Ask a Question
or
Create a Poll
  1. Home /
  2. Questions /
  3. Pets And Pet Care
  4. / Birds
  5. / Parrots
  6. / African Grey Parrot

by Falconeer on March 9th, 2007

Falconeer

Question

Help answer this question below.

Hi, I have a Congo African Gray parrot and it does not seem to like me. It just screams whenever I approach it. Loves to hide when I am around. Does not bite me at all. I want it to be comfortable around me.

Plese Help me!

  • Like
  • Report
Share:
Other

Answers. 5 helpful answers below.

  • by keithold is a prodigal bagger on March 9th, 2007

    keithold is a prodigal bagger

    G'day Falconeer,

    Thank you for your question.

    Positive reinforcement of rewarding behaviour that you want to see can also prove helpful. Parrots do not respond to domination so punishment is not a good way to train them. If the parrot does something you don't want to do ignore it but reward it when it does something you do want. It will gradually change its behaviour.

    As far as screaming is concerned, it is the natural sound of a parrot. What you should do is ignore its screaming but reward it when it says hello with a soft whistle.

    You might also want to look at these attached tips on training parrots and books on the topic.

    References
    Screaming parrot
    http://www.naturalencounters.com/faqnew.html#screaming
    training your pet parrot
    http://exoticpets.about.com/od/behavior/a/birdtraining.htm
    Training parrots
    http://www.birdtricks.com/
    Amazon Bonnie Monro Doane, Parrot Training: A Guide to Taming and Gentling Your Avian Companion
    http://www.amazon.com/Parrot-Training-Taming-Gentling-Companion/dp/0764563270

    • Like
    • Report

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by scubabob on March 9th, 2007

    scubabob

    With what you've given for information, the bird is normal. It's the top bird in this flock that needs to do some work and make a few changes. That's you.
    He's not screaming because he's frightened, he's screaming because:
    1/ That's what parrots do.
    2/ That's what parrots do when they're bored.
    3/ That's what parrots do when they're lonely.
    4/ That's what parrots do when you don't play with them.
    5/ Thats what parrots do when they want you.
    They all, for the most part no matter the species of parrot, are noisy.
    What can you do? You say it's not biting, so I assume by that you mean that you're actually handling the bird. This is good. Do it often. They have the emotional state equivalent to a five year old human. They will toss tantrums if they don't get attention, just like a human child. If it's not biting , it's showing trust. Work it. His hiding may actually be a game. My guy likes to play peek a boo. He'll hide, then pop his head out and, yup, say "peek a boo". Laughs his arse off and finds another spot.
    One very important thing here. Have that bird in an area of the house that sees a lot of human activity but not in the kitchen. Fumes in that room can kill a bird.
    If you find his screaming starting when you leave the room you've a few options. He may settle down in a few minutes by himself.If it's close to dark, you can always blanket his cage. If it's during the day you'll have to teach him that you WILL be back. There are numerous ways to do this. I use a verbal cue that I taught my bird. To start with my guy, I started saying "bye bye" and leave but came back within 10 minutes. I gradually extended the time between saying bye bye and my return.If my guy was quiet, he got a treat. If he wasn't he got nothing. The bird will get the idea that the word you use means that you are leaving, but you also return and if he's been quiet, you have a treat for him. Parrots aren't stupid, they can associate words with actions. He now says bye bye to me when I leave the room. I have to say it back or that would be rude. :)
    You can also use the stern approach and teach your parrot "No". If you see a undesirable behavior, say "No", sternly and a little louder than normal speech. It'll take time but all parrots are capable of learning and associating NO with an action they shouldn't be doing.
    Other than that, that's all I can glean from what little you have posted.

    • Like
    • Report

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by unknown on March 9th, 2007

    unknown

    Parrots are very individual. They have their own personalities. My friend has one that loves her daughter so much that it bit the daughter's son for getting to close to his mother. You will have to wait on him to accept you. He may never do it, or he my do it grudgingly, or he may become your best friend. Good luck with him.

    • Like
    • Report

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by scubabob on March 10th, 2007

    scubabob

    Falconeer. There's no need to ask your question twice. Questions you ask will show back up on the front page or be at the top in the individual categories for some time. That's actually the best place for them as people who are experienced in the subject you ask about, usually visit the categories regularly or have all new questions in that category emailed to them once a day. Your question will get heard.
    http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/160462/496504

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by midnightforever on December 21st, 2010

    midnightforever

    He/she might be doing that cuz maybe its past family might have been a gurl and may have been mean to it or it maybe you did something in the past and doesn't like you now and is scared but i don't no whyy it wudnt bite you usually they wud bite someone they didn't like in self defence i no this cuz i have 2 myself my dad got the boy wen i was 4 he has wormed up to me a little i can hold and pet is foot just not his head i don't no why but the girl my dad baught wen i was 5 but she hates my guts and i have tryed to bond with her but i can't even pet her through the cage bars without her biting me and im 14 and had her sence i was 5!!! It makes no sence to me plus she alwayyz calls me names and is always cussing me out...i find that funny though ...so i don't no wats wrong...tryy moving slower around him/her cuz african greys get spooked very easily if you move to fast but other then that i dont no... :/

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

Want to attach an image to your answer? Click here.

Did this answer your question? If not, then ask a new question or create a poll.

More Questions. Additional questions in this category.

You're reading Hi, I have a Congo African Gray parrot and it does not seem to like me. It just screams whenever I approach it. Loves to hide when I am around. Does not bite me at all. I want it to be comfortable around me. Plese Help me! - which can also be phrased in the following ways:

  • My African Gray parrot does not seem to like me yet. It just screams when I get close either to feed or pat. He tries to move away too. Does not bite me at all. I want it to be comfortable around me. Plese Help me! Atleast lets me closer than my roommate

Follow us on Facebook!

Related Ads

Related Questions

Professionally Researched

ANSWERBAG BUZZ

Why does my african grey bite me
African gray biting
I want to look for one parrot
African grey screams when i leave the room
African gray parrot hides

Answerbag

a Demand Media company