This little African Grey parrot becomes bored easily and pulls his feathers out in frustration when caged. How can his owner teach him to accept his cage?

Question

My daughter’s African Grey hates to be in his cage. It is the normal African Grey size, like one bought at a pet shop. We do put play stuff in the cage which he isn’t really interested in. He must be kept in the cage in the mornings while my daughter is in school. After school he can move around freely in her room and even to other parts of the house. When he was younger he sat and scratched in one corner of the cage for hours when closed in.  Now he is almost one year old and is pulling out all his feathers when caged. This is a big problem, especially when he must stay with other people when we want to go away for weekends or on vacation. Is there any way we can teach him to accept his cage more? He does get his food and water in his cage and sleeps there at night.

Hi Deon
Play things aren’t enough. You must totally make over the environment for him to accept his cage as his home.

Change the location of his cage to a safe, quiet, warm, sunny spot where the temperature is mild and where he can see out into the garden or where the action is.
Make sure his cage is spotless and hygienic 24/7 and there is always clean water.
Fill his cage with different textures to walk on, look at, go though and hang onto. His toys must be interesting and mirrors are good. He also needs a wide variety of food both fresh and seeds, as well as puzzles containing yummy treats which he will have to work at to win.
If you were in his cage what would you want? Be creative and give your African Grey as much mental stimulation as you can dream up.
Good luck to you both
Glynne