot it is very hard to check ref's... but if they have any other animals check with their vet to see if they pay their bills (indicates stability) and if they seem to be able to notice when something is wrong, or if they wait till it is almost too late.

Birdlover I just want to address the statement that everyone on this forum doesn't seem to have any problems with their bird. Not true. I do not have a perfect grey. But, I got him about two weeks ago so we are working through it. Mine was a SCREECHER towards his former human's fiance. For some reason Sydney just didn't like him. And then he started screeching at her. So she decided to rehome him. I did all the research, and felt I was prepared to take him on. I still think I can do it, but it is frustrating. I will tell you that what your bird is doing is probably learned behavior at this point and it is SO HARD to break. Takes so much patience. I don't really go near sydney to do anything that will invoke his screech. Im trying to get him to forget that he even knows how to do it. Might take me months. And I don't think he's a "sweet" grey by nature. I adore him, and he's highly entertaining and I do think one day he'll be a wonderful companion. Since I'll have him for 50+ years I darn well hope so!!! :blink: I just want to say that no one is beating up on you, but if you truly feel that you can't make the necessary steps to help Rico get through it, then obviously the best choice for your sanity and his health is to find him a new home. Some rescues make give you a tax deduction if it is a 501©. That may or may not be helpful to you. Not all people could have a bird like this. I have about one day a week that I'm gone most of the day, and I have noticed a HUGE difference in the way Sydney acts on those days. I'm gone most of the day, and when I get home and let him out he's very noisy in his play. Those days he is only out of his cage about 2 hours. Days like today I got home at 12 and let him out for the 2 hours till I leave again. Then I'll be home again later this afternoon/early evening for him to come out and play for awhile before bed. He is much less noisy in his play right now. Quietly chattering to himself. Last night I could barely hear Gray's anatomy over his "attacking" his toys. I would just say do what is right for you... In the end that is what will be right for the bird too. If you aren't happy, he won't be happy.

They look so sweet and socialized!!! Adorable pictures.

Thanks for the link! My only issue is I want to spend as much time as possible with Sydney, and can't tear myself away to go down to the kitchen to make any of them! I don't want him anywhere near the kitchen, his room/my room is up on the third floor. So I'm hoping with him being out this afternoon for 3 hours, and should be out again for at least another 2 hours, that later tonight I'll feel better about tearing myself away to go make some yummies! I already have the ingredients for a bunch of them!

Sounds like he's just freaked out by his new cage. I've only had my grey for a little over a week, but his cage is the one that he lived in from the time he was taken home by his last owner. He is still settling in, so I leave his door open to come out when he wants. Getting him back in is the interesting part. At night I try to sit by his cage and watch tv, and last night he came over and talked to me, even gave me a kiss. Tonight no way no how. I had to trick him in his cage (no stepping up anymore pretty much at all- he's flat out refusing) by opening one of the small side doors and he has figured out that is closest to his feed dish, so I put some seeds in there that he likes, and in he goes. Once in though he is perfectly happy in there.

Awwww... I wish I could say the same!

Yikes, I was wondering the same thing.. I tried the spray bottle yesterday.. No go. Since Sydney is new and not necessarily settled yet, I'm not pushing matters. He's going to have to survive without a bath for now.

If absolutely nothing else comes of this, I am highly entertained by Sydney!!! He's been out of his cage several times today, and right now is sitting on the open door chattering away. Every sound effect and word in his vocab has been run through. I dread the phone ringing because that is usually followed by three rings of his own. He is having just so much fun! His shriek is one of the sounds he runs through though. THAT one I could live without. I offer him many treats throughout the day, and I do feel that it is a little excessive, but I've got him so I say "want a treat" and he immediately comes towards me. That's progress right? (although bribery).

Thanks for that figure!! I would have guessed around $350. Well I have the number of my local avian vet, so I guess I'll bite the bullet and make Sydney's appointment. I feel like I see the vet every day between all my animals. (I definitely see the vet more than I see my doctor!!! And I do see my horse vet every day at the racetrack)

That sounds like it was actually fun for him! Good job is right! May I ask ball park figure for how expensive it was? (I have cats, dog, horses.. can't begin to guess how much a vet visit for a BIRD). I have sydney's vet visit receipt/date from last year, so I know I need to make him an appointment very soon. I'd just like to be prepared for the cost. *gulp*

I keep telling him in a soothing voice what an excellent boy he's being, and trying to explain to him why I had to move him and all that. I truly hope he understands. He really IS being good. There are so many weird sounds and noises not to mention the strange man (carpet cleaner operator) that was standing there while I asked him to come to me and get put in a carrier.

Annmarie- Oh they do scream. They have a play scream so I've found out. (when attacking their toys they emit the strangest sounds)

Yup, I already opened the windows, and won't put him back in for awhile (he finished that room already).

I'm sitting at the dining room table with my laptop (which he is used to seeing me with), some food for me (a salad, so I'm sharing), chips (guacamole for me on the opposite side from him), and him in his carrier. Poor guy. If I walk away to check something he does his little squeak that his prior owner said was his "where are you going". But yes, I wasn't taking any chances leaving him in the room! The guy said that he did a townhouse last week that had a dining room "aviary" that opened to a screened in deck, and they didn't move the birds at that house, but I don't take those kind of chances!

But not on purpose I swear!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He's only been here for 4 1/2 days. I haven't been asking him to come to me, just come out of his cage, take treats, etc. Which he is doing. Well today the carpet cleaner guy is here, and MUST do the room Sydney is in. And me worrying way too much about the smells/cleaners, I put sydney in his carrier and off he and I went to the dining room. (on the floor that will not be cleaned at all, near the open door for fresh air). He's very upset. But he did eat a tortilla chip, so he can't be THAT upset. I quietly explained to Sydney what is going on, and that I would stay with him, but poor guy I had to rush into taking him out of his cage, so he shrieked at me. The cleaner was here waiting (45 minutes early)... grrr... I planned to get here in enough time to gently coax sydney into the carrier so that I didn't stress him too much. So much for that.

I didn't even notice that it was an old thread. Jeez, normally I notice that stuff. :silly:

yay for the new cage!

Welcome! I just joined myself, but not very experienced with birds.

I don't think anyone starts out "wanting" a bird with "serious" (as you put it) behavioral problems, and I'm not even sure that is the right frame of mind to begin with. Just be open minded to take in any bird that might be a good match for you- any that has no home and is in a shelter is in need of a match, and I don't think it sounds right to a rescue (I work with horse rescues and if we had a potential adoptor who had never owned a horse and said he/she wanted the worst one possible red flags would go off and that person WOULD NOT get a horse).

Like the multi colored rope that is used in most of the toys/perches, etc? I plan on trying to make a few things, and want to get some supplies together. Ordering online is fine (actually preferred)

Great suggestion. I ordered two ladders today with the multi branch perch. im not very creative or good at making things. But i do want to try to make a pvc stand so im going to go shopping soon and get supplies.

Oh dont worry... Kitties arent allowed within range of Sydney. They quite frankly aren't interested. If he knew how to say boo! he'd probably give one or all of them a heart attack if they were nearby. They're indoor cats and once one was face to face with a pigeon and I thought for sure she was going to keel over dead. Oh my goodness! I know it is late, but I have him out before bed (after I took the pictures), and he's on top of his cage jabbering away... Lots of sounds, hellos, and a few really funny sounds. So funny! He's much more comfortable today. And I think he did Susie's meow, but I'm not sure it didn't come from her.