doubletefarm Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 I just recently bought a almost 2 y/o African. He was with a woman and her fiance who had him from the breeder. Apparently when she first got him he hated the man from day one, and shrieked at him all the time. Then a few months ago he began shrieking at her as well. I went and met him, spent about 2 hours with her and him. He seemed to gravitate towards me, not shrieking at me, just a one note "call". He was obviously bonded to her, and did want to go to her, but would shriek. I have had him two days. He is obviously still settling in. He is eating well, takes treats (loves grapes and yogurt covered anything), but hasn't really been playing with his toys that she sent with him. It is the same cage, I did add new toys to the ones that he had. I do not have a play stand for him yet. I am a bit worried that I do not have the experience to get him through this, because I really haven't had that much experience with birds. But there has to be a way to work with him and get him to step up without the shriek. I'm going to continue this post in the training section. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judygram Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 Hello Doubletefarm and welcome to the family, so glad you could join us and we look forward to hearing more about you and this grey, btw what is his name? Thats great that you took in this grey but you do need to read and learn all you can about this magnificent creature so you do provide what he needs to be happy and healthy. This journey has only just started as you have had him for only two days, he needs time to settle in and feel comfortable before his true personality comes thru. I would imagine it was something the former owner did that make the grey react the way he did and they don't easily forget. You will find lots of useful information in our many threads so do read thru them at your leisure and do ask questions you may have and we will help you in any way we can. We also have many knowledgeable members here who can give you some advice on working with him to get him to trust and bond with you, some of them will chime in with their ideas and suggestions. We love pictures here so if you have some of this grey you would share with us we would appreciate it very much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubletefarm Posted May 3, 2009 Author Share Posted May 3, 2009 Poor Sydney, I forgot to include his name! I should mention, he has shown me a few of his sounds. He clucks like a chicken (that he has done when I'm standing nearby). The other sounds when I am around, but not really paying attention so I would say it was more to amuse himself. He has a sound that I haven't quite figured out what it is, and I did hear a very clear and distinct hello today as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judygram Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 Welcome Sydney, now that we know his name. I am familiar with the chicken clucking sound as I hear that a lot and of course they will mimic other sounds and he probably does talk but he has to be more comfortable in his surroundings to fully open up his vocabulary so look out for that in the coming days, weeks and months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubletefarm Posted May 3, 2009 Author Share Posted May 3, 2009 Thanks Judy! I hope I can create a great relationship with this bird (we have many years to look forward to). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judygram Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 You will, you just have to be patient and let it happen, greys are very cautious creatures, it takes them a while to get used to new and/or strange things but the rewards will be worth it. My Josey will be three years old later this month, I got her as a just weaned baby and she bonded to me fairly quickly and easily but we do have other members who have taken in older birds, even older than Sydney, many years older in fact, they will be on soon to give you some tips and advice to maybe help you to make this happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvparrots Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 Hi doubletefarm and congratulations on your new grey, Sydney. So glad you could join us and can't wait to see some pictures of Sydney when you get a chance. Welcome to the family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubletefarm Posted May 4, 2009 Author Share Posted May 4, 2009 Oh, and his wings are clipped already. How long do they take to grow out? I do not plan to clip them again. I've done all the reading on that and agree with what seems to also be the consensus here that "au natural" is better for the bird. (thus, natural) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judygram Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 That will take a while as the flight feathers do not molt out at the same time, it could be a year before he has all his flights to be able to fly. You do have to take precautions to keep a flighted bird safe but you may see a dramatic difference when your bird is able to soar thru the house. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaxtersMom Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 Hello and welcome to the group. You have come to the right place to get advice on your new Sydney. I love the name. We would love to see any pictures of Sydney you would like to share with us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tycos_mom Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 welcome welcome Your going to be a grey't parront I can tell by the way you are posting that you are already in love with your bird. yes you 2 will be great friends and will spend many happy years together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubletefarm Posted May 5, 2009 Author Share Posted May 5, 2009 I took some pictures tonight when he came out. I attached his boing to the side of the cage, which he came right out to. and put a small table under it so he could hop down to that. (with treats, but he preferred me handing him the treats) <img src="http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-3/118591/sydney.jpg"/> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubletefarm Posted May 5, 2009 Author Share Posted May 5, 2009 Try that again. <br><br>Post edited by: doubletefarm, at: 2009/05/05 02:57 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubletefarm Posted May 5, 2009 Author Share Posted May 5, 2009 There we go. I also ordered him a multi branch manzanita that I can attach to the side of the cage till they make my play stand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judygram Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 Yeah you finally got it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubletefarm Posted May 5, 2009 Author Share Posted May 5, 2009 I think I made the pictures too small, but at least I got it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvparrots Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 Oh, Sydney is a very fine looking grey. His cage set up is looking good and having his boing by his door is a smart idea. You are a great companion for this magnificent grey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubletefarm Posted May 8, 2009 Author Share Posted May 8, 2009 If absolutely nothing else comes of this, I am highly entertained by Sydney!!! He's been out of his cage several times today, and right now is sitting on the open door chattering away. Every sound effect and word in his vocab has been run through. I dread the phone ringing because that is usually followed by three rings of his own. He is having just so much fun! His shriek is one of the sounds he runs through though. THAT one I could live without. I offer him many treats throughout the day, and I do feel that it is a little excessive, but I've got him so I say "want a treat" and he immediately comes towards me. That's progress right? (although bribery). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PitSoulja Posted May 17, 2009 Share Posted May 17, 2009 Actually what you're incouraging is good behavior out of him not bribery. Soon you will be able to say come here and he'll automatically do it. But all the same when he does something you like or want reward him with his favorite treat. This is another key to winning over many birds. You have it good considering he's coming to you right away the difference with mine is he'll go to my 2 year old son and me but won't go to the wife. So I'm sure he's just become attatched to one gender but I am working on rectifying the gender or one person birdness that he tends to go through. And even my African Grey has a shreik. It's not so much loud as is the pitch of it. The pitch makes your ears ring but the sound if you're in another room isn't defening. The more you study about your african grey the more you'll pick up on some of the behaviors. I do suggest reading books by Nikki Moustaki (I believe thats her name) she's written a couple of books including parrots 4 dummies. Even experienced bird owners can benefit from that book it's also entertaining to read as well. This is my favorite repairman story I hope you guys like it. Wanda's dishwasher quit working so she called a repairman. Since she had to go to work the next day, she told the repairman, "I'll leave the key under the mat. Fix the dishwasher, leave the bill on the counter, and I'll mail you a check." "Oh, by the way don't worry about my bulldog. He won't bother you. But, whatever you do, do NOT, under ANY circumstances, talk to my parrot! I REPEAT, DO NOT TALK TO MY PARROT!!!" When the repairman arrived at Wanda's apartment the following day, he discovered the biggest, meanest looking bulldog he has ever seen. But, just as she had said, the dog just lay there on the carpet watching the repairman go about his work. The parrot, however, drove him nuts the whole time with his incessant yelling, cursing and name calling. Finally the repairman couldn't contain himself any longer and yelled, "Shut up, you stupid, ugly bird!" To which the parrot replied, "Get him, Spike!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now