African Grey and sever anxiety/anger

Filbert_the_wizard

New member
Feb 6, 2020
1
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Hello, iv got a 4 year old African grey parrot who suffers from anxiety(which is what the vet said) as a result of this he hasnt been out of his cage in about 2 years. I have tried many times to get him out but he comes no where near the door and I don't want to force him incase I hurt him.
He is very hostile around people (squaring loudly and on stop) , less so towards me, but I fear he would hurt me or himself if I were to take him out.
I feel he needs to come out to be able to Stretch his wings as they look over preened and to be able to address his anger towards people.
He is fine around my dogs but any human he hates.
He eats and drinks fine(apart from chucking food everywhere) and looks a healthy weight.

Please help I really need the best for my little baby. :grey:

Many thanks

E.
 

Scott

Supporting Member
Aug 21, 2010
32,673
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San Diego, California USA, Earth, Milky Way Galaxy
Parrots
Goffins: Gabby, Abby, Squeaky, Peanut, Popcorn / Citron: Alice / Eclectus: Angel /Timneh Grey: ET / Blue Fronted Amazon: Gonzo /

RIP Gandalf and Big Bird, you are missed.
Welcome to you and your Grey! They are one of the most intelligent and challenging species, but the rewards of a relationship are immense. How long have you had this bird and what do you know of his past environment? (unsure if the cage-bound 2 years is anecdotal or represents his time with you)

A goal is to build trust and bonding so he feels comfortable outside the cage. This will require careful conditioning, sometimes you'll observe two steps forward, one step backward. Two threads of great interest:
http://www.parrotforums.com/congo-timneh-greys/59366-cag-101-a.html
http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49144-tips-bonding-building-trust.html
Try to find a special reward for progress. May be a piece of almond, walnut, bit of sunflower seed, etc.

Please use extreme caution with dogs. Parrots are creatures of prey and have little defense. Dogs and cats may appear safe until something snaps and they become aggressive to the parrot's detriment or worse.

Let us know how things progress and any other information to assist our guidance!
 

Tami2

Well-known member
Aug 18, 2017
5,088
2,454
New Jersey
Parrots
Levi - 6 yr old CAG

DOH-4/2/2016
I'm so sorry to hear this. Is he a rescue? Has he been traumatized, that you are aware of?

Oh my goodness, this is so sad.
 

SailBoat

Supporting Member
Jul 10, 2015
17,643
10,007
Western, Michigan
Parrots
DYH Amazon
A couple of points come to mind after reading your Post.

- Only good things happen when Humans are around!

- Change your Vantage Point!
It is never the fault of the Parrot!!!
It is always the fault of the Human!!!
By changing your Vantage Point, one can more easily see what you or someone else is doing wrong and correct it. It is important to understand that "IT" can be near everything as part of interaction with your Parrot.

Addressing Scott's question is important as it helps to define a behavior driver.
 

Laurasea

Well-known member
Aug 2, 2018
12,593
10,702
USA
Parrots
Full house
Hi, welcome to the forums!
Filburt we need to get you guys on the road to recovery!!

Think about shaping behavior, and breaking it down to small steps. Start by working on him standing in the cage by the open door , with lots of praise and treats. Then have him lean his head out the open door for praise and treats, then lean most of his body out to get praise and treats. Then step up to a perch you attach outside of the cage right by the door. Then to the top of the cage to get treats. Each step takes as long as it takes, adjust to him, repeat often.msybe it takes a couple of days or longer to get at waiting at the open door if the cage before you start the Leaning out, or longer or shorter.

This is a link of a behavioralist works with step up, and leaving a cage
https://blogpamelaclarkonline.com/2018/06/19/teaching-a-fearful-parrot-to-step-up/

This is a fantastic link about stress in parrots. The only part that I'm not into is clicker training, I still shape behavior, I just say good bird instead if clicking.
https://lafeber.com/pet-birds/stress-reduction-for-parrot-companions/

Page 12 i have a lot of links to cage bound parrots, page 10 I cover other behaviors. http://www.parrotforums.com/general...hare-discuss-scientific-articles-parrots.html

Also rethink cage, do you need a bigger one?, Does the cage need to be moved to a different spot? Set up a perch in a high corner, and infront of that hang toys or something that he can retreat from sight behind. Rearranging cage to promote maximum use by him, usually a lot of short let he's to move among, with only one large full length perch. Read up on foraging, provide foraging every day. Provide easy to shred and destroy stuff, like paper cardboards, seagrass, yucca chips. Builds confidence. Praise anytime he touches a toy.

Sit by the open door if the cage , with your body sideways, play with a crinkle piece of paper, if he becomes interested give it to him, or eat some apple slices, making yummy noises, if he comes over offer him some. Leave the door open and attach a rope bridge to a playstand or chair that's just a foot away, put treat stick, or millet spray, or something yummy, you back off a couple of feet and sit in a chair and read out loud without focus on him.
Someone used a parrot toy to model behavior with you could try that. Mouse crafted , it's a banner at the top of the forum, makes hand crafted parrots, they are awesome, you could order an African grey. Then use it to pretend step up, to pretend playing with toys, ( it's an idea, migt help)

You've got to save this guy. You can do it!!!
 
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