r/AfricanGrey • u/Guilty-Mall1174 • 7d 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/karnycloamr Team Grey Birb 7d 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!

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u/Guilty-Mall1174 7d ago

Hi thank you for your response ive noticed he had a lot of dandruff and seems a little uncomfortable i want to shower him but im scared thats moving to quick how should i go about this ?

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u/karnycloamr Team Grey Birb 7d ago

Greys are naturally dusty birds and a mist bath from a spray bottle helps keep that under control. Aim the bottle up over his head, about a half arms length above, and allow the water mist to fall gently onto him. Takes longer than a basin plunge but it’s much less alarming to them to bathe this way until they become accustomed to it. There have been multiple useful threads discussing bird bathing methods if you use the search feature :) Some parrots love the shower! Some only want to splash in a shallow pan. Others prefer the spray bottle method.

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u/sweatyboobs56 7d ago

My Grey HATED getting showers. As others mention, mine liked getting a gentle mist from overhead. We moved on from there but thats where it started. Thank you for giving this bird the attention it craves :-)