A bird on his back is worth two....?

[aslterp59]

We recently acquired an african grey, Sammy, a couple months ago. Some of you may remember I posted about him a few times. He's very tame, very talkative, and absolutely amazing to us! Sometimes when we're playing with him (when he's on top of his cage), he lifts up one leg and tries to roll over on this back. I know this is a very vulnerable position for him and he must really love us! Ha. The problem is that I don't know what to do -- try to scratch his stomach, try to get a hand under his back... it's like he's not sure and I'm not sure what to do! I'm afraid of doing something that would scare him, and as he's really putting himself out there for us, we don't want to startle him in any way

 

He gets nippy at times. He loves to snuggle, but getting him from the cage (inside or from on top) onto my arms is a study in psychology. He won't just step up onto my hand. If he's on top, he thinks we're going to put him back inside the cage. If he's inside, he wants to be scratched but then will bite. He was doing "step up" really well for a while, but seems to have lost that.

 

Any ideas?

[lovemyGreys]

You can give his tummy a little tickle or give him a little foot toy to fight with while his is on his back,try cupping your hands around his back too.

 

If he wont step on to your hand from the cage try getting him to step on to a perch then ask him to step up on yo your hand.When you want to return him a little tip i picked up is,gently once he has stepped up put a little pressure on his toes with your thumb,it doesnt hurt them, he may flap but be assured it does not harm them.Praise him when he achieves what you are asking of him.

 

The nipping you have to deal with firmly,a firm no & ignore him,place him back on a stand & walk away,do not show any response,he will learn that bad behavior earns him no reward.

[judygram]

Denise when he rolls over on his back try stroking his stomach and she what his response is, he may be wanting you to do just that or offer a toy to play with while in that position. He does trust you a lot to do that with you.