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 looking for one and plan to purchase it online tomorrow. I have about 50 windows open now searching for the "right one". 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. He steps up well, but with a shriek. My instinct (I train horses as well), is that when he shrieks it is a fear response. When I observed him with his prior owner, I felt that she had lost his trust at some point and he was well trained enough to step up, but didn't trust that he was safe. Now, if I begin training him to come to the perch at his door (with treats- he came to grapes earlier), and only step up when he wants to, am I on the right track? If he appears to want out of his cage, he can step up without the shriek and be rewarded. Is it abuse to leave him in his cage for days if this does not happen? Especially since he has only been here for two days and is still getting used to things? Since I have gotten him, I've taken him out of his cage, set up familiar toys on a towel on a surface near his cage, and let him wander around. He seems comfortable with that. But still shrieks when I ask him to step up to leave the cage. And earlier when he stepped up off the towel he did bite me (not forcefully, it did not hurt, but I do not want to get to the point that it does). So, my question is, am I on the right track if I start training him to come to the cage door if he wants out? And not remove him if he doesn't? Is it perfectly ok with a new parrot to try to regain his trust that way? Please any hints and tips. I've done tons of research and googled as many articles and sites as I think humanly possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubletefarm Posted May 3, 2009 Author Share Posted May 3, 2009 He does make some sounds- he clucks softly like a chicken, has a strange whistle that i haven't identified what he is mimicking yet, and a very distinct hello. But, only the cluck has been meant for me to hear so far. The hello was not meant to get my attention from what i can tell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judygram Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 Why don't you try just opening his door to his cage and allow him to come out on his own to the top of his cage and maybe he will step up for you then. He may be more receptive to stepping up from that point instead of right inside his cage door. Some greys get territorial about their cages and don't like anyone putting their hands inside to get them. As far as the shrieking is concerned you will have to ignore it or if he continues to do it you can turn your back on him, they don't like to be ignored. But I think them most important thing here is to try to establish trust with him for without it you will have a very difficult time like the previous owners did. Allow him time to settle in and get to know you better and you to get to know him and it will happen but you must be patient with him for you cannot rush it or force it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubletefarm Posted May 3, 2009 Author Share Posted May 3, 2009 So it is ok if he stays in his cage for a few days if that is what he wishes while he settles in? (plus gives me time to have the playstand delivered) I don't want him to get bored and develop any other habits. He has toys in there, and at least it is something he is familiar with. He also said pretty bird about 5 minutes ago. He walked over to his dried fruit/fresh foods dish and before reaching in for something I heard a bit muffled pretty bird. His voice sounds like a computer generated sound! So cute!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judygram Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 Yes but leave his door open so he can come out if he wishes, he will probably want to be around you if you are the only one at home. You can also put a couple of toys, maybe a foot toy or two on the outside to entice him to come out on his own and do look thru the bird toys and playstand room for some ideas and suggestions for foraging toys to keep him busy, they usually like things they can destroy or chew up. He is starting to relax some now if he is saying more words, I can imagine you will hear lots more in the coming days and weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
she Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 Let him go in and out the cage as he wishes. I would just let him settle in for a few weeks before anything.As I understand he is stepping up but screaching as he does so.You are probabley right in respect of this being a fear response,but it has probabley just become a habbit.This can take some time to sort out.For now just leave him to get aquainted with his new home before even thinking of training.You may well find that as he adjusts the screaching will stop. He is feeling very insecure at the moment and has shown this by nipping you.He may not trust you enough yet to step up.When he has settled, ask him to step up on to a stick first and gradually replace this with your hand.If he goes to bite rock your hand a bit,just enough to unbalance him slightly so he concentrates on his balance and not biting.This must be done gently so as not to discorage him from stepping up.For now sit by him and talk to him and offer him treats by hand,dont stare right at him as he may see this as a threat. I share your love of horses,I had a tb/arab and a tb many years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaxtersMom Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 The others have given great advice. Leave the cage door open for him to come and go as he pleases while you are there. He will come around in his own time at his own pace. Any training that you try to do with him would probably scare him more at this point and you should NEVER punish a grey or keep one locked up for days. A grey should be out of the cage atleast 4 hours a day. But training now will only back fire on you and make you lose all trust you may have gained. Right now and for the next few weeks is a time to get to know each other, not have training sessions. As you both grow more comfortable with each other and trust each other more things will fall into place. You have already said you don't want to get bitten and your grey probably doesn't want to start out with training sessions from a stranger so both of you should try to relax and get used to one another and don't ask anything from him yet. It will all fall into place in it's own time. Training should be fun for both of you. If it's not fun, your grey probably won't accept it easily. If it's fun or exciting to him, he will be lots more co operative and willing to learn. They are highly sensitive creatures and can feel strong emotions like a small child. Right now just talk to him, sing to him, tell him about your day and give him plenty of treats. Get a small table perch and take him with you to different rooms. Let him get to know you and his new home and get relaxed a little bit. It sounds like he was very unhappy in his previous home and now is the time to let him know he can relax and everything is going to be fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubletefarm Posted May 4, 2009 Author Share Posted May 4, 2009 Ok, on that last post- question. How do I get him out of the cage without asking him to step up? His wings are clipped so he cannot fly out. The cage is about 2.5 feet off the ground. So if I do leave the cage door open (which I had done yesterday, but he almost seemed more comfortable with it closed), how will he get out and do anything with that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubletefarm Posted May 4, 2009 Author Share Posted May 4, 2009 He came out of his cage by crawling along the side. Then sat on the top of his cage for a while (there is no playtop- its a domed cage), and as I was sitting about 4 feet away, tried to fly to the ground. My heart stopped. He looked a little confused, and when I went to him he immediately stepped towards me and up to my hand, and I did put him back in his cage (no shriek- so that indicates he does do it as a fear, but that moment the fear was NOT being with me). He was also face to face with one of my cats who was lazily laying nearby. Luckily, cat stayed lazily where she was and wondered why I jumped to the rescue. Going to the pet store (went to petsmart yesterday but they don't have what I need, so will go to the avian supply store) nearby asap. Can't wait for more supplies to come by mail. Need a ladder to help him get down to the ground, and need a playstand to entertain him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvparrots Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 Much to my dismiss, my Ana Grey's breeder clipped her wings before I purchased her. Ana Grey is great about climbing all over the inside and outside of her cage, she even hangs upside down inside her cage. She climbs out the door and goes to the top of her cage and crosses over on her rope bridge to her cargo net without any problems. Sydney does climb around in his cage I assume so he should be able to go all around his cage inside and out if he wants to. Does Sydney have a favorite treat? Ana Grey loves pecans and peanuts, if I want her out I just ask her if she wants one and out she comes. If I have her in the living room and she wants to go to her cage, which is in my office, she just glides down to the floor and walks back to her cage and climbs up the furniture to get back in. I have a seed guard around the cage and she manages to get up that too. They are very intelligent and it is amazing to watch her figure out how to get where she wants to go. I can't wait until she can fly so I can quit worrying about her. If I were in your situation, I would put some of Sydney's favorite treats outside his cage, not far away, where he can see them. Tell him they are for him and see if he will try to get them on his own. Just make sure there is an easy route he can take to get there. It might take awhile for him to come out but I can't believe he wouldn't if he feels safe and comfortable. Of course this venture is supervised by you so he doesn't come out and get in trouble. Good luck, in the end, Sydney's companionship will be so worth the effort. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvparrots Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 My post was a little late, I see!!!! Congratulations on Sydney coming out of his cage. Can't wait to hear more about how things go!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
she Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 Thats fantastic he came out of the cage.Please dont rush things,just let them happen.We are talking weeks maybe months before your grey has adjusted.I am a little concerned about the cats,I recomend you have them in another room when the cage door is open for the birds safety. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubletefarm Posted May 5, 2009 Author Share Posted May 5, 2009 I'm always in the room if the cage is open. And two of the cats are declawed and can't do damage. The one that isn't declawed is too fat to care. At this moment she's slung across the back of the couch. I don't think the cats are a concern. Just something Sydney needs to get used to. Earlier I sat about a foot away from his cage, on the ground talking to him. The fat cat (Susie) came over and laid on my lap. I fed Sydney treats, so he had to come to the door and get them because I was immobilized (I really do mean fat- we've tried diets, the vet told me she HAS to go on one, but have you ever tried to put a fat cat on a diet???? one with claws???) Sydney came out again today. And he was playing with his toys quite a bit for the first time. I looked over to see him hanging by a chain and playing upside down, and then he also hung from one of his wooden toys with a bell on it and rang the bell. Still eating really well and taking treats (except the icky dried fruit that he does NOT like- all things yogurt covered are cool) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvparrots Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 Congratulations on the great progress you and Sydney are making. Sounds like he is getting comfortable in his new home and with his new companion. Can't wait to hear more about your and Sydney's journey! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judygram Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 One word of caution about the cats, the claws are not the only thing you have to be careful about with the cats, if the cat gets its mouth on the grey and breaks the skin then bacteria will get in and it could prove fatal for the grey. They have bacteria in their saliva that can make your grey very sick or even kill it so be careful with the cats getting too close to Sydney. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubletefarm Posted May 5, 2009 Author Share Posted May 5, 2009 Oh dont worry... Kitties arent allowed within range of Sydney. They quite frankly aren't interested. If he knew how to say boo! he'd probably give one or all of them a heart attack if they were nearby. They're indoor cats and once one was face to face with a pigeon and I thought for sure she was going to keel over dead. Oh my goodness! I know it is late, but I have him out before bed (after I took the pictures), and he's on top of his cage jabbering away... Lots of sounds, hellos, and a few really funny sounds. So funny! He's much more comfortable today. And I think he did Susie's meow, but I'm not sure it didn't come from her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvparrots Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 Oh the road to a great companionship is blossoming I can hear the sound of happiness and accomplishment in the tone of your words. Smashing job you're doing!!!!<br><br>Post edited by: luvparrots, at: 2009/05/05 03:45 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azzie Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 Just a suggestion...instead of a ladder, maybe a thick piece of rope with large knots and/or large wooden beads for Sydney to climb up and down with? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubletefarm Posted May 5, 2009 Author Share Posted May 5, 2009 Great suggestion. I ordered two ladders today with the multi branch perch. im not very creative or good at making things. But i do want to try to make a pvc stand so im going to go shopping soon and get supplies. 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