Jack is doing better, a little at a time.

[hopehaswings]

Jack(as he calls himself---not Jester)is ever so slowly becoming more comfortable. He has bit me a couple of times, but now it is easier to give him a quick scratch. If it lasts too long he panicks and bites, but he will tolerate a few seconds. I have pet him through the cage bars the last couple of days, but today I scratched his head for a second with the door opened. He did not try to bite, but I didn't let my hand linger in his cage either!!! he is making a lot of noises and some talking. More when we are out of sight, but some when we are present too. I leave his door open for just a couple of hours a day. He has not yet ventured out, but today he started to, however when the cage door moved on him it scared him back into the cage, shaking like a leaf! Poor guy, he is so fearful and I just wish I knew his history, because I dont know for certain if he has ever been handlable in his life, if his fears are due to untamness, or from being rehomed multiple times, or possibly abused. I know nothing. I love to just sit near his cage and talk to him and watch him, I am in no hurry for him to be friendlier, I enjoy the challenge of helping him feel like he belongs. I want him to be happy.

[nanmadpad]

I am glad your making some progress with Jack. I also have a rehomed bird who is 3 yrs. old. He is a tame blue and gold macaw who also shaked like a leaf. He was so scared being in another strange home. He also has been rehomed numerous times. From the shaking it developed into plucking all his chest feathers out. We got some great advice from the boards and have changed locations of his cage and gave him a foraging box and he stopped shaking and its been a week since he plucked any feathers out. Rehomed birds come with issues thats why there rehomed so many times,alot of people dont want to deal with the problems so they pass them onto another person, Just let Jack take his time about coming out, Ya gotta feel sorry for the poor birds fright,being in a strange house unsure about his new owner,all this is enough to shake in fear. I also have a grey and when he thinks no one is around he talks up a storm. He dont like strangers hearing him so he waits till they leave the room. Your grey will talk alot more when hes comfortable with his new situation. Keep working with him, take it slow and easy. It takes time. Its been over 2 months since i got my macaw and he is just now starting to get over his fear. He wasnt afraid of us he was afraid of his new surroundings so your grey will fit in if your willing to work at making him happy.