New Owner Introduction few questions

Hi All!

My family and I recently took in a 7 year old CAG. She came from a home that had a change in work environment and travel very recently and being they were afraid of the bird being neglected wanted her rehomed. My wife grew up with birds and has much more experience than myself.

The previous owners never had issues with biting or plucking and offered to bring the bird by to make sure she would be ok here. The bird is EXCELLENT. Steps up, steps down, no biting and is silent at night once covered. She also has an appropriate sized cage with plenty of toys and perches.

One behavior I have noticed almost immediately is hormonal behavior toward me (adult male...) she regurged on me within the first 48 hours and what lead me to research this behavior was an odd panting/whimpering behavior. Also displaying her feathers.

She isn’t clipped and doesn’t fly since we have had her, UNLESS my wife is holding her and I am close she will flutter over. While this behavior is “cute” I also realize it can be undesirable and a problem if kept up. She displays none of this for my wife or son when they hold her.

Wanted to get some do’s and don’t this type of behavior. The last thing I want is the animal mean to everyone except me.

I will be taking her into a very well established local avian vet next week for a consult and first annual check.

Thank you!

That behavior towards you is very sexual and you want to discourage it. If it happens, put her gently pack on her perch and walk away for a second, or change the subject.

You don't want to attend to it or be mean about it either.
No dark spaces, no shadowy spaces, pet on head and neck only if your bird allows it (no stroking, under-wing scratches etc).

Make sure if she is mean to others that she is not somehow getting more of your attention/a reaction out of you.

I would look into ABA (applied behavior analysis) and see how you can reinforce positive behavior around others (reinforcers are not always food/praise---and they are not always obvious). In some cases, lack of reinforcement (e.g., ignoring etc) can be the best course of action (depending on the function). Basically, you want to avoid providing reinforcement (whatever that means for your bird) following any undesirable behaviors....and you want to reinforce those behaviors that you like. Most behavior serves 1 of 4 functions--- 1. to escape a person, situation or stimuli, 2. attention (doesn't usually matter what kind and can include verbal response, proximity, eye-contact etc), 3. to get tangible items (e.g., I scream and people bring me cookies to make me stop), and 4. Sensory (things like hormones, physical pain responses, scratching an itch etc). Her behavior likely is taking place because she is reinforced by one of those 4 functions (sometimes a combination). Once you figure out what motivates her bad behavior, you can stop providing that reinforcement for that behavior and PROVIDE it for a new behavior that meets the same function but is more acceptable. The reinforcer that you provide MUST match the function of the behavior, so if an attention seeker is doing bad stuff to get attention, you have to show them a new way to get attention...A treat and attention are totally different in terms of functions...so while they can be paired, the function of the behavior must match the primary reinforcer that you provide.

Here is a fictitious example for reference:
Let's say your bird bites your family member and they scream. You are worried about your family, so you run in and remove the bird. The family member walks off in tears and you are left alone talking to the bird about how that was a naughty thing to do--the behavior worsens over time or continues (which means it is being reinforced).....In this example, reinforcement is likely coming from a combination of factors, BUT attention would be primary. The scream is entertaining, the favorite person (fictitious "you") handles the bird, "threats" (family) are removed, and the bird gets one-one-one attention from his/her favorite person as a result of the bite while escaping the undesirable presence of others.

Noodles has good info, and this can be the case.

But I often find that a bird in a new home is anxious and excited by new attention. And wants to form freindships and bonds. I don't see this as sexual overdrive. I see this as we are I the same flock/faimly now, and let's sign that contract. So I feel safer. And this regurgitation to you disappear quickly often to never be repeated, or only very rarely.

They are offering you life itself in the form of food. Never spurn them. I say thank you, I care about you too. Share a moment that says I see you, I got your back. Then gently redirect. Maybe take a walk around the house and look out windows.

The parrot will choose their own person and nothing you can do will change that. Be her special person, return her trust and commitment. Then guide her how to be with the rest of her flock family. Make sure others are part of good treats and good fun.

Laurasea said:

Noodles has good info, and this can be the case.

But I often find that a bird in a new home is anxious and excited by new attention. And wants to form freindships and bonds. I don't see this as sexual overdrive. I see this as we are I the same flock/faimly now, and let's sign that contract. So I feel safer. And this regurgitation to you disappear quickly often to never be repeated, or only very rarely.

They are offering you life itself in the form of food. Never spurn them. I say thank you, I care about you too. Share a moment that says I see you, I got your back. Then gently redirect. Maybe take a walk around the house and look out windows.

The parrot will choose their own person and nothing you can do will change that. Be her special person, return her trust and commitment. Then guide her how to be with the rest of her flock family. Make sure others are part of good treats and good fun.

Click to expand...

Oh yes-- but a nervous bird doing this is still kind of seeking a certain sensory gratification/function (seeking to soothe anxiety).

That having been said, my blurb was more for long-term behavioral stuff. Your bird is currently in a huge transition and likely very anxious etc. You can show your bird friendship without confusing sex with friendship (even if that is a point of confusion for the bird). Work on just building trust etc for now, without encouraging anything undesirable in the meantime. It will take time for your bird to accept people--Greys are often found of a particular person, but in a new environment, it seems that many birds attach themselves to someone almost indiscriminately as a means of coping. All of these preferences could change etc, but your biggest goal right now should be making her feel as comfortable as possible without attending to inappropriate behavior (this is also her time to see how you react to things and adjust what works/doesn't). The least favorite people should provide the most desired snack too--just placing them in the food-bowl if the bird wont take from hand (because it can't hurt).

It will take months for your bird to get semi-adjusted. I feel like I didn't really KNOW Noodles fully for an entire year when I adopted her as an adult. Granted, I thought I did at about 6 months, looking back, I don't think I really did.

Welcome! Distract and redirect unwanted behaviors!

I really appreciate the prompt replies. I’m really doing my best to focus on attention (positive)... however I am quickly realizing with the current relationship between her and I there is a fine balance. We will continue to not reward negative behavior and spend time reinforcing positive behaviors. Their intelligence is fascinating to me. Thank you all again!

Hello Roro2019,

Welcome to the PF Family, glad you joined us.

Congratulations on your Grey!! Thank you for taking her in.

You've already gotten great advice.

I will add this link, http://www.parrotforums.com/congo-timneh-greys/59366-cag-101-a.html this will help you to learn and understand her better.

Please post pictures and keep us posted on your progress.

Best of Luck! :heart: