Need help with Timneh African Grey

MissyMe

New member
May 9, 2007
9
0
Ft Walton Beach, FL
Parrots
Rocky The Cockatiel
Bourbon the Budgie
&
Buzz the Timneh African Grey
Hi All, I am new to the forums here and my name is Karen 

My husband and I are going to look at a 7 year old female Timneh African Grey Parrot tomorrow after we saw it advertised in our local newspaper. It is 600 dollars and comes with its own very large cage plus accessories. We spoke to the lady who owns it tonight and apparently the bird is in very good health (she sent us pics as well to confirm this) and has a good vocabulary. She is selling it because her family is to busy to spend time with it.

The only real drawback is that she said that the bird is very protective of its cage especially when it is sitting outside on top of it. Once the bird gets away from the cage she is fine and loving. Is it possible at the age the bird is to break this protective behaviour?
 

TexDot33

Bird poop and baby poop
Dec 26, 2006
2,576
Media
4
10
New Hampshire USA
Parrots
15 year-old Sun Conure: Hamlet &
14 year-old Green-Cheeked Conure: Mac
OH BOY ... CAGE AGGRESSION!! Never a fun thing, but I wonder if this bird might be cage aggressive because she is in there all the time -- you said that the current owner does not have enough time for her ... hence leaving her in the cage all the time ... I wonder if more out of cage time will help ...

I will defer to Peta, our resident grey expert/owner/slave (and welcome wagon driver) maybe she can shed some light on this subject...
 
OP
M

MissyMe

New member
May 9, 2007
9
0
Ft Walton Beach, FL
Parrots
Rocky The Cockatiel
Bourbon the Budgie
&
Buzz the Timneh African Grey
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #3
That would be great thanks.

My hubby and I are also thinking along the lines that her protectiveness comes from a lack of attention as well. I know that if we were to get this bird she would be given alot of love, attention and deffinately will be spoilt. I do not work so I will be here with her throughout the day so the limelight will always be on her.
 

TexDot33

Bird poop and baby poop
Dec 26, 2006
2,576
Media
4
10
New Hampshire USA
Parrots
15 year-old Sun Conure: Hamlet &
14 year-old Green-Cheeked Conure: Mac
Also please do not forget about just how intelligent this specific bird can be ... challenge it, give her lots of toys ... provide lots of activities and lots of things to chew ... the other thing to think about is, yes an owner can tell you that a bird is healthy, and can show pictures with no outward sign of problems ... but, maybe, just maybe there is something medical going on ... do you have an avian vet that you can get a second opinion on this bird from as well?
 

Minzer84

New member
Mar 14, 2007
470
0
Massachusetts
Parrots
Iggy- YCA
Yea, Tex is right (for once :p ). Pictures can show you that the bird isn't a plucker or doesn't have outward health problems, but in pictures Iggy (my Amazon) looks really healthy, but has some kind of wheezing/mucousy/respiratory thing going on that we can't figure out...so I would def. second the second opinion idea...
 
OP
M

MissyMe

New member
May 9, 2007
9
0
Ft Walton Beach, FL
Parrots
Rocky The Cockatiel
Bourbon the Budgie
&
Buzz the Timneh African Grey
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #6
Sweet good advice, yes I do have an Avian Vet who specializes in Parrots and other exotic birds so that is covered. If I got her I'd probably take her for a check-up within the first couple of days just to double check plus I have also had a great deal of experience in breeding and showing birds so I have a keen eye for spotting a sick bird and know the signs/symptoms to look for.
 

TexDot33

Bird poop and baby poop
Dec 26, 2006
2,576
Media
4
10
New Hampshire USA
Parrots
15 year-old Sun Conure: Hamlet &
14 year-old Green-Cheeked Conure: Mac
HOLY CRAP! THE FOUR HORSEMEN OF THE APOCALYPSE, Did I just hear 7 trumpets ... TEX AND MINZER AGREEING ... EVERYONE REPENT NOW, IT'S THE END OF THE WORLD!!!

*LMAO* :18::18::18:
 

darkchi

New member
Dec 6, 2006
788
8
Albany, NY
Parrots
Cricket -C.A.G
HOLY CRAP! THE FOUR HORSEMEN OF THE APOCALYPSE, Did I just hear 7 trumpets ... TEX AND MINZER AGREEING ... EVERYONE REPENT NOW, IT'S THE END OF THE WORLD!!!

*LMAO* :18::18::18:

Great.... now everything just went straight to his head :34:

First off..
Welcome to the site...
second I have a grey too.... eventhough Tex never seems to remember that.
Mine wasnt as old as yours when I took her in but being at 8 months when i got her she was way past the 'cute blacked baby stage'... I had some cage aggression from not having any contact too, one thing that helped a lot is not leting her above eye level. This action will show you who is the leader of the pack (you). That means she can't be on top of the cage... even if that means geting bit. At least until you astablish a good friendship and leadership with her. Never be afraid of being bit, if you pull away when she bites, she will know that biting is a way of keeping you at bay. So if you see go to bit of she just bit you pull away as slowly as you can.
Taking her out and away from her cage will help too. take her to a room where she wont be able to see her cage. If getting her out of the cage turns out to be a problem and you cant seem to be able to deal with the loss of blood from the biting you could try using a pair of gloves. When I had to use the gloves on her she seemed like she was being obedent, but when I took the gloves off (to get her out) she would bite, or go in bite stance. But when I used the gloves I could take them off as soon as she was out of the cage. Your bird may be diffrent, you might not need the gloves or you may need to leave them on until your out of the cages sight. Dont get discouraged, it does take some time and it is very rewarding when you start getting somewhere with her.
Read back on some the post I had when I first got my Cricket, believe me, I didnt think she would turn out as sweet as she did... and I am still working on her.

hope this helped
 

NicoleN

New member
Jan 15, 2007
500
Media
3
0
Michigan
Parrots
Sisqo & GiGi-DYH & BF Amazons





Snow & Blue-Budgies
hence leaving her in the cage all the time ... I wonder if more out of cage time will help ...


If this is true, and she's only let out periodically...maybe they don't take her off her cage, except to put her back in. Therefore she associates people coming to get her with being locked back up.

I think that would make me aggressive too:05:
 

TexDot33

Bird poop and baby poop
Dec 26, 2006
2,576
Media
4
10
New Hampshire USA
Parrots
15 year-old Sun Conure: Hamlet &
14 year-old Green-Cheeked Conure: Mac
Welcome to the site... second I have a grey too.... eventhough Tex never seems to remember that.

Wow, hello virtual slap to the face ... from now I will not forget about Cricket's slave ...

Mine wasnt as old as yours when I took her in but being at 8 months when i got her she was way past the 'cute blacked baby stage'

How old is Cricket now, I always thought that she was less than a year old ...

... I had some cage aggression from not having any contact too, one thing that helped a lot is not leting her above eye level. This action will show you who is the leader of the pack (you). That means she can't be on top of the cage... even if that means geting bit. At least until you astablish a good friendship and leadership with her.Never be afraid of being bit, if you pull away when she bites, she will know that biting is a way of keeping you at bay. So if you see go to bit of she just bit you pull away as slowly as you can.

This is very sound advice, Minzer, this might also help with Iggy too!

... and you cant seem to be able to deal with the loss of blood from the biting you could try using a pair of gloves.

Or, possibly, an oven mitt.


Very good advice here Chi!!
 

Minzer84

New member
Mar 14, 2007
470
0
Massachusetts
Parrots
Iggy- YCA
This is very sound advice, Minzer, this might also help with Iggy too!

I took the top off of Iggy's playgym so he's below eye level and he's NEVER on top of his cage, that would = death for everyone. And it's awfully hard to not pull away, you should see my foot! He wants to actually rip body parts off. I admit, it's awfully good advice...but my pain-reflex doesn't want to listen.
 

darkchi

New member
Dec 6, 2006
788
8
Albany, NY
Parrots
Cricket -C.A.G
Very good advice here Chi!!

thank you, comes from having a born again carnavor bird LOL

How old is Cricket now, I always thought that she was less than a year old ...

she just turned one yr last month, I got her when she was 8 months... I thought that was younge. But the birdshop said I got a dicount for her being older.... I would think she sat in that store for prolly 4 months :confused:
I would be a handful too if I thought that was going to be my way of life.

This is very sound advice, Minzer, this might also help with Iggy too!

I had actualy just posted something along them lines on Minzer own little post... cause I am just THAT good
 

Peta

Super Moderator
Super Moderator
Sep 7, 2006
4,376
19
Cage Aggression, ahhhhhhhhh

First off Welcome to our Family. Also make it clear that you will be taking him/her to your avian vet for a full check up. Now to cage aggression your little timmie may always be cage aggessive, I say that as one of my Greys is very cage aggressive, but it can be workable for all concerned. Is your Timmie gonna be flighted or clipped? If clipped then its not so bad, just don't allow her on the top of the cage for a while, until she realises that being aggressive is not acceptable, if by chance she does get up there then make sure you stand on something before attempting to get her down Always make sure you are higher than her eye level. If flighted then its a little harder but still workable, just train her to come to you don't try to take her off yourself or you will get bitten :eek: believe me I know this for sure :D

Lots of out of cage time, toys, foot toys are another great one for them. When you find one that is her favourite toy than you can use this when she manages to get on top of the cage, if she's got her favourite toy in her mouth she can't bite you. :D Also she is gonna take some time to learn to trust you but when you have that its relatively easy *cough cough*

My hubby and I are also thinking along the lines that her protectiveness comes from a lack of attention as well. I know that if we were to get this bird she would be given alot of love, attention and deffinately will be spoilt. I do not work so I will be here with her throughout the day so the limelight will always be on her.
With that attitude you'll have her eating out of the palm of your hand in no time. Good Luck to ya, and we are always here to offer any help we can.
 

Peta

Super Moderator
Super Moderator
Sep 7, 2006
4,376
19
I'm in a state of SHOCK, What has happened to Tex and Minzer, they are agreeing with each other. :47: I think I'm gonna start drinking now, :D

Think I prefer it when they are having a go at each other, this is just too scary and weired. :04:
 

Minzer84

New member
Mar 14, 2007
470
0
Massachusetts
Parrots
Iggy- YCA
I'm really sorry Peta, I'm gonna try real hard not to let THAT happen again...I tossed and turned all night after it happened...maybe i should drink too. :p
 

Peta

Super Moderator
Super Moderator
Sep 7, 2006
4,376
19
I think that would be a good idea, I'm glad you felt so bad that you were tossing and turning all night. :D But hey you are forgiven, I blame Tex, he must have put some kinda spell on you. :D
 

TexDot33

Bird poop and baby poop
Dec 26, 2006
2,576
Media
4
10
New Hampshire USA
Parrots
15 year-old Sun Conure: Hamlet &
14 year-old Green-Cheeked Conure: Mac
That's a good chuckle ... sure sure sure, Tex the Scape goat ... it's all good, I understand.

Did it ever cross your mind that maybe, just maybe, Minzer and I agreed because we both had a great idea? :rolleyes: jeeze ... :p
 

Peta

Super Moderator
Super Moderator
Sep 7, 2006
4,376
19
That's a good chuckle ... sure sure sure, Tex the Scape goat ... it's all good, I understand.

Did it ever cross your mind that maybe, just maybe, Minzer and I agreed because we both had a great idea? :rolleyes: jeeze ...

Opps sowee ;)

Never NEVER, you put her under some kinda spell you fiend. :D

I promise to be very much micer to you tomorrow. Now I'm off to feed the new babies, and then to my bed. Goodnight Guys. See ya all in the morning.:)
 

Most Reactions

Latest posts

Top