African Grey Parrots

Lesson 4: The Fun Begins!

Your new bird is home and comfortable and now you are ready to set the agenda for a good relationship. First, the bonding. Is it a family bird or just yours? Your new friend can begin learning tricks from day one and we’ll talk about talking. We’ll have a word or two about safety, both for you and the bird; tell you what items you’ll need for the first aid kit. Then finally its time to relax and enjoy your African grey parrot.

Bonding With Your Grey

Grey parrots, especially the red tailed variety, are most likely to bond with only one human in the household. If you wish to have your bird exclusively to yourself then this is not a problem except when it comes time to go to the veterinarian or if you, for whatever reason, have to be gone from home for an extended period of time. It would be better, unless you live alone, to help your grey interact with other members of the household. A word of caution here – greys are not good pets for children. They are too nervous and fearful even when they are babies. If you have children in your house it would be a good idea not to let them handle the bird even after you feel it is socialized. Greys are unpredictable at any age. An older grey can inflict a very deep and painful bite and a baby grey may become so frightened that you will have a difficult time getting it to trust again.

You will want to give your grey the opportunity to become accustomed to its cage and the surrounding area within vision before you broaden the bird’s experience with his new home by a method called toweling. Toweling is a technique which is invaluable in helping to socialize your new grey whether it is a newly weaned baby or an adult. Wild greys are born in cavities in tall trees. They feel safe when they are in a dark place but can see outside. Your new bird will have retained these wild instincts. The best way to perform the toweling technique, especially if your bird is a baby, is to sit in a chair with a towel draped over your legs. Place the baby on the towel and then gently bring it up to surround and cuddle leaving part of the towel open so the bird can see out of its ‘nest’. The baby will feel protected and safe inside the towel but can still interact with its new world. Don’t use a bright colored or striped towel. Birds are fearful of stripes. Never use an afghan or woolen blanket because the bird can get its toe nails caught. Walk around the house showing the bird different things and talking to it in a positive tone. Don’t keep it out too long. Return it to its cage so it can rest and become comfortable in the safe and secure environment of its special home. Older greys may not tolerate this type of toweling but should become acquainted with the toweling technique for grooming and playing purposes. For more advice on toweling refer to The African Grey Parrot Handbook or My Parrot, My Friend.

Grey parrots, or for that matter any parrot, will learn its behavior from the people in its daily life. Try not to be nervous around your bird. Be cheerful but not boisterous. Talk in an even voice, avoid shouting. If something frightens your bird assure it that it’s okay. The bird will take comfort from your confidence. I also tell my grey when I am going to move his cage when he is in it. I tell him to ‘hang on’. He responds by gripping the perch more firmly and repeating my words. If I am moving furniture or something unusual is going on in the household I explain to him, much as I would to a child, what to expect and tell him it will be alright. He listens intently and sometime retreats to his sleeping position to prepare for the changes that are coming.

Getting a firm grip on your friendship in the early days may side track some behavior problems that could arise. Make no mistake, there will be problems. As your bird matures, as life changes, you will encounter some challenges. Being aware of that going into parrot ownership will put you ahead of the game when the eventualities occur. Just remember, this is your best friend. He relies on you for his food and safety. Whatever is going on will be okay because, between the two of you, it can be worked out.

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