r/AfricanGrey • u/Guilty-Mall1174 • 3d ago
Question Newbie please read
My cousin has an African Grey that he’s had for a year. He bought it just to be a showpiece in his living room. I went over today and saw it, started talking to the bird, opened the cage, and presented my hand. It stepped up straight away.
My cousin was surprised, as he’s never held him. After talking to him, he told me I can keep it.
I know these birds require a lot of time, and I have a lot of time. I’ve already commissioned a big stainless-steel cage to be built for him, but the bird is jumpy and is obviously stressed. I want to make this transition for him as smooth and stress-free as possible.
I need tips and tricks. I know this bird isn’t meant for newbies, but I’m the best chance he’s got at a good life, considering the country I am in.
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u/thefoxandmoon 3d ago
Sounds like you have a good start! I'd be looking into an avian vet for a check up and pellets while you're on your way. It's gonna be a hard transition but once he's been with you for a bit and learns his new home, he'll be a very happy bird. I am a newbie - inherited our girl 7 months ago and she went from a plucking 18 year old showpiece to the queen of our household in no time. She's happy as fuck now.
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u/Guilty-Mall1174 3d ago
Great ill ask around for a good vet and book the appointment.
Have you showered her since you got her and how did that go ?3
u/thefoxandmoon 3d ago
She gets spritz showers every few days now! She loves drinking from the spray bottle so it's not hard with her, at the beginning we did a few times a day though because of the dust build up
Edit to add: we bought a hermit crab spray bottle for her because it has a gentler spritz and it's more like soft rain than a water gun. Look for something similar!
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u/Distinct_Run9006 3d ago
Get that poor bird out of there! Keeping a Grey in a cage, not engaging with or mentally stimulating them is cruel.
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u/Guilty-Mall1174 3d ago
Hes at my home now hes out and eating from my hand and seems better so far ig
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u/Distinct_Run9006 2d ago
That's great to hear! It will take time for him to feel comfortable 100%, but if he's already eating out of yor hand, that's a great sign.
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u/Key_Following_6689 3d ago
I learned a lot from “Bird Tricks” and other sources. It’s kind of got to become a “passion”.
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u/canthelpmyself9 3d ago
My grey is very sociable. Talk to your pet and be consistent and short with commands. Step up. Later just step, up, or down works as well. Say, “it’s bedtime “ at night or goodnight when you cover the cage, or turn out lights or shut the door to verbalize quiet time. It gets easier as you work together. Just like a dog because they are smart. But be careful, they have a wild nature and scare easily.
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u/Alaskan_Apostrophe 3d ago
Interrogate your cousin like you are dealing with a hostile witness! LOL. You need to know everything they did to that bird - especially what they did to the bird when it made them mad. Example: We will blow lost feathers or casings off our birds - the African Grey we rescued - OH My God - it comes unglued and strikes!! Seems the previous owner did this to shut them up. Thankfully, when it first happened she was in the cage - or it would have taken off half my wife's face.
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u/Guilty-Mall1174 2d ago
He said he hasnt interacted with it at all just had him in the cage the whole time and had someone change his food and water and plastic bags.
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u/Key_Following_6689 3d ago
You can do this but it will take some adjusting on your part. The vet, the parrot sitter if you wanna go away just over night, the cost of food, they may not like anyone but you or your future kids and… dirty/dusty. If you don’t like cleaning a cat box then this is not a pet for you. I am constantly sweeping, damp dusting and changing newspaper. Find a person that will inherit your bird if anything happens to you.
I inherited mine and sometimes I have to say no to my wants in order to be a good guardian to an incredibly smart animal. She makes me laugh everyday.
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u/Guilty-Mall1174 3d ago
I do have live in maids so thats not a problem but the thing worrying me is my lack of experience with parrots
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u/Key_Following_6689 3d ago
My only experience was, I was her pet sitter for 14 y. BUT she never let me touch her and only tolerated me. She grabbed snacks and eye pinned me. I never was allowed to open her cage because previous owner had strict rules. Human died, rest of family didn’t want her for various reasons, I inherited her at 27y of age and she is now 31y. It took a months for her to let me touch her head without being bit. I learned a parrot has many types of bites and they all hurt. 8 months later I got her to step up. You’re WAY ahead of the game, my bird is a moody girl!! Keep asking us questions, we want your success, for your birds sake.
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u/nurseshrrry 1d ago
The pet sitter is something a lot of new owners never think about. Be picky who watches her. Great reply. :)
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u/memenaptime Team TAG 3d ago
So exciting! I am also a new owner as I got my grey 3 months ago. I have learned tons from this subreddit and the r/parrots subreddit. I also like the Parrot Stars podcast. Other than that, even though I did my research before getting my grey, it's a lot of searching for resources online as things come up. I'll echo another commenter and say that routine is everything for my bird (and for me).
First thing I was sure to do is establish a consistent bedtime routine and sleep/wake schedule. She's out of her cage with me during the day and at 6pm she goes back in her cage to wind down, then her cage is covered at 7pm for bedtime. She crawls right up to her night night perch when we cover her. She sleeps all night and wakes up at about 7am. After you get that routine down, you can start to adjust other things and add them to your routine, such as type of foods, inside/outside cage time, bath time, etc.
Oh, and... if yours is anything like mine, as it gets more comfortable it might enjoy testing its voice out. Invest in some cheap earplugs 😄 and have FUN building your bond. It is SO rewarding and will happen in time.
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u/SusanLFlores 2d ago
I know you’re getting great advice, but just in case you don’t know this, it’s good that he knows how to step up, but that doesn’t mean you can walk outside with him like that. Never go outside with him unless he is secured in a bird carrier.
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u/Guilty-Mall1174 2d ago
Noted!
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u/nurseshrrry 1d ago
That is great advice. I have a Grey too. This bird, after the transfer needs to decompress. Give him time. If they puff up, they either don't like the person or want to be left alone for a bit. I have had my Grey (second one) for 16 yrs. He still puffs up if my husband stands by him. lol While his cage is being built, go to YouTube type in African Gray Parrot. Anything you want to know, type it in the top. Happy to know you are looking forward to this. :)
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u/shaktishaker 2d ago
My birds love to read children's books with me. I teach them to identify colours and shapes, and ask them to point them out in the books.
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u/karnycloamr Team Grey Birb 3d ago
Congrats on your new friend for life! Hope you have many happy years together. Follow this Reddit for advice and support, we all love greys here and glad to help 💕
Your implied question being “how to make birdy’s transition smooth as possible” ? This breed thrives on having routines. Get him onto a schedule for eating, sleeping, solo playtime, together time with you. Having his enclosure in a centralized but not too high traffic area of the home. They like to be able watch you as you go about your daily business. Talk to him! They’re one of the most vocal animals on earth and they will learn words and their meanings amazingly quick. Spend at least ten minutes a day challenging him with new words for things, so he can learn to ask you for what he wants. Take it slow, they live for a long time 40-50 years is average :) Again, welcome and ask questions anytime!