Struggling with Congo Grey

Hi all!

We have a 12 year old African grey, she is female and only likes men. She loves my husband but she bites him hard at times while he is petting her or even if he is not petting her. It's mainly when he is putting her back on her cage. Is this a trust thing?

Secondly, she was raised without toys, previous owner had her without toys, and we put toys in her cage but she doesn't know what to do with them.
How do we keep her stimulated? We were thinking of putting Sesame Street on for her but don't know if it's enough?

Hi there! So excited for your addition to your family. I’m waiting to welcome home my 25 year old CAG next weekend and couldn’t be more excited. I have a few ideas about the toy issue, but how long have you had her and how does she react to the toys you have put in her cage? Does she ignore them or does it seem as though she is fearful of them? I can probably help a little more if I know these answers.

Aavogaro said:

Hi there! So excited for your addition to your family. I’m waiting to welcome home my 25 year old CAG next weekend and couldn’t be more excited. I have a few ideas about the toy issue, but how long have you had her and how does she react to the toys you have put in her cage? Does she ignore them or does it seem as though she is fearful of them? I can probably help a little more if I know these answers.

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We have had her for about 6 months. She doesn't really interact with her toys like she doesn't really care about them. When we introduce them she gets scared but then she goes back to not caring. Sometimes, very rarely, does she interact with them. She only enjoyed one of her toys which was a ball of paper strands, she would like to pull them out.

Hello!

Greys are naturally more phobic than other birds; this is unfortunately not terribly surprising.

One of the best things is to introduce the toy outside the cage. Teach your bird targeting, then substitute the toy for the chopsticks as the thing they touch. This 1) desensitizes the bird toy he object, 2) teaches it’s a good thing, and 3) actually gets them interacting with the toy.

Also, nothing motivates birds like food. Find ways to incorporate favorite treats into the toys: between blocks, in sleeves that cover chains, you name it. Let her see you add it, so she’s knows it’s there. She’ll eventually go hunting for the food and learn that the toy unto itself is good. It helps if the toy is shreddable, but can be applied to any toy.

Agreed with toys outside, my CAG wont play with toys in her cage apart from her bell.....that bloody bell (lol!). She will play like crazy out of her cage though. As above, these CAGs are very inquisitive so try playing with the toys yourself and she will likely come and join in.


The male/female thing is very pronounced with Enzo as well, she stalks my GF and wont interact other than a hello/goodbye beak rub and of course treats! Im amazed how they distinguish immediately male/female humans

So for some reason a lot of greys LOVE their bells. And I mean love them. Perhaps find a good quality stainless bell and teach her what it can do. Play with it yourself first ringing it and getting excited about it but leaving it somewhere in sight but away from her cage. If she starts to show interest then try hanging it on the outside of her cage. If she ever begins to play with it then try moving it inside. They can get themselves very worked up having fun with a bell which might be a good starting point to learn how to play.

Aavogaro said:

So for some reason a lot of greys LOVE their bells. And I mean love them. Perhaps find a good quality stainless bell and teach her what it can do. Play with it yourself first ringing it and getting excited about it but leaving it somewhere in sight but away from her cage. If she starts to show interest then try hanging it on the outside of her cage. If she ever begins to play with it then try moving it inside. They can get themselves very worked up having fun with a bell which might be a good starting point to learn how to play.

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Enzo's is like a small cow bell hanging from an 18 inch chain, she will literally hang on to the bell by her feet swinging around flapping her wings and ringing that bell with all her energy... its hilarious

She may not want to go back in the cage if that is when she is biting him... Like a kid having a fit when they have to go to school etc

Out of interest, how are you getting her back into her cage? With Enzo, she rarely goes in of her own accord unless she is hungry or thirsty. I have never 'thrown' or 'forced' her into the cage, i ca only explain it as i 'ask' her to go back in. If she really doesnt ill leave her a minute and ask her again, whilst she is perched on my arm next to the open door. It sounds soft, but its a sort of request thing.


She will go in first time mostly if I put my jacket and shoes on, she knows im going out then and her playtime is over.



Im not usre if this helps at all, its just the way it works in my house, lots of respect/patience is required.