Popsicle

I agree that's the best way to deal with the problem. Get your b/f to handle the Grey more and find a way to train him to associate your b/f to something good, as you said. Hope it works. Let us know if you get any progress.

Loving the advice on food. Writing down everything. Thanks.

Interesting... according to some people here in the forum, AG are not really a one person's bird. What I understood is they will choose a favourite person but will usually accept the other people in the house. Of course they are exceptions to the rule. But it's strange in your case because you and your b/f got him as a baby. Does your b/f sees them every single day or no? Sorry if I'm asking too many questions. Just want to understand Grey's behaviour a bit better as I really want mine to like both me and my husband. Thanks.

Ahhh... I've seen videos of people using the hair dryer on the parrots after shower. Do you all do it as well or you let them dry naturally?

My Amazons used to have their bathing dish in their cages all the time for them to bathe whenever they wanted and they only did it roughly once a week. And that was in Brazil, which is a hot country all year around. But Amazons are different from Greys. Reason why I was asking. Different opinions and experiences are welcome. Thanks

Just out of curiosity (trying to understand why the Amazon likes your b/f and your Grey bites him). Was your b/f around when you got your Grey? Or when you started going out with him you had the AG already? How about the Amazon?

Oh I see. But I did read that parrots like any other bird has protective oils all over the feathers and therefore shouldn't be showered too often. Otherwise they lose the oil. Has anyone heard from the vet to shower every other day? And for those who work mon-fri, all day? What's the solution? I don't think I should bathe the parrot at night, correct?

How often should we encourage the parrot to shower/bathe? :confused:

Does your amazon bite your boyfriend as well?

Thanks for your concern and comments. I agree that it's all a mix of factors. I am trying to learn everything I can in order to provide a good environment for my parrot so he will be happy (and hopefully won't feel the need to bite so often and/or so hard). lol

Even my domesticated dog would bite me if I was doing something he didn't like. I had 2 big parrots and 2 little ones (parakeets) and they all bit me. HARD! I'm not expecting the parrot not to ever bite. I know they will bite at some point. But all my parrots were "second hand/rehomed" and relatively aggressive. So all I wanted to know was if hand reared babies were more likely to have a better behaviour. And that's it! I thought I was clear...

I truly believe I can deal with it. The thing is some people were so negative towards the topic I wanted to hear how was the experience for those who have gone through the same situation. I am prepared for the responsibility. And when we have babies, which we plan for 2-3 years only, hopefully he will be more independent and easier to deal with. Thanks. x

That's good news. Sounds like hand reared parrots don't bite too hard. It's more like they bite to warn they are not enjoying the activity or to ask for attention than to actually harm the person. Which is what I was hoping to hear. I am prepared for nips but I'm hoping to have a more well behaved parrot this time around. Thank you all. And please continue to share your experience. I like hearing and learning.

Hi all, As I've said in other threads, I had 2 rehomed amazons that were totally untame and wouldn't let me hold them, etc. I got bitten hard a few times, including on the lips. Now I'm thinking of getting a hand reared baby AG hoping it will be more tame and lovely with me and my husband. I know parrots can bite eventually no matter whether they are bought really young or rehomed. However I've heard when you get a baby parrot it bonds with the family better and is less likely to become aggressive. So I'd like to know how has been the experience for those of you who got a hand reared baby grey? How old is he/she now? Do they bite? How often? For what reasons? Thanks a lot!

This is one doubt I have as well... do parrots necessarily need to have a companion? Or can it be happy being the only bird in the house? As long as the owners give them the right amount of attention of course.

I'm Brazilian and I reckon they probably call him Blue Macaw because it's how we call that species in Portuguese (Arara Azul). Plus I guess it's easier for people to understand. Better than Hyacinth. The book you're reading sounds so sad, Marcus. I feel really angry about people who destroy nature, capture animals, mistreat and kill them. I also feel ashamed to say I see it a lot in Brazil. Unfortunately there isn't a lot of control or punishment. In addition to that, the breeding culture isn't very popular in the country yet. So when the birds are legal, they are very expensive. And we are talking about a relatively poor country. Which is why it's so tempting for people to go for the illegal/captured/cheaper birds. The fact Blue Macaws are kinda rare makes them even more desirable. I just hope one day this will stop and all the birds will have a better future.

Had a look at the contents and seems like it has all I need to learn before I get my parrot. Great tip! Thx

Another thing... do your parrots scream when they wake up? Or they behave well until you get up and go talk to them? Do any of you manage to sleep in a bit on the weekends? lol My amazons would wake everyone up at 6:30-7am. They would scream and scream until someone went there to see them and give them food, then would be quiet again for a while. But I think it was a bad habit encouraged by us. How do your Greys behave early in the morning?

I saw and replied to it, Judy. Thanks. Anyone recommends a book or something else that could help me learning how to deal with a parrot and how to train them as well? Thx!

Just looked it up and it does have great reviews. Is it good only to help dealing with parrots that have behaviour problems? Or is it also good for someone like me, who's still going to get one and wants to learn how to deal with them properly?

Thanks for your advice and comment about the car trip. Found this article that's quite interesting... https://www.birdsupplies.com/Articles.asp?ID=182 "Undeniably, children and pets have been happily mixing it up for generations but introducing a jealous, sometimes nippy and often moody parrot to a new child requires planning. Many people sadly choose to relinquish their parrot to a new home. STOP! No need to go there! Your bond with your parrot can bring you a sense of peace when you are stressed with the responsibilities of a new baby".

Morning all! Today I come with another question... Do you ever take your parrots on small car trips? I'm asking because we visit my husband's family in a town nearby roughly once every two months. Sometimes we go for the day only and in those days I'd leave the parrot home. But in occasions like Xmas we spend a few more days there and then I'd have to take him with us. Do they cope with it alright? Does anyone know? Thanks. x

Morning all! Today I come with another question... Do you ever take your parrots on small car trips? I'm asking because we visit my husband's family in a town nearby roughly once every two months. Sometimes we go for the day only and in those days I'd leave the parrot home. But in occasions like Xmas we spend a few more days there and then I'd have to take him with us. Do they cope with it alright? Does anyone know? Thanks. x

Thanks for your advice! I truly believe it's unlikely I'd give my parrot up. I've never given a pet away. Once I had a dog that was very aggressive. My family didn't like him and wanted me to give him to someone else. I admit I considered it but I didn't go ahead. In fact I worked on him to make him behave better and I managed to get some progress. Unfortunately he got a terrible disease after 5 years and died. But I fought for him until the last minute. What is the "terrible twos" you're referring to? Do Greys go through some sort of change after 2 years? Explain more, please! I'm still learning.

Aww that was all I wanted to hear. I grew up with all sorts of animals in the house and I truly believe they helped me growing to be a compassionate and loving person. I definitely want my children to have that experience as well. Was just worried about newborns and a parrot in the same house being a bit too much. But I think with love, respect and patience everything is possible. Thanks for sharing!