Comments on: How to Train an African Grey Parrot – Part 1 http://www.parrots-of-the-world.com/parrot-training/how-to-train-an-african-grey-parrot-part-1-17/ Sun, 27 Nov 2011 17:28:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: houssam http://www.parrots-of-the-world.com/parrot-training/how-to-train-an-african-grey-parrot-part-1-17/comment-page-1/#comment-19953 houssam Sun, 27 Nov 2011 17:28:46 +0000 http://www.parrots-of-the-world.com/parrot-training/how-to-train-an-african-grey-parrot-%e2%80%93-part-1-17/#comment-19953 My African grey is trained and comes up on my hand and eats and makes sounds when we're not there. But when it comes to talking.......he doesn't. I had him for about 1 week and a half and nothing. Plzzzzzz help me.... I feed him nuts. Can u tell me what else is good for African greys? I would really appreciate it. My African grey is trained and comes up on my hand and eats and makes sounds when we’re not there. But when it comes to talking…….he doesn’t. I had him for about 1 week and a half and nothing. Plzzzzzz help me…. I feed him nuts. Can u tell me what else is good for African greys? I would really appreciate it.

]]> By: Pat http://www.parrots-of-the-world.com/parrot-training/how-to-train-an-african-grey-parrot-part-1-17/comment-page-1/#comment-19649 Pat Sat, 26 Nov 2011 07:22:41 +0000 http://www.parrots-of-the-world.com/parrot-training/how-to-train-an-african-grey-parrot-%e2%80%93-part-1-17/#comment-19649 African Greys are smart "for birds" but they are like dealing with 5 year old kids. They take great patience and constant reinforcing. Anyone with kids or nieces/nephews knows that the most outgoing 5 year old becomes very shy when a stranger enters the room for the first time, but over time if the stranger is nice to them they come back out of their shell. Same thing with African Greys, they need to learn that you're a friend. What's the easiest way to befriend a 5-year old? Candy! LOL African Greys respond the same way to peanuts, grapes or whatever their favorite treat happens to be. My introduction to them came when a friend's parents went to Florida for the winter and asked if I'd watch her 18 year old Grey for 5 months. The first day she tried to come through the cage to attack me, I was wondering what I got myself into! I used to have love Birds and they were super friendly. I'd feed her peanuts through the cage but she'd try to bite my fingers instead of taking them so i put them on a small spoon and fed her that way while whistling softly and telling her how pretty she was. After a couple days I left the door to the cage open and she'd crawl up on top but would never leave the security of her cage in this strange new environment. On the fourth day I was shocked when she flew over and landed on my head. I stayed calm and she left after a few minutes but i passed the test and we were starting to bond. I would wrap my mand in a towel and get her to hop on. If I made a fuss she'd fly away but if I kind of ignored her and whistled or talked softly she'd stay around. The visits became more frequent and longer in duration and by day six she was climbing on my shoulder and nuzzling into my neck. Then she "kissed" me, I was shocked, I thought she was going to rip my lip off but she was gently taking it in her mouth and nibbling. If I freaked out she'd probably have taken a chunk out of my lip but now she says "give me kisses" and does it all the time. Oh yeah, they will usually lead with their beak when climbing onto your hand or arm the same way they would if they were climbing a tree or their cage, which can be mistaken for attempted biting. It does take some nerve at first to leave your bare hand exposed, especially if you've been bit before, but if you remain calm so will she and she'll gently pull herself on without hurting you a bit. Now I can't leave the room without her chasing behind and landing on my head or shoulder. I've woken up to find she's made her way to my bed and cuddled into my neck so now I've got to be careful when I wake up so that I don't roll onto her. They want to love you, they just need time to figure out you're on their side! :o) Good luck... African Greys are smart “for birds” but they are like dealing with 5 year old kids. They take great patience and constant reinforcing. Anyone with kids or nieces/nephews knows that the most outgoing 5 year old becomes very shy when a stranger enters the room for the first time, but over time if the stranger is nice to them they come back out of their shell. Same thing with African Greys, they need to learn that you’re a friend. What’s the easiest way to befriend a 5-year old? Candy! LOL African Greys respond the same way to peanuts, grapes or whatever their favorite treat happens to be.

My introduction to them came when a friend’s parents went to Florida for the winter and asked if I’d watch her 18 year old Grey for 5 months. The first day she tried to come through the cage to attack me, I was wondering what I got myself into! I used to have love Birds and they were super friendly. I’d feed her peanuts through the cage but she’d try to bite my fingers instead of taking them so i put them on a small spoon and fed her that way while whistling softly and telling her how pretty she was. After a couple days I left the door to the cage open and she’d crawl up on top but would never leave the security of her cage in this strange new environment. On the fourth day I was shocked when she flew over and landed on my head. I stayed calm and she left after a few minutes but i passed the test and we were starting to bond.

I would wrap my mand in a towel and get her to hop on. If I made a fuss she’d fly away but if I kind of ignored her and whistled or talked softly she’d stay around. The visits became more frequent and longer in duration and by day six she was climbing on my shoulder and nuzzling into my neck. Then she “kissed” me, I was shocked, I thought she was going to rip my lip off but she was gently taking it in her mouth and nibbling. If I freaked out she’d probably have taken a chunk out of my lip but now she says “give me kisses” and does it all the time.

Oh yeah, they will usually lead with their beak when climbing onto your hand or arm the same way they would if they were climbing a tree or their cage, which can be mistaken for attempted biting. It does take some nerve at first to leave your bare hand exposed, especially if you’ve been bit before, but if you remain calm so will she and she’ll gently pull herself on without hurting you a bit. Now I can’t leave the room without her chasing behind and landing on my head or shoulder. I’ve woken up to find she’s made her way to my bed and cuddled into my neck so now I’ve got to be careful when I wake up so that I don’t roll onto her. They want to love you, they just need time to figure out you’re on their side! :o )

Good luck…

]]> By: Zakir http://www.parrots-of-the-world.com/parrot-training/how-to-train-an-african-grey-parrot-part-1-17/comment-page-1/#comment-10224 Zakir Thu, 06 Oct 2011 06:48:58 +0000 http://www.parrots-of-the-world.com/parrot-training/how-to-train-an-african-grey-parrot-%e2%80%93-part-1-17/#comment-10224 its a lovely thing you are doing to help the parrots and their owners and i have two african greys in separate cages right now if i leave them togeather they fight and that's why i need some suggestions and advice. its a lovely thing you are doing to help the parrots and their owners and i have two african greys in separate cages right now if i leave them togeather they fight and that’s why i need some suggestions and advice.

]]> By: sara http://www.parrots-of-the-world.com/parrot-training/how-to-train-an-african-grey-parrot-part-1-17/comment-page-1/#comment-9710 sara Sat, 03 Sep 2011 11:22:30 +0000 http://www.parrots-of-the-world.com/parrot-training/how-to-train-an-african-grey-parrot-%e2%80%93-part-1-17/#comment-9710 my parrot is not saying the words that i say, we brought him from 1 year and yet he is not saying any word i am sad what can i do to let him talk ? my parrot is not saying the words that i say, we brought him from 1 year and yet he is not saying any word i am sad what can i do to let him talk ?

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.parrots-of-the-world.com/parrot-training/how-to-train-an-african-grey-parrot-part-1-17/comment-page-1/#comment-9560 Anonymous Wed, 24 Aug 2011 21:37:35 +0000 http://www.parrots-of-the-world.com/parrot-training/how-to-train-an-african-grey-parrot-%e2%80%93-part-1-17/#comment-9560 my african grey hates me he is 4 years old i have jus got him when i saw him he was happy talking every thing now i have him he keeps biting wont talk or come to me he snatches food out my hand can some one help me please my african grey hates me he is 4 years old i have jus got him when i saw him he was happy talking every thing now i have him he keeps biting wont talk or come to me he snatches food out my hand can some one help me please

]]> By: Caroline http://www.parrots-of-the-world.com/parrot-training/how-to-train-an-african-grey-parrot-part-1-17/comment-page-1/#comment-9547 Caroline Tue, 23 Aug 2011 05:10:39 +0000 http://www.parrots-of-the-world.com/parrot-training/how-to-train-an-african-grey-parrot-%e2%80%93-part-1-17/#comment-9547 It sounds like some of you may be dealing with juvenile or baby birds. It's very common for the first few days in a new home for a bird to be quiet. Sometimes, it can take several weeks before the bird "adjusts" and it's extremely important to monitor your bird during this time for weight loss or stress. Not all birds with the ability to talk do so, regardless of how much time you spend with them. My Hawkhead says three words, but is a great whistler. At any rate, most birds begin to vocalize more after 12 months of age. I think with any intelligent parrot, you're not "taming" them. It's so imperative to "friend" them. You want to become part of their flock, not them to become your pet. It's suggested that Greys need at least 45 minutes of one on one time a day, plus ambient time around you out of the cage, but supervised. If necessary, pull up a chair, open the cage doors and just talk to your parrot and show them things that are safe if they decide to come check them out. Don't push yourself on the bird, let them make the decision to come to you. Hope everyone has a happily ever after with their feather baby! It sounds like some of you may be dealing with juvenile or baby birds. It’s very common for the first few days in a new home for a bird to be quiet. Sometimes, it can take several weeks before the bird “adjusts” and it’s extremely important to monitor your bird during this time for weight loss or stress. Not all birds with the ability to talk do so, regardless of how much time you spend with them. My Hawkhead says three words, but is a great whistler. At any rate, most birds begin to vocalize more after 12 months of age. I think with any intelligent parrot, you’re not “taming” them. It’s so imperative to “friend” them. You want to become part of their flock, not them to become your pet. It’s suggested that Greys need at least 45 minutes of one on one time a day, plus ambient time around you out of the cage, but supervised. If necessary, pull up a chair, open the cage doors and just talk to your parrot and show them things that are safe if they decide to come check them out. Don’t push yourself on the bird, let them make the decision to come to you. Hope everyone has a happily ever after with their feather baby!

]]>