I have a general question about my gray parrot. 

Jessie gets nervous when I am about to put him in his cage to go to bed, every night.  This cage, very large and roomy, is in a room off the living room.  He is in the living room all day, on top of his small day cage. I'm with him most of the day.   

His room, where he sleeps is dark.  Should I have a lamp on when I put him to bed and should I sit by his cage for a few minutes before I turn the lamp off and leave the room for him to go to sleep?

 Elly

 Dear Elly

In my opinion, your bird needs a day time stand and not a cage to spend its "out" time on near you. Of course with some food and water available, toys too. 

The big cage, if you must leave the bird for long periods, like you go shopping all day, go visiting or to work, etc the big cage is great for that to give your bird a large safe place to stay and play and sleep and eat, etc. 

Some Greys do feel overwhelmed by a large empty cage. To make it more comfortable it needs to be loaded with toys and diversions. Like a tree of leaves. You should not be able to see the bird fully from outside the cage.  

At night, it may be more comfortable in the day cage as a sleeping cage in a darkened room away from the late flow of traffic (your staying up watching TV, etc). Then in the morning bring the bird back out to its day stand or other stands placed around your home when you travel from room to room. 

There are many variables that are involved here and you would best be served by a qualified bird behaviorist.

 We have one very near and dear to us, Michelle Karras, and she can be contacted at www.thepoliteparrot.com.

 Her website is very helpful as well with many articles and Q & A that may help you and if needed you can inquire of her services.

 We wish you the best in getting to know what your grey really wants to make it happy.

 Thank you for writing to us.