Can an African Grey adapt to change?

Question

I want to get an african Grey, but I have read that they don't like change alot.

The reason this would be a problem is because this bird would be around a large family a lot and i would also want to take it to work with me the majority of the work week where there would also be a lot of people around.

my question is.. If i were to get a young african grey and get him used to this type of lifestyle.. would it be possible? If he was raised with it, would he then be less likely to be fearful?

I also know that they don't like change if you develop a schedule.. and I wouldn't be able to take the bird into work EVERY day.. so what if I brought the bird in randomly so that no schedule is developed?? Do you think this would work?

Answer 1

As long as your bird is with you his flock member and you assure him/her from infancy that he/she is "OK" the bird will be fine. My Grey is surrounded by people all the time, but not everyone is allowed to handle her, that is how she knows she is "OK". The change that they have difficulty with is new owners when older, a room filled with unfamiliar furnishings and things of that nature.

Answer 2

Hi,

i don't know much about them, but my friend had one and she told me that they were not big on people, and from what i saw she was right.  only she, her daughter, one other person and me were allowed to touch him, and he still bit me a couple times - ouch!  

he was fantastically smart, a fascinating creature, but not social and definitely not crazy about crowds.

i think he would be a lot happier just left at home.

but, if you did get a youngster, perhaps he could adapt.  the one i knew wasn't raised by my friend.  and, what a collection of songs and phrases and noises he had!  quick learner!

that's all i got.

Answer 3

I know a couple who had an african grey and had no pproblem with chang ewith him. For quite a while he had to go living with a friend of theres and when they got him back it was like hed never been away. He was happy to have people in and out the house in both his 'homes' and even got himself free a few times and took himself for a bit of a roam. I suppose that may have been his personality but i think with any animal if theyre brought up a certain way then they get used to it so i wouldnt worry about it.

Answer 4

ya what you think is very true you should buy a young bird i.e. between 5 to 12 months so that you can tame it properly and you wont have any problem to tame it and ya you can tame it to come with you and it woud be a better idea of not making any habits to your young bird cause after wards that can create problems if you cannot maintain the same schedule and it is really very good idea to bring an african grey but you need to give it ample of time.so best of luck for your new bird

Answer 5

Known for sharp looks and even sharper wit, African greys enthrall pet bird owners with their uncanny ability to mimic and even, seemingly, understand their words and gestures. With great intellect also comes great sensitivity and, occasionally, frustration. These birds require a gentle owner willing to provide meaningful interaction and challenging toys and puzzles. The P. e. erithacus subspecies is larger than the P. e. timneh. The timneh African grey is also a darker grey color and its red tail is more muted than that of P. e. erithacus (also sometimes referred to as Congo African grey.)

Timneh African Grey Stats



Scientific Name:  Psittacus erithacus timneh

Size:  Medium 9 inches

Native Region:  Africa

Life Expectancy:  up to 50 years

Noise Level:  Moderate

Talk/Trick Ability:  Known as the Einstein’s of the bird world, timneh African greys have excellent talking ability and are thought to recognize the meaning of words as well. This parrot will benefit from new challenges and continued learning. It is recommended that grey pet birds have a variety of toys that stimulate thinking. The perception of intelligence level in parrots has changed due to work with grey parrots such as Alex, an African grey used in Dr. Irene Pepperberg’s research.

Traits:  The timneh African grey enjoys socializing, but its behavior is often affected by the owner’s mood and home environment. This pet bird isn’t known as a cuddler, but it does enjoy a head scratch and intelligent conversation. Some timneh African greys owners say these pet birds are intuitive to the point that they become familiar with the owner’s schedule of activities. Timneh African greys are also known to have a mischievous attitude, a quality some pet birds use to play pranks on their owners.

Behavior/Health Concerns:  Biting and aggression are more common with males, and excessive shyness is more common with females. Timneh African greys are susceptible to feather picking, calcium, vitamin-A and vitamin-D deficiencies, respiratory infections, psittacosis and psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD). Timneh African greys are sensitive to stress and do best in a low or stress-free environment, according to Pamela Clark, IAABC Certified Parrot Behavior Consultant. These pet birds are capable of getting through the typical stressful moments that any family will encounter, but they will not thrive if kept in a home with extended periods of anxiety and stress. It is recommended that sunflower and/or safflower seeds be added to an Timneh African grey’s diet as a substitute for the oil they ingest from palm seed in the wild.

“They stay closely in tune with their human companions and give a sense of intimacy or special closeness to the relationship. They seem also to have a keen sense of humor and frequently make their owners laugh. The most frequently encountered problems have to do with their tendency to be more sensitive to adverse rearing conditions, as well as any lack of stability in their first 18 months. In my personal experience, a more confident grey is allowed to wean at his own pace and is able to develop good flight skills as a fledgling, before having his wings gradually trimmed back. Once he has gone into his new home, a sense of stability is necessary.

Training your bird at a young age is ideal when compared to re-training or correcting the bad habits of an older bird. Some pet owners can become sidetracked by the freshness of having a new bird and enjoying their cuteness while they’re still baby birds; however, you must remember that in order to set the stage for the future, it is important to socialize your bird, work on good communication, and establish trust at a young age.  Just as human babies need to learn to eat with a spoon and play well with others before they tackle long division, baby birds need to start with the basics. Spend time with your young bird developing trust and teaching the basics of good bird behavior. For example:

Body handling. If you help your baby bird become accustomed to being gently handled now, you will prevent many problems later. For example, gently playing with your bird’s feet and toes will help it tolerate toenail filing. Gently lift its wings, so a trip to the groomer doesn’t become a nightmare later on.

Toweling: Start using the towel as part of your play with your baby bird, gradually working into wrapping your bird up in the towel. When you or your vet need to wrap the bird in the towel for its own safety, the experience will be much less stressful.

Beaking: Baby birds use their beaks to explore, but now is the time to let your bird know that anything beyond gentle nibbles is unacceptable. Frown and tell your bird “No,” and leave it alone for a minute or two, so it associates biting with being put in “time-out.”

Harness: It can take some time before a bird accepts wearing a harness or flight suit, but things will go more smoothly if you start when the bird is young. Once you get your bird into the harness, take it outside, at least briefly, so it learns why the harness is worth the bother. It’s also a good time to try out the carrier. Take short car rides that don’t end at the vet each time, and your bird might look forward to them.

You will begin to notice better communication between you and your baby bird. Working with your bird frequently allows you to become familiar with the body language and preferences of the bird, making it easier to know what your pet wants and how to respond to its actions. By taking time to teach your bird new tricks, you are encouraging desired behavior. Your bird will begin to demonstrate the favorable behavior because it learns it receives your attention then, as opposed to misbehaving. The stimulation training provides your bird is also very important to cater to their intelligence and appease their curiosity.

Answer 6

Young birds can get used to anything, any family, any household routine. Once they get used to a schedule, greys can be bitchy about change. The randomness idea is excellent, I do it all the time. For example, I let him out of his cage for several hours a day, but he never knows exactly when it will be, nor how long. He needs to learn to fit in with YOUR schedule, for when YOU have time for him and that won't be at the same time every day, will it? Let him get used to "change-up" like this when he is young (and keep doing it).  My grey is 8, and we have an extremely hectic household.

Greys usually like to travel about. But there are certain things you need to do, such as buy special harnesses,"leashes", and you must train him to wear one and let you put it on him. Whenever he is outside and not caged, he must wear one. The other end is attached to you. He will need a large carrier to travel in, preferably one large enough for a perch, yet light and small enough for you to carry when you have to. You do not want him loose in the car, especially when you are by yourself, plus he can be easily injured.

I do not recommend teaching him to fly. They can often learn on their own. Just because you have never seen him fly does not mean that he does not know how to. Outside, with a breeze, unharnessed, there goes your $3000.00 bird! I do not clip because Elmer is never outside without being caged in his carrier, he also would never be able to escape the house. Like I said, don't "teach" him to fly, if he learns how, so be it...

At your work, you will also need a few things. If you buy a really fancy carrier, that can double as a cage for him there, especially if he can come out and crawl all over the outside of it, too. You must have some kind of cage there, though, you will sometimes have to cage him at work. Do not use his harness to attach him to anything. You will need a supply of his regular food (dry would be good at work) and whatever treat food you give him. The treat food will come in handy when he climbs up a wall and is hanging upside down from the ceiling (and screaming! Trust me, this will probably happen, and a lot more! But you both will have a really good time!) A quality perch would be a good idea, make sure it's large enough for a grey.

You already have some excellent ideas in your question. I hope I've been able to help you flesh them out...

Feel free to email me with any questions. Good luck with your new baby when you get him!

Regards, kookoo

P.S. I should tell you that I do not often travel with Elmer, but he is used to it and has never had a problem with going places. He loves the pet store where he can hoot and holler with the other birds.

Answer 7

Yes I think if you got a young bird and did this, the bird would become used to it.  They're impressionable when they're young and the best thing for them is to be exposed to as many safe situations, toys/items, food items, and people as possible so they don't become fearful of new situations later.  If they are exposed to alot of different people, they will be more accepting of new people.  You'll still be his/her #1 buddy, but they won't be fearful of meeting someone new.  :)  sounds like it will be a lucky bird if it gets to spend that much time with you!  good luck with your feathered 'perpetual toddler'!  ;)