Also, wherever you read that training older birds is difficult and that they can't be taught new skills, ignore it, this is also wrong. Training older birds can be even easier than training younger birds, because they are more willing to cooperate and are more food motivated. The reason I am saying all this is because I think the only way to get a maximum from a relationship with any bird (young, old, big, small, hand fed, wild, scared... any bird) is to train it. On one hand, it keeps you parrot focused and its mind occupied, so it doesn't get bored (which is really important with greys because they are very intelligent, get bored easily, and could start plucking), and on the other, the parrot connects you with good things in its life - nice treats, praise, time out, playtime - and it is called positive reinforcement. When a parrot associates positive things with you, it will like you too, and it will be happy to see you.
So, start reading. There are sooo many good articles on the net about parrot training, starting with touch training, then target, recall, and tricks... This is not as complicated as it sounds, but it does take time and patience... But it all pays off when you build a strong bond with your beloved pet. There is nothing like starting from scratch and building the trust by taking small steps at the time, and finally accomplishing great goals together. Good luck!
Birds will get attached to someone in their life and a lot of them wont bond to anyone else once that person is gone. Sometimes they will though. you just have to work with her.
when you talk to him lower your voice he will start paying attention next give him food what ever you cook tell him to test and name of the food and repeat he like rice cooked give him evry think to test NO milk no chocolate or avocado give him yogurt cheese cashiew peanut butter chicken bones fruit vegetable frozen corn and peas the more house food you give him the more he will bond with you .
Feed him treats, he will love you after.
Here's the situation:
My mother has an african grey who is 13 years old, I've always been apart of this birds life in some way or another. From a young age she bonded with my mother and wouldn't allow anyone else to touch her etc. I have anyways understood that greys are one person birds, but I have read reverently this isn't the case, in fact they can bond with others. I would love to be this birds best friend as one day I will inherit her. We all live in the same house (my mother resides in our inlaw suite in the basement) and the bird is upstairs with me and my husband and two young children. I do all the looking after the bird, cleaning her cage, feeding her etc.. She will allow me to occasionally give her a kiss through the bars of her cage, will always accept treats from me though. But if I try to put my hand near her she will try to bite me! She has bit me a few times in the past. How do I over come this issue with her? I would do anything for a nice loving relationship with her! Any advice is appreciated.
