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May
Glynne Anderson

How can I get my 3 yr old African Grey to stop being so aggressive? He dives at anyone who goes near him out of his cage?

Many thanks

Hi Gem
Behavior problems, especially aggression, usually stem from something missing in the bird’s environment. Boredom, lack of trust, lack of interaction with other birds or people, can lead to problems like biting, feather plucking, and screaming. Try to develop a bond of trust and spend time with your African Grey to help avoid more aggressive behaviour.
Enrich his environment with food he loves, supply puzzles, walkways, hide-aways different textures, mirrors and fun thing for him to do…in other words mental stimulation. Do change the location of his cage; give him a room with a view which is warm, light and interesting.
Begin training him in his cage so he cannot bite or attack you and then slowly, slowly win him over with treats, sweet talk, touch and lots of TLC. Remember more ants are caught with honey than with vinegar!
Do visit this website for more info: http://www.birdtricks.com/training_parrots.htm

Good luck and be patient.
Glynne

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    One Response to “Q&A - Aggressive African Grey”


  1. Ilze van der Walt Says:
    May 22nd, 2008 at 9:06 am

    Hi Glynne,

    I agree that this is a problem for both human and bird, as both can be hurt.

    I would agree with first working to gain trust, start with approaching the bird with trust and respect and if he dives at you do not move out of his way (obviously the first few times should be with the bird in the closed cage). He must learn that people do not go away when and if he dives at them. Most things that animals do is because of the first time that they did it, it had consequences (like the human go a freight and moved away). Start giving treats by hand, if you are afraid that it will bite put gloves on. Then later you can even (depending on your time) start feeding the bird by hand. I would suggest that you do all of this in the beginning with the bird inside the closed cage, only after the trust bond has formed you can start taking the bird out. But let him work for the time outside. If he behaves he can be let outside, if not he stays inside. Patience is important in this case.

    You can also contact a TTouch practitioner to assist you, if need be.

    Good Luck
    Ilze

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