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Post by Kitty Kat on Mar 15, 2005 10:13:30 GMT -7
My grey's name is Koda. He was adopted by my husband and myself about 6 months ago. We have no idea of his backround, except that it wasn't good. The Vet who took him from his old owners said she thinks he is between 2-3 years old. It took us months to get him to stop saying "No No Koda Bad Bird!!" and "Stttoopp!!"while making a hissing sound. He would also scream and scream if any one would come near his cage and bite at the bars. He is getting a lot better he comes on the table and samples our food and kisses me on the lips. He talks a mile a minute, and I'm happy to say all of his screaming behaviors are done with. I am very pleased with him and don't mind him staying the way he is but would love to be able to handle him. He lets me scratch him on the head, but thats it. He never lets my husband touch him, but will let certain people that he likes for no apparent reason scratch his head too. He will walk up to people and pretend to want a head scratch and will bite them! These people do not react because I tell them not to, so they simply pull their hand away and ignore him completly. I don't ever punish him except with the evil eye and ignoring because he hates the word No or anything like it. I don't blame him for how he is but I would love it if someone could help me to be able to snuggle and hold my baby.
Thanks in advance,
Kitty Kat
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Post by Jane on Mar 15, 2005 12:53:54 GMT -7
It sounds as if the poor bird has been badly treated and shouted at in the past. Some greys don't really like to be cuddled but you seem to have come a long way with Koda already, bearing in mind what he was like to start with.
Continue with the patience and head scratching and if he isn't trained to step up, start that because once he is trained to come on your hand it makes it easier to do other things.
Jane
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Post by Kitty Kat on Mar 15, 2005 13:06:56 GMT -7
Thanks for your response. He doesn't step up. I would really like him to do this so I can move him out of the way in different situations, right now we all have to clear the room while we wait for him to climb up his cage, if I want to bring the dogs in, or people with children come over. I don't know how to teach him. He wants nothing to do with my hands, except for the head scratches. I don't know how to make him feel more comfortable. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
(P.S. I have tried hand feeding him treats and he just bites my fingers harder and harder. Then he gets bored because I don't react and walks away.)
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Post by Jane on Mar 15, 2005 15:22:27 GMT -7
Step up training can be done with your hand or a stick but he might be wary of a stick as well. You put your hand in front of his tummy, just above his feet. You gently nudge his tummy and say "step up" or something similar. The nudging should make him lift a foot because he will feel unsteady and then put it on your hand because there is nowhere else to go. At each stage give lots of praise and encouragement. The end result is that he steps onto your hand and it becomes an automatic reaction.
Hand feeding him larger items such as a slice of apple so that he can't get at your fingers might stop him biting them and teach him that hands bring him good things!
Jane
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tammy
Just Hatched
Joined: December 2010
Posts: 0
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Post by tammy on Mar 15, 2005 19:55:09 GMT -7
The book "African Grey Parrots" by Barron's is great, pages 50 & 51 are wonderful with pictures about how to handle your grey and the step-up /down commands. You may find it very useful...I did! It will take a lot of love, time & patience. Six months really isn't all that long...especially if Koda was abused. What you said about Koda putting his head down for someone to scratch and then surprising them with a bite is quite common and normal...they are known to enjoy playing that little "game"...if his head is down but he's still looking up, or his eyes are pinpointing...look out!!!!!
As Jane said, try offering him "larger" treats by hand such as a piece of cheese (not too much...but mine adores cheddar brick cheese) or a grape? I also found two other books by Barron's great called "The African Grey Parrot Handbook" and "Guide To A Well-Behaved Parrot".
Good luck!!!
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Post by lidiam on Mar 16, 2005 7:45:32 GMT -7
You sound like you're already doing everything right. Kindness and consistency is really the best way. Good on you for being so patient and loving, three years old is very young still, and he has plenty of time to get really used to you and your family and friends. He sounds quite well socialised already.
Lidia
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Post by Kitty Kat on Mar 16, 2005 10:12:25 GMT -7
Thank you all for your suggestions. I will give them all a try.  |
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