The Congo African Grey Parrot, CAG, loves to play. An African Grey Parrot although more guarded than other large birds, is extremely curious of his or her environment. The Grey loves to play with the members of the human flock or parrot people living in the home. Many people may not realize that one can actually play games like Hide and Seek, Pete and Repeat, and The Pickup Game or Fetch with an African Grey Parrot.
Hide and Seek
Playing hide and seek with an African Grey is entertaining and can be initiated whenever the parrot shows an interest in interacting with his or her human. The flock member steps out of sight into another room and listens for the bird to whistle to him or her. If the Grey does not immediately send out a whistle, which would be unlikely, the human can initiate the game by using what most Greys are very familiar with the common high-pitched wolf whistle. After the initial whistle, the Grey should be paying attention and beginning to understand the intentions of the game.
Age and Wisdom
Often, the older African Grey Parrot teaches a new and inexperienced Parrot owner this amusing game. The first whistle starts soft and slow. If the human does not answer, the next wolf whistle is slightly louder and more high-pitched. Then it becomes louder and shriller each time the game drags on, as if to say “Hello? Don’t you hear me calling you?” This continues until either the human responds appropriately or the Grey gives up, becomes bored, and moves onto entertaining him or herself.
Pete or Repeat
A Grey who hears his or her parrot people moving around in another part of the home early in the morning will often initiate the game of Pete or Repeat. This game, as if to say, “Good morning Mommy I know you are awake!” starts when the parrot whistles, chirps, or clucks softly. The parrot’s people if awake and listening carefully will mimic the sound heard from the parrot to show their desire to play along. This game is fun to play while the parrot’s people get ready for work and a good way to spend a few minutes interacting from afar.
The Pickup Game
Finally, a game any parrot loves to play is The Pickup Game, or Fetch. Most dollar stores carry bags of large white whiffle balls. A whiffle ball is a weightless, durable, plastic, hollow, softball sized ball with dime size holes, allowing the Grey to pick up the ball with his or her beak. The Grey tosses the ball from his cage and the Grey’s people get to go fetch and return the ball, repeatedly. This game is especially fun for the African Grey, just as it is for a baby who discover he or she can make Mom or Dad repeatedly pick-up the toy dropped out of the stroller. The whiffle ball is also amusing for the Grey to roll around on top of cages that have a bar that will keep the ball from immediately falling to the floor.
Play with Your Grey
In conclusion, the Congo African Grey Parrot, CAG, needs to play, and the parrot loves to interact with his or her parrot people. The Grey is initially timid with parrot people not in the home flock, yet is social at home. Fun games the Grey enjoys or can teach their people to enjoy are Hide and Seek, Pete and Repeat, and The Pickup Game or Fetch. Play with your Grey today and let him or her teach you how to be a Bird and to have fun! After all humans, tend to take life to seriously!
Erika Lyn Smith - Erika Lyn Smith - is a Psych RN, who has completed the UMSL Medicolegal Death Investigator Training Course, and is finishing a BS in ...
