Ruby our first parrot | African Grey Parrot Boards

rubythegirl
Just Hatched

Joined: November 2016
Posts: 2

Ruby our first parrot Nov 26, 2016 0:46:00 GMT -7 via mobile

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Post by rubythegirl on Nov 26, 2016 0:46:00 GMT -7

Hello everyone,
My wife and I bought a 3yrs old Timneh African grey girl 4 days ago. She started coming on our shoulders at very first minute and really bonded with us specially with me. We really love her and believe she will be with us forever although today she bit my wife finger and caused bleeding We had guests over last night and she was really happy about it and danced and talked a bit for the first time and went on everybody's arm and shoulders. At dinner when I put her back in her cage she came to the door and wanted to come out but we didn't pay attention. After 5 mins my wife realized she is vertically hiding half of her body in her food bowl head down and not moving. My wife tought she is dead at the beginning but I saw she is breathing. She stayed in her food bowl for bowl for a coupke of seconds, i opened her cage and then she came out and was happy again. Today, we went out and when we came home and said hi to her, we went to her cage and she did the same put her body in the food bowl half way. Opened the cage she came out, when we wanted to go to bed and we put her back i. The cave she did the same act agand again. Sorry for the long note but does anyone know why she is doing this? Could she be upset? Thanks

Jane
Global Moderator

Mitzi and Monty

Joined: January 2005
Posts: 10,610

Ruby our first parrot Nov 26, 2016 4:33:52 GMT -7

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Post by Jane on Nov 26, 2016 4:33:52 GMT -7

Hello and welcome to the forum.
She probably wants to be out with you all the time but she has to learn that there are times when she has to go in the cage. Give her a treat when you put her in the cage and make sure she has plenty of toys, especially ones she can chew up as they all seem to enjoy chewing and shredding paper and cardboard.
I would be careful having her on shoulders because they can lunge for a face and bite very hard.

Jane

Somewhere in another universe, dear brother, you got saved.

beakertrout
Super Talker

happy

Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,012

Ruby our first parrot Nov 26, 2016 10:49:49 GMT -7

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Post by beakertrout on Nov 26, 2016 10:49:49 GMT -7

Welcome to the forum.

You are very trusting to let a "can opener with an attitude" sit on your shoulder right off.

I didn't allow Beaker to sit on my shoulder for almost 2 years and I got him as a "baby".

I did work with him constantly (still do) making my hands like a ladder and having him climb them.

I taught him a "safe" word, "GENTLE" so that he does not bite down hard during horseplay, which he seems to respect.

He has also learned that my ears and facial parts are "off limits".

As for your bird being goofy with her food bowl, I would make a game of it.

Haz
Moderator

Chyloe

Joined: October 2006
Posts: 3,280

Ruby our first parrot Nov 27, 2016 10:22:45 GMT -7

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Post by Haz on Nov 27, 2016 10:22:45 GMT -7

Her trick with the bowl gained her what she wanted. You let her out of the cage. These birds are so intelligent. When they find that something works, they will keep doing it.

I used to let my first grey ride on my shoulder. He usually behaved himself apart from pulling my earrings out. Most vets discourage them from being on the shoulder because they can bite hard. My current grey rides around on my arm which makes it harder to do things one-handed. She hasn't tried to go on my shoulder since she was a baby.

Haz

Max, CAG (In my heart forever)
Taz, Tiel (Rest in peace my sweet girl)
Chyloe, CAG

rubythegirl
Just Hatched

Joined: November 2016
Posts: 2

Ruby our first parrot Dec 2, 2016 21:11:54 GMT -7 via mobile

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Post by rubythegirl on Dec 2, 2016 21:11:54 GMT -7

Thanks everyone for your comments. We are trying to teach her not to go on shoulders which is very difficult since she is a stubborn girl. Ruby has started to show some changes in her attitude and it is really hard for us to understand her behaviour. While she had a good relationship with my wife and never tried to go on her finger or shoulder the other day when I went upstairs for a minute she attacked her and bite her ear. From that day she is chasing my wife when she gets a chance and try to fly on her head. She is bonding with me strongly and although she bites sometimes "not too hard" she deals with me in better way and already regurgitating when she is with me. In past 2 days she started going a bit wild and I can't stop her from doing things that she is not supposed to do when she is out. We really love her, she is funny and cute. Now my question is if she is jealous of my wife and that's the reason she dive bombs her or it is a phase. I really appreciate you spend your time reading and commenting. If she keeps doing this we may end up thinking of rehoming her.

beakertrout
Super Talker

happy

Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,012

Ruby our first parrot Dec 2, 2016 21:37:40 GMT -7

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Post by beakertrout on Dec 2, 2016 21:37:40 GMT -7

The "honeymoon" is coming to an end.

Shoulder sitting is a privilege in my book and it is earned.

Sounds like your bird is testing the limits and picking out friends and not so friends or finding great fun in terrorizing your wife.

The regurgitating I walk away from and don't encourage it.

Last Edit: Dec 2, 2016 21:38:03 GMT -7 by beakertrout

Jane
Global Moderator

Mitzi and Monty

Joined: January 2005
Posts: 10,610

Ruby our first parrot Dec 3, 2016 5:06:32 GMT -7

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Post by Jane on Dec 3, 2016 5:06:32 GMT -7

It is common for them to pick a favourite person and she has chosen you. She is regurgitating for you because she sees you as her mate and she sees your wife as a rival. They usually do have a different relationship with each family member. Discourage the regurgitating either by ignoring it or by distracting her with a toy. Try getting your wife to be the only person who gives her treats.

Jane

Last Edit: Dec 3, 2016 5:07:03 GMT -7 by Jane

Somewhere in another universe, dear brother, you got saved.