by merlin » Fri Nov 25, 2011 4:34 pm
MAggie, oh thank you so much for your response! We took in Julian an African Grey (we were told he is a male but even that we are not sure about) as a favor to a sick friend. I knew nothing about birds, but being a very involved dog owner I dove into books and read up as much as I could. I found a lot about nutrition, and cage/toy ideas...but little to describe the subtle body language I am observing. We have learned a lot over the last 9 years form observation, but still have many questions. I will gladly be willing to make a donation for your assistance. So here goes with all the questions.
Julian the 28 year old "male" is a wild bird. He is much larger than most birds I've seen that are bred in this country. He is exceptionally bold, walks around on the floor through the house, very social verbally, doesn't get fearfull with new situations. He loves to "make houses" . He will get inside boxes and chew up the cardboard, or the paper, He loves to play inside the closet, or climb up inside the linen cabinet and make a house. When I praise him he puffs up and dances. I've received conflicting info that this is nesting behavoir, and he must be a she. However I have also read that males will start the nest to attract the female. What is your take on this?
He has bonded with my husband and when he becomes sexual..which can be quite often he lowers his body, spreads his wings out low and trys to climb up on his hand or head if on the back of the couch. Is there a different behavior for males & females sexually? He also does the gremlin chatter that escalates as he gets more stimulated. We put him back into his cage if he can't be redirected into a calmer situation. This allows him to cool down. Any suggestions with this?
Tullulah, the young girl has learned all the words JUlain uses which is quite extensive. She is now learning what they all mean in context. I would say they enjoy interacting verbally. She is very interested in him, but he the behavior I have seen from him I am judging as aggressive, or not interested /aloof. Initially he would charge her..I would intervene. I had purchased a very large cage that I thought would house both of them . I connected the two cages with a rope so they could "visit". She was very interested in him, but he would lunge and appear aggressive with her. So I nixed that idea. The cage I purchased had two sides, so I tried to have in on one side for just a little time during the day when I was out there to observe them. They beaked throught the bars, but it still felt rough to me. She would go over to him, but it did not appear to be a sweet interaction. I would ask him to be gentle..eventually he just sat in there hunched down, head down with his eyes squinty...I felt like he was just annoyed. So I gave up on that.
Over this past year, they have been both up on top and sitting about 2 feet from each other...but no interactions. If she is on the floor, he will charge her. There have been no playfull interactions at his point.
I have been trying to get Tullulah use to the idea of showering, and since Julain loves to get in the shower with me, I thought I'd try and bring them both into the bathroom and put them on their travel perches on the counter. They were spaced far enough apart that they didn't reach other. Usually he would be excited about showering, but he sat on his perch hunkered down, head lowered..What I would interpret as sulking. When I took him intot he shower, he wouldn't play or open his wings..just sat there. I ask him to shake it out..and he would flap & give a shake...wouldn't do any of that. When I put him back onthe stand..he wouldn't flap or groom. just sat here all hunkered dow, head down..eyes soft and squinted. Was he being submissive to her?
Well Sorry this took so long to get to you. This has been a busy with with Thanksgiving. Hope you are enjoying your day with your birds..and the Thanksgiving holiday. I have many things to be gratefull for.
Tobi