JeffNOK

I have a one year old hand fed CAG and she doesn't allow any touching aside from beak kisses, nose rubs on her beak, or the occasional foot touch. What you have experienced is very much a "big deal". Enjoy.

Lol--I'll always give my 2-cents--but that may be all my comments are worth! I have only been a grey parrront for 7 months. I have much much more to learn. Having said that, seven months with a grey should qualify for some kind of credit toward a degree in avian psychology. Maybe 3 credits toward a 180 credit degree. African Grey 101. I'm still a Freshman--but happy to do my daily homework. I'm still curious about that towel. Gracie isn't a huge fan of hands or fingers, but a towel would make her retreat to the other side of her cage. All our fids are different. Just like snowflakes--all unique and beautiful.

Most of my CAG Gracie's falls are when she is climbing on a net and chews off the piece of rope she is standing on!

Maybe I haven't heard the hissing sound yet. Is it typical?

Thanks for the reality check Jayd. Gracie is still a baby, so I really haven't ever experienced a real bite. Maybe what I thought was a bite was just a nip. I will hold my bite advice until I have more experience.

I'm confused. Does your bird step up on the towel more readily because your baby is more secure stepping up on a towel or is the towel there to protect you from a bite? If it is the bite issue, I would suggest just balling up your hand into a fist rather than using a towel. They may try to bite a fist, but they can't get enough skin to do any damage.

Wow--Twix did his homework. I only knew about Louie--LuvParrots little guy. Are you going to mail that gold star to Dubai?

Lol! We parronts stress over so many things! I feel you. If your fid hasn't even come home yet, why the stress? Change the name! Your baby won't care. Do what feels right. There are many here who have changed names well into years. I think it matters more to us than them.

Greys do have a natural growl when they are afraid. This may be what is going on, or it may be something she is imitating. How is her body language? Are her eyes pinning (irises opening and closing rapidly?). Are her feathers fluffed up or excessively flattened? Do you notice certain specific times when she is doing this? Are there stressors present? I have only heard my CAG growl once, and that was when we were visiting at my parents' house, and my father walked by holding a cat. She growled and then screeched. She doesn't mind the dog, but that cat was enemy number one. Since then Mr Cat has had to be locked up during visits. If it is a fear reaction, it is definately not a "silly" thing. If it is an imitation of something she has heard, then she will likely move on to other sounds as she learns. It's hard for me to know what it is since I haven't heard the sound. Just observe what is going on when she makes the sound. If she seems calm and can be handled easily, it probably isn't a fear reaction. Otherwise, something is stressing your grey and you need to find out what that is.

This might sound like a pat simplistic aswer, but I suggest you just get used to it and deal with it with love. Get ear plugs if you need to for sleeping. I have used ear plugs when I have had to share a hotel room with loudly snoring roommates with great success. They really do work. Your baby is just doing what comes naturally. My CAG will be one year old this week, and when she wants my attention she just repeats "Step Up! Step Up!". If that doesn't get the desired effect she barks like my parents' dog or wolf whistles over and over. It can be wearing, but that is who she is. You can't change her. Just love her and find a way to have peace in the home. She is not being bad. She is being a grey. And in my mind that is pretty fantastic. Clearly she is very intelligent and will likely be a good talker. As her vocabulary improves she will find other ways of getting your attention that may be less worrying for you. Your baby is trying to interact with you and her world the best she can. She may not always do these irritating things, but she very well may. At the end of the day, you will find your way as you adjust to her. Just remember that her calls are there because she is bonded to you. She loves you! Don't react to irritating behavior, but try to remember why you invited a grey into your home. This is the nature of the beast. Just try embracing it with humor and get those ear plugs, so you get enough rest not to be sleep deprived,

Welcome! Very nice pics. She looks healthy happy and adjusting on schedule.

I agree with many of the posts. Considering his history, it's amazing how open he is to human contact. He is a handsome guy! Enjoy him and bless you for giving him the home and love he deserves. His story started as a sad one, but I believe in happy new beginnings!

If I was ever to get a second bird, it would be a tough choice as you well stated. Have you considered a Cape Parrot? I have read a lot about them and have found absolutely nothing negative. This may be because they are somewhat rare still--and expensive ($1200-2,000). If you want a rescue--u may not find a Cape Parrot easily. Everyone who lives with one says they are an absolute joy. They are described as being as smart as a grey and as cuddly as a cockatoo. They are as quiet as greys as well and have the playful personality of the other members of the piocephalus family like senegals. I have a soft spot for Amazons and Macaws as well, but noise may be a factor. Ekkies are intelligent and beautiful, but females may seem reserved. As you said, the right bird will pick you. Good luck.

Well, congratulations on opening your home to a wonderful creature. As you said, it is only day two. He is not familiar with anything yet and is justifiably unsettled. I would definately let him have his space right now. Staying in his cage for a few days is fine. Will he step up willingly with your husband? If he does. maybe for now your hubby can put him back in the cage if he does spend time outside. He may be more comfortable with your husband now, but that may not continue. It is early days. Let him settle and give him choices. Don't force anything. When I got my baby CAG back in December, I tried to rush her into situations too quickly. It set us back a bit. When I backed off and allowed her to progress at her pace, trust was built and things are wonderful now. Be patient. You've got a lifetime with your grey ahead of you. Baby steps. Also, greys are very empathetic and perceptive. If you are stressed, he will know it and it may affect his reaction to you.

I'm curious why the original poster has not responded to any of this.

TWIX: Are you thinking about getting a Rainbow Lorikeet?

My bird enjoys when I sing to her. I tend to sing a lot of folk and country and spiritual songs. She has learned how to whistle "I've Got The Joy of The Lord" almost perfectly. Well..the first part is perfect and then she sounds like a drunken sailor whistling. She also likes Coldplay's "Viva La Vida" and Maroon Five's "Moves Like Jagger". I think she likes the whistling in that one!

He looks like he enjoys his new digs.

I love the pic with your dog. She looks like a queen holding court with one of her subjects.

The last couple of days when I saw Gracie about to fling something I said..."No...no no". She stopped. Hopefully that will continue as long as I have an eye on her. If I am not being observant, however, I'm afraid she will just fling and throw to her heart's content. I may end up putting her dinner in a bowl fastened to the cage. It may come to that. I still can't figure out how she unscrews the fasteners on her toys. I get them really tight, but alas she has somehow learned "righty tighty--lefty loosey". I still get confused with that sometimes!

The more helpful info the better.

Please tell us grasshoper wasn't dinner. : )

Yeah, I agree on the two main points mentioned The wing clip seemed very extreme and the mocking of someone letting their fids make choices of whether to come out or not seemed condescending. When I first got Gracie she occassionaly resisted coming out of her cage and stepping up from inside the cage. I didn't push it. Now she trusts me so much that it isn't an issue. I don't have enough experience to criticize technique, but its hard to understand why we would need to force the issue. When trust is built, I have to believe that they willingly come to us--most of the time anyway. I hated seeing that bird so scared at the beginning. I have no doubt that the owner just wants what is best for her fid. It did seem to go okay toward the end. I'm glad for that. When Gracie chooses to trust me in spite of everything, I feel such a warmth and peace and connection. If I felt she was coerced--it would rob me of that sense of mutuality in our relationship. Just like with people, I don't want a slave. Maybe I view my fid too much like a human, but so far it is working, so i am not going to try to fix something that isn't broken.

I think he is sensing your feelings rather than understanding you being gone for three weeks. I'm not sure they have the concept of time the way we do. I believe that when you interact with him you should imagine in your mind total peace and assurance that everything will be fine. If you project that to him, Brutus will settle emotionally.. They read us too well. Mirror the feelings you want him to have, and I think he will relax. He looks to you and then decides how he feels about it. Stress is contagious. Everything is going to be okay. This may be a chance for him to bond more with the others in his flock and will teach him that when Mom goes away--she comes back! That will give him security for the future. Your reaction is key here. Don't allow your worries to imprint onto him. See this as an opportunity for the flock as a whole. Enjoy your trip. I'm not sure if it's business or pleasure--but either way ENJOY!.

Gracie used to fly into the kitchen to buzz me and hurry me up when I prepared her meals. I started to worry that she might get hurt in a manner similar to that which you described. Now I have a curtain up covering the kitchen door.