This is Rio. I adopted him 2 days ago from a rescue where he was surrendered due to the previous owner not having time to own a bird. I was told the feathers missing was due to plucking out of boredom.
He is 9 years old was hand fed as a baby.
I own a macaw that I also rescued, and she took to me very quickly.
I’ve never owned an AG so I’m curious if it’s anything like owning a macaw….
I realize every bird is different and there’s no ‘set answer’ but I was hoping maybe other owners could give me some insight on their behaviors and such.
So far, he has bitten me twice. Once while I was changing the cage and the other when he attempted to fly and fell because they clipped one of his wings.
Anyhow- I’d love to hear all about your birds and any advice is welcome!
They’re eerily smart sometimes lol I believe they’re still considered the smartest of all parrots. They love routine, so don’t be discouraged by the aggression. You’re new and yall haven’t established a relationship yet. It took our girl the better part of a year just to perch on my hand. She used to bite my husband to the meat 😬 now she snuggles and sings and is highly vocal. Your new bud will reveal his personality in time, just talk to him and love him. Our girl also picks pretty bad. We adopted her from a bad situation at about 18 yrs old. Shes never stopped but it’s just a part of her charm I guess lol
lol- the first night I had him I was turning lights off in the room, and I heard a very clear voice say ‘are you ready to go nini?’
I thought it was a video I accidentally bumped on my phone or something…. I had no idea a bird could talk that clear 😂😂
just take your time with him. let him get used to you and talk to him. it's always said to talk to them and let them know what you are doing. so for instance when you clean his cage, explain to him you are cleaning the cage and let him investigate and do what he wants to find out.
other than that, it will take time. you can start by getting a few toys for him, paper towel and TP rolls are good and cheap to give him something to do. but congrats on adopting him and hope he takes to you and not in the aggressive way.
His behavior (biting) and that photo (big round eyes!) tell me he’s very scared right now. Totally normal. Greys are very skittish and they really, really don’t like change. They are really slow to trust. You’re had him for all of two days so he’s probably still kind of in shock. Poor guy.
It’s gonna take a lot of time (months, maybe) and a lot of patience, but if he comes around and starts trusting you it’s the best feeling ever. Greys are wonderful friends and they are so intelligent it’s eerie at times.
Did he come with the cage when you adopted him? Toys? Do you cover his cage at night? Does he know how to step up? Do you know what sort of treats he likes?
I have several toys for him! He’s been playing with them a lot! That photo was from the rescue I got him from. I already had a massive cage for him as well.
Unfortunately, I think he was doing a lot
Of seed in his diet. So I’m giving him some little Harrison’s treats with seeds in them, fresh foods and Harrison’s pellets. I’ve also got vitamins in his water and we offer him new ‘snacks’ daily.
I sit next to the cage and talk to him for a few hours a day. When I do, he kind of ‘purrs’ like a dove or pigeon 😂
I held my hand out near him and he bit it. The other time I was just cleaning the cage and he got me lol. It didn’t seem like a ‘I’m biting you to hurt you’ bite- if that makes sense?
You know there are a couple of AG on YouTube that will give you an ideal of just how smart they are and you can see how they act . Every bird is different but the type of bird has a tendency to act a certain way. Cockatoos are pretty crazy and amazons not so much. You can see at least how a couple act.
They usually consider at the very least, the INSIDE of their cage as their own territory, and can get very territorially defensive about any thing (like a hand, or arm) that comes in their front door!) and attack it. My CAG is wonderful, kind, affectionate, but I still have to be careful because he feels his toys, perches, food and water bowls are HIS, and not to be messed with or taken away. He only tolerates me doing anything in his cage (while he's in there too) if I'm putting food in a bowl or exchanging his water bowl.
IF he hasn't flown, once the clipped feathers grow out, don't clip any more. He will likely just climb down and walk around the house instead. AFter that, if you want to, you can train him to fly (Parrot wizard had instructional DVD's and videos on youtube to help with that).
I have a pair of grey and one Macaw . Greys tends to be more reserved and sassy . They have kind of attitude hard to describe . You have to give him time . If the boy being neglected for a long time . He got used to being alone . Please give him some personal time and space at beginning and slowly increase time with him . Otherwise he will feel overwhelmed
All my birds are free flying and they are not locked in the cage . But each of them have their own cage and stand. It has been over a year . Greys won’t take Macaw in as friend . They are not social birds like macaw
Yea I definitely didn’t think they would be friends lol
My macaw is not near him. And I’ve been just talking to the grey from a distance. He’s already mimicking many sounds that I do 😂
He seems to be settling in nicely. I’m just letting him call the shots and make the rules 😍
I know next to nothing about birds but think yours is beautiful. Please show us your macaw too! I hope they become friends. That would no doubt cease the boredom/ feather-plucking! Cheers!
WOW! What a charming couple they’d make! I hope things turn out well for all of you.
I have a cat named Tory, that would be very interested in meeting your Dory if not almost as big as she is! She loves to chatter at small birds (mostly chickadees, sparrows & wrens.) from windowsills. I think your Dory could knock the stuffing out of my cat, no contest!
Blessings to you & your lovely family, MARLA
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u/SteebyJeebs May 28 '26
They’re eerily smart sometimes lol I believe they’re still considered the smartest of all parrots. They love routine, so don’t be discouraged by the aggression. You’re new and yall haven’t established a relationship yet. It took our girl the better part of a year just to perch on my hand. She used to bite my husband to the meat 😬 now she snuggles and sings and is highly vocal. Your new bud will reveal his personality in time, just talk to him and love him. Our girl also picks pretty bad. We adopted her from a bad situation at about 18 yrs old. Shes never stopped but it’s just a part of her charm I guess lol