How to Train an African Grey Parrot – Part 1
by Anna Hart
Filed under Parrot Training
Parrot training is more or less effective, depending on the bird. The African Grey Parrot has come to be known as the easiest to train – especially when it comes to talking. Not only can you train an African Grey Parrot to mimic your words, but also to obey your commands. With as little as a month of parrot training, many African Greys go from fussy juveniles to obedient, calm parrots that do tricks on command. You can even train an African Grey Parrot to be “housebroken” when out of the cage – or to play “fetch”.
African Grey Behavior Modification
You might choose to begin your parrot training with behavior modification techniques. African Grey behavior modification is best achieved when humans behave as caregivers, guides, teachers, and parental figures. An African Grey considers himself your equal, and expects respect from you. He does not seem to understand punishment, but remembers who punished him. Parrot training for an African Grey should give choices rather than punishment.
Choices
One behavior you may want to modify through your parrot training is that of the adolescent parrot that refuses to leave his cage when you give the “up” command. He knows the word “up” and associates it with hopping to your fingers to leave the case, but he develops a stubborn, independent streak. You can train an African Grey Parrot to make a choice in such cases: obey your command, or come out in a towel.
The Towel
At the beginning of your parrot training course, your parrot may, by default, choose the towel. He knows little about it, but is determined not to obey your “up” command. After a time or two of leaving home in a towel, however, he will choose to obey and step up on your fingers.
Parrot training to the towel will require that you set yourself to be gentle, calm, and unhurried. Then follow these steps.
* Fold a bath towel in half.
* Place your hands beneath the towel for protection.
* Move the towel into the cage, and gently enclose the parrot.
* Be careful not to squeeze the parrot’s breast.
* Grasp the parrot gently around the sides of its body.
* Holding it in the towel, slowly remove both from the cage.
* Gently place your parrot on the cage top, holding it until it is secure on the perch.
* Remove the towel carefully.
* Scold the towel firmly as you lay it aside.
* Speak to your parrot in a happy, calm voice.
The next time your African Grey refuses to obey your “up” command and leave his cage, simply show him the same towel and ask, “Do you want the towel or do you want to come up?” If he still refuses to leave home on his own, repeat the towel process.
As you continue your parrot training, adapt this same behavior modification technique to other behaviors you want to change.
In Part 2 of this article, we will discuss parrot training that teaches new behavior rather than modify current behavior.
Hello, I need help !! Please !! i have an african grey, this is the first time to get one, the pet store told me that he was 1 and a half year old, today will be the 2nd week for him in our house, it is just me and my wife in the house, He is very scared of me, he will not talk or make any noises infront of me, i can pet him and when i come close to him, he growls sometimes, when i pet him he gets to the end of the cage holds on with his claws to the cage and bow his head so i can pet him, but i sence that he is very scared, how can i be friends with him, he will not accept any kind of treats, nothing !!, he only like seeds, i feel like quiting on him, he doesnt like me,, what can i do ? to make him feel happy, to make him jump onto my hand ? we left the house an we recorded something when no one was in the house, he said his name 4 times, when no one wa around, please again i need help. im really sad, and so is my african grey. what can i do ??
dear sir i have take a grey african parrot ,,i have bought it 2 days before when ever i go close to him he just screems and goes in the corner of the case,,,,pls help me how do u want me to tame him?,,what shd i give him as healthy food?,,and in what age does the african can start talking pls help me i willbe very great full to u
thansk yaseer reshamwala india
I have the same problem i always feed him and treat him well, but no reaction from him and when i come close to him he feel angry or feel scared from me….
how could i be his friend
I have all the same issue with my African Grey Congo, I bought it a month ago, he is also nearly 2 years old. He accepts treats from me but not eat in front of me. I am taking care of him – his food and water, cleaning and everything but he never say anything nor eating anything when i am near the cage. After keeping the cage door open too he never come out. He eat only sunflower seeds, apple and sugar cane. Sometimes he have fresh spinach.
I have read all the details about Grey and trying my level best with patience and know that after continuous efforts I will be successful but please guide me the way.
Thanks.
hi!im from tanzania east africa i even got same problem with my african gery
i tried several time to talk to him but no reaction i get i just bought him about 2weeks ago.he wisels when no one out with him other wise he just keep him self in the coner of the cage.i really need help what shal i do plz help me.
you have to be very patient with them.i’ve never had birds as pets,but my then boyfriend/now husband had the african grey. she was pure evil to me, i got bitten a few times and she’d lunge at the cage when i’d come to her. i am the one who is at home w/her so she sees me all the time, but when he comes home she is so sweet.so i decided to get in her face ALL THE TIME.for instance,whenever i am walking around my house i make a pitstop to her cage and say something in babyspeak, like ‘you are soooo pretty’, or ‘i love u’, or ‘be nice’..but always in a mushy voice,like you are trying to win her affection.i would do this about 20-30 times a day!then when my husband holds her,i pet her & say ‘b nice’ or ‘pet sara’ always lovingly.then she started coming around,it took a couple months.after lots of practice with a towel wrapped around my hand she would come to me,& i give her apples,or grapes.she eventually realized i wont hurt her and now i can grab her without a towel.i am still wary when i pet her,but i always say ‘be nice, pet sara’ she understands, and bows her head with her beak on the cage to show me she wont bite.just repeat your commands over &over&over in a sweet voice and eventually it will learn to trust you.