Have a question about a grey African

HydroRx

New member
Oct 1, 2018
4
0
So my dad got a grey African about a year and a half ago (He's around that age)
The parrot got to love my dad and my dad only, he used to be afraid of other family members and especially me.
He hated me to the bones.. he tried to bite me whenever he had an opportunity
and never let me hold him / pet him / feed him.. basically nothing.
Now a month ago he just started to come near me, trying to climb on my clothes
Whenever I get down from my room to the living room he comes to me from wherever he is
He's running after me and not giving me a chance to be alone in the living room
He's doing it only with me.
If he's on my father he'll jump off him and run towards me
Now he lets me hold him and pet him
When I don't want him near me he's banging his beak on the floor
What happened to him and how do I get him to stop chasing me
Thanks :)
 

ChristaNL

Banned
Banned
May 23, 2018
3,559
157
NL= the Netherlands, Europe
Parrots
Sunny a female B&G macaw;
Japie (m) & Appie (f), both are congo african grey;
All are rescues- had to leave their previous homes for 'reasons', are still in contact with them :)
Hahahahaha, he is flirting his little feathery arse off!

CAG's enter puberty/ maturity around 2 years of age (TAGs do that a year sooner)-
they leave mum and dad behind and start looking for their mate...


congrats: you are it!


Your dad was surrogate-father/mother, now he wants a partner ;)

If you want nothing to with the bird- ignore every attempt at contact and he wil move on.
(Be consistent, do not play hot-cold-hot-cold because that is unfair and very frustrating for the bird and frustration usually shows up in biting; the other person or themselves -> mutilating and/or plucking)
If you want to have a great relationship with said bird for the next four or five decades: go for it!


The beakbanging is normal.
I am not completely sure what it means (look at me? hey, this is a great place, come here?) but it is not agression.
The males do it a lot more than the females.
(Just my limited experience)

Has your CAG been DNA-sexed?
If not plze do so, because with females you have the eggbinding scare to keep an eye out for.

I would advise you guys to spend more time socialising the bird - CAG's are groupdwelling birds-- so they should learn to be okay with many other people quite easily.
Being more timid they get labeled as anti-social one-personbirds but that is really cowsmanure!
(misconception by humans who get things wrong a lot)
Of course just shoving a stranger in their faces will not work but if a visitor is bringing in a treat they get the message very fast.
(I used to have a treatcup next to the front door for visiors to grab a 'munchie' to present to the greys; in the beginning the treats ended up in the foodcups, on bars or even the cagefloor- within a few weeks < as I do not have that many visitors> the grey was ready to have it deposited in the beak -> saving time and energy, completely forgetting about the antisocial part because, well....food!
Once they start eyeing the other people for more snacks or even a game (present a piece of cardboard to chew on -> it is fun, interactive, safe for fingers and if the bird is nervous it can act out on the cardboard -> it will remain good, clean fun for all. Same with sticks/ small branches, but cardboard is more forgiving) you know you have won. :)
.
 
Last edited:

texsize

Supporting Member
Parrot of the Month 🏆
Oct 23, 2015
3,899
Media
5
4,794
so-cal
Parrots
1 YNA (Bingo)
1 OWA (Plumas R.I.P.)
1 RLA (Pacho R.I.P.)
2 GCA(Luna,Merlin) The Twins
1 Congo AG (Bella)
5 Cockatiels
This is something that has happened with my Bella.

My wife has become her (Bella's) favorite person.
My Son and I can still interact with her. Pick her up and ride our shoulder but she does not want to sit with us or be scratched by us, only my wife.

can only say one thing.



Birds are weird!
 
OP
H

HydroRx

New member
Oct 1, 2018
4
0
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #5
Hahahahaha, he is flirting his little feathery arse off!

CAG's enter puberty/ maturity around 2 years of age (TAGs do that a year sooner)-
they leave mum and dad behind and start looking for their mate...


congrats: you are it!


Your dad was surrogate-father/mother, now he wants a partner ;)

If you want nothing to with the bird- ignore every attempt at contact and he wil move on.
(Be consistent, do not play hot-cold-hot-cold because that is unfair and very frustrating for the bird and frustration usually shows up in biting; the other person or themselves -> mutilating and/or plucking)
If you want to have a great relationship with said bird for the next four or five decades: go for it!


The beakbanging is normal.
I am not completely sure what it means (look at me? hey, this is a great place, come here?) but it is not agression.
The males do it a lot more than the females.
(Just my limited experience)

Has your CAG been DNA-sexed?
If not plze do so, because with females you have the eggbinding scare to keep an eye out for.

I would advise you guys to spend more time socialising the bird - CAG's are groupdwelling birds-- so they should learn to be okay with many other people quite easily.
Being more timid they get labeled as anti-social one-personbirds but that is really cowsmanure!
(misconception by humans who get things wrong a lot)
Of course just shoving a stranger in their faces will not work but if a visitor is bringing in a treat they get the message very fast.
(I used to have a treatcup next to the front door for visiors to grab a 'munchie' to present to the greys; in the beginning the treats ended up in the foodcups, on bars or even the cagefloor- within a few weeks < as I do not have that many visitors> the grey was ready to have it deposited in the beak -> saving time and energy, completely forgetting about the antisocial part because, well....food!
Once they start eyeing the other people for more snacks or even a game (present a piece of cardboard to chew on -> it is fun, interactive, safe for fingers and if the bird is nervous it can act out on the cardboard -> it will remain good, clean fun for all. Same with sticks/ small branches, but cardboard is more forgiving) you know you have won. :)
.
Just how expensive can it get?
I'm a soldier in the IDF and we really don't get much money.. lol (about 250$ monthly)
 

ChristaNL

Banned
Banned
May 23, 2018
3,559
157
NL= the Netherlands, Europe
Parrots
Sunny a female B&G macaw;
Japie (m) & Appie (f), both are congo african grey;
All are rescues- had to leave their previous homes for 'reasons', are still in contact with them :)
Oh, you can buy a DNA-testkit (actually: instruction sheet, a plastic baggy and a return-enveloppe), send in a few freshly plucked chestfeathers to the lab, they run the test and send you a certificate (and an email).
You pay just one price - it's all included anyway.

It's about 15 euroos (there is a lab in Spain that sells and does them for 7,50 ), but you are in the States, so maybe one of the americans here has a great adress for you.
(but you are welcome to use the dutch one of course, they send and receive tests from all over the world, but keeping it in the USA might be a bit faster)
 
OP
H

HydroRx

New member
Oct 1, 2018
4
0
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #7
Oh, you can buy a DNA-testkit (actually: instruction sheet, a plastic baggy and a return-enveloppe), send in a few freshly plucked chestfeathers to the lab, they run the test and send you a certificate (and an email).
You pay just one price - it's all included anyway.

It's about 15 euroos (there is a lab in Spain that sells and does them for 7,50 ), but you are in the States, so maybe one of the americans here has a great adress for you.
(but you are welcome to use the dutch one of course, they send and receive tests from all over the world, but keeping it in the USA might be a bit faster)
I'm from Israel haha
Dutch it is :)
Thanks!
 

ChristaNL

Banned
Banned
May 23, 2018
3,559
157
NL= the Netherlands, Europe
Parrots
Sunny a female B&G macaw;
Japie (m) & Appie (f), both are congo african grey;
All are rescues- had to leave their previous homes for 'reasons', are still in contact with them :)
LOL, my bad!
You have a PM.
 

MonicaMc

Well-known member
Sep 12, 2012
7,960
Media
2
43
Parrots
Mitred Conure - Charlie 1994;
Cockatiel - Casey 2001;
Wild Caught ARN - Sylphie 2013
RE: Sexing

If Congo African Grey - then if tail feathers are completely red, then male. If tail feathers are tipped in grey, then female. Must look on the underside of the tail feathers.

I don't know if they must be a certain age for this to work, and it's not 100% accurate, either... seems to be fairly accurate at least.
 

ChristaNL

Banned
Banned
May 23, 2018
3,559
157
NL= the Netherlands, Europe
Parrots
Sunny a female B&G macaw;
Japie (m) & Appie (f), both are congo african grey;
All are rescues- had to leave their previous homes for 'reasons', are still in contact with them :)
Oh yes, and the underside of the wings as wel (easier to see in flight etc.) one sex has 2 bands of grey colour, the other has 3 (I forget whose exactly, and Japie is not coorperating to let me check right now).


DNA-ing is easier if you have no comparison-bird.
 

lplummer52

Member
Apr 19, 2016
386
13
Indialantic, FL
Parrots
"Birdie". Sun Conure
Birdie loves both me and my husband, but she prefers one or the other so us depending on her mood. She went for months preferring to spend most of her time with my husband, then reached sexual maturity and preferred me. Now she's molting and is back spending most of her time with him. She never makes either of us feel left out though.
 

bigfellasdad

New member
Sep 21, 2017
925
Media
8
20
NorthWest England
Parrots
Enzo - adopted Female CAG circa 2004. A truly amazing young lady!
hahaha, a feathered pest. Great that he/she trusts you though. As said ignoring any contact is best but dont be mean. If you are petting the bird keep touch above the neck as touching wings/back etc is giving encouragement.
 

bigfellasdad

New member
Sep 21, 2017
925
Media
8
20
NorthWest England
Parrots
Enzo - adopted Female CAG circa 2004. A truly amazing young lady!
RE: Sexing

If Congo African Grey - then if tail feathers are completely red, then male. If tail feathers are tipped in grey, then female. Must look on the underside of the tail feathers.

I don't know if they must be a certain age for this to work, and it's not 100% accurate, either... seems to be fairly accurate at least.
Enzo's tail feathers are red all the way to the tip, she also lays eggs, so agreed its not 100% reliable. She will be 14 in a few weeks time.
 

bigfellasdad

New member
Sep 21, 2017
925
Media
8
20
NorthWest England
Parrots
Enzo - adopted Female CAG circa 2004. A truly amazing young lady!
Hen has 3 color bands under wing. Male 2 bands


Ill have a look at this, ive not heard of it before.


Ive heard of DNA testing giving the wrong results so really its only birds that have actually laid eggs that you can be absolutely certain with id have thought
 

DRB

Well-known member
Jan 23, 2016
1,024
75
Ohio
Parrots
Perjo - Female CAG hatch Nov 2015
So my dad got a grey African about a year and a half ago (He's around that age)
The parrot got to love my dad and my dad only, he used to be afraid of other family members and especially me.
He hated me to the bones.. he tried to bite me whenever he had an opportunity
and never let me hold him / pet him / feed him.. basically nothing.
Now a month ago he just started to come near me, trying to climb on my clothes
Whenever I get down from my room to the living room he comes to me from wherever he is
He's running after me and not giving me a chance to be alone in the living room
He's doing it only with me.
If he's on my father he'll jump off him and run towards me
Now he lets me hold him and pet him
When I don't want him near me he's banging his beak on the floor
What happened to him and how do I get him to stop chasing me
Thanks :)

I live alone and I have a CAG from day one, she is a one person bird without question but she does open up to other people in time.
 

MonicaMc

Well-known member
Sep 12, 2012
7,960
Media
2
43
Parrots
Mitred Conure - Charlie 1994;
Cockatiel - Casey 2001;
Wild Caught ARN - Sylphie 2013
Enzo's tail feathers are red all the way to the tip, she also lays eggs, so agreed its not 100% reliable. She will be 14 in a few weeks time.

Curious, do you have a good shot of Enzo's under tail feathers by any chance that you could share?


Here's a simple visual sexing guide. Would be interesting to see how others compare.

TIPS FOR VISUALLY SEXING GREYS...


A bit more extensive info here
http://www.parrotforums.com/congo-timneh-greys/31-visual-sexing-greys.html
 

AmyMyBlueFront

Well-known member
Apr 14, 2015
6,315
Media
4
3,034
Connecticut
Parrots
Amy a Blue Front 'Zon
Jonesy a Goffins 'Too who had to be rehomed :-(

And a Normal Grey Cockatiel named BB who came home with me on 5/20/2016.
HydroRx...I would say PLEASE! Let that bird become your "friend"! I swear on my mom and dad's grave,you WILL NOT regret it! and you will have a best friend for probably your life!
Being "loved" by a parrot,or bird,is an awesome experience that can,and will,melt your heart :D

However,if you DO decide to do that,you MUST commit to it for life! Or said bird could/would get upset,start plucking/mutilating itself and generally be heart broken. Grey's are VERY sophisticated and intelligent and complex. You would NOT regret it.
This is just my opinion mind you!


Jim
 

ChristaNL

Banned
Banned
May 23, 2018
3,559
157
NL= the Netherlands, Europe
Parrots
Sunny a female B&G macaw;
Japie (m) & Appie (f), both are congo african grey;
All are rescues- had to leave their previous homes for 'reasons', are still in contact with them :)
Ive heard of DNA testing giving the wrong results so really its only birds that have actually laid eggs that you can be absolutely certain with id have thought


That is nonsense - if the test is done correctly DNA is supereasy and 100% reliable.
the only way things go wrong if several birds are tested in one go and the person handling the feathers did not wash their hands in between - so the tests are contaminated.



I live alone and I have a CAG from day one, she is a one person bird without question .


Your bird really did not have a choice ... ;)
(mine do not either - also live alone, but I keep trying to socialize them anyway and it works)

==


African greys are like other parrots in that they can "move house" and rebond with another human without a problem or with huge amounts of problems...
it al depends (on the bird, the human, the reason and the way of the move).


All I was saying in this case (grey in love): you really must make a choice, are you to become "the significant other" or "just another flockmember".
Both are fine, but choose! For the birds sake.
:)
 
Last edited:

MonicaMc

Well-known member
Sep 12, 2012
7,960
Media
2
43
Parrots
Mitred Conure - Charlie 1994;
Cockatiel - Casey 2001;
Wild Caught ARN - Sylphie 2013
I have come across people who have had birds (singularly) that have had birds incorrectly sexed or received no result... be it DNA sexed or SS sexed. One quaker was SS sexed male but he laid an egg! An amazon owner had their bird DNA sexed and the results came back unknown/inconclusive. I think there might have been an african grey as well?


This was probably easily 10+ years ago, and the tests done even further back... I can only hope that knowledge and equipment has improved over the years to reduce incorrect or unknown results.
 

Most Reactions

Latest posts

Top