New African Grey Owner Checking In

[ArtVandelay]

Hello all,

New to the site and thought I would say hello from Louisiana and give you all a little backstory. I just recently decided I was ready to get a new friend. I previously had a mustache parakeet and a Severe Macaw, but when I split with my ex the birds went with her I found out through a friend of a friend that a family was looking to rehome their 2 year old Timneh African Grey, Zydeco. Upon visiting and handling the bird I decided Zydeco seemed like a good fit for me. I brought him home Sunday and put him in a bigger cage I had available at my house. He seems content in the cage, he is eating fine and will eat treats out of my hand. Ever since I put him in the new cage he seems a little more aggressive with me. He bonded with the female of the previous family so he can be a nippy with me and seems to do better with my sister and mother. Any tips on getting him out of the cage without him trying to bite me? I would like to take him out and start working with him a little but I don't want to force the issue and have him dislike me more. Any suggestions, am I trying to do too much too soon?

[ArtVandelay]

Here's a few pictures I took the other day, while he was still being sweet with me.

[Eric&Rebecca]

Welcome!

So adorable! Looks really healthy too! Glad you rehomed

[janetafloat]

He's gorgeous! Well done you for rehoming. There's loads of good information on here - check out Michael's 'basic training' here: http://trainedparrot.com/Taming/
Give him time, it's very early days yet.

[pennyandrocky]

it's too soon to try to handle him he's only 2 you still have many years with him so slow down. open the door and let him come out. put his cage next to a comfortible seat put your hand out and let him explore on his own when he gets to where there's no hesitation then slowly work on touching and gaining trust before trying to pick him up.

[ArtVandelay]

I did some target training with him today and he seems to be responding very well. I can use my finger instead of a dowel. He will follow my finger anywhere, touch it with his beak, and take his treats from my hand. The problem comes when I attempt to have him step up. He looks as if he is testing my hand for sturdiness then he latches on a squeezes hard enough to break skin. Should I just continue with the target training for a few more days before trying to have him step up again.

[pionus]

Hi! is your grey a timneh?

it sounds like from your last post that he just needs to get used to your hand. he may not know that it is safe. but then again, i am no bird expert, just my few cents.

all the best with your new bird just the same!

[ArtVandelay]

Yes he is a Timneh. We actually made a little more progress tonight. I eventually coaxed Zydeco out of the cage and sat down in a triangle with my mother and sister. We took turns making him step up from one person to the other and rewarded him each time with a click and a treat. He only attempted to bite once or twice in a 10 minute span.

[independentminded]

Hello all,

New to the site and thought I would say hello from Louisiana and give you all a little backstory. I just recently decided I was ready to get a new friend. I previously had a mustache parakeet and a Severe Macaw, but when I split with my ex the birds went with her I found out through a friend of a friend that a family was looking to rehome their 2 year old Timneh African Grey, Zydeco. Upon visiting and handling the bird I decided Zydeco seemed like a good fit for me. I brought him home Sunday and put him in a bigger cage I had available at my house. He seems content in the cage, he is eating fine and will eat treats out of my hand. Ever since I put him in the new cage he seems a little more aggressive with me. He bonded with the female of the previous family so he can be a nippy with me and seems to do better with my sister and mother. Any tips on getting him out of the cage without him trying to bite me? I would like to take him out and start working with him a little but I don't want to force the issue and have him dislike me more. Any suggestions, am I trying to do too much too soon?

The best thing to do is to take your time and not rush things. Your new Timneh African Grey Parrot looks so cute! Good luck with him, and have lots of fun!