Hi from Lennie and myself Marc

[MarcnLennie]

Hi and thanks for letting us join.

I recently took over the care of an Congo African Grey parrot he is six years old.

So far having no expertise I’ve recently gotten two bites on my finger which I’m putting down to my inexperience and the fact Lennie is in a new environment and has a new Dad.

Although very chatty and Lennie will come to my side of his cage when I can temp him with his favorite corn cob.

I’m hoping to start training him to hopefully sit on my hand or shoulder. Any advice would be awesome. I have bought anti-bite gloves which I really don’t want to have to use. I’d like to do the handling bare handed.

Thanks everyone.

 

[Allee]

Hello and welcome, Lennie & Marc! Sounds like you may be moving a little too fast for Lennie, it’s usually better to move at the bird’s pace. Items like hats, sunglasses, jackets and especially gloves can be terrifying to parrots, I wouldn’t use them. Here’s a link with some great tips on bonding. African Greys are super intelligent, give Lennie a chance to adapt to his new home and work on building a trusting bond.

http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49144-tips-bonding-building-trust.html

Please keep us updated on your progress.

 

[Jen5200]

Welcome to you and Lennie! I would echo what Allee says - gloves can add another layer of “scary” for a parrot. Just take your time and build some trust with Lennie. Birds communicate so much with their body language, and as you start to understand what he’s telling you the bites will decrease. I would definitely wait on the shoulder-sitting until you guys understand each other better (hard to see a bite coming when they are up there)

 

[Scott]

Welcome aboard Marc and Lennie, thanks for joining!

Wonderful previous advice, know that Greys are extremely intelligent and are capable of becoming exceptional lifelong companions! Always good to follow Lennie's pace.

Another helpful thread: http://www.parrotforums.com/congo-timneh-greys/59366-cag-101-a.html

 

[Laurasea]

Welcome to the adventure! Birds can be protective of the cage but awesome away from it. Set it up so he can come out on his own, to a perch at your eye level maybe on the side of the cage, and see if he does better that way. And lots of treat bribery!

 

[Flboy]

Welcome to you, a great adventure begins!

 

[ChocolateChipCookiez]

Welcome to the forum!

I look forward to hearing more about you and Lennie