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Our bird hates me. kinda long

dmcdonald15 Feb 23, 2008 01:54 PM

We took in an african grey who had been through a rough few months ending with the owners suicide in the same room as the bird. He was left alone for two days before we got him. When I first saw him there was three other guys around and he seemed to like me, one of the other guys has birds and he really didn't like him. I called my wife to come see if he liked her and he did so we took him home. The first few weeks he was fine with me. He would let me hold him and only bite some times, but the longer we have him the more he hates me. He talks in my voice and will repeat things he hears me say. The biggest problem me and him have is when we are home alone he makes this LOUD noise and bites his foot. It is kind of like a cluck but it is not the noise grey are know for. It is extremely loud and I have tried covering him and when he stops uncovering him doesn't work take the cover off boom starts all over. He has for the las week whenever I come home started before I can even let the dogs out. Sorry this is so long I just need some advice on making him stop. I don't care if he never likes me enough to let me hold him I just don't want that sound. would moving him to another room make any difference, and move him back kind of like a time out. It doesn't do this to my wife only me and for the most part only when she is gone, and sometimes at night when I wlk past his cage if she is already in bed ha will do it. Thank you and sorry once again for the long post

Replies (3)

dmcdonald15 Feb 24, 2008 10:50 AM

here is a picture of him eyeing me up.

PHIggysbirds Feb 25, 2008 11:51 AM

Well the nice behavior to your wife and the more aggressive behavior toward you could be that he sees your wife as a potential mate and you as a rival. If he knows he is getting to you he will keep doing it. Who is the main one to feed him? If you are not that person could you possibly take over his feeding responsibilities. Also pay attention to what is his favorite food or treat. Save this for times when he is being well behaved not doing the sound or the aggression and then give him the treat. Does he have plenty of toys? Does he get much out of cage time? Who is the main one to let him out of the cage, does he immediately have to go back in the cage when you get home or are you always the "bad guy" who has to put him back up or cover him at bedtime etc?

Is there a sound that might be as interesting as the one he makes that yuo wouldn't mind him making all the time? Sometimes finding a different sound that the parrot finds interesting and doing this sound at the same time as he/she makes the annoying sound can teach your bird to do the other sound. Some like whispering sounds, others cell phone ringing sounds, even childrens toy sounds. Try seeing if you can find a replacement noise that will get his attention.

dmcdonald15 Feb 25, 2008 05:14 PM

I have tried to feed him but when I unlock the door that holds the food he runs over grabs the bowl and throws it. I hardly ever put him to bed my wife does. I tried saying hi as soon as I come home and now he makes the noise before I get through the front door. This only happens when I get home before her. He is out of his cage from around 4:30-5:00 and goes back in around 9:00 or 9:30 and goes to bed around 10:00 or 10:30. He is also uncovered in the morning and out of his cage with her for about an hour. I leave to early to uncover him so that is not an option. He doesn't like to take treats out of your hand but he has taken a few things from me which surprised my wife because he will not take things from her. I am going to get a glove and try to start holding him again, he had bitten me so many time my habd was all tore up and it seemed counterproductive to just let him usa me for a chew toy. I would at least like to get along with him. Thanks

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