Bird screams

[12ozBirdBoner]

Hey my african gray freaks out whenever it's near something trippy looking, is this normal?

[Wolf]

Most birds, including African Greys are terrified of strange new objects, so this is very much a normal behavior. To get past this if the thing is not for the bird, keep it away from the bird. If it is bird safe and for the bird put the item across the room from the bird and move it a little closer to the bird once a week, letting the bird see you play with it from across the room from it. If the bird shows any sigh of nervousness then keep the object at a distance from the bird. It can take a long time for a Grey to accept a strange object being near to it. It has taken me up to three months to get my Grey to accept a piece of natural tree branch so that I could put it near enough to her for her to touch it and then another two weeks to get her to touch it. So introduce all new things very slowly to your bird.

[Pajarita]

Wolf is correct but, in my personal opinion and experience, although all birds tend to be afraid of new things, grays are worse - they are naturally high-strung and I guess that makes them more prone to fears and phobias than other parrots.

[Wolf]

I have heard this about Grey's, from several different sources, but I can't say one way or the other, yet. Most of that will have to come through research as I am not planning on any increases in my flock of birds. I currently have only one Grey parrot and I have noted that she takes much longer than my other birds to accept any new object near her. She is also more loyal and protective of me than any of the others as well. She will even brave some of her fears if she thinks that I need her protection.