Hello everyone

[Stuartc]

I just though I would introduce myself, so hi everyone I’m Stuart,

I have an African grey called Chico who is about 25 years old.

He has been in my family since he was a chic but due to the recent passing of my mum I have inherited him, he is a lovely parrot and is always singing and whistling.

If anyone could give any pointers of how to bond more with him as he is an older parrot, I just want to do my best and give him as much love as my mum did.

 

[LaManuka]

Welcome to the forum Stuart and Chico, and my deepest condolences on the loss of your mum. Chico is likely grieving for her loss too, plus the added confusion of dealing with the upheaval from his former life and surroundings to his new one. I’m by no means an expert on greys and I’m sure others will weigh in with their views but I imagine Chico will take some time to adjust. No doubt he will at least be familiar with you, having seen you come and go at your mum’s place over the years so that should help.

I wish you and Chico a long and happy life together!

 

[Stuartc]

Thank you so much LaManuka

Welcome to the forum Stuart and Chico, and my deepest condolences on the loss of your mum. Chico is likely grieving for her loss too, plus the added confusion of dealing with the upheaval from his former life and surroundings to his new one. I’m by no means an expert on greys and I’m sure others will weigh in with their views but I imagine Chico will take some time to adjust. No doubt he will at least be familiar with you, having seen you come and go at your mum’s place over the years so that should help.

I wish you and Chico a long and happy life together!

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Laurasea]

Welcome!
I'm so sorry to hear if your loss.
Thanks for stepping up. I bribe by hand fed treats into the hearts of all my parrots. To the point when they see me walking towards them they ask yum yum? My word for treats

 

[Flboy]

Welcome to you! Everything with a Gray is at their pace! And very cautious!

 

[noodles123]

Welcome! Glad you took him!
No Teflon/Ptfe/pfoa or PFCs--- basically, if it heats or is intended to be heated, call ahead unless you are certain that it does not contain an inert mixture or coating of any of these substances (they are not often visible and can be deadly on separate floors).
No scented products like candles etc either (not as bad as Teflon but still unsafe).
There is a lot more out there in terms of bird respiratory sensitivity, so just make sure you read up on it!

 

[Scott]

Welcome aboard Stuart and Chico! Very sorry to know your mom has passed, adoption is a wonderful way to honor her love for Chico.

Greys can be challenging but the rewards are overwhelmingly wonderful. Two threads may answer your questions and concerns:
http://www.parrotforums.com/amazons/65119-i-love-amazons-going-journey.html
http://www.parrotforums.com/congo-timneh-greys/59366-cag-101-a.html

Let us know how things progress, feel free to post specific questions!

 

[Gabz]

Welcome Stuart and Chico,

I'm a new member here, and I am relatively new to parrot ownership (a little over 2 years now). I am so sorry for the loss of your mum, but what a lovely inheritance to have received.

I got my first grey as a chick, and was fortunate to bond with him from a very young age, although the principles i imagine would be the same. I would sit and talk to him whilst he was in his cage, build up some trust that way, then i would eencourage him out of the cage onto a perch, whilst teaching the step up command. then when he was happy going on the perch i started with my hand in the cage. that was scary for him and I...... and i have scars to prove it. lol. You learn to read their body language very quickly.

I'm currently facing the process of teaching a bond again with a rescued parakeet, who is 2 but not hand tame at all. We started by sitting by his cage, chatting general chit chat to him. My hubby says it's my parrot gibberish..... but it gets them used to your voice and you being there. we then progressed to chatting to him, parrot gibberish again, whilst offering him a sliver of walnut. at first he would back away from my hand, but i kept at it, talking softly, and he started to take the slivers from us. step one. we have now added in a perch with the sliver of walnut, we offer it to him, hold the perch at his feet and then when he steps onto the perch to take the walnut, say step up and give him the walnut. it's taken us 3 months to get to here...... slow and steady wins the race.

sorry, i'm by no means an expert in any of this, i've literally been winging it (pun intended lol) up till now, but it seems to be working.

Hope it helps,

Gabz

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

Welcome to you Stuart and Chico! What a handsome guy you have there!


Jim

 

[1oldparroter]

Hi and welcome. If you are new to birds then go to youtube.com and search on wingsNpaws his video's ought to get you off good. jh

 

[wrench13]

Welcome and be welcomed.