New grey and Trust Issues

[Linda77]

Hi Just joining the forum--glad you are all here. A month ago, I bought (but basically rescued) a Timneh grey from a local 'bird collector'. The grey is named Buddy and he is adult with a history of several owners and a poor diet. When I went to meet him, he flew away until exhausted, then he stepped onto my arm, which the owners said was pretty good for him to do. He had very little human contact and was coming and going in/out of his cage as he pleased. Since I've had him, he will step up for a treat, snatch it, and jump off asap. If I move him around the room on my arm, he's visibly nervous and looking to get off, fast. I can get him to his kitchen perch, where he bails on me, and if I take him from the floor toward the perch, he is climbing onto my shoulder then head to get to the perch as quickly as possible. Bottom line: he tolerates being on my arm only if he has to and then only briefly. This has improved already, as at first he was chomping the arm instead of stepping onto it. (saying "ouch" as he did it...so there's history here). Last night, he actually ate his treat, on my arm, atop his cage, did a "la la la" and head-bop in synch with me.... great progress, I think! Anyway, of course no cuddling or scratching or any lovey stuff, which is ok, but I'm wondering if anyone else has been here with their second-hand grey and if I'm doing all I can to get him to trust me. Other than not liking to be touched or getting onto the arm, he's not attacking or freaking out---he just wants to hang out, not interact physically. I do have him giving kisses (beak to lips) for a treat, which is more trust on my part than I care to think about! Thanks so much for any insights and advice. Linda

[judygram]

Hello Linda and welcome to the family, so glad you could join us and we look forward to hearing more about you and Buddy.

 

We do have a number of members who have taken on the responsibility of rehoming an older grey and it is not an easy task but doable. You have to give it lots of time and use much patience when working with them.

 

A month is not long enough for Buddy to trust you yet, since he has had several homes and lord knows how he was treated in those homes it will take a lot of time for him to learn to trust you and bond with you. But you are making progress and you will continue to do so as long as you take it slowly and easy.

 

He may never come to allow any cuddling but I would imagine he may eventually allow some neck scratching, most do and when he trusts you I think he will too.

 

Being a mature bird he is more independent and wants to be to himself more on a perch and not on you so don't take that as rejection, that could change as he learns to trust you more.

 

Take a little time and read thru the many threads for lots of useful information and do not hesitate to ask questions you may have. We will do our best to get you some answers and help you in any way we can.

 

If you have some pictures of Buddy you would like to share with us we would love to see him.

[Linda77]

Thanks Judy---I'll get some pics out. Appreciate the feedback.

[judygram]

Any time Linda, we are here to talk to and for you to ask questions about anything that you have a problem with.

[lovemyGreys]

Hi Linda & Welcome.

Linda it sounds as if you have made good progress in a month.Stepping up even if it's to get from A to B is good :)offer plenty of treats for good behaviour,it may be a while before the head scratches etc he needs to gain complete trust in you but you are certainly on the right road,take each day as it comes & his pace

[Guest]

Linda welcome here. I am happy you joined us