spjchick

I posted on the introduction page back around the beginning of december. My new Grey, Pippin, arrived at the airport on Dec 6th. At first I have to admit that I thought maybe I had made a mistake. What arrived in the travel carrier just growled and screamed. When I got home I had to take the lid off the carrier and set it inside her cage because I did not dare reach my hand in there. Truly, she sounded like a demon. Getting her back in the carrier to go to her vet appointment was a chore because she did not want to have anything to do with me. With patience I finally got her to get in the carrier without breaking her trust in me. I knew she was terrified and my heart was broken because I felt guilty getting her. I mean one day she is playing in the sun in Tampa, the next day she is on an airplane going to cold st louis. At first she would growl anytime I got near her cage. I would try and coo and baby talk to calm her down and she would lunge at me. With much perseverance and love I slowly walk up to her cage and sweet talk to her while she was eating. Eventually she would accept rides from me if she flew off of her cage, but as soon as she got back to her cage she would growl. I tried treats and bribery with food. I tried playing with my other birds in front of her so she could see that I am not something to be feared. Today, almost exactly 1 month after getting her, she climbed to her playtop, looked at me and said, "step up." I walked over and she stepped up to my hand, then she said, "don't bite." I almost cried. Of course her voice was a little garbled but I could clearly hear her say those words. I actually feel relieved. I knew that a grey would be a different kind of companion from anything I ever had, but I really had no clue how much so. I think with more patience we will make progress on other little milestones. I have to introduce her to the shower and other things, but I think things will really work out fine. I know I have not posted much on this site, but that does not mean that I am not reading here every few days. All the advice the members have given others, and your postings have helped me immensely. Thank you! I think Pippin and I will do just fine!

I just laughed at this so hard that I think I hurt a rib.

It's me Pippin the grey, Just three days ago I flew to my new home (not on my own, on an airplane silly!) I don't recognize any of the faces and I miss my old flock. There are two other birds here, one of them is green and grey, the other is green and peach, both of them little compared to me. I like to watch them play and eat. They have not paid me much attention though, and that's fine. This lady who keeps telling me she is my mom always gives me something good to eat. It feels good to have something warm in my crop. Just a few minutes ago she offered me a cashew. I screamed at her, yanked the cashew from her fingers and threw it. That'll teach her!!! Maybe she isn't all that bad though... I'll make up my mind about that later though.

quick update- Maybe someone has some good advice. We are now on day 2 of pippins arrival. She has seen the avian vet, and is exploring her cage and the area around her cage she spends time on the wiindow sill (we have marble window sills that are quite wide) and she is finally eating a decent amount of food (not as much as I'd like though) It's just that she growls whenever I come near. She also does this little scream (not too loud) that sounds like the ring wraiths from Lord of the Rings. I am trying to give her her space and time to feel comfortable. I talk softly to her and move slowly around her. I tried cooing and makiing calming sounds that seem to work, they end her screams at least. I know if I offered her a treat she'd be so freaked out that I'm near her that she'd drop it. What can I do to help her begin to trust me?. She needs more time I know, but I want to do everything to make this as easy as possible on her.

Thank you! I am a huge Lord of the Rings fan. My other birds are Samwise and Frodo, so I thought why not Pippin too.

Pippin flew today from Tampa, Florida to St. Louis, MO. She seemed pretty scared. All she would do is growl and scream (I think it sounds like the ring wraiths from Lord of the Rings). Anyway, I was concerned about sticking my fingers in the carrier; so I put her carrier in her cage and opened the door to the carrier so she can come out whenever she feels like it. I figured that the carrier might feel more like a safe place, and she was tired. She could barely keep her eyes open. here's a quick video of her growling and screaming.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ev9Dfvd6GmI&feature=plcp

Thanks, I'll get some pictures posted as soon as I get them. I removed all but 2 toys and a foraging wheel. I do have a bell in there. It's a nice bell, surrounded by some latex ball with holes in it, reminds me of a buckyball. Anyway, It definitely isn't bird proof, I'd say bird resistant.

My New CAG is flying to me next week and I have prepared for everything I can think of. I bought her a nice new AE 36x28 playtop cage and have stocked it full of toys and perches... I have heard that greys can be shy or timid when putting new toys in their cage. can even be afraid of them, from what I read on the message board. Should I remove all but a few toys and allow her to get acclimated to her new house? Or should I just keep it as is for now and see how she acts in her new cage. The breeder said she loves to play. I want her to feel welcome and safe, and feel like I have done everything else.

I just found out that Pippin is a girl!!!!! I really REALLY wanted a girl. I did not want to have to put up with Testosterone when that age hits. I also found out she is shipping to me on December 6th. Yay!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, I know...well really I don't know yet, I just can only try my hardest. I'm looking forward to the journey.

My name is Kelleigh and I am a full time student working on my graduate degree in social work at UMSL here in St. Louis, MO. I have three birds, one quaker, one peach front and in december I will have my first african grey. I am familiar with the breed and have done a lot of research. Plus I know a few things about parrots in general since I already have two. I am looking forward to sharing and getting to know you all. Please feel free to look me up on facebook. Also, I am going to document my birds life on a blog. It is at pippinthegrey.blogspot.com/. I plan on starting a youtube channel to share his antics and whatever a brilliant bird does. Sincerely, Kelleigh Lonidier