A Greys reaction

[Ray P]

To watch a Grey live and react to life as things happen and change around them is something very awesome.

They seam to understand life at our level when it comes to life changing events with in their circle of life.

They are so much like us when it comes to who they like and who they dislike.

Can they read our minds ? I believe they read our body language and know out thoughts as Corky will like and dislike the same people I do, and that was true with the wife and son.

How does your grey react in your circle of life ?

 

[Timbersmom]

For the most part, Timber surprises me with his likes and dislikes. My youngest son is his favorite, and he has little interest in Timber. My husband, who messes with him all the time, is tolerated but also most likely to be bitten. I will say that my son's friend, that isn't a favorite of mine, is probably Timber's most disliked person. When he comes in, Timber will go to his seed bowl and start tossing seed on the floor. I only see this behavior when Josh is in the room.

[Greytness]

I agree with you, Ray. One of my greys took a dislike to my eldest son who used to speak negatively about him. Then, one day, Maalik dive bombed him when his back was turned towards him. The anger and dislike from my son towards Maalik continued to escalate the situation. Even after a few years of my son trying to repair the damage, Maalik wouldn't have any of it.

Maalik likes everyone else as we do him.

[LNCAG]

Snickers doesn't like anyone but me.  And he has bitten others (or lunged at and tried to bite them if they were too quick for him).

I've always tried to be upbeat and positive (since he draws off my emotions) but no go.  Hates everyone -- even people he's seen a thousand times.   

He even hates my Mom who has fed him when I was on vacation.  She told me she has to quickly toss food in his dish and close the food door FAST because he lunges!

Wish I could socialize him better -- I won't live forever.  My plan, thus far, is for him to go to a local sanctuary upon my demise.  

But I've wondered if I was gone, if he'd then choose to like someone else he's met before (someone he perhaps only really disliked because the weren't me -- but yet someone he is already familiar with).  No idea. 

[Greytness]

You just never know! These guys are quirky, to say the least.

[Timbersmom]

LNCAG, I like to think that our birds will bond with someone else when we are gone. I am Timber's third (at least) owner. It was a long road, but we bonded.

[neoow]

I've found it difficult with Alfie because parrots aren't a usual sight in houses so people tend to be wary or scared of him.

Admittedly I failed to socialise him enough when he was young but my family all backed off and were scared of him after he bit them as a youngster. My mum tried the most but my sister is very fearful of him (and I don't even think she went close enough to get bitten). My dad is not interested. After I moved out my two housemates didn't really like him all that much - mostly indifferent but also a bit scared. I've never found anyone close enough who has enough of an interest to try and get to know Alfie.

My current housemate is Alfie's favourite person (even over me). It has taken YEARS for them to get to this stage and they both had to get used to each other. Alfie will let my housemate give him scrtiches and and will even follow him around the room to be closer to him. He will join my housemate on the sofa or sit on his knee and ask for scritches. Sometimes you have to socialise the human with the bird as well as socialising the bird with the human!

Alfie never used to make a peep if other people were in the room. He's never been particularly noisy anyway but he would clam up completely when others were near. Nowadays he is a lot more content to make some beeps and whistles at people and will say 'see you later' when he thinks they are leaving (or thinks it's time for them to leave!)

[LNCAG]

This is why I wondered if Snickers might consider someone familiar "safe" if I was out of the picture.  "Better the devil you know" sort of logic.

I have mis-read Snickers (esp in beginning) and a few dear people got severe bites.  Not nips.  Missing chunks of flesh.  Snickers bites with 100% of his beak strength.  (My macaw never bit with more than 5% of her strength -- different parrots altogether -- macaw socialized and CAG Snickers traumatized from stuff from before I met him). 

I am Snickers 3rd home (I think) and he was originally considered unadoptable by the breeder he had been surrendered to.  He took to me instantly -- been this way for 22 years.  Not sure of his exact age. But want him to be happy long after I am gone.  (I'd share his adoption story I wrote but too many F-bombs due to other people in story - sorry).

I just want him to have a wonderful life.  Maybe I'll live to be old and outlive him (my hope) but if not, I want whoever adopts him (or the most likely sanctuary/refuge plan) to have bird lovers who 'get' him -- and understand and make allowances for his early bad beginning.  Just want him happy even if I am not there anymore.