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His name is Willy, and he's 26. Long, sad story short:: we've been reunited after nearly a decade. I couldn't take him when my life long best friend (she's since passed away at a relatively young age) decided to rehome him, regretted it ever since, and just found him last week on Craigslist when a rescue was rehoming him. He's had an alarming number of homes in his life, and we just spent the best first day reminscing. I've done equine, canine, and feline rescue for decades, but just got into birds (guinea fowl, chickens, zebra and Gouldian finches), and finally, thanks to an orchid hobby, keep my home warm enough for the indoor species. I have nearly zero parrot experience (did due diligence before bringing him home, but am still a noob), except second hand with Willy back when my friend had him. He's home forever now. I know the cage in the pic is too small for him. It's only his "bedtime" cage in my studio. I work from home, so he'll be out while I work, and I do have a parrot flight cage that I'm setting up in our living room so he can watch tv with us, too. This all happened very quickly, but I'm doing right by him, finally.

Hello, I'm a new owner of a rescue(?) African Grey, and have just passed the 24 hour mark. I've had some negative experiences on completely unrelated forums in the past, but when I've stumbled upon a good one I've found them to be unparalleled sources of knowledge and experience, and a quick perusal of this site led me to hope that'd be the case here. I've got no burning questions thus far, but thought I should introduce myself, so, hello!

Well, his name, age, location, the history that the rescue was aware of, everything he says, all the sounds he mimics, and his band. Plus, he recognized me. That was important, too.

Yup, that's correct, not quite a decade, but almost..

Welcome to you and Willy! Looking forward to learning more about the two of you.

Welcome aboard! Looking forward to getting to know all about you and your new rescue!

Suggestion: Go to Walmart....they sell "Aloe Vera Juice". Spray your baby twice a week ( especially in winter when the air inside is dry)

Welcome! We luv pics! Can’t wait to hear more...what’s your greys name?

I don't have any advice other than what's already been offered. Just posting to say I hope your bird is ok and recovers fully!

Sleeping it off is the best thing for him, but you should at least call a vet and ask, it’s a large amount considering his size

Hi, Maggie and Jay here... Kittykittykitty broke her arm a few weeks ago and is currently in a rehab facility. Can you please send some prayers and warm wishes her way to help lift her spirits?

I didn't know where to post this, I've never posted here as I'm new to this Hello, I'm new here but I'm eager to learn! So, My mum has a friend who has a Congo African Grey Parrot called Tico. Tico is her husbands bird until he passes. Once her husband passes she will need my help with getting Tico out of his cage and into his travel carrier and take him home with me as my bird. Tico would be my first bird and I want to do the right thing for Tico. She originally asked for my help to bring Tico to the bird rescue I volunteer at sometimes but even though I've never had a bird I feel taking him to the bird rescue wouldn't be in Tico's best interest since most of the exotics (especially the Macaws, Cockatoos and Amazons and other large birds) get bounced from home then back to the rescue then to home then back to the rescue and so on. I am currently 21, live with my mum and fiance and I don't go to school but do plan to do school online but I have plenty of time and patience for working with Tico to give him the attention and care he needs. I am much more comfortable with and do best with larger birds and I have some experience with handling Macaws, Cockatoos and Amazons. Ones that have temperament problems and that has a tendency to bite and do things their not supposed to do. I've been Biten, I've been lunged at, I've been grabbed by beaks and nails and more. But after having patience and time working with each bird that has done that to me has an Amazing reward, having a newly affectionate gentle bird was so worth it. With what I understand with Tico, he does have a problem with biting and doesn't get out of his cage much because of that and needs more socializing with being touched and brought out and a few other thing. From with what I said, does it seem as though Tico would have a better life with me? Somebody who has the time and patience to work with him and care for him and give him the attention he needs? VS having to spend most of his life in a cage in a loud room with a lot of other birds with temperament and behavioral problems? I kind of know the answer but I REALLY want to make sure it's the best thing for Tico. I'm trying to think about his well being and quality of life above what I want. I just want what's best for Tico.

Hello, I have had my grey for over 22 years. Last evening he ate a dime size amount or less of marijuana. I wasn't happy but it didn't occur to me it would hurt him. Then I noticed he was lethargic, quiet and a little wobbly. It scared me to death. As soon as I picked him up (stepped up on my finger) he regurgitated fluid and pieces of the pot. He continued to seem sleepy and then before bed he perked up slightly and was drinking water but not eating. This morning he is much better, he ate his breakfast fine and was a little more alert but is STILL DOZING. I live in cow country and the vets here don't do chickens much less a parrot. Has anyone experienced this or could please tell me how to help my boy??? I DO NOT IN ANY WAY FIND THAT HE DID THIS FUNNY. Any information I would be grateful for. Thank you

I was sooooo lucky I saw the ad so quickly. It was only up for an hour and I was one of three people who had already responded. And the rescuer was so kind to have me meet him to see how he reacted to me, and gave me dibs because I knew him previously. Just so, so lucky.

Huh, I never gave it a thought that he could forget me; I don't forget people that quickly, some horses (lots of ungulates, actually) remember people even if they've only met them once, and dogs retain scents for life. Never even entertained the possibility that a Grey could forget a person they'd known for years.

Wow! I'm amazed that he could still recognize you after all these years!

Wow, how fortunate that you happened to see him! Thank you for giving him a forever home

How did you recognize it was your birdy?

Am I reading that right? You were re-united after you found him again on CL after a decade? That's pretty dang'd amazing story!

Hi everyone!! My male TAG Tau is almost 8 months.. I know that around this age they can go through their “baby Molt” he’s loosing down feathers like crazy but I’ve been finding the odd feather in his cage while cleaning for the last few weeks.. worried he may have started plucking..ive included pictures and thought I’d ask for opinions!

Ditto JUDY...😃

Go here and explain your situation. They will be able to help. https://www.facebook.com/groups/Parrotfirstaid/

It sounds like you already have a handle on how it works to socialize and bond with this bird once it becomes yours but the key is patience and time, go slowly and allow the bird to let you know when he is ready for the next step. Let us know how it turns out.

Thankyou!! I always had birds around growing up but never went through a Molt solely on my own. So it was unsettling finding the feathers

Yeah, it looks like a normal molt. In the second picture you're looking at the new feather shaft coming in. I like to pinch those open for them, and they usually love the extra time that I spend preening them.

Doesnt look like a pucker. Feather loss is normal. Even more during a molt.

I’d always like to add that he will be going to a vet next week just being a paranoid mom