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Good: Being able to share life with one of the most empathetic and fascinating creatures on the planet. Being a major sci-fi nerd, I just think of HRH as an alien species with whom I have a wonderful friendship like Han Solo and Chewbacca, or the Mandolorian and Baby Yoda The Bad: having to wake up with the sun every day now that I am retired. I would soooo love to sleep in. Just even until 8 a.m. The Ugly: I tell people that living with parrot is like living with a punk rock band of toddlers gone wild on tour. Constant hullabaloo, mess, poop, litter, and things beaked, broken, and a noise level that many people find irritating. Very expensive to boot and there is not a band of roadies to clean up after the band.....

Oh my! Great topic! I have 3 so…. Good: They are amazing creatures and can be very loving! Fun when they copy your words or come looking for you when they can’t see you. The cuddles they give you by rubbing their head on your cheek. Knowing they trust you when they step, their whistle or if they come when you call them . Bad: Food ,poop and messes everywhere. Human dishes thrown on the floor breaking if left un attended. Cupboards chewed, ALL the woodwork in my house is chewed, windowsills doors etc. NEVER feeling like you can go on a vacations cause they won’t get out of their cages when your gone and you need someone qualified to care for them. Keeping cats and some dogs away..Having to cage them when guests come over cause they can’t be trusted not to attack or bite. NEVER going to the bathroom alon or your Amazon will open the door and March in so she can be on your shoulder . OH and the ear piercing whistles in your ear deafening your for a short time. And worrying about what happened to them when you pass and they outlive you.. But all and all , it’s a blast and there is never a dull moment!!

Good: a sweetheart who cuddles, who looks to me to see if something 'new' is anything to be afraid of, his cute words and phrases - sometimes used appropriately. A gorgeous wild thing to share my home with. Bad: Expenses, Messes. A baby who never grows up to get his own breakfast, lunch, etc. -- a toddler for the rest of his life (carefree toddler with intelligence of an 8 year old! lol). Biting risk to visitors, cage-time if you go out. Me never taking a real vacation (maybe a couple days max, knowing his care is diminished and out-of-cage-time is usually out of the question while you're away). The vet bills -- nails may need trimming, health must be checked at least every couple years. Broken china, chewed woodwork, ruined antique chairs, dust!!!, floors looking like you dumped out a trashcan, caution house-sharing with other pets, etc.. Ugly: Planning your parrot's future should you die. Knowing your grey never got to flock in the wild with his own kind and enjoying the true freedom of being wild and flying free. Bred to be captive. We do our best, and I do think my grey has been happy. But he got the life I chose for him. I do my best to give him the best life I can. I think he's happy. I hope he's happy. He cannot compare his captive life to a wild free life. I do my best to make his sacrifice worth it.

After Timber started having his seizure issues, I had to downsize his cage and make other accomodations. He was unable to perch for a time on cage mounted bowls, and everything I put on the floor of the small cage he would turn over. The avian vet recommended the crocks in the pic below. About 5 inch diameter and weighs over 20 ounces. He has no trouble perching on the side to eat, it doesn't tip, and though he can still throw things out (usually to forage for later as someone else mentioned) he can't turn it over. This one is made by Kaytee.

Rikki my cag and Nilah my Amazon have the same issue. They throw their full of food bowls on the bottom of their cage daily. I finally bought some of these and they work great! https://www.petsupplies4less.com/Lixit-Quick-Lock-Crock-20-oz_p_6214.html?preselopt=261652&gclid=CjwKCAiAo4OQBhBBEiwA5KWu_5TihLUJFSWkTEVFVl7N9QMrTPLHavsIugBrLXd63gRjQWGOFB5l_xoC68kQAvD_BwE

Lets just say for the sake of argument, that everytime you put a food bowl inside the cage, filled with everyting, IE peanuts, sunflower seeds, fruit, high dollar parrot feed. Your loved one never eats it ........ever..... He just throws it on the ground and when he gets to the bottom, throws the bowl out the door. NOW, Logic dictates he probably doent want/like it in the cage. Or so one would think. But a kind hearted human soul in the house says it would be animal abuse IF you don't put said bowl in the cage. THUS my quandry. He likes to eat outside of the cage. BUT im a bad person for removing the bowl before he throws it out the door. Keep in mind, I feed him ALL day OUTSIDE the cage, and he eats all day on the perch. It's not like im starving him. He just doesnt like it inside the cage. Any thoughts? Suggestions ? Am I a bad person ? It just seems logical to do what he wants. Since COVID hit ive been working out of the house. Thats close to two years. In case you havent guessed Im a network engineer or thats what there calling me these days. The Kind hearted human works off site...... ok you guessed the WIFE LOL I dont think Im a bad person, I think, Im just doing what he wants. There are a bunch of toys in the cage he plays with the door open, AFTER he tosses the bowl. If it were me, I wouldnt appreciate food in the bed...... I dunno. Maybe im too methodical in my thinking.

I saw and responded to a thread from a new member asking about parrot ownership and just thought it might be useful to have a thread on the best parts of parrot/grey ownership as well as some of the worst. A lot of videos and social media sites always seem to promote the best things about parrots and maybe sugar coat some of the 'bad' or undesirable parts of parrot ownership. So... what would be on your good, bad and ugly lists in relation to living with parrots? Good Greys make great companions. It's a very rewarding experience. I've been learning about training the last few years and getting a successful recall or when Alfie asks to play our little colour game is very rewarding. Bad The mess from dust, dropped food and shredded toys is never ending. You can't be too house proud with a parrot around 😂 Poop. Everywhere. Ugly The occasional 'unpredictable' bite which can really hurt your feelings! And of course, some parrots WILL draw blood. (I'm very thankful Alfie is not one of them) What would you add to these lists?

I got my first Grey at 19. Also an amazon and a conure during that same period. Lost them in a divorce. The Grey is now with my mid-80s aunt and she has willed 'Odie' back to me! So far it's been 30 years. My life was way to unstable at 19 to be getting birds but young people don't have the reasoning power or wisdom that age brings to know any better. Another reason people re-home birds: I'm having a baby blah blah blah. That one really pisses me off but it happens.

I love all of your additions- so many great points and observations. 🙂

Thanks for the reply, I appreciate it, your ‘essay’s’ are actually really helpful, I mean that’s the reason I came HERE for help, because I wanted to get information from bird owners, not articles. Thanks for pointing out all those problems, working, university, etc… I’m going to pass that information on to Jennifer and Stacey.

I got Alfie when I was 17 and thought I had everything sussed. I had read every book available to me (the internet wasn't as easily accessible and full of information as it is now) and thought I'd never have any issues with owning a grey. I don't regret getting Alfie at all as I love having him in my life. But as I mentioned in my previous post, it hasn't always been plain sailing. My mum was the only person who took a real interest in Alfie when I was living at home with my family. My sister was terrified of him and my dad was largely indifferent. He used to sit and play guitar and sing to Alfie but they had a bit of a falling out when Alfie waddled across the sofa, sat on my dad's knee then bit him very hard on his finger for seemingly no reason. Dad wasn't keen after that. My mum got a bit more wary of him after receiving a few bites too- but she's always remained interested in him... just kept out of beak range for a while 😂. We also had a dog and a cat. So Alfie was largely confined to my room or I had to wait until everyone was out if I wanted to let him out in the wider house. Which meant he didn't get much socialisation from anyone other than me. When I moved out I originally lived with two guys- one who was scared of Alfie and one who was largely indifferent but not keen. Alfie's cage location wasn't great and socialisation wasn't great around that time either. I also took on more and more responsibility (and hours) at work, was trying to study for a degree in my spare time and I wasn't providing Alfie with the consistent time and attention he deserved and needed. And again, not much socialisation with anyone other than me. My two housemates moved out and I was able to shift things around so at least Alfie was in the living space instead of out in the hall. But my next housemate also was quite indifferent to him and didn't care to socialise with him for the longest time. He also despised the noise.. and Alfie isn't even THAT noisy compared to some parrots. He moved back home with his dad as we were renting at the time and he didn't like losing all the money each month. So I started looking to buy my own place. That housemate became my lodger but I made it extremely clear before he moved in- Alfie ALWAYS comes first and I WOULD be letting him out of the cage every day, so if he didn't like it, he'd have to avoid the living room when Alfie was out. Fortunately, my housemate did start to make a bit more effort with Alfie that time round and they actually started to get on. He moved out in 2020 so it's been me and Alfie ever since. My main point here for your friend's 13 year old (and sorry for the second essay!) is that it's much easier if family and even some friends are on board with getting a grey and are willing to make the effort and work with the bird too. It can be really tricky to manage if other members of the household are terrified of birds or aren't interested. And even when you think you have the whole world worked out as a teenager... life will ALWAYS throw you curveballs that you never dreamed of. My main questions when a 13 year old asks about getting a grey would be- what about when you move out or go to college/university or get a job/career. What if you have to move away from family for work/career/life? What if you want to start a family with someone who doesn't like birds? You can't plan for every eventuality of course, but you have to be prepared that there is a bird who will be with you for ALL of those changes and is depending on you to look after them regardless of what changes may happen. Is the family willing to take on the responsibility when the teenager can't/won't? And are THEY aware of what they are letting themselves in for?

That crock looks so much nicer than my old stainless steel bowls. And it looks more comfy to perch on -- thicker rim.

Never force your greys to get too close to each other. It has to be THEIR idea. I would not put their cages too close. Allow then their own space without feeling threatened. their cage is their safe haven and they should never feel threatened or scared by another being too close. You can cause nervousness that will never go away, plucking acting out. IF they decide to want to be friends, it is completely up to them & you can't force the issue no matter how much you want them to. I have 3 and they are by no means friends to the point of wanting to be close together. They TOLERATE & co-exist, but that is it. They have been together over 12 years & other than whistling back & forth to each other, that is the extent, they wont even eat off the same plate together..one is always fearfull of the other being a bully!

Hi, So, thanks a lot for answering my questions. I’ve another question, though. My friend, let’s call her Jennifer, because I’m not sure she’d want her name here. So, Jennifer’s daughter, let’s call Stacey. Stacey is 13 years old, she’s a brilliant girl, unlike any teenager. She’s neat and tidy, has a lot of money saved up, get’s top grades in every class, and wants an African Grey. I’m not sure what to tell her. She’s done TONS of research, I mean, she can tell you the dimensions of the perfect cage, the width between the cage bars, percentages of it’s diet, wing clipping, several brands of pellets, how to prepare chop, the best avian vets in her area, and a lot more. She seems like someone who can take care of a bird, but they are high maintenance. I told her this, and this is kinda what happened: Me: You know, you have to vacuum a lot, I mean, they are very dusty birds Stacey: Yes! I know, I can vacuum 3 times a day! Me: What about school? Stacey: I’ll play with him/her after school. While I’m at school, I’ll give him/her plenty of toys in his/her’s cage. I mean, that’s what all owners who work do Me: What about money? Avian Vets are expensive, and the cage, and all the toys, and the food, not to mention the $6000 you have to spend on the bird itself! Stacey: Eh. Mom said she’d pay for the bird, cage, vets, play stand and food. I’ve $550 saved up for toys. Me: Okay See, she’s thought of everything! Help me please! I really don’t want to crush this girl’s dream. Do you think she can actually take care of one of these birds? Edit: I’d just like to say, I am not Stacey - I get how people can make that connection.

HRH Inara detests any kind of dish that sits around. She will tip it and dump it lickitysplit. Fixed her wagon with these: https://www.caitec.com/birds/bird-cages/accesories/exterior-feeders-3/ Not only does she like them, she loves to hear her own voice in the one that I have that holds her drinking water dish. She does radio free Inara broadcasts from her little sound chamber often of a late afternoon. I like them because they contain the eating mess, and if I need someone else to come feed and water her, the outer plastic chambers slide up and the dishes come out from the outside of the cage since many birds do not take kindly to people reaching in and out of their homes, HRH included! Really, I would not worry about putting a food dish in his cage since he eats plenty outside of his cage and is free to roam, as long as he has plenty of access to water. Do you close his cage door at night for him to sleep? If so, maybe some type of clamped on dish that you can stick a couple nutriberries or some type of non-spoiling food for overnights in case he gets hungry. HRH calls them her "night night cookies" as she gets one in her beak and one tossed into her external feeder when I put her to bed. You are not a meanie or a terrible hooman. She also detests it if I change *any* toys in her cage. She likes her exact ones, in their same exact places, and when they wear out, she wants the exact replacements. I get it. It is her house. I wouldn't want someone coming into my home and rearranging things all the time. So your buddy keeps trying to tell you to keep that @#*(# thing out of his home. LOL

He has full flight capabilities, He goes wherever he wants when he wants. He eats when and where he wants to. LOL I dont know why it bothers me. Maybe the wife has spoiled him to death LOL

I think they live 60 years on average in captivity. But yeah, I often wonder if I'll have him another 20 years or lose him soon. He's healthy, active -- seems quite happy. I do know, given his past, that I hope to outlive my guy. I have it set up if I go first, he will go to our neighborhood parrot sanctuary -- it's an amazing place where parrots can fly semi-free and he'd be with other greys. But I really hope to outlive him, because I believe he is happiest here with me. I'd really hate for him to have to adjust, again, to yet another placement. 3 homes is enough! [edited to change 'he's' to 'he'd' -- yeah, I'm like that -- lol]

My King's cage has doors for the 3 food bowls, and when the little doors are closed, the bowls are locked in place. So mine can't remove his bowl. And Snickers rarely tosses food out of his bowl, thankfully. Not to say he won't pick up a piece of food, take a small bite of it, and then drop the rest of the piece! Anyway, sorry you have this dilemma. [Now my Sami (b&g macaw) will stir her food with her foot, wait for eye contact and then toss the whole footful as far as she can! So wasteful, esp when you know it's food they like!]

I've seen birds of all ages up for adoption, younger birds as well as older birds. People rehome for many reasons - some people don't do their research and realise how much time birds need or how messy and noisy they can be. Some people start a family and can't cope with managing the pets as well as the new baby. Some people have a change of circumstances- they might have to move where they can't have pets, they lose their job and can't afford it etc etc. Maybe their jobs change and they are working so many hours they can't provide what the bird needs any more. Some people sadly pass away and their friends and relatives don't know the first thing about bird care and aren't interested to learn. Some people get ill and can no longer look after the birds. Personally, I would prefer someone rehomed an animal if they weren't able to provide the care it needed instead of holding on to it and making it's life a misery- like in Sydney's example above. I've been in the situation where I had to seriously think about rehoming Alfie. The idea crushed me but I wasn't giving him what he needed at the time. My work/life balance was non-existent (all work), I was trying to study in the free time I did have, I had some personal issues going on, I shared a house with people who had no interest in Alfie (and one was terrified of him) so it was difficult to manage his out of cage time. I decided to make a determined effort to make the changes needed to make it work for Alfie. And if I couldn't do it, then I would have rehomed him in the hopes that someone else could. It took me a while to turn it around but we're in a really good place now and I wouldn't be without him. I'm fortunate enough that I was able to make the changes needed at the time. Otherwise Alfie would have been yet another bird in a rescue centre and there was no guarantee that he would have found his forever home. Apologies for the essay and for derailing the conversation somewhat. 😕

After he throws it out, does he climb down and eat it later? Sometimes Alfie will throw stuff out of his bowl only to go retrieve it later. You can get some bowls which click into place and the bird can't pick it up and tip it out... doesn't stop them scooping it out, however. Does he like foraging toys? You could put the food into a foraging toy instead of a bowl. Might slow him down a bit! 😂 Like you say, he's not starving himself. He gets plenty of food elsewhere. It's obviously just a little quirk of his.

Isn’t that kind of old? I mean, 15 is half their life… Do most people get them at that age?

I would guess my Snickers was 12 - 15 years old when I got him.

Aw, it’s horrible how people buy birds and then abuse and neglect them. Glad to hear Sydney’s recovered, and is happy. People like his owner don’t deserve AGs. Good to hear that severely abused birds can become loving companions.

Ah, okay. What age adult then? 2 - 3? I know they live for minimum 30 years…

Totally agree. I'd add expensive and time consuming to feed properly. I don't think some understand how much it costs to take care of a parrot correctly. I know I didn't! Also, Avian vets are not readily available in a lot of areas, and are expensive as well. Anyone considering adopting a grey should understand that it takes substantial resources and time for food prep. I can't think of anything to add on the "good" but that's mainly because I struggle to express it. I've never been as attached to a "pet" as I am to Timber, and I've had many that I've loved. There is something different about a relationship with a grey and words fail me. Under the "ugly," you've listed the worst one, and the hurt feelings are a real thing. If you have a lot of "traffic" meaning people who don't live in the home passing through, you have to be very careful. I've had to grab someone's hand before they stuck it in strike range several times, people often don't understand that greys aren't going to just "let them pet them" like a cat or dog might. Also under ugly, there are cases where your bird may take an active and sometimes belligerent dislike to a household member. I'm probably overthinking this, but just my thoughts!

Never ever try and rush things with a grey. I believe from your posts that you have only had your second bird Bubbles for a month or thereabouts. Moving to a new home with new people, new animals and a new routine is a massive upheaval for a bird. They need time to settle down and familiarise themselves with their new environment and everyone/everything in it. This can take a while on it's own. And then suddenly there's another grey encroaching on their cage/space. You have to go at your birds' pace, not your own. It may take weeks, it may take months. But every time you try and force a grey to do something they really don't want to do you could set their progress back. Similarly, your first grey, Ziggy has suddenly had a new bird appear in his space- so that's a change that he needs to get used to as well. He may be a bit more curious than Bubbles as he's already familiar with your home, routine and family etc. But he still may take some time to get used to the new addition, especially if he's been an only bird for a while. It's also worth noting that your greys may NEVER get on. That's always a possibility and one you'll have to manage if it happens. This is one reason why I haven't added another bird to my house- I've had Alfie for 18 years and he's used to being an only bird. I'd only ever consider adding a second bird if I knew I could give them enough time and attention separately and away from each other, if they didn't get along.