African Grey abnormal behavior

[Affiniti]

Hello. I have had my African Grey for around 2 years now(that's her age) and her name is Goose. She has determined me her mate since day one. Always feeding me and doing tricks/ singing for me. All of a sudden out of nowhere with no changes in my appearance or her daily routine she will not step up and keeps biting to the point of drawing blood on me. I don't pull away and just deal with it, but I'm concerned for her health. Maybe she is sick? I keep reading about hormones as well. I just want my old GOOSE back! Please offer advice.

 

[OOwl]

My Grey (a male) thinks I'm his mate, too. Oh gosh, it hurts your feelings when our precious baby birds start acting like ungrateful, hormonal, know-it-all teenagers, huh? I've been there. I have a ten-year-old Grey that is like someone with a split personality disorder. I can open his cage and look at his eyes (yellow slits mean don't even try to pick me up right now). It's pretty normal, the mood swings. Try again later, never force interaction. With that method, they stop biting because they know you are listening to the first communication they give of "not right now." With that respect comes trust. When I see the slit eyes, I just say, "Oh well, maybe later; too bad, I wanted to give you a treat. . . guess I'll have to eat it myself. . . " And usually when I come back a bit later, he will come right out.

If you're worried about a change in temperament, I really would take Goose to the vet. That never hurts to be sure. Good luck!

 

[sodakat]

I've never understood why people act like a bite doesn't hurt. If you watch birds together, they make a big fuss when another bird bites them. Then they leave!

My grey (Maui, RIP) bit me because at the time I owned her I was ignorant of subtle body language. If they don't want to be picked up and we ignore them, they sometimes resort to biting.

Now that I'm much more experienced I know to let them make a choice whenever possible. It it is an emergency and I must transport them when they are reluctant, I use a rope perch folded in half, offering the folded end to the bird. Who cares if they bite the rope?

 

[Affiniti]

My Grey (a male) thinks I'm his mate, too. Oh gosh, it hurts your feelings when our precious baby birds start acting like ungrateful, hormonal, know-it-all teenagers, huh? I've been there. I have a ten-year-old Grey that is like someone with a split personality disorder. I can open his cage and look at his eyes (yellow slits mean don't even try to pick me up right now). It's pretty normal, the mood swings. Try again later, never force interaction. With that method, they stop biting because they know you are listening to the first communication they give of "not right now." With that respect comes trust. When I see the slit eyes, I just say, "Oh well, maybe later; too bad, I wanted to give you a treat. . . guess I'll have to eat it myself. . . " And usually when I come back a bit later, he will come right out.

If you're worried about a change in temperament, I really would take Goose to the vet. That never hurts to be sure. Good luck!

Thank you very much. It's been about 5 hours and now she's letting me love and cuddle her again ^.^! I was just concerned because she has NEVER bitten me. But hey, birds can have off days too.