00Daydreamer00
New member
I've just joined this community. Mostly because I need some guidance. Almost a month ago, I adopted a congo grey from an older lady. I've done plenty of research when it comes to how to care for a grey. However, my knowledge runs short when it comes to behavior. I know there's a general behavior when it comes to parrots, but each bird has a unique personality. I need help understanding her. I haven't been sure as to where to start. The best I can do is describe her and her personality from what I've seen so far.
We don't know her age for sure, but from what we were told, she's a little over 10 years old. She's a she. She had plucking issues before we got her. Her chest is completely bare with a few small feathers growing back now.
In the beginning, she was very sweet. She stepped up like a champ. As she got more and more comfortable, she grew more temperamental. And more fearful somehow. When ever I approach her, she fluffs up her feathers. She will come to me, but won't do anything but stare and whistle. She will take treats from my hand but then she'll throw them. She could just have picky taste but that's not the biggest worry. One of my biggest worries is how she will no longer step up and started biting. I decided to try some methods that people would use for a bird who is afraid of hands. Such as the person holding a loose perch and allowing the bird to step up. She was terrified, even with treats. When she does decide she wants to step up onto an actual hand, she will scream nonstop. It's not just a jabbering bird. You can hear her fear and its so upsetting. She's very possessive of her cage and will attempt to bite if you touch her food dish. She'll do the same if you simply place a single finger on her cage. She will also bite if you attempt to pet her or just put your hand anywhere near her when she doesn't want to step up. I assume it's not a harmless bite by the way she strikes outward. If a man tries to get her to step up, she goes to the farthest corner of her cage and screams. She hates being inside her cage during the day so she is out for most of it.
Can anyone give me advice? Should I give her more time to settle in?
We don't know her age for sure, but from what we were told, she's a little over 10 years old. She's a she. She had plucking issues before we got her. Her chest is completely bare with a few small feathers growing back now.
In the beginning, she was very sweet. She stepped up like a champ. As she got more and more comfortable, she grew more temperamental. And more fearful somehow. When ever I approach her, she fluffs up her feathers. She will come to me, but won't do anything but stare and whistle. She will take treats from my hand but then she'll throw them. She could just have picky taste but that's not the biggest worry. One of my biggest worries is how she will no longer step up and started biting. I decided to try some methods that people would use for a bird who is afraid of hands. Such as the person holding a loose perch and allowing the bird to step up. She was terrified, even with treats. When she does decide she wants to step up onto an actual hand, she will scream nonstop. It's not just a jabbering bird. You can hear her fear and its so upsetting. She's very possessive of her cage and will attempt to bite if you touch her food dish. She'll do the same if you simply place a single finger on her cage. She will also bite if you attempt to pet her or just put your hand anywhere near her when she doesn't want to step up. I assume it's not a harmless bite by the way she strikes outward. If a man tries to get her to step up, she goes to the farthest corner of her cage and screams. She hates being inside her cage during the day so she is out for most of it.
Can anyone give me advice? Should I give her more time to settle in?
