How to Befriend an African Grey

African Greys can be more challenging to befriend than other parrot species, because they're smarter and very cautious by nature. With a bit of knowledge about them, you can work around those qualities, or even turn them to your advantage.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Peanuts
• Grapes

How to Befriend an African Grey

1. Respect the needs and pesonal space of the bird.. Greys have been described as "arch-conservatives," which means they are skeptical of change. If you're someone new in the bird's life, he'll be checking you out for a while before he decides if you're part of the flock or a potential danger. Be sure to give the Grey space during this period. Never stick your hand in his cage. Sit near him, but be busy doing something else until he gets used to your presence.
2. Converse from a distance. Don't put your face up to his cage by any means, but talk to him from a safe distance. Two to three feet away is probably good for most. Start talking in a friendly tone on a consistent basis.They respond well to flattery and praise. Tell him he's "good" and "pretty," which are words he probably understands. Use any other words he knows, and keep your voice calm and positive.
3. Reward, or bribe if you will, your bird. There will be some treat that the bird adores; peanuts and grapes are often favorites, but you might have to try a few safe food items (any unprocessed fruit or vegetable except spinach and avocado) to discover what he loves. If he's been on an all-seed diet, those fruit-flavored parrot pellets might seem like a treat. Give him one tiny piece of treat after each time you talk to him, so he associates you with good times. If he won't take the treat from your fingers (through the cage bars), drop it into his food dish.
4. Train your bird by positive reactions. If you can get the Grey to react to you in any positive way, you're on the way to a beautiful friendship. He might begin to say a certain word whenever you're nearby; say that word back to him. If he bobs up and down in a "dancing" motion, do a little dance with him, all the while praising him extravagantly. Greys love attention even more than treats, so you will win him over if you can teach him to do anything. Start with something he already wants to do, and be sure to reward him with a tiny bit of treat whenever he responds correctly.
5. Pet your bird when he starts to trust you. Have someone that the bird trusts already pet him while you speak to him if this is possible. Eventually, he will let you do it on your own.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't react to bad parrot behavior in any dramatic way, because they love drama. If he nips your finger, and you shriek and pull away, you've just "rewarded" that nip.
• Don't look shocked under any reasonable circumstances. Greys are smart enough to throw a toy at you, splash water on you, or scream right next to your ear, just to get a rise out of you. Don't react, and they'll give it up and try something else. Let the Grey know that the best way to get your attention, and treats, is to be sweet.