im inheriting my fiancés grandparents neglected (currently) 23 y/o Timneh African Grey in a few years. your videos have given me so much confidence in my abilities to be able to get him happy and healthy with patience and love. every day i look forward more and more to being able to take him home and get started on his new life
I'm happy y'all were able to change his mind on keeping the bird. So much patience is required to work with these animals but in the end it's so rewarding.
Having inherited a fairly traumatized CAG a year ago, I can attest to the transformational power of proper diet, 12 hours of uninterrupted sleep and consistent, kind, permission based training. There are SO many things already right with Kehei! He's willing - even eager - to learn and obviously is willing to trust. I found with my guy, the more I responded to any level of "no" or discomfort from him, the more he was - and is - willing to trust me. Kyle & Kehei won the birdie lottery!!
I am learning this with my Hahn's macaw hybrid, and the more I respect and respond to her no's, the more affectionate she becomes, and lets me in to her world. She is amazing. I feel blessed. I hope Kyle does, too ❤❤❤🐦
Such and AMAZING grey. There is so so much potential in that fellow. Both the owner and the bird, truthfully. I’m relieved to hear you were able to make Kyle realize that!
before this video was even a minute in I could tell Kehei was an angel. Like even before the class he sounds like a real sweetheart, I'm amazed his previous owner or his current owner ever wanted to give him up. I would not have blamed you for stealing Kehei form Kyle because this bird is a sweetie and I've only kind of seen him for like seven minutes and I love him so much
I'm glad Kyle decided to keep the bird! He had so much patience with him and from watching your other videos, I'm sure he will be able to use the same training that you guys did for the others 🦜🙏🏼🦜🦯🦜
Happy to hear Kyle has decided to keep this beautiful and laid back African Grey. Hopefully as he enjoys a healthier diet, Kyle will see some more positive attributes from his friend. So glad he had the opportunity to meet with you and Dave, and maybe one day he will be out there with you teaching his feathered friend how to fly. Thank you for the upload,see you soon!
After watching your videos for almost a year I adopted an African Grey Timneh (fell in love with Bean). I am doing everything I learned from you guys and I have a wonderful relationship with my bird (Tesla) in just a few weeks time. Thank You!
A lot of people don't realize how aloof and stoic greys are. And, how quiet they are despite their great talking ability and intelligence. People tend to think of parrots as these affectionate, playful and chatty clowns. People expect a puppy but they get a cat -- an old, wizened cat -- with greys. The ear-biting issue is a poor reason to rehome a parrot. Your bird does not need to sit on your shoulder. I bet the previous owners just didn't care for the aloof temperament. I previously had a different parrot species, one that was very affectionate, and I do miss that, but you have to accept your parrot for who she is.
Exactly I concur my grey was a mans bird when I bought him and I am a woman. I've had him five years now and he has bonded to me to a certain degree but nothing like he was with his male keeper who could practically do anything with him. My boy nips me hard drawing blood from time to time but consideration of rehoming him is out of the question. I took him on for my home to be his forever home no matter what even if he didn't take to me. I find it cruel to up route and rehome a bird for trivial things or if at all and personally I couldn't do it they become a family member.
I agree, good point too on the expectations vs reality, I was thinking perhaps this grey prefers women and that’s the main issue here and if Kyle is happy to keep putting in time he’d maybe have to accept now there may never be the bond he’s hoping for so maybe it’s that fact that made him uncertain which is understandable but better he backed out and find a lady or Jamie to work with him…he’s a lovely bird.
What a great bird! Kyle is so lucky to have such a smart and inquisitive companion. I do get his frustration though. It was not easy to gauge his bird’s reactions or body language.
YaY I’m happy he changed is mind & is keeping him👏❤️It would had been so sad for this bird to be rejected for the 5th time…He is such a Amazing Beautiful bird..I wish Kyle the best of Luck w/his new BF!
Kehai seems to have a crappy wing-clip, too. I'm happy Kyle woke up to what a good bird he has! So often on Facbook people in one of my groups talk about rehoming a perfectly wonderful bird.
Oh this part of working with a rehab is SO hard. I have gone through this step in the past, my African Grey who I grew up with, dealt the depression and grief when my dad passed, while dealing with major depression myself, I was so close to giving up on trying, After things has gone done hill for him health wise, things actually has gone better ever sense, step by step things fell right into place and major progress was made. Diet actually was a major part of it for him, getting better and “rehabbing” myself so I could be ready and strong enough to do the things without getting so absolutely exhausted and emotional when interactions fail helped a lot. Chakko my bird is actually behaving like a parrot this days, he’s as balanced as he ever been, his temperament is balanced and he’s doing really well. He is the bird who I was told to never take to the vet because he could never process this interactions and stay alive and safe, he is alive and is safe, he is the bird I knew he would become.
Your power pause reminds me of pressure and release techniques horse trainers use. So amazing to see how different techniques work on a variety of different animals. Love you guys and your work! What a wonderful african grey ❤️
You are so spot on! When I first got Jewel, she was a velcro bird. As she got older and more independent, I sort of missed those times when she would stay on my shoulder when I would be on the computer. We want what we can't have, c'est la vie!
My grey has a foot issue both his nails were ripped off. His balance is way off but anyways african grey have a way different personality than most parrots. They can be very high strong parrots like most larger parrots but you definitely have to understand their own body language. Grey parrots are definitely smart birds.
Great video!!! Great work, Birdtricks! You saved one more bird! Kudos to Kyle, as well, for his early work with the Grey (did he prior animal-training experience?), AND for reaching out to you.
My new Catalina macaw made it a whole 3 days without biting me! I never have been beaten up so badly by a bird but I’m so glad that she is making progress. I really hope Kyle keeps his bird throughout its entire life. African Grays are such sensitive and intelligent birds.
Very glad that Kyle decided to keep Kehei. Liked the beginning of the video with Kyle working with Kehei. Thank you for another great video. Wish I had known about Bird Tricks when I and my late husband had KiKi and Koko. There were two problems with the birds. We never attempted to try to get the problems under control.
As someone who hasn’t worked with birds, I had no idea what I was looking for in terms of relaxation/fear. Now I know how my dog training clients feel when I am telling them to watch their dogs for signs of stress.
Yes. Thank you. People’s expectations of what they want with a bird. Is there down fall. For 35 years I was the none favourite of our Major Mitchell. But that didn’t stop it and me having a wonderful time with each other. Work and enjoy with what your bird allows. It’s not about making it do just what you want. Respect goes both ways. It’s a living thing. My interaction was different from the favourite person but respect and love goes a long way. 💕 I miss her everyday ❤️🩹
Dear Jamie, thanks for your kind words, though not directed at me specifically. I have a 6-mth-old Grey that I raised since 5 weeks. Life threw me a curve ball and I'm facing eviction and a tough work schedule. I'm also dealing with some behavioural issues with my young Grey... Typical baby bird issues (she's pretty clingy). People online can be mean... I've been told that I'm not a good owner and should rehome my Grey. And, truly, even before the negative comments came, I already felt I'm not good enough for my Grey. But, I'm as attached to her as she is to me... We're attending FF lessons... I'm getting help for her issues. When I think about it, what I'm experiencing now is temporary and will pass... And, she's in a good home... A really good home. She gets to fly, has healthy food, she's out-of-cage all day and doesn't seem unhappy... Thankfully, some members privately messaged and urged me to ignore the naysayers... Because I'm trying really hard. This is my baby bird. I don't want her to wind up in multiple homes and get traumatized...
The more of these videos I watch the more grateful I am to have my African Grey. It was literally love at first sight for him. I agreed to take him from my brother in law because he was being too aggressive to his toddler daughter about 2 years ago. He has never bitten me, he flies to me whenever he is loose, he loves to cuddle and rolls on his back in my lap when I rub his neck, and lets me touch him anywhere.
I totally agree about the diet changing attitude . I inherited a blue and gold 27 year old Macaw about 5 months ago. Our Vet said he is a fatty boy and needs an immediate diet change. I've noticed him becoming a bird with a much better attitude. He has a long way to go though😂 He is super chill for the most part. Doesn't squawk a whole lot. He has a big vocabulary but chooses to talk the most when no one is in the room🫤 Taz talks to HIS cat quite a bit. Yes He has a cat named Monkey.
I guess I got lucky that my first rescue bird was perfect for my temperature and lifestyle, being a super affectionate velcro bird who wants to be on my shoulder from the time he wakes up until he voluntarily goes to his cage for nighty night time. Even then it took some lifestyle adjustment to have to accommodate a flighted bird that can’t be left alone for even one second - he even rides along with me when I go to the bathroom. People need to understand what they’re asking for when they want a velcro bird. It’s got a huge set of its own issues, and you lose whatever independence you had. I doubt Kyle would enjoy that. I’m ok with it because I was already a home body. But I’m guessing Kyle wasn’t. He actually has the perfect bird for him. People need to realize that they can’t have it all!
Glad you are able to help Kyle! Would like to see him moved to a different cage though, but it would be fine as a travel cage. This might be a quarantine cage though, but a bigger cage with lots of toys would be better. Looks like BOTH of the cages are way too small and dont have good toys. (I know this isn’t about the enclosures of the birds, it’s about training)
Biting ears???? I have the answer to that. I've got two amazon parrots that I've had one for 29 years the other one for 24 years. They've never bit me on my ears for mainly one reason. I don't put them on my shoulder. I don't want animal like that I don't care how tame it is to be near my eyes. I just think that's stupid.
I have three parrots that all sit on my shoulders and none of them have ever bit while sitting up there. My Amazon likes to sleep snuggled up against my ear while I work on the computer. All three will ride around while I cook or do housework. They are far more likely to attack fingers!
Birds bite in self defense. The capacity to be mean is directly related to the birds level of fear. If a bird bites, the caregiver has misread signs or ignored cues that this would happen. Diet is extremely important. A well nourished bird is far more cooperative. Proper rest is also important A tired bird is a cranky bird. Interaction takes time to develop a trust relationship. Get these things right and a bird will love you right back. These are the things I've learned from Bird Tricks. ❤️
omg, my 1-1/2 year old blue throat macaw is a velcro bird. I was hoping the bird I got would turn out to be a cuddle bug and that he sure is. I love it. But, I found myself wishing he would be just a little more independent, but not too independent. He would be able to be out of his cage all day if he was. Seeing this video educated me that some birds have this personality and there's nothing wrong with it. I'll work with what I have because I love how much he likes to be handled and kissed. By the way, when I was researching macaws, I chose a blue throat because Jamie said they had the best personality. I never had a different macaw to compare mine to, but mine is awesome and exactly what I was hoping for.
i got quite lucky wile my grey is 24 and likes to shoulder perch she will step down or up without issues she's a cuddly grey but still like time to herself as well
Poor bird. My conure is on his third home. They need stability. I hope I can keep my guy for a good length of time. I am a senior and have had breast cancer. So hopey he remains with my other three!!!! Good luck.
After 30 years of owning birds. The one trick I leaned is just be near them. You don’t need to pick them up or handle them just chill with them. Eventually they get use to you and want to be closer. They choose to interact. I let them be birds as much as they can be for being a captive creatures. I also let them listen to other birds and music. I also talk to them alot. I dont cage them either they have their rooms to explore. Freedom to fly.
Can you guys talk about the new Lacey Act Amendment in your next video? If passed, it will make transporting exotic animals of any kind across state lines a felony. Including crossing state lines for vet care, moving, and rescues. It will severely impact rescue organizations,zoos, aquariums, pet owners, and emotional support animals. Even animals that are in their owners’ will.
Mine is terrified of artichokes, squash and really random things. We just place those things where we don’t want him to go! Like inside the cupboards and on the kitchen cupboards. Our grey is able to fly around the house whenever he wants to. Until bedtime, because he started wanting to be in the bed with us and the dog too! 🙄🤣
You guys are doing great work and giving important information.Just I have a question can we keep pineapple conure and Alexander parrot together or not
Yes it's a shame about the short clipped wings. Tried clipping my grey once but not to that extent....never again she is very proud of her wings and took a year for the feathers to grow back. She travels all over the UK in her travel cage and does long walks with her harness...
I have a blue front amazon for 31 years. I recently got him a jungle gym so he could spend more time out of his cage. So recently when I use a perch to place him back in his cage he charged at me. Also recently when he was on the floor which he likes to do, he also charged at me. Sometimes once he is back in his cage he will lean his head towards the bars for me to pet him, almost like now that he is in he feels safe. Well today when I put him in and he leaned his head I went to pet him and he bit me! It drew blood. So anyone who wants to give an opinion feel free but here is my take on it - since he has been spending more time out of the cage on the jungle gym he is acting more dominant towards me and trying to push me around. I'm beginning to think I wasted four hundred dollars and I was better off before, that it is making him too aggressive. This is not an easy pet. I can't imagine anyone with a dog would have their dog suddenly bite them. I wish I had gotten a budgie instead. These birds are very demanding, messy, loud, expensive and time consuming.
Anyone can give reasons why a GCC would start calling out at night when they haven't ever before. Nothing has changed. But if he doesn't stop he's going to be rehomed. I've had him 3 years. Always sleeps from 7-7. But the last 3 weeks making noise starting at 3 am. I live in apartment and need him to stop. I tried a sleeper cage in my bedroom. Same issue
I thought this was a video on how to get your bird to not bite your ears, which I desperately need. My baby cockatiel is perfect, learn super fast, learn recall and toilet trained in 2 days when he was 3 months old. But he has just this one bad habit of playing with my earring and sometimes biting my ears. 😨😨 I don't want to be angry at it but I don't know how to tell him to stop. It's easy to positively motivate bird, but to negatively motivate them on something they're not supposed to do, there's not much information on?
We do not choose the bird they choose us. I would suggest keeping a diary now so that you can measure past successes and failures (Harder lessons). It is like a map of where you have been The lessons you have learned together then if you feel that you have failed in some way watch the video or read from the notes in your book and you will then see how far you have come. The destination is not as important as the journey.
I don’t know how people could ever get rid of their pets outside of extreme circumstances. Maybe the problem isn’t the bird but the terrible owner instead….
Are you the one who is deathly afraid of birds? Keep doing what you’re doing. Looking at bird videos will help you desensitize to the sight of birds and the idea of being near them. Edit: Typo
if ur fear was caused by an experience, just remember that every bird is different!! every bird has its own personality. as long as u respect their boundaries and body language, they will respect u and u wont be bit or anything like that! always start with a clean slate, good luck!
@rainpuppet I really like worms so I can help u with ur fear! they do not have teeth so they can't bite, they don't have a face, and they're blind and def. They can't do anything to harm u! I am scared of spiders too loll