Hi Everyone....new and have no where to go.

[calvinblount1980]

So, I have had my girl for just under 7 years now. Recently, I have noticed a huge change in her behavior. Like, she use to sit with me while I was working, play games in the afternoon with some blocks, talk, hang out when I did yard work in her outdoor cage...etc. But for the past year and a half, she started the biting, then the plucking. I don't know what to do. This sweet little bird has become the exact opposite of what she use to be!

 

This is my first bird, and I thought everything was going dandy. But at this moment, I have scars from her bites and honestly; I have become afraid of her. I love her the same, but I just don't know where I went wrong. She has more than enough interaction (I thought) since she is never in her cage for more than 4 hours during the day. Her favorite perch is smack-dab in the middle of the living room where we spend most of our time. Vet visits check out ok, nothing medically wrong. Trying to change diet to Harrison's to see if that works...I am at a loss.

 

So I figured I'd go poking around the forms here to see if anyone would have any insight. She really is a sweet bird, but I just don't know what caused this behavior and what I can do to fix it. It breaks my heart.

[Lady Pym]

I'm new here too. I sure hope that someone is able to help you, to offer some suggestions, or that you find your answers from poking around on here. That is sad. She is obviously trying to communicate something to you, but what?! I'm glad you have had her checked out medically because they sure are complicated creatures. Good luck, and take care.

[Brat Birds]

Welcome. The problems you mentioned are common among Greys. There are so many reasons that it will be difficult to pin it down. Hopefully someone more experienced than me will come along soon and offer some help. My thoughts are - is she bathed enough? did something change in her world at the beginning of these troubles- a new roommate, a move of her cage? Did you change anything you used around the house like cleaning products, dish or laundry dertergent, softener, hair or skin care products? I hope you can pin point something.

[danmcq]

Welcome Calvin. At 7 years old, that drastic of a change was initialized by something. Changes in people, home, furnishings, new pets maybe, cage placement, you name it. It could be one of many things. Any ideas of what may have changed at around the time this behavior began?

[calvinblount1980]

Welcome Calvin. At 7 years old, that drastic of a change was initialized by something. Changes in people, home, furnishings, new pets maybe, cage placement, you name it. It could be one of many things. Any ideas of what may have changed at around the time this behavior began?

 

Hi everyone! So, Lolita is responding well to the new food, surprisingly. Not knowing much about what I am doing as I am a first time parent, everything I have read here has helped in such a short time. I really think she was trying to tell me something that I, in my infinite human dumbness, did not understand. She has taken to her new diet very well. I was afraid that I would have to do some serios coaxing to get her away, but apparently she LOVES the food. And boy can I tell you that it appears to be like crack to her...she is more energetic, interactive, and more tame after the diet change.

 

Many of you responded that something had changed in her environment. Yes. I took in a roommate for a brief time and HE even annoyed me. So I think this may have been the result. Thinking back on it now that may have been the catalyst.

 

I had a great afternoon with her today. She has never been one to not get on my hand, just that every now and then she would find something interesting about my arm and decide to take a bite out of me. I have started a bath every other day. At the beginning, I didn't think it was good to do it more than just a few times a month. That seems to be helping too.

 

Question, where is a good place that I could find some good toys? I am always weary of most places and would like to get her some new diggs...its been a while since I got her something new because I was afraid that new things will cause her to freak out even more.

 

Thank you all for your kindness.

[calvinblount1980]

Oh and I baked her some Harrison's bread today....she LOVES it!!! I am super excited! I gave her a small piece today. I am going to use it as a treat/reward. I am happy, much happier than when I first wrote this post.

[danmcq]

It is good to hear that reflecting back, you may have come up with the reason for the change in behavior. Harrisons brirdy bird is a big hit here too, especially the hot pepper. Here is a good place to find good toys: http://www.mysafebirdstore.com/Products-TOYS_BY_CATEGORY.html

[Lady Pym]

I'm glad things are starting to improve. ;-)

[judygram]

Hello Calvin and welcome to our family.

You may have hit on the reason for the change in Lolita especially if you didn't like the roommate either, greys can pick up on emotions and she may have felt the same way. It sounds like you two are on the road to a better relationship which is great.

We love pictures here so if you have some of Lolita you would share with us we would love to see them.

[katana600]

Just like finding an object when you give up on looking, Lolita let you exhaust yourself trying to figure her out. So happy to hear you are making progress and she is responsive to you. We have a rehomed Timneh African Grey (TAG) and he was really great about stepping up to me. Then I got braces on my teeth and he has not wanted to have physical closeness since then. It will be interesting to see how he reacts when they come off next year.