Om
Baby Bird
Joined: February 2018
Posts: 13
Pets: Moustached Parakeet, African Grey Parrot, Alexandrine Parakeet, 2 Budgerigars
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Post by Om on Feb 1, 2018 2:04:45 GMT -7
Dear members, My name is Om and I am from Kolkata (situated in the eastern part of India). I have recently got me an African Grey Parrot. However, I am not sure about her age. I have her DNA test report with me and it says that she is a female, but her age is not mentioned in that report. Can anyone please let me know? I am attaching a picture for your convenience.
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Post by Jane on Feb 1, 2018 3:19:07 GMT -7
Hello and welcome to the forum.
The eye colour is the best indicator of age but only up to about 2 years old. A baby Grey has completely black eyes with both the iris and the pupil being black. The iris starts to lighten around 6 months old and gradually changes through dark grey, pale grey and finally becomes very pale yellow. From what I can tell her eyes look pale grey but have you got a photo of the side of her face so we can see the eyes more clearly?
Jane
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Om
Baby Bird
Joined: February 2018
Posts: 13
Pets: Moustached Parakeet, African Grey Parrot, Alexandrine Parakeet, 2 Budgerigars
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Post by Om on Feb 1, 2018 6:45:12 GMT -7
Hello and welcome to the forum. The eye colour is the best indicator of age but only up to about 2 years old. A baby Grey has completely black eyes with both the iris and the pupil being black. The iris starts to lighten around 6 months old and gradually changes through dark grey, pale grey and finally becomes very pale yellow. From what I can tell her eyes look pale grey but have you got a photo of the side of her face so we can see the eyes more clearly? Jane Hi Jane, Thank you so much for your reply. Its very hard for me to take a picture of her from the side as she keeps facing me where ever I go. I guess she is afraid of me right now, as she screams like a loud crow when I try to get near her. I managed to get a couple of shots of her eyes. Please let me know if that helps. Also, how can I make her like me and not scream? Any tips would be much helpful. Thanks!
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Post by Jane on Feb 1, 2018 11:05:49 GMT -7
I think she is older than around six months. Her eyes look pale grey in the photos but how would you describe the colour of her eyes - would you say they were pale grey or pale yellow?
Jane
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Om
Baby Bird
Joined: February 2018
Posts: 13
Pets: Moustached Parakeet, African Grey Parrot, Alexandrine Parakeet, 2 Budgerigars
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Post by Om on Feb 1, 2018 11:09:01 GMT -7
Hi Jane,
Thanks for the reply.
This might sounds a bit weird, but I am not sure exactly about her eye color lol. As she wont let me near her hence, I am not able to make out.
On a different note, I am feeding her Sunflower seeds, what else should I feed or treat her with? Are fruits and veggies safe, as I heard fertilizers are used to grow them to its not safe for the bird.
Please let me know your thoughts.
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Post by susan on Feb 1, 2018 16:19:18 GMT -7
I agree with Jane, she looks older than that. she does not look relaxed which is normal in a new home. Greys can be very skittish and afraid of new things, Give her time and do not rush her or that will set you back. you may try sitting as near her as she will let you without getting her upset and just talk to her a few times a day, or sing to her while you are else where in the home to let her get use to your voice. She does need other foods vegetables and some fruits, washed well. She may not like them at first if she has not had them before but lessen the sunflower seeds and increase the good foods. Her love will be well worth the process when you win her over. My grey had some issues and it took about 2 years to win him over. Good luck with your new angel.
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Om
Baby Bird
Joined: February 2018
Posts: 13
Pets: Moustached Parakeet, African Grey Parrot, Alexandrine Parakeet, 2 Budgerigars
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Post by Om on Feb 1, 2018 17:09:18 GMT -7
I agree with Jane, she looks older than that. she does not look relaxed which is normal in a new home. Greys can be very skittish and afraid of new things, Give her time and do not rush her or that will set you back. you may try sitting as near her as she will let you without getting her upset and just talk to her a few times a day, or sing to her while you are else where in the home to let her get use to your voice. She does need other foods vegetables and some fruits, washed well. She may not like them at first if she has not had them before but lessen the sunflower seeds and increase the good foods. Her love will be well worth the process when you win her over. My grey had some issues and it took about 2 years to win him over. Good luck with your new angel. Hi Susan, Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience. I will try and follow what you have just said. I guess she needs her time to get used to the new home. Regarding her age, the seller told me that she is approximately 1 year old but I doubt that. Also, she has a ring on her right feet. What does that indicate? It has a number on it. Am I suppose to put that number on a website or something to get more details about her?
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Post by Haz on Feb 1, 2018 17:52:07 GMT -7
Welcome to the forum.
Her eyes have the yellow tinge of a bird around two. The condition of her beak is not that of a baby. Greys have a long life if they receive proper nutrition. She should eat a lot more than just sunflower seeds. If pellets are not available where you live, feed her a variety of seeds, unsalted nuts, fruit and vegetables.
The leg band is a way of identifying your bird. Different breeders have different info on the band. In the case of my Chyloe, her band has the initials of the breeder, her birth date, and CA for Canada. There is not a website for you to check out leg band information.
She will be afraid of you so you need to go slowly with her to build her trust. It will be well worth it.
Haz
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Om
Baby Bird
Joined: February 2018
Posts: 13
Pets: Moustached Parakeet, African Grey Parrot, Alexandrine Parakeet, 2 Budgerigars
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Post by Om on Feb 2, 2018 10:14:41 GMT -7
Welcome to the forum. Her eyes have the yellow tinge of a bird around two. The condition of her beak is not that of a baby. Greys have a long life if they receive proper nutrition. She should eat a lot more than just sunflower seeds. If pellets are not available where you live, feed her a variety of seeds, unsalted nuts, fruit and vegetables. The leg band is a way of identifying your bird. Different breeders have different info on the band. In the case of my Chyloe, her band has the initials of the breeder, her birth date, and CA for Canada. There is not a website for you to check out leg band information. She will be afraid of you so you need to go slowly with her to build her trust. It will be well worth it. Haz Hi Haz, Thanks for the detailed information. How can I stop her from screaming? lol I try to offer her treats (like, almonds and cashews) but she won't take it from my hand, instead, she starts screaming when I try to approach near her. How do I approach this situation? Any advice will be really helpful! Thanks very much!!
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Post by Haz on Feb 2, 2018 17:31:23 GMT -7
Go slowly with her. She is still afraid. Put the treats in her bowl until she starts to trust you. Sit beside her cage and talk to her. You can even try reading out loud so she gets used to your voice.
Haz
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Post by Thomas on Feb 2, 2018 21:43:56 GMT -7
Welcome to the forum! Grey's have a scream/growl that indicates fear. But slowly that should go away. But depending on her previous home, it can take some time. She is probably going through some trauma, leaving a familiar place and people she may have bonded to and now in a completely different place with new people.
There is a lot of good information on this forum, about what is a good diet among a lot of information that will help you win over your new friend. Can you let her out of the cage? Does she fly?
Thomas
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Om
Baby Bird
Joined: February 2018
Posts: 13
Pets: Moustached Parakeet, African Grey Parrot, Alexandrine Parakeet, 2 Budgerigars
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Post by Om on Feb 3, 2018 5:10:29 GMT -7
Go slowly with her. She is still afraid. Put the treats in her bowl until she starts to trust you. Sit beside her cage and talk to her. You can even try reading out loud so she gets used to your voice. Haz Thanks for the tip. I will try that.
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Om
Baby Bird
Joined: February 2018
Posts: 13
Pets: Moustached Parakeet, African Grey Parrot, Alexandrine Parakeet, 2 Budgerigars
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Post by Om on Feb 3, 2018 5:13:55 GMT -7
Welcome to the forum! Grey's have a scream/growl that indicates fear. But slowly that should go away. But depending on her previous home, it can take some time. She is probably going through some trauma, leaving a familiar place and people she may have bonded to and now in a completely different place with new people. There is a lot of good information on this forum, about what is a good diet among a lot of information that will help you win over your new friend. Can you let her out of the cage? Does she fly? Thomas Hi Thomas, She keeps growling whenever I try to get near her. I got her from a licensed exotic bird supplier who got her from a breeder. The supplier told me that her flight feathers are trimmed, however, I saw her jumping and sort of trying to fly from one part of the card to another when I try to get near her. I am not sure if its an actual flight or she just hops from here to there. I am not very confident if her feathers are trimmed hence, I am not too confident in taking her out of the cage. With that being said, how do I put her back inside, if I let her out? Thanks!
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Post by stef on Feb 3, 2018 11:24:25 GMT -7
Why don't you start with sitting by the cage, maybe arms length away and eating some vegetables. Then you can hold a piece out for her to take from your hand. This would probably be most successful in the morning when she gets up, as they usually eat first thing in the AM. It will help you bond and help her get used a more healthy food choice. They like to eat when you eat. Best of Luck
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Om
Baby Bird
Joined: February 2018
Posts: 13
Pets: Moustached Parakeet, African Grey Parrot, Alexandrine Parakeet, 2 Budgerigars
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Post by Om on Feb 4, 2018 0:05:40 GMT -7
Why don't you start with sitting by the cage, maybe arms length away and eating some vegetables. Then you can hold a piece out for her to take from your hand. This would probably be most successful in the morning when she gets up, as they usually eat first thing in the AM. It will help you bond and help her get used a more healthy food choice. They like to eat when you eat. Best of Luck Hi Stef, Thanks for the tip. I am surely gonna try this. However, just FYI, she wont take anything from my hand right now. Whenever I try to offer her some treats with my hand, she will start screaming as she probably thinks I am going to catch her or something. Although, I am going to try this and will let you know how this goes. Thank you so much!
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