:d i'm new to greys!!! :d

[peter111]

Hi everyone!

 

My name is Jurey and my wife and I just bought a 16 year old male African Grey. We live in Kodiak Alaska and we don’t know any other parrot owners on the island. We bought him from my co-work’s friend and they had him for 10+ years. We were told that he is a very smart and talkative bird and that we shouldn’t have any problems with him. We’ve had him for 5 days now and so far he’s been pretty mellow. So far he has been mimicking the sounds from all over the house including ring tones and sounds from our appliances. He tricks us a lot when he makes the sound of our home phone ringtone and now we can hardly tell the two tones apart. I tried the “step up” command but he hesitates. He would put on one foot onto my forearm, pause, and then back on his perch. He would do this for several minutes while walking back and forth and making some kind of whining/panting sound. Eventually he’ll step onto my forearm and then step off wherever I take him, usually on a counter or on top of his cage. We are totally new to greys so any helpful tips or advice from you guys would be greatly appreciated.

[danmcq]

Welcome Jurey. Congrats on your new african grey. He sounds like a wonder grey and youve been taking it slow as you go, just as you should be. Thats the best way to let him proceed at his time space that he feels comfortable with. Ask questions each time you have one. Everyone here will be more than happy to assist. I am looking foreward to hearing a lot more as you have time to write and also post some photos when you get a chance.

[Timbersmom]

Hello and welcome to you and your new companion. What is his name? Post some pics when you get a chance, we love them.

 

It sounds like your bird is coming right along. It took my 3 months to get my rehomed grey comfortable with stepping up, so you are making good progress. Like Dan said, let him set the pace in your relationship. It takes time to build trust

[JeffNOK]

Hi Jurey. Welcome! You are in the right place. I have learned so much here. Like Dan said, just go slow and follow the bird's lead. If he doesn't want to step up right away, I would suggest just saying, "Ok. Maybe later" and walk away for a while. There is no rush. Now you are on "grey time", which takes some getting used to. Keep us posted on how things are going.

Edited November 5, 2013 by JeffNOK

[judygram]

Hello Jurey and welcome to our family.

Congrats on your new to you grey and it sounds like you all are off to a great start but be sure to read thru as many of the threads as possible for you will find lots of useful information that will be of great help to you in the coming weeks and months as you build a relationship with him.

[BaileysPapa]

Welcome! The pacing back & forth is him trying to decide if he can trust you. These are very intelligent & sensitive creatures. You are flock leader, but, he calls the shots. A little tip about the phone...wait for the second ring. Many of my birds will mimic the phone ring, but, do it only once. If it doesn't ring a second time, I know it was them. However, my grandparents had a Grey that would mimic the phone ring, then call my grandfather to the phone, in my grandmother's voice. It was hilarious, and often confusing, for he wasn't sure if it was her or the bird!

[peter111]

Thank you ALL for your replys and for making me feel very welcomed. I'm looking forward to gain as much knowledge as I can about Peter and to build a great relationship with him.

[Timbersmom]

Haaaa funny about "it's for you" Baileyspapa

[Ray P]

Hi Jurey and welcome to the grey forum.

You are about to learn about grey time, It`s when they are ready and I think they use this to control us.

Enjoy your companion.

[Inara]

I tried the “step up” command but he hesitates. He would put on one foot onto my forearm, pause, and then back on his perch. He would do this for several minutes while walking back and forth and making some kind of whining/panting sound.

 

If the wings are dropped and held slightly away from his/her sides, with the little clucking whimpering sounds, and a bit of quivering, and stepping back and forth, turning the back to you on occasion during this, this can also be mating behavior. This would not be unusual this time of year in the northern hemisphere.

[Acappella]

Hi. Welcome to the forum. Is Peter flighted or clipped? I'm only asking because I'm wondering if he can explore your home under his own steam or if he needs to be transported from place to place. If he's not flighted, I'd just open the cage door and let him decide when to come out. Don't ask for a step up from inside the cage. That's his safe zone, especially right now in a place that's still unfamiliar. When he hesitates, like JeffNOK said, just shrug, say OK maybe later and walk away. Let him decide. He'll feel safer, and trust you faster, if he feels he has some control. Keep food, water and treats inside the cage so he has to go back in for them. That way he won't associate going back into the cage with being locked up every time. You're still in what we call the "Honeymoon Period", so don't be surprised or hurt if he regresses a bit after the first couple of weeks, it's totally normal. Sit beside him and talk. They are very good at reading our body language, so you have to learn how to read theirs. There is a thread here somewhere about body language. Maybe someone else can find the link and post it? I'll go look again.