lena
Just Hatched
Joined: June 2005
Posts: 0
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hector
Jun 2, 2005 6:52:38 GMT -7
Post by lena on Jun 2, 2005 6:52:38 GMT -7
today i was given as a gift hector.an african grey....I know nothing about parrots. what i should care about the most?
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hector
Jun 2, 2005 7:37:05 GMT -7
Post by Jane on Jun 2, 2005 7:37:05 GMT -7
I have just put some information about diet on the Food and Health board which should help. How tame is he? They do need quite a lot of company and attention. You also have to be careful what you use in the house, no air fresheners, scented candles, that sort of thing. Non stick cookware must not be overheated. African Greys can be quite nervous about new things so if you get any new toys for him be careful how you introduce them.
Jane
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lena
Just Hatched
Joined: June 2005
Posts: 0
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hector
Jun 2, 2005 7:54:29 GMT -7
Post by lena on Jun 2, 2005 7:54:29 GMT -7
I have him at the office...I should leave in about an hour. Shall I take him home with me today? And what about the car? I live in Athens which is quite hot? What about the temperature?
many thanks
lena
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hector
Jun 2, 2005 8:26:33 GMT -7
Post by Jane on Jun 2, 2005 8:26:33 GMT -7
Don't let him get too hot, he will pant and hold his wings out if he gets too hot in the car but presumably he is used to living in Athens?
Jane
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ranae
Weaned Todd
Okay, I'm ready for my close-up! I've always thought my right side was the most photogenic!
Joined: March 2005
Posts: 86
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hector
Jun 2, 2005 17:50:11 GMT -7
Post by ranae on Jun 2, 2005 17:50:11 GMT -7
A quick question about air fresheners...
As I mentioned in a previous post (the one where we all talked about our various pets) I do have quite a few animals. I am also a neat freak, and so I am constantly cleaning and freshening the apartment in an effort to avoid unpleasant odors. I have been using cleaning agents such as orange pledge, febreze, oust air sanitizer, lysol, and carpet fresh vacuum baking soda. I make an effort to avoid using these products overly much around Pearl, but from the sound of what you said, Jane, maybe I should avoid them altogther? I would never want to harm her in any way by exposing her to unhealthy things. What are the side effects? How can these be avoided? Thanks so much!
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hector
Jun 3, 2005 1:42:51 GMT -7
Post by Jane on Jun 3, 2005 1:42:51 GMT -7
It is because their respiratory systems are very sensitive so anything that goes into the air, especially the chemical compounds from cleaning and freshening agents, is potentially harmful and possibly toxic. I actually don't use any aerosol type cleaners or air fresheners. I use the wipe type of cleaners.
Jane
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hector
Jun 3, 2005 4:29:05 GMT -7
Post by lidiam on Jun 3, 2005 4:29:05 GMT -7
Hi Lena,
The temperature in Athens, even during the hottest summer days, will be fine for Hector. Just don't put him in direct sunlight, or on a balcony where traffic fumes could affect him. The smog in Athens is pretty bad during hot weather, so make sure there is good ventilation wherever you put his cage (although, he should not be in a draught).
Did you have any idea someone was going to give you an AG as a present? How do you feel about the commitment to Hector?
By the way, great name! Hector, son of Priam?
Lidia
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hector
Jun 3, 2005 8:44:52 GMT -7
Post by lidia on Jun 3, 2005 8:44:52 GMT -7
Hi Lidia,
...I really had no idea...I m a little bit afraid. I know nothing about parrots...the problem is that he was in a pet shop (only God knows for how long). He looks afraid and he makes a strange sound when i m trying to go close to him...i dont know what to do....I want him to feel comfortable and safe...
yes...hector. a brave name for a beatiful new friend
thanks for the tips
lena
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hector
Jun 3, 2005 8:58:33 GMT -7
Post by Jane on Jun 3, 2005 8:58:33 GMT -7
Lena If you spend as much time with him as you can, talk to him and reassure him, he will be okay. He is bound to be unsettled to start with and is most likely making the noises to try and keep you away but don't be put off. Be confident around him because if he thinks you are nervous of him he will pick it up.
Jane
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hector
Jun 3, 2005 9:07:30 GMT -7
Post by Jane on Jun 3, 2005 9:07:30 GMT -7
Dear Jane,
When is the right moment to touch him or at least try to?
lena
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hector
Jun 3, 2005 10:34:16 GMT -7
Post by Jane on Jun 3, 2005 10:34:16 GMT -7
The best way to start is to offer him food such as a nut or a piece of apple through the cage bars and see how he responds to that. If he fluffs his feathers up, don't try to touch him. You can try putting your hand towards him, he might put his head down for you to stroke it but it depends how tame he is and whether he was used to people touching him when he was in the pet shop.
Jane
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hector
Jun 5, 2005 15:21:30 GMT -7
Post by lidiam on Jun 5, 2005 15:21:30 GMT -7
Hi again Lena,
I hope you and Hector are getting used to one another.
As Jane said, take your time. Be very patient, these are long-lived, intelligent animals, and need consistency, affection, gentleness and attention.
Describe how he looks. What colour are his eyes, for instance? This can give an indication of his minimum age, although not his actual age.
Young AGs have dark grey eyes. As they get older, their eyes gradually turn straw coloured (with a dark iris), until at about two years of age the eyes have lightened considerably. If Hector's eyes are straw coloured, then he is at least two years old.
However, this is very young still, especially in an animal that can live 40-60 years. I hope you haven't fainted, Lena, it'll be all right!
Tell us about Hector as you get used to him.
Lidia
ps. Also, and I would welcome comment on this from anyone who knows, it is my experience with my own CAG, Joshua (who will be sixteen in a little over a week and who I've had since he was weaned) that the colouration of AG feathers changes slightly over time, becoming a slightly paler overall shade of grey.
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hector
Jun 7, 2005 5:46:07 GMT -7
Post by lidia on Jun 7, 2005 5:46:07 GMT -7
hi Lidia from a rather hot Athens,
news from hector
I think that he is over 2 years old. His eyes are almost yellow. He doesnt seem to feel comfortable in this, new for him, situation. He is yelling at me everytime he sees me. He refuse to eat anything from my hand. I talk to him as much as i can. I have already bought for gim new toys...I feel a little stress. the other thing is that fidel, my 9 years old sar pei, feels a little jouleaus...the weird thing is that hector is not afraid of the dog....
anyway, i guess it takes some time for him to feel better
thanks for everything
lena
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hector
Jun 7, 2005 6:07:49 GMT -7
Post by lidiam on Jun 7, 2005 6:07:49 GMT -7
Hi Lena, Yes, it will take time. Remember, you have no idea how he was treated in the petshop he came from, or where he was before that. Be patient. Actually, I think it's quite good that you have a dog already, as it will give Hector something else to concentrate on and he will notice that you are loving with the dog. Really, these AGs are very intelligent, as soon as he settles in, you will see just how much so he is. It'll take a while for him to eat from your hand, but do keep trying. Maybe pop something in the cage bars for him to take once you walk away, something nice. A grape or piece of orange, maybe. Or a piece of cooked potato. As to the shouting, what exactly do you mean? Is he growling at you? Or does he panic if you approach the cage and start trying to get away from you? Or does he shout to get attention? If he does this last, it is entirely different and is a 'contact call', something flock birds (as AGs are in the wild) do. He may be contact calling for someone he used to live with, or even for the petshop. Talk to him if he contact calls, it will comfort him. These birds have long memories, and if he is missing someone or something, it will take a while for him to adjust. On the other hand, he may be contact calling to you already. Just be patient, and understanding, things I am sure you already are as you have another pet. Lena, could I ask you please not to log into the forum using my name, as it is rather strange for me to see that I have posted something when I know I haven't! Use your own name, or another, and I will still see if you have have left a message for me. Better still, register and join the forum as a member! There are people here with a vast wealth of parrot experience, and many of them have entire menageries of animals! You'd be very welcome here and it is a great place to get good and sensible advice about Hector and also a great place to discuss his progress. Keep in touch. Lidia
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