kuku2023
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Joined: January 2023
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Post by kuku2023 on Jan 24, 2023 8:54:14 GMT -7
i have brought a 3yr old african grey, ive had her about 10 weeks now, she will happily sit on top of her cage and sing to us, she doesnt really say many words but that doesnt bother me. me and my husband can feed her treats fine she will come off the cage to have a treat. we can get her to step up off the cage with a perch and when she is out she will step onto my hand sometime she does just bite me instead and she has also tried to bite my face and my shoulder. but when my husband is near her she puffs and growls at him but hasnt once bit him or even tried to. she will only bite me. but after a while she will still be growling but will step up to my husband. we are unsure while she is doing this can anyone give advice on the best way to approach her is. my husband has taken her on her own were there isnt any sound etc and talk to her but she still doesnt stop growling. you never no when she is going to bite me as she will be sat making noises at me but then all of a sudden she bites me.i have left my arm there for her to bite instead of moving away like i got told and she didnt stop biting untill she wanted to. the people i brought her from didnt really tell us anything other than she is fully trained and not aggressive etc, i have tried speaking with them but they said im lying. which im not i dont want to have to let her go to a new home we just want to bond with her and not get bit and have her growling at my husband as though shes going to launch at him. we already have a conure and irn which are amazingly trained. my grey loves my irn
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Post by Jane on Jan 24, 2023 10:42:54 GMT -7
The behaviour of African Greys can be difficult to understand but they do tend to treat everyone in the household differently. It might be a jealousy issue but they can also treat males and females differently, some prefer males to females, some females to males. Even very tame Greys will growl at some people, although it is usually strangers. They can also growl because of all sorts of things such as clothes, hair styles, glasses etc. or something they are afraid of.
She shouldn't be biting or even trying to, especially not your face as they can do a lot of damage. I wouldn't let her just keep biting until she stops. Tell her "no biting" and put her back. Without knowing what her life was like before it is a difficult situation but 10 weeks is not all that long for a 3 year old to get used to her new home and family. It might be an idea to slow things down a bit. Spend a lot of time just talking to her. When you offer the perch tell her "step up" and then give her praise and a treat so she makes an association. After she has done this for a while try saying step up but offering your hand instead and if she steps up give her praise and a treat.
Jane
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kuku2023
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Joined: January 2023
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Post by kuku2023 on Jan 24, 2023 12:21:29 GMT -7
Yes today she tried to bite me when I tried to give her a great so I said no buying and didn't give her the treat, I have it her later once she stopped biting and told her she she s a good girl. She offered to step up off the cage when he was talking to her she lifted her foot to him so my husband let her but then she was growling etc so he put her back. Yes we're unsure of her background we don't no if she has been mishandled etc, were really trying with her but we seem to feel like we take 10 steps forward and then 10 back. We just don't understand why she doesn't like my husband he gives her treats and spends hours talking to get but tried to bite me. Greys are confusing
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Post by Jane on Jan 24, 2023 12:59:45 GMT -7
They don't necessarily prefer the person who spends the most time with them and gives them treats but I don't think she dislikes your husband, she wouldn't step up if she did dislike him and she would be more likely to bite him. There is something she doesn't like though, maybe even something he wears all the time such as a watch.
She might be biting you out of jealousy.
It could all be related to experiences with her previous owners.
Jane
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kuku2023
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Joined: January 2023
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Post by kuku2023 on Jan 24, 2023 13:23:11 GMT -7
Yes he has tried wearing different watches, earrings or none at all and, clothes etc, even a hat over his hair. I even put a wig on him in case she didn't like short hair but that didn't work haha. We thought it could be his deep voice but then a family member came up and she say with him and let him stroke her etc I really hope she settles because we love her to pieces, I was reading all over and it said if she tried to bite to keep my arm or hand there and they will learn it doesn't scare you but if I keep it there she will bite me. But she sits singing to me then bites them sings again as thought she hasn't done anything it's strange. She doesn't even look angry when she bites. And she doesn't give a warning either she just bends down and bites. My husband really wants to be friends with her but she just doesn't want that.
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Post by Haz on Jan 24, 2023 13:31:27 GMT -7
Welcome to the forum.
Greys are emotional creatures. It will take time for her to adjust to life with you. It sounds like you are trying to rush her into being friends with you. Slow down. Talk to her and don’t force her. Keep her off your shoulder so she can’t bite your face.
Haz
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kuku2023
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Joined: January 2023
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Post by kuku2023 on Jan 24, 2023 13:34:08 GMT -7
Thankyou for the advice. We Don't make her come off the cage like I say she sometimes offers her foot to a perch sometimes a hand not much but then she sees my husband and growls puffs up etc. We just can't figure out what scares her on him.
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Post by beakertrout on Jan 24, 2023 15:39:48 GMT -7
Beaker was friendly with my son when I first got him.
Then for some reason he bit him and drew blood.
My son ignored Beaker for TWO YEARS after that.
Now, Beaker yells for my son to come downstairs and play chase me.
They are buddies.
I have no idea what goes through his bird head, but I do know he craves company with my son and I.
He wants the flock around.
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kuku2023
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Joined: January 2023
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Post by kuku2023 on Jan 24, 2023 17:02:25 GMT -7
YEs I can't predict what goes through her head whatsoever, African greys confuse me  . We are going to keep trying with the advice I've had but today when I've put her to bed she has been sat making noises and mimicking everything my husband ha s been saying and not growled it puffed up at him, she has also been calling out for a great that was near her cage. I really hope she comes around and calls with biting me, I have a few marks on my arms and hands, but I just want her to feel safe and happy. |
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. We are going to keep trying with the advice I've had but today when I've put her to bed she has been sat making noises and mimicking everything my husband ha s been saying and not growled it puffed up at him, she has also been calling out for a great that was near her cage. I really hope she comes around and calls with biting me, I have a few marks on my arms and hands, but I just want her to feel safe and happy.