First time bird/grey owner - a little worried

[cheebamaster]

Hi there,

 

I have been doing research for quite awhile and finally decided to take a step forward and purchase an African Grey. I found a local bird store and after spending the afternoon there decided to purchase a baby Grey. It is currently around 5 weeks old and I will be waiting for another 8 weeks or so before I can take him home.

 

The owner of the store currently hand feeds the babies and said that once they are old enough he will have them out in the open of the store so they can start to become socialized with events/people around them.

 

My main concern is that...well I'm a pianist for a living and I treasure my fingers dearly lol. I understand that these birds are potential biters and so I thought it would be best to get one from a young age so that I can learn/grow in trust with it.

 

In all honest opinion, how worried to I have to be about potential serious bites and what tips information could you tell me (a first time bird owner) about taking care of this wonderful bird.

 

 

Thanks for your time

[Talon]

First off, Hi, and Welcome to our greyt family! It's nice you have done your research, and I am excited for the day you can bring your baby home. You have a couple of months to read up. There are many threads here about biting.

 

I haven't heard too many stories about greys biting you enough to really hurt your fingers. They typically are not biters as long as you learn to read their body language, or understand them and WHY they may bite. They need a reason. I have 2 greys, one can occasional bite my finger if I am carrying her and go too fast or scare her by walking by something she doesnt like, or making her mad. She is a cag, and has drawn a little blood, my finger may be a bit sore for a little while, but no big deal. It doesn't stop me from using my fingers or hands in any way.

 

There are other members here whose grey has never bitten them. I have a very moody one, so I don't trust her too much around others without a warning that she does bite, just to be safe.

[aerial.2000]

well helloooo there and welcome to the GF I dont have my baby home yet but I go and visit him every week. Mine has been moved from the back incubator to his toddler cage and then I think this week hes being moved to his big boy cage. He has also been hand raised since he was a baby at the store too and I have maybe 4 more weeks of waiting. Seems like forever.

I feel its very important to try and form a bond with him so I visit as much as I can. I can tell you he nips a bit at my fingers now and hes 10weeks old, and last week he did nip me pretty good (nothing serious) and it didnt make me stop attempting to handle him. At the point he nipped me a crowd of people came in the pet store and surrounded where we were sitting and he panic'd I tried to pick him up to hold him and let him know it was ok but he was already freaking out.

I truly think its about reading them as well. Its really hard only going on the weekends to see him, every week he changes so much, I really believe once I get him home tho, I will really learn him and what is expect of me by him I say dont worry about the nips your fingers will be fine!

[cheebamaster]

Thanks for the reassurance aerial. Unfortunately the bird store is about 40 minutes away from where I live (without traffic) so I can't visit as much as I'd like but oh well.

 

One other thing that worried me was that the pet store owner said the bird only really will only "like" one person. He said he's raised many Grey's and some have liked him and let him handle and others, as soon as their matured really didn't let him handle them. He said bonding with a baby doesn't mean much because their personalities completely change once they mature and take a liking to one person regardless of if you raised them/hand fed them etc...

 

I would just hate the spend all the time and effort into getting one only to find out he takes a primary liking to someone else even though I would be the caretaker.

[Mistyparrot]

Welcome Cheebamaster. I doubt you will have any problems. As others have said Greys rarely bite hard enough to do real damage. The most likely cause of a serious bite is when the parrot feels seriously threatened or angered. As long as you treat your bird with respect and understanding and it feels secure you will have no problems. I believe that clipping a Greys wings will make it feel insecure and more likely to bite in fear. Many breeders especially in the US do this as a matter of routine but more keepers are discovering the benefits of allowing the wings to be fully fledged. This is something I feel strongly about and I am sure Mistyparrot does as well:). Never force yourself on the parrot and it will soon learn you are a friend and not a threat but talk and whistle with it to help with bonding. It is possible that as it gets older it may transfer affections to another but as long as it is well socialised it will still appreciate your company and is not likely to become a biter unless it is traumatised in some way. The important thing looking after parrots is to learn body language and have good empathy and respect. Greys are great empaths. It is one of the things that makes them such wonderful companions. I can't wait to hear you duet with your singing Grey accompanied with you on piano.

 

Steve n Mistyparrot (CAG)

[judygram]

Steve is right, greys rarely bite hard enough to do real damage, most of the bites are more of warnings and if you learn to read the body language you will be able to avoid most or all of those. Personally my grey has never bitten me, she has nudged me or grabbed my finger and applied a little pressure but a real bite that brings some blood, no she hasn't but I respect her wishes and don't force her to do anything she doesn't feel comfortable with.

[JeffNOK]

I encourage you to read the threads about biting. One is a sticky. I think it will put your mind at ease. Yes greys bite sometimes, but it is really no big deal usually and can almost always be avoided.

I'm a new grey parront myself and I did get nipped a few times at the beginning, but as trust was built and I learned her body language--it doesn't happen anymore. When your grey knows you will respect its wishes, it usually learns it doesn't need to nip to get the point across.

[aerial.2000]

Thanks for the reassurance aerial. Unfortunately the bird store is about 40 minutes away from where I live (without traffic) so I can't visit as much as I'd like but oh well.

 

One other thing that worried me was that the pet store owner said the bird only really will only "like" one person. He said he's raised many Grey's and some have liked him and let him handle and others, as soon as their matured really didn't let him handle them. He said bonding with a baby doesn't mean much because their personalities completely change once they mature and take a liking to one person regardless of if you raised them/hand fed them etc...

 

I would just hate the spend all the time and effort into getting one only to find out he takes a primary liking to someone else even though I would be the caretaker.

I am sure there are others far better to respond to this as well. I have also heard ALL of these things too. But, I am not letting that stop me from proceeding with getting my baby. Is he bonded with me right now? Yeah Id like to think so, will it change? it could, I hope not .. but onces he's in his forever home, Im sure lots of things will change. that wont stop me from loving him still and working with him and stuff. I live closer to 1.5 hours from the parrot store and have been blowing atleast a tank of gas each weekend just to go visit but I feel SO strongly about it! Your efforts you spend w/the baby will NOT be lost!

[danmcq]

Your fingers will be fine. I would be more concerned about the bird poop that will with out doubt be dropped on the piano whilst you play and you grey sits, watch's, dances and sings or whistles along enjoying the tunes.

[kins2321@yahoo.com]

cheebamaster... It is true a grey prefers one person, over another. ONLY... if you let them. Sophie loves all of us, but prefers one member over another at the moment. For example... she LOVES music. Ryan is a great singer and guitar player. She will focus on him at the moment. She will sit on his shoulder, start dancing and singing. When Sean plays the violin, she will seek him out. listens from the couch, since she can't sit on his shoulder. When I play the piano... she will sit on my shoulder, and wag her tail like crazy, trying to sing in baby talk.

You will definitely NOT lose a finger! Encourage music. I am sure you will find out, your baby will LOVE your music. nancy

[chezron]

I have never been bitten by my grey. True, I err to the side of safety when I observe his body language. Since he is older now he is much more trusting and I can pretty much manhandle him and not even get a hard squeeze from him. But there are definitely times when he DOES NOT want to be handled, and I respect that and abide by his wishes. Read the sections on body language because they are helpful. A grey's body language is sometimes subtle, but once you learn how to read him you will have no problems. My grey loves my husband and me. What kins2321 says is true, your grey will love more than one person if brought up that way. Socialize your new parrot, get him out to meet people, and get him accustomed to new situations to keep him flexible and not fearful. I also agree that keeping your bird flighted helps him develop more confidence, so he is less fearful. I agree with Steve that greys like to be respected, and like to feel they are contributing members of your family.

Edited March 19, 2012 by chezron