.:Hello from Cristina and Monkey:.

[Cal]

Hi there! My name is Cristina, but you can call me Cal. I've been lurking the forum for a few days and I've been really impressed by the amount and the quality of the information I've found here.
I recently (4 days ago) adopted a 5-7 year old GCC from my sister's boyfriend, Will. The bird, Monkey, has been through 3 previous owners and Will, who had Monkey for a short period of time before his dog tried to attack him, needed to find him a home.
It's been a while since I've had birds, but I do have experience with them. All my previous birds were rescues, so I offered to take Monkey in and I am so glad I did.
He really is a sweetheart, you just have to take the time to get to know him. We've made quite a bit of progress in the past few days. When I first got him home he refused to leave the cage and was biting -HARD- every chance he could. Now he sits on my finger or arm for most of the day, chatting away and accepting food from my hands, with a few nips and bites here and there. I'm slowly getting to know him and his personality... He's not into head scratches... Or any kind of touching, actually. But he plays with his toys, eats well (I'm currently giving him small tastes of Harrison's pellets along with his seed and plan to eventually switch him to it), and enjoys his time spent out of the cage, whether it be on my hand or on his play gym. And honestly, with the life he's had so far, being abandoned by so many people, it's more than I expected.

So basically I'm on this forum to hopefully learn more about GCCs, since I've never owned one before, and to learn more about training, as it's something I think will really help Monkey adjust, and possibly add that bit of stability his life has been missing. My goal for him is to just be a happy, healthy, mentally stimulated parrot with a stable but enriching life.

[Pajarita]

Well, he is on the honeymoon stage so don't be surprised if he starts acting up in the near future because I feel you are rushing things a bit. All my birds came from somewhere/body else and I've found that it's always best to allow the bird to get to know the new human very slowly and that means no physical interaction for some time (which you haven't done). Parrots live all their lives with their families so they are instinctually leery of strangers (and you are a stranger) and behave as well as they can when in a new situation while they are figuring things out. But, sooner or later, they all show their true colors and pushing them into a relationship they are not ready to give is not the best way of achieving a good long term one.

Also, GCC are mainly fruit eaters in the wild and that means little protein, lots of fiber and moisture, three things you don't get with pellets so I would suggest you do more research about their wild diet because pellets are not the best dietary option for a fructivore.

[Cal]

Well I don't really feel I've been pushing him... When I come into the room, I open his cage. If he wants to come out he does and if he doesn't i don't ask him to. If he doesn't step up for me to put him on the play gym or to hang out with me, I leave him where he is until he calls for me and then I try again. I don't pick him up or force him to be where he doesn't want to be and I try to give him as many options and places to go, away from me if he wants to, as possible. And sometimes he doesn't want to be near me or move from his cage or gym and that's fine. I never force him near me and I never try to force touch on him. I offer and that's it.

I didn't want him to feel alone when I first got him home and I didn't want him to become cage bound, so I let him have the choice of coming out and hanging out with me. He chose to do so. I don't really feel like that's forcing a relationship, but I don't know. I guess it could be.

Also, I will look into the diet issue. I was told when I picked him up, by several people, that seed was incomplete and that I should start him on pellets. I will definitely research it and look at other options. I just want him to to healthy.

Thank you for the information, Pajarita, I really do appreciate it. If anyone else has more advice, I'm open to it. I really do just want him to be happy and healthy.

*EDIT: are there any fruits you suggest I give him? Any that are more nutritious than others? I'm a bit worried about the sugar content. Again, I will be researching ASAP, just wanted your opinion.

[emsy991]

I''ve found after a lot of research that pellets seem be healthier than seeds. That being said, seeds should not be totally eliminated. I think some people tend to give only seeds which is not good! Perhaps what Pajarita means is that ONLY pellets wouldnt be a good option either. Including fruits and veggies should be part of the daily diet.

[Cal]

Yes, I guess I didn't really understand what she was getting at.

Monkey has been eating about a 50/50 mix of pellets and seeds. I'd like to decrease the seeds and increase the pellets, but I won't be getting rid of them entirely.

After researching different diets and foods I can get at my local store, I've decided to use Harrison's pellets, a seed mix with safflower seeds instead of sunflower seeds, and lots and lots of fruits and veggies. So far Monkey's loving bananas, apple, grapes, broccoli, carrots, kale, and mandarin oranges, and I hope to continue expanding his diet with more types of bird safe produce.

Again, thank you, and if anyone has any more ideas/suggestions/tips I'd be so grateful. Thank you so much.

[janetafloat]

No, what Pajarita was getting at is that she doesn't believe in feeding pellets. However, there are many more people on here who do feed their birds pellets. What everyone agrees on is that a seed diet is not good. The diet you're proposing sounds good to me, and you could include cooked grains such as brown rice, groats, buckwheat etc. Sprouted or cooked pulses & beans are good too.Well done for giving Monkey a home, I hope the two of you are very happy together

[Cal]

Thank you so much! I'll have to let him try some black beans and rice, plain of course, because my family eats it all the time!
Thanks again, Monkey seems to be doing very well. He's more vocal and is spending more time out of the cage, on his play stand, and eating well.

[cml]

Thank you so much! I'll have to let him try some black beans and rice, plain of course, because my family eats it all the time!
Thanks again, Monkey seems to be doing very well. He's more vocal and is spending more time out of the cage, on his play stand, and eating well.

Pellets in combination with fresh foods is the best way to go in my opinion.