Hello! Hope to get some advice! :D

Hi! My name is Emily and I am new! (lol duh) I'm new to posting in forums, and a new parrot owner. My husband and I got an 8 year old Congo African Grey named Merlin almost 2 months ago, and a new baby 6 week old lovebird. I have never done so much reading and research on anything before! Who knew it would be so complicated! Merlin was never taught the step-up command, and I don't think he was ever held much at all. (I keep calling her HIM because we thought she was a he until we had the blood test done.) SHE will climb out of her cage and hang out on the top, and occasionally fly down to the floor (she is missing most of her flight feathers). I wanted a parrot so bad, for such a long time, and my husband and I finally got into a position where we could get one. So who do you think she loves the most? Phillip, my husband. She won't let me touch her or pet her, but she will let him pet her all over. He is working on teaching her the step-up command. I was/am so mad and jealous that she chose to be so nice with him and not me. She was supposed to be MY bird! lol So, I was hoping to get some advice on how to make her like me more? I always give her her favorite treats, and am the one who always feeds and waters her. And cleans her cage. She tolerates me, but will not let me get my hand anywhere near her to pet her when she is out of her cage. Sometimes I get lucky and I can touch/pet her beak or her foot while she is on the side of the cage.

Also, just got a new little lovebird. Just a baby so hopefully she will fall in love with me and I will have the bird I always wanted LOL. Any advice on the best way to tame this sweet little baby? She/he was parent raised.

Thanks in advance! I've been having a wonderful time ALL DAY reading all of the posts.

Emily

Welcome! I also have a female CAG named Merlin, lol!

Hopefully the lovebird will want to be your bird so you can each have one

All these Merlins! Since she prefers your husband, he should hand her to you to show her that he's okay with you handling her. From his hand to yours. As long as she won't bite you. As for the lovie, handle it as much as you can, and it will let you. Give it treats, etc. If you can, scratch their heads & necks. All birds love that.

Is she aggressive towards you, or protective of him? Ive always said parrots choose their owner. They will fall in love with a certain person right away,, but that doesn't mean she wont come to love you too. My family's severe macaw bonded with my little brother right away, but the rest of us put in alot of work for her. Shes been a part of the family 10 years, and has only recently truly bonded with my mom, who is her primary caretaker. It took my dad 2 years of patience and persistance to be accepted by our BCC, who bonded to my mom. Give her time, and keep working with her. It'll be worth it.

Our CAG is the same way. I am the lucky one he bonded to. Although at first he didnt have a favorite, but my boyfriend works all day so im the one who gives him treats, toys, food, water, everything. He likes my boyfriend a lot, but its taken a lot of time and patience. I found my grey loooooves chewing up cardboard so i give him toys made from toilet paper rolls and paper towel rolls, try that. Also try cuddling up to your husband and having him hug you and show you affection when hes near the bird, they seem to really pick up on that.

Congratulations and welcome to the forums! Looking forward to pictures

Hope this works. lol

I'm still not sure on a name for my lovebird... Oscar is cute, but the more I've been using it the more I don't like it! lol Poor bird is going to have identity issues.....

This is Merlin!

They are beautiful, thanks for sharing. My conure was looking at the photos as well and she gave a chirp of approval.