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nicky
Just hatched
Joined: 20 Jul 2006
Posts: 46
Location: South Africa |
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Hi there Im new to fluffies and was hoping someone could help.  I have a 1yr old Congo Grey I bought him when he was 4 months. Although he is very attatched to me ans o loving, about 2 weeks ago he started a new nipping bad habit. When he is on my shoulder, climbs down and hangs under my arm on my clothes. I dont think he means to but when he tries to get a grip while swinging, his beak pinches my skin and its sooooo sore - its not a bite though. Then when I say NO and try to move him up he screams and then does try and bite my hand. I was told by the breeder, I should say no and tap/flick his beak if he does something bad - this just seems to frustrate him more.
Any suggestions? Would be great! |
Thursday July 20, 2006 9:06 am |
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Gemma
Flier
Joined: 23 May 2006
Posts: 846
Location: Essex, England |
Hi there and welcome 2 fluffies My Senegal does that and although they r just trying to play it does hurt lol  u need 2 let him know that this is wrong though as if you dont the problem is going to get worse and worse. When Poppet does this i put him down and ignore him until he comes to me i hope this helps and good luck |
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Thursday July 20, 2006 9:55 am |
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nicky
Just hatched
Joined: 20 Jul 2006
Posts: 46
Location: South Africa |
Hi,Thanks for the advice. I figured he was just playing but when I do try say No, just seems to make him more upset. Last night everytime he nipped me I put him back in his cage. So i'll just keep trying that one.
Any suggestions on how to get them to interact more with other people? |
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Thursday July 20, 2006 10:05 am |
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Sue
Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 10102
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Yikes, I'm not sure about what your breeder said!  Tapping the beak can trigger even more agression. This is what I've found out with Zazu. He got madder & madder.. It didn't work for me, the whole beaktapping thing!
Instead, try to distract his attention with some toy, and reward him if he's sitting straight..
Good luck!
PS By the way, welcome to fluffies! |
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Thursday July 20, 2006 10:47 am |
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nicky
Just hatched
Joined: 20 Jul 2006
Posts: 46
Location: South Africa |
Hi,
Thank You. The tapping doesnt work for me either - he just screams and moves his head away and I end up feeling bad and we both get upset. Does the toy and treat really work that well? Im going to give it a try.... |
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Thursday July 20, 2006 10:58 am |
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Sue
Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 10102
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Hi Nicky.. I can understand your frustration and you feeling bad. I felt bad too! All I got was a bird that was VERY upset. And indeed, Zazu was screaming too!
Please use a toy that's non treatening, that he likes. I'm sure he'll sit upright when he sees it? Then reward him..
It might take some time.. But I'll think you'll get there!
Let us know what comes out.. |
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Thursday July 20, 2006 11:02 am |
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nicky
Just hatched
Joined: 20 Jul 2006
Posts: 46
Location: South Africa |
Yes Trego can be so sweet but when he does do thing he should Im not sure how to handle it because I know the beack tapping doesnt work and raising voices definately doesnt - which I know not to do. It does get difficult when he nips me and its so sore I get a fright and will say No in a cross and loud voice that does scare him.
Feel so bad cause I dont mean to.
Im definately going to try the treat and/or toy idea cause he has favorites.
Thanks 4 the advise. |
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Thursday July 20, 2006 11:09 am |
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Chaquita's Mom
Experienced flier
Joined: 29 Jun 2005
Posts: 1028
Location: Pennsylvania, USA |
Maybe letting him swing under your arm is something you shouldn't do. I'm not sure he understands what he's doing wrong. To pull himself up comes naturally and if he accidentally pinches your skin in the process he can't help that much.
As far as him interracting with other people, be prepared for it to not happen  Greys attach themselves to one person in most cases and won't let anyone else touch them. That is just their nature. Same with Amazons. They are more independant and are quite happy with just one person. They are probably the most antisocial parrots out there  Sure they'll talk up a storm to just about anyone but don't touch them  If you teach them when they're young to allow more people to handle them then you might get a more social bird, no guarantees though. They also lean towards a certain sex too. My bird, Amazon, she'll tollerate other females, but not males. Keep that in mind too  |
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Thursday July 20, 2006 2:32 pm |
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nicky
Just hatched
Joined: 20 Jul 2006
Posts: 46
Location: South Africa |
Oh, I dont want him(not actually if its male) to swing on my arm - its just a new thing he came up with on his own . Its not pleasant for me at all.  Its only been going on for the past week or so, Im going to try distracting him tonight and hope it helps.
Well he will let my dad and occasionally my mom scratch his head. seems to like my dad who always talks to him. But wont go to my boyfriend unless he has food that Trego wants but he isnt aloud to touch him, I feel bad though because its supposed to be our bird and would be nice if he would interact mor with him. |
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Thursday July 20, 2006 2:42 pm |
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Chaquita's Mom
Experienced flier
Joined: 29 Jun 2005
Posts: 1028
Location: Pennsylvania, USA |
Did you do much research on greys and their personalities before you purchased him? Maybe you'll have to do what I did, I got a conure for this reason. I knew my amazon was a one person bird but I couldn't pass her up. Her owner gave her to me, no cost! Plus I educated myself for a few years prior anticipating the day I actually get a bird. I initially wanted a grey but I couldn't pass up a free amazon That's just a no brainer Some of the smaller species parrots have HUGE personalities in their little packages Plus, they'll let just about anyone hold them. Anyone who has one parrot, usually within a year they end up with at least one more It's an addiction |
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Thursday July 20, 2006 3:17 pm |
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nicky
Just hatched
Joined: 20 Jul 2006
Posts: 46
Location: South Africa |
Yes I did know that they are more of a one person bird, but also heard that if you socialise them when they young, they are likely to be friendly with other people.I had the chance to buy him from someone where we new he came from good breeding, and had wanted a grey for a while, plus was a bonus he was still very young(4 months) . If Im not at home or in the room, he does socialise a bit more - depending on his mood.Of course I dont regret buying him at all though!
Im not sure what Trego would think about another parrot in the house so at the moment Im happy with just him.
Posted a picture - not the best quality though unfortunately. |
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Friday July 21, 2006 6:45 am |
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chispleeze
Flier
Joined: 14 Jul 2005
Posts: 475
Location: Upstate NY |
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Hi Nickey, I have a 10 year old named Smokey that I've had since she was a baby. She bonded to me as a baby but later switched loyalties to hubby even though he's NEVER cleaned her cage, bought her toys, made her birdie bread and bean mixes, Cut up thousands of pieces of fruits and veggies.....  She will let him hold her, scritch her head, tries to feed him... she also tolerates much more touching from my son than my daugher or I. I guess she just likes men. I love her to death though and we do interact all the time talking, singing, etc. She occasionally lets me scritch her head but does not want me touching her like hubby. So just be careful, if Trego's bonded to you now, enjoy it and accept that Greys just are not as outgoing with other people as some other species.
As for the swinging on your arm. Smokey used to do that to. Though she doesn't like cuddling from me she does know to step up and down with me when told. When she'd swing like that I'd just move to her cage, sofa, counter, whatever was nearby and make her step down. Then I'd have her step back up on my hand so she knew that was okay, but sleever swinging was not. If Trego won't step down maybe practicing some step up and downs for a bit will help to keep you in control.
Robin |
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Friday July 21, 2006 4:05 pm |
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