Owlet
Well-known member
So, a few weeks ago we had a congo African grey surrendered to my store named Lolo. Long story short the owners had her and 2 other birds for 8+ years and got a new puppy and puppy and birds didn't get along so they locked the birds in their cages for months before deciding to surrender them. 2 of the birds were still fairly friendly if not a little skittish and would step up and have both found homes. Lolo on the other hand is scared to leave her cage but isn't aggressive with most people, she just is VERY skittish and won't step up inside her cage. When we do have her out every little thing scares her and she flies off and even though she isn't clipped she doesn't fly very well and crashes. Today I spent 2 hours after I got off work just sitting with her cage door wide open and talking to her and giving her treats. She would hang upside down on the roof of the cage. She'd eat her treats upside down and she would dance and play with her toys upside down because she felt if she was on a perch I would force her to step up. Eventually she calmed down enough with me and climbed outside of the cage and stepped up from there. She calmly hung out and she was very relaxed on my arm or shoulder. She would give kisses and was overall very sweet. If anyone else tried to take her she would panic and flail though. I eventually put her back so she could get some water and food and I went to try to take her out again about an hour later and had a repeat of hanging on the top and etc.
Now my question is, how do I help her not be so afraid of coming out? My guess would be do what I have already done but I don't have the time to sit at her cage for 2 hours because either I gotta work or go home to my own animals most days. Is there any easier way of doing this? or am I already doing everything I can?
Now my question is, how do I help her not be so afraid of coming out? My guess would be do what I have already done but I don't have the time to sit at her cage for 2 hours because either I gotta work or go home to my own animals most days. Is there any easier way of doing this? or am I already doing everything I can?