My 1st Parrot

[salgar3176]

Hi all

 

Well had a look around on your site and lots of info great

I have took on a 20 year old african grey called carla

The old owner had died so the bird was left in a summer house for a time by the family.

she is now in my living room and making a mess.

she has started to talk again and seems to be settling down ok.

she does not like been touched as yet but will take food from my hand.

i think she has been picking at her chest a bit but i keep spraying her with a little water which she seems to enjoy.

i have left her a week and have just tried to see if she will come onto my hand bad mistake (the 1st bite of many i think).

Any info would be greatful on health etc etc.

regards Sa

[judygram]

Hello Salgar and welcome to our family, so glad you could join us and we look forward to hearing lots more about you and Carla.

So you are saying you have had Carla for a week now, well lets just say you have your work cut out for you as she is a mature grey at 20 years of age and has baggage and it will take a lot of work, time and much patience on your part to win her over but it can be done.

Have you had birds before? I ask because you made the comment "she is making a mess" birds do make messes and if you are going to have one or more in your house it is something you will have to get used to for you can clean it up but its right back in just a few minutes, its something us bird people have learned to live with if we want to share our home with fids.

Give her space if she doesn't like being touched, she is in an all new to her envoronment and it takes time to gain her trust, even more so with an older bird who is set in her ways, let her become comfortable and let her make the first move for more interaction from you, thats a great start that she will take treats from your hand and in time she will probably allow you to pet her head but in any case let her make the decision.

Talk to her as much as you can, sit by her cage and read a book or the newspaper to her and let her know by your actions you are not going to harm her, you have to earn her trust as it is not freely given.

Do not worry about some possible plucking of her feathers at this time as it could be due to the new environment but its good she enjoys spraying with a little water, keep doing that every couple of days for its good for her.

She probably needs a vet visit but that would entail putting her into a travel carrier and might stress her at the moment but how did she react when you first brought her into your home, was it by travel carrier and did you take her out or just allow her to exit on her own? It might be best to allow her to settle into her new home first then make a vet visit later.

Would love to see some pictures of Carla if you have some you would share with us.

[Morana]

Welcome! :-)

Hope to hear a lot about you and Carla. Can't wait the pictures:-)

Judy gave you some great advice. Do read various threads and stickies about health, bird food, training,.. Do you have a cage for Carla? If not, check out that section too;-)

[Greymatter]

Welcome Salgar and Carla.

 

Just reading some of the past posts and as per pp's advice, you should be able to work with Carla.

 

Best of luck and enjoy!

[Ray P]

Welcome to the forum Salgar and it`s great that you took in a grey that needs a home.

judygram gave you some good advice and in time Carla will be glad you took her in also.