Sheldon89

It's not bad, thus far, but I don't want it to get worse, for his sake...

Are the white fluffs their winter molting? Or is he actually preening those out in plucking fashion?

Hello, everyone! A few short weeks have passed and everything's going great with Congo. He's eating well, whistling and talking up a storm, and is starting to step up now and again, with little to no biting! Unfortunately, I've begun to see pods of white fluffy feathers floating here and there, and the ends of his feathers around his neck look like they've been chewed about. I'll have to post some pictures, soon - but I've already gone ahead with precautionary measures in putting more and more toys in his cage - is there anything else I can do to prevent it? He still looks presentable, but the plucking should be curtailed ASAP to stop it from becoming habit, I suppose. Any and all feedback would be appreciated. Pictures, soon!

I'm new here, but have a few suggestions… (many I've learned from here, anyways!) Positive reinforcement! Praise! Happy noises! All of these things can help to let your Parrot know that what they're doing at the time they're doing it is what you want them to be doing, and they get the thanks they need and deserve for being a "good bird!" I've seen it more difficult, in CAGs to make a strong connection or bond right away with praise, treats, and positive reinforcement techniques, but this process takes time. They demand a trusting relationship to insure that their handler is not going to drop, hurt, or break their hearts. A few techniques I feel that have helped me to get over the biting are: 1.) The Iron Fist. Tuck your thumb under your other fingers and make a tight fist that stretches your skin and leaves the back plan of your hand exposed but not vulnerable. Bring it toward the bird, and notice his reactions to this - eye pinning, stance, feathers etc - when he lunges at you, try not to flinch, and "take the nip," since your hand is stretched, he/she will have little to latch on to, and will only graze/hit slightly. You will notice the second nip/bite is less pronounced, as he/she is seeing that you (eventually) are "leader of the flock." 2.) Positive reinforcement. Every time you do get them to step up or do something you like, give them something they enjoy i.e. a treat, praise, and so on. I'm new to African Greys, but have a Red Lorry and have a Cockatiel. Given, CAGs are much MUCH different than either, but these techniques have helped me to build a relationship that helps me to handle my CAG more, which from the beginning of our relationship, has changed tremendously. I'm sure others will have a bunch more to tell you, and that your efforts with your Grey will not go unnoticed or be made in vain! Good luck. Keep up the love! Let us know how it turns out, yeah?

I hear there's an Aloe-mixture spray I can use to keep them looking as good as possible, and to help with their skin during harsh climates and little humidity in the winter. Do you think that would help?

He won't fluff his feathers for me But I'm wondering if this looks normal-ish? They look like each individual one doesn't get as much attention as his other feathers. -shrug-

It can't be his cage, that's probably 42x30… Very large, for me at least. And he's 10 years old. Maybe they're not as ruffled as I thoughts, but they look a little scraggily. I'll have to get a picture of what I mean. When they fan out, they look un-preened. Perhaps it was a problem with the previous owner? I'll have to ask the breeder that was caring for him. Thanks!

I live the name Freya! Very powerful name. Welcome to the forum! I'm relatively new as well - like you said there's a wealth of info on here and I'm finding something new every day!

I'll point out that they were like this when I got him two weeks (ish) ago. Thanks!

Hello, everyone! My CAG's tail feathers seem to be ruffled, almost to the point of looking mangled or disheveled. Is there any rhyme or reason for the look of his feathers? Is this normal for CAG's? Is there anything I can do to help him remedy it while he preens? Thanks, guys!

Hello, everyone! As you know, I'm new here, and have rehomed a CAG, affectionately named Congo. His temperament has been better, as of late, and has let me get him out of his cage every time by hand, no biting or anything, and even sometimes "steps up" when perched on top of his cage. Now, those times when he doesn't - I don't like to force him, but I notice that whenever I get him a treat, or fruit, and hold it in my other hand with him able to see it, he knows that he won't be getting said treat until he steps up. Will this help to build trust with me and maybe further on down the road I won't be needing fruit at all? Am I doing the right thing, and if so are there any other additional things I could be doing to insure that the trust and bond grow to something strong? Thanks! -Aaron

I've started to wean Congo onto a pellet diet, and it's working out well! When I first introduced him, in a hand-feeding sort of way, he'd completely reject them and throw them about. But now, as I've mixed them in with his seeds, he's taken a liking to them. As per the Vet I saw, they say this is a good way to get them the nutrition they need. I'm loving my CAG to pieces! And I hope this change/transitory period into his new diet will keep him happy and healthy for a long while!

P.S. I'll have to upload photos that I took of him. Just graduated from college with a degree in art, so I'm being artsy toward him. He probably hates the shutter sound. Hah!

Congo is doing so well! I took him to the Vet for a general Checkup and he has a clean bill of health. Moreover, he's taking more and more of a liking to me! He will step up off his cage without coercion. It's so wonderful! My Red Lory just last night climbed on to Congo's cage, but that quickly ended when Congo almost bit him - and to think I only looked away for a second! But I think I owe it to you all to let you know. You've helped me out so much thus far, just by existing with all the wonderful content you have on here. Woohoo!

Hello, MissOMalley! I am also new here - and believe me when I say these people know their stuff! Just reading around on the many discussion topics, they have stickies that give you vital information to the health of both your bird and your relationship with your AG. I've only had my CAG since last Thursday - and what a week it's been! Give them a lot of time to adjust, and as cute and curly as they may seem, try to give them the space they need. Perhaps being out of your moms house will help Baby to grow their feathers back - but just accepting them for who they are and what they're all about is the real trial. My CAG is 10 years old, already - so it will be interesting to see how yours adjust and learn from your situation! Are the CAGs bonded as a pair? Or are they in separate cages?

SUCCESS! Holy moly success… Within just a few short days, he's taken a liking to me and will allow me to pick him up. "Step up" is working, and I cannot believe that he's so trusting in such short time! Reading everything on here and taking necessary steps to assuring he's secure in his environment has helped our relationship, tremendously, already - and only from last Thursday! Who'd have known a ten+ year old CAG could be so accepting. Of course, like I've read somewhere else, it could just be a honeymoon phase - we'll have to wait to see! But already I'm enjoying everything about my CAG. Everything!

All of these pictures are so pretty! I can't wait till it starts to warm up again and I can take Congo and Oscar outside!

Katana, thank you for your welcoming! I'm very excited to get started and get into a routine with him - it seems he's starting to become more accustomed to me, as time moves on. I'm sure you're right, and when the time is right he'll warm up to me enough to come out and perch on my finger. For now, I'm giving him his space. I have an appointment scheduled tomorrow for a routine checkup - and to my surprise it only costs 40 dollars! And this is with someone who sees Exotics regularly… so I was happy. Of course, that's not including blood work or anything, but that's all very optional stuff that I don't necessarily have to do unless reasons present themselves. As for re-naming him, I completely agree! Eventually, he may change his name to something I wouldn't even prefer. So we'll just have to see how things pan out. Thank you so much for your input! Everyone's so kind here.

Thank you Judy! I've been reading through that passage, and it's given me quite a lot of information to read through! I'm excited and eager to learn more!

I think you may be right, Timbersmom! Because every time I do it, he crawls right on out. No hesitation! Today, I had time to go get some toys before I went in to work, and I've just introduced him to them, slowly but surely, along with a few new perches. He seems to be taking to them quite well. He simply prefers to be out of the cage, rather than inside. He seems like my kinda guy - wants freedom and to be left for some alone time. He is affectionately dubbed "the hermit." I, myself, am a hermit of sorts, being that I love my alone time, and quiet time is a must - so he mirrors my personality, to a tee. What I know of it, so far, that is. We'll just have to see what the next few weeks brings! Sometimes when he nips at me, he laughs - and then I laugh. That's probably not the best way to train a CAG haha

Thank you for your honesty, Murfchck! I understand what you're saying and agree to an extent. Perhaps I will "wait" on the name change until he is more comfortable with me, rather than rush in to things... After all, I may just get used to and enjoy the name "Congo." What a good first impression I have of this forum! I love it!

As for the video I showed - He's still continuing this behavior. In fact, it's the only thing he does in the cage…. as of yet. Besides eat and drink.

Thank you all so much! I called a Vet clinic today to see about how much the cost would be, mind you he wasn't an Avian Vetrinarian - it was 55 dollars for a check-up, not including blood work or any specialty that Avian Vets would do, but I've heard of one close by, and have the number, so I will be calling tomorrow. As I type, he is out of his cage sitting on the door - so we're making quick progress… I've read some African Greys just don't like to be touched, and I'm fine with the needs of my birds. They own me, as I understand it, not the other way around. Anyways - I've taken what you've all given in stride, and will wait a few more days, maybe even weeks, depending on how well he warms up to me. We will certainly have to see. Different from any bird I've ever had, before, which I knew coming in to this, but seeing it is surely something different entirely! Aerial, as for the name, the previous owner called him "Congo." To my understanding, this was simply because they couldn't find another name for him, and just started calling him that. He does say "Congo," himself, so I may just stick with that. That would be the obvious name - but I'm a huge fan of "new place, new life, new name." Is changing the name of a bird not commonplace? I may be one to break this rule. The whole situation with re-housing him was that his previous owners did not have time for him, and so he was split between the owners and a sitter (the breeder they acquired him from) - the owner thought it was unfair, so they decided to let the breeder hold him until they sold him. And now he's found me! He was just too beautiful to say no to. And I'm in it for better or worse, really - the long haul, if you will. Just fed him some apples for a snack, and he's been "drumming" the whole time he's been out - is this behavior a state of being content? Thank you all for your wonderful posts - I feel welcome to a family I've long searched for; rather, a flock. I'll have to peruse around the forum to see where I may be able to ask more questions once I receive more answers. Once again, thank you so much! Any more answers or even questions for me and my Grey are always welcome. -Aaron

Hello, I am the human, Aaron, and the CAG was bought just last night - I've owned a cockatiel before, and currently own a Red Lory as well. I've yet to name him, but it was a re-home - and he's ten years old. I know that it will take him a while to adjust, mostly because it's a new environment for him - but I want to make sure that I do everything right to make a companion and lifelong friend out of him. I've loved birds since I was a youngin', and every since my first cockatiel I knew I would have a larger parrot when I got older and settled down. I, myself, am a recent graduate with a Bachelor Degree, and will be moving out of my parents house, shortly, into an apartment. Just a few simple questions, to start my lifelong journey: What is the best way to go about introducing him to my Red Lory? What way is best to get him out of his cage? Clicker-training, the old carrot on a stick trick? I've heard many stories of people's success, and would like to see if I can narrow down some answers for myself. According to the lovely Breeder that I acquired him from, he has not been to the Vet in a while - is it pertinent to get a checkup from the get-go? If so, about how much does this usually range in cost (any ballpark estimate will do, as I'm trying to budget my money)? I would like to start as soon as possible so he doesn't get used to just sitting in his cage, because I would hate to leave him all cooped up in there for days on end - but as of now he's a little nippy, which I figure is mostly based on the new environment and it could take years to become trusting of my hand, but is there any way to end such behavior in a positive way? I can read bird body language pretty well, having owned two previously, but do not know the specifics of an African Grey. I woke up this morning at 8am and he was very enthusiastic and walking around the cage and such - is it normal for them to take naps occasionally? Or is sporadic napping a sign of illness? Perhaps he's just not used to his environment enough, and has become lethargic because of stress in the moving process? Wow - I didn't mean for there to be so many questions. Haha! Anyways - I look forward to reading your replies. I will attach a link to a video of him that confuses me - is he happy or is this aggression? I've never seen anything like this in my other birds… It's storming, though, with thunder and lightening… maybe that's the reason? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uz4ydTB9OKY&feature=plcp I've been reading here for a while before I bought him, I would say a month or so - and I already love him to pieces! I just need to know what's usual or unusual behavior before I spazz out and become one of those people who thinks a sneeze is a heart attack. Thank you so much! -Aaron