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Post: For Michell, re: African Grey

Posted by Green Lady on 9/27/10

Michell,

I was unable to respond to your post directly so I had to
start a new topic in order to answer you.

I don't know if you have any bird experience or not prior
to getting your Grey, but if you are not familiar with this
species, you will find/know that they can be very shy and
skittish with any changes in their known routine.

I know that you are probably wanting to interact with this
bird immediately as you have already stated, but my advice
would be to give this bird some time to accustom itself to
it's new environment and gain some trust in you.

Don't try getting the bird out of the cage at this point in
time, but talk to him in comforting and soothing tones of
voice through the bars. Let him learn that you are not a
threat to him, but a friend. Forcing him out of the cage
will only delay the bird trusting you and may cause more
harm than good.

As far as diet goes, introduce new foods to the bird daily
that would be more appropriate for a bird. Fresh
vegetables, some almonds or walnuts, fruits, greens and
even a homemade bird bread should be part of his new food
list. Of course you don't want the bird to go on a hunger
strike so you will have to watch that he is eating or at
least trying the new foods. If not, give him what he is
used to but in smaller amounts and add the new foods with
them.
Pellets and a quality seed mix sprinkled over the top of
the foods will help him possibly try eating the unfamiliar
foods. There really isn't any specific solution to getting
birds to try new foods other than be persistent and offer
them daily even if you think he is wasting them.
Eventually, almost all birds will learn to accept new,
healthier foods.

That's probably enough to absorb for now and I do wish you
well with your new companion. In the scheme of things, a 7
year old Grey is very young and will be around for a long
time, so don't despair if progress is slow.


Hi, I was given an 8 year old African Grey. She lived with
her first home 7 1/2 years and her second home for 6 month.
She is very unhappy. I have had her for 2 days. I know this
is normal for her, what should I do to make her transition
easier? They told me she does not eat any bird food what so
ever just what ever they ate for dinner she at too. Right
now she does not want to be taken out of her cage and she
will bite if you try. If I put a towel over my arm or have
long sleeves on I can get her out with the bite not hurting
too bad. Once she is out she is OK, but very jumpy. Any
advise would be great I want her to be a happy healthy
bird. One other thing I did notice one side of her beak
seems to have a thin over growth what causes that and what
should I do? I was also told that her first home hand fed
her until she was 3 years old. Thank you for any
suggestions, Michell

Posts on this thread, including this one

For Michell, re: African Grey, 9/27/10, by Green Lady.