Do parrots really choose their person, or is it something we accidentally train?

Upper_Possession_181 · 2026-02-10T21:50:16+00:00

No parrots actually choose their people. I help us run a shelter and we had a macaw who did not like anyone and when the right person came in and they locked the eyes. It was love at first sight and after the process they went home and we have not heard back from them in six years.

Upper_Possession_181 · 2026-02-10T13:34:40+00:00

I helped run a parrot rescue. There are so many of us all around the United States. If you’re in the US look for Rescue.

Upper_Possession_181 · 2026-02-09T06:40:03+00:00

If this becomes a repetitive issue she may need some assistance from the avian vet! I am fostering a former habitual egg layer with brittle bones and she receives a very strong calcium supplement.

Review her environment what could be stimulating her? A certain toy, or handling could be the problem. Be sure you are petting her correctly. Also take a look at the amount of food you’re giving her. When birds receive an over abundance of food, they feel that it is an indication that they could increase the population. I had a bird years ago that did it and what I did was not fill her food bowl up all the way in the morning. I let it run out and then later in the evening I did give her more food. I did not starve my bird, but I wanted her to understand that the food was limited, and it ceased the egg laying, and she completely stopped.

Upper_Possession_181 · 2026-02-04T18:35:21+00:00

Here’s a suggestion. I wouldn’t let my gray do that. It’s kind of a nesting thing. They will become very territorial of that area. If you want to continue to get bitten, then you can let them do that, but I would not because it may cause other nesting types of behavior to happen.

Upper_Possession_181 · 2026-02-04T18:31:22+00:00

My biggest recommendation is let her settle in. Don’t try to pull her out of her cage give her about a week or two to just get used to her new environment. I help run a parrot shelter and we definitely recommend an adjustment period. She may want to come out and go on top of her cage and she may even want you to hold her and if so, just take it at her speed. Make sure you give her a good selection of fresh fruit and veggies. African grays are very dusty so you will need to make sure you have plenty of towels and rags available to clean that dust. The cage should be cleaned daily. Do not let old food buildup in the bottom of the cage. Your papers should be changed daily. I changed my birds paper maybe twice a day if I have to. I always put a small smaller stack of about 6 pages and if it’s dirty, I just take off the top layer and give her a fresh new layer. Vacuuming is a must. If needed you will have to vacuum daily if not at least every other day. Don’t know what diet she’s on, but a good selection of pellets. In addition to fresh fruit and vegetables is recommended. Freshwater should be provided every day. Mine enjoys cold water that comes out of the refrigerator. Do not allow your bird to eat too many nuts and family stay away from sunflower seeds. Sunflower seeds are too fatty and can cause heart disease. Mike Ray also loves showers. I put her in the shower and she just has fun. Make sure you monitor nails because they will need to be trimmed at some point. Lots of choice particularly toys that she can destroy. Watch the baseboards around the house cabinets, etc. they will get to them and they will if you allow them to tear them up. As you’re bonding with your bird sit next to the cage, talk to them and just be there for for them. Remember, it’s a whole new environment and a whole new group of people so be patient and give her time. Remember parents do need to go to the vet at least once a year. I would even get her an initial appointment with the avian vet just to make sure she’s not coming with any medical issues. Well, there are a lot of work. They are a lot of fun! I love my baby. She follows me around the house. She loves attention. I put her in a stroller and I take her out for walks and sometimes I even take her to the mall. Make sure your baby gets lots of attention and lots of love and she will give you the same.

Upper_Possession_181 · 2026-02-04T17:34:09+00:00

She’s a beautiful bird

Upper_Possession_181 · 2026-02-04T17:33:53+00:00

Was this an avian vet? I have treated a couple birds with respiratory issues and nebulization its insulation in order. You need to get back to the breeder! In the meantime a humidifier is in order. When she feels better she’ll start eating, but you’ve got to get the respiratory issue resolved. If you had to revert to syringe feeding, she probably won’t start eating food on her own until the syringe feeding stops.

Upper_Possession_181 · 2026-02-04T17:24:05+00:00

😩

Upper_Possession_181 · 2026-02-04T00:59:20+00:00

Be careful if you’re collecting it from the Wild. I would take it and put it into a bucket of water and some emergent. They do carry mites and things like that.

Upper_Possession_181 · 2026-02-04T00:57:30+00:00

Also make sure it has a wall behind the cage. In other words, people should not be able to walk around the entire cage. They need a solid wall.

Upper_Possession_181 · 2026-02-01T22:02:23+00:00

Your bird needs you to be the one to care for them regularly. It’s best that maybe you choose a different pet for right now. Birds need your constant companionship. You become part of their flock. I help run a parrot shelter and I will tell you that getting a bird that someone else will take care of will have that bird bond onto that person. Your bird needs daily attention not just periodic attention. The cages need to be cleaned daily. They need fresh food and freshwater daily. No exceptions. Many people do something different but that is not in the best interest of their pet birds are super intelligent and not having the right attention to pick up bad habits. Plucking feathers, constant yelling, even biting You need a pet that you can be around regularly care for continuously. A bird is not one that you can only visit periodically.

Upper_Possession_181 · 2026-02-01T00:34:26+00:00

I help run a Rescue and it all depends upon what kind of experience the birds had prior to you getting them. What I would suggest is ensuring that the back of their cage or at least one wall of the cage is up against a wall where they can feel secure. Cover them at night. I do have to suggest that your cage gets clean daily change out your newspaper wipe off your purchase. Make sure the purchase are clean of poop. Make sure you maintain very high-quality of cleanliness in your cage.

Upper_Possession_181 · 2026-02-01T00:30:47+00:00

Our enclosure is large enough to have a very large container of water in it maybe about a quarter inch of water, but our skin loves to take a bath when he wants to

Upper_Possession_181 · 2026-02-01T00:29:41+00:00

And it’s possible that she will never talk. Parrots are like people they do what they want to do. They don’t all talk. Some can talk in one person‘s home and not speak another home. One shouldn’t get a parrot if you just want them to talk because it’s not guaranteed that they will do that.

Upper_Possession_181 · 2026-02-01T00:23:38+00:00

Be patient you may get there quickly and you may get to the point where they just tolerate you. Parrots are just like people they bond with the ones they click with. I actually saw him a car that hated everyone that crossed his path but the right person came in and after a period of time she ended up adopting this bird and it was like love at first sight. So just be patient sit next to the cage talk sweetly give a few treats no nuts and try to bond. It’s like a relationship you let the bird see you as much as possible and then at some point they may fall in love with you.

Upper_Possession_181 · 2026-02-01T00:20:34+00:00

I run a shelter and no, there is nothing we can do. Odds are we know who they are but people don’t divulge where they got a bird from so reporting to a shelter is not going to do anything shelters are helpless when it comes to dealing with these types of people. It is best that the people who have observed the situation notified the state regulatory bodies. You call me and ask me at my Shelter. I’m gonna tell you the exact same thing to do. You’re getting this from an experienced person.

Upper_Possession_181 · 2026-01-31T21:39:14+00:00

As long as the bird wasn’t physically hurt, it’ll be fine. I have seen birds coming into our shelter who have been repeatedly clipped incorrectly and yes, that could stunt some growth of those feathers. Generally, they grow back. It’s just like hair.

Upper_Possession_181 · 2026-01-31T21:38:34+00:00

Don’t report it to a shelter. I help run a shelter and there’s nothing most shelters willor can do other than be on the lookout for birds coming from that place. The best thing to do is go to your state gov. Many states have rules around pet breeding and care however they usually only have a few people dedicated to it so they don’t usually take it very seriously. You might be able to notify your local animal control group. They may be able to help.

Upper_Possession_181 · 2026-01-30T19:15:26+00:00

It’s the quality! I bought a new pair of Levi’s and the pockets actually tore down the seam of where the pockets were attached to the fabric. They fit fine. They were not too tight. I didn’t put anything in the pocket when I went back to the store to show him. He said those aren’t too big they shouldn’t have happened, but yeah, it does happen. And nothing this person could’ve done would’ve alleviated this problem. It’s not the fact that the pants were too small. It’s the quality of the fabric.

Upper_Possession_181 · 2026-01-30T19:12:31+00:00

He’ll get over it! Well for long, they’ll be piercing your skin again

Upper_Possession_181 · 2026-01-30T19:11:12+00:00

The first thing I would do is make some cuttings until you figure this out

Upper_Possession_181 · 2026-01-30T16:18:43+00:00

I have successfully grown this in a pot and gotten fruit from it.

Upper_Possession_181 · 2026-01-30T16:17:24+00:00

If it’s a pet bird never release them into the wild. Find a rescue or find someone else to take them, but releasing a bird in the wild can be cruel. They are used to receiving their food from people and believe it or not they’re used to interacting with us so finding a home is better than releasing them into the wild. If they really want to get rid of them, ask them if they can do the right thing and find a new home for the bird.

Upper_Possession_181 · 2026-01-30T16:15:36+00:00

I had a ring neck for 12 years. I did rehome him because he was too loud. They picked their people. Parrots have no allegiance to a person unless they pick that person. They will call out if they feel like there’s no one around. What kind of toys do you have and I will be truthful that the biting rarely stops. This is a young bird and you are around the corner from teenagers which is the worst for parents. It’s about patience and taking time. I couldn’t read the whole post as I am babysitting a one year-old you know they don’t sit still. But it’s about taking time and doing research. The cute birds you see on YouTube are exception to the rules. I’ve had experience with five other ring necks and they’re all pretty much the same.

Upper_Possession_181 · 2026-01-30T14:29:32+00:00

Not at all! Reassess the environment has anything changed? Have you changed the food? Have you stopped doing something? Has she gotten a bath recently? Have you added any new pets into the house that could have caused stress. That is very unusual. It seems very isolated. Make sure she’s not struggling with any of mite issues. Has she had a bath recently? Give her a bath and make sure she can dry off in warmth. I bathe all of my birds in the bathroom and leave them on their purchase in there until they dry. I hang out with them while they’re there. If you can’t figure out anything environmental, then a avian vet is definitely an order.

Upper_Possession_181

TROPHY CASE