Lupine

I'm a total cheapskate on most everything but equipment for my animals. After reading up on cage sizes and specific features for Greys, particularly brands and models, start a hunt on Craigslist. Make sure you get a chance to thoroughly check out the cages, to make sure the powder coating isn't worn off. A quality, species-appropriate, easy-to-maintain cage is the best investment you can make for your parrot, and for you. Especially since you have your bird in the family/living room, where it should be... Congrats on Luna!

Same message here, too.

Now, "should" being, of course, for the bird's benefit (i.e. having another avian member of the flock...i.e. not a dog, cat, even canary, but at the very least a budgie or cockatiel in the same room) not as an enabling statement for adopting another fid! I've heard this said by several parrot enthusiasts, and while I'm not sure we're ready for two greys, we'd be open to a couple budgies in the same room. If you believe the "multiple is better for the birds than one/just one bird is unfair to the parrot", what is your reasoning? And if the above applies to you, would budgies fit the bill? Honestly, I am not interested in keeping conures or other species of medium/large parrots here. One of the MANY reasons we're focusing on greys is that they aren't known for frequent, high-pitched, "just for fun" exuberant shriekfests. If you feel it's fine to keep a parrot as the only parrot-like bird in a home with regular activity, lots of enrichment toys and a good regimen of meaningful/challenging interaction, please elaborate...or share your own experiences, particularly if you have experience with both scenarios! Thanks for your input!

I have a solution! SEND PACO TO ME, ASAP. Good luck to you and your birds. I hope you can resolve Paco's social enthusiasm without having to clip his wings.

From a raptor-lover's perspective....We see a lot of this with birds of prey, as well. Hunted for food or feathers, netted by the dozens. There is also a smuggling problem in Russia for gyrfalcons shipped under horrible conditions to the Middle East, but from what I understand most of the big-time falconers over there prefer to purchase their birds from the highly-regarded American breeders (one of whom is a friend of mine, whose project is amazing. I helped him and his staff prep and ship dozens of birds overseas, and the precautions he takes for the birds are amazing. The paperwork alone takes hours.). Though falconry is a huge part of Arab culture (though it actually originated in China 3000-4000 years ago) they are so hands-on with their birds, cleaning up after every poop, that they really don't have a grasp on the idea that breeding pairs need to be left alone. As a note... wind turbines in the US kill thousands upon thousands of raptors each year, particularly Golden eagles. There are better designs available, but for whatever reason---cost, etc., they're not implemented. And energy companies all but get a pass for the kills. Rodenticides, such as D-Con, kill thousands upon thousands of raptors and other wildlife that eat the affected rodents. We think of avian species as being a vast resource, but one only has to look at the passenger pigeon to realize how quickly we can destroy a species. That greys are among our favorites, and known to have self-awareness, definitely heightens the heartbreak. Whether we hunt animals, farm them, capture them for our own uses as live hunting birds or pets, we have a responsibility to treat all creatures with respect and dignity, and with minimal suffering. That's what makes us human.

Oooh! This list is awesome! Welcome, Danny!

Hi and welcome! So sorry you lost your grandmother...but you are honoring her by stepping up to take in her Baby! It's obvious you are going to do well...you're thinking of Baby's transition and doing your homework. For that, you and your future wife deserve a lot of kudos and hugs!

That's supposed to be the BIRD'S job!

Oh yeah. Another thumbs up for the Thundershirt. I have not needed one, but I know three dog owners who swear by them. It gives the sense of being snug in a safe den.

You guys are all a bunch of enablers!! Thanks for the insight. I'm thinking that I won't really start looking in earnest until I've taken the workshop our local rescue offers twice each month. I'm doing that as soon as I return from a family visit in southern CA next week. It will also be an incentive to continue Craigslisting all the things I don't plan to move...but don't need to sit on over the next year. And I can get a great cage and a crapton of cool toys for what I can get for my fiberglass travel trailer!

All my dogs simce I was little have been rescues, some being extremely traumatized. One was a puppy mill momma. Like birds, each will respond differently. A friend of mine adopted a Pap mix a few years ago. Cool dog. They're extremely intelligent. My advice would be to be patient, set up an open crate in a quiet corner for her to chill, and incorporate as much fun training as possible into her routine. Things like click-treat for commands she already knows, to give her confidence and reinforce the bond. Smart dogs love to seek approval, and by establishing your reward and command style with "softball" stuff,, it will ease her transition and anxiety. Congratulations!!!

Absolutely! It seemed very much out of character for this person to talk about shipping this bird without first meeting ME, after he made it apparent that this Grey had a lot of socialization, and how he wanted to be certain she went to a good home. Sure, there were "red flags" in terms of words he used, but since English is clearly not his native tongue they didn't concern me. There will be plenty of Greys to meet, and I'm in no rush. But I thought my experience is worth sharing.. and even sort of funny in a "Shucks, ya got me" kind of way!

Yesterday I responded to an ad for a young CAG in San Bernardino on BirdsNow. I will be in that area for several days early next month, and had proposed meeting the bird after her "owner" sent a detailed email about her in broken English as well as tons of photos of her interacting with "him" at home and outdoors (in harness!). It sounded like the owner was excited by my interest and my history with birds, and since the fee was very reasonable and included her cage and accessories, as well as a "manual" he was going to write for me for her personality and care, I was bummed when in a subsequent message it became clear I'd fallen for a Nigerian-type scam. I'd explained that I'd visit her early on my trip and pick her up on my way home if everyone agreed Titi and I were a good match...and suddenly the "owner" was telking me she and her cage would be shippedto me...once I gave my details...from an entirely different state. Chances are slim to none that this isn't a scam. Anyway...potential adoptees, be wary. And I suppose AG veterans, who are accustomed to the con artistry of their feathered kids, are giggling that I am totally in for it when I DO get a Grey if I even remotely fall for a scam ad.

I think VStar asked a very valid question, and one that will generate many points of view. As for claiming it to be "cruel" to THINK of separating bonded birds, what becomes of birds that are turned away for lack of room? I personally agree that bonded birds should be rehomed together whenever possible, but the OP raises valid concerns that I'm sure are shared by many responsible potential adopters.

That's a great post. Similar scare tactics I use when trying to scare off potential apprentices. Of course, I also make them close their eyes and put out their hands, into which I'll often place the entrails of whatever critter my birds are eating that day. Walls textured with fruit and veggies and poo...heh. The good old days. Try walls textured with....well, you get the picture.

OMG, Riiiick, Jesus Christ that's HYSTERICAL.

Whew. Thank you! I'm not TOO neurotic, I swear! Having the confidence of the correct info helps that...and you guys are helping me on my way. Last year, I was headed out to eastern Washington to pick up a new falcon. At a rest stop, in the car next to us, was a really nice couple with a CAG crawling all over them in the car. (He was clipped, I can only assume; I didn't remember seeing a harness.). According to the couple, the bird LOVED road trips, and accompanied them everywhere. Indeed, he was very curious about me, and in hindsight, I should have been shocked that he wasn't freaked out by the hooded falcons in the back of my truck (the hoods probably made them look like harmless NOTBIRDS, lol). My custom truck shell has perches lined up against the windows, and the window itself flips up for access and ventilation when we stop for breaks. I was as excited to talk to Grey parronts as they were excited to learn about my raptors! It was actually really funny. Who knows; maybe they're members here? And it goes to show that every bird is an individual. As for habitats, I have that covered. In addition to making sure I get the best, most appropriate cage I can afford (and waiting until I can afford the right one(s) ) I plan to utilize the acreage we're getting to make a safe aviary/flight pen for my Grey. As it is, I single-handedly built an awesome pigeon loft, falconry mews, and weathering yard/flight pen here on my in-town lot. Not exactly worthy of Architectural Digest, but absolutely safe and species-appropriate. And neither the neighbors (nor the birds) have complained! Fortunately, I'm a DIY kind of girl, and pretty particular about ensuring materials aren't toxic. I make most of my own perches and equipment for my raptors, and have been reading up on DIY toys. My Hahn's had a crap-ton of parrot doo-dads; I swear it's an addiction. I'd be rotating them in and out (rarely had to bother with acclimating him to them by hanging outside of cage) all the time, since *I* got addicted to making and buying them! I still have a bunch of concrete perches in storage, and tons of natural rope (sans pesticides and preservatives, which many commercial ropes use, fyi) which I use to wrap hawk perches. I look forward to reading up on the DIY threads, and oogling some of the enrichment toys other members have for sale. As a note. Raptors rarely play with toys once they've fledged, but sometimes we'll put goldfish in their bath pans during the molt (when they're usually left in their mews for the summer), or let them goof off with a tennis ball. Baby (eyass) raptors love all kinds of toys, from stuffed, squeaky animals to durable chew toys.

One question that I feel is important...We plan on moving in 12-18 months. The actual move won't be far, but as I research I'm wondering if I should hold off on adopting until we're settled in our new place. There are pros and cons on my list, and I hope you can add your thoughts. I hope this thread helps me, as well as anyone else looking for a bird when they can predict upheaval in the future. ---Pro Adopting Now I'm leaning towards adopting an adult bird. We're moving to a rural area that is not close to large cities, and as far as I can tell, is at least three hours from any good rescue groups. Even if a breeder is closer, it will be difficult to make the visits necessary to get the bird to know us. Here in Portland, OR, there's an excellent rescue group that regularly has multiple AGs in foster care, as well as a few really good bird shops with connections to area breeders, or that breed their own CAG/TAGs. There are also several excellent avian vets with whom I have established a relationship, and I'd want to be sure that the bird has quick access to vet care, especially during the first months of adjusting to a new home. I probably won't be ready to adopt for a few months anyway, since I am just now beginning my research in earnest and haven't yet even met any foster birds, and also need to get everything set up for the AG. ---Pro Adopting Later Obviously, the bird will not have to go through the adjustment of new surroundings within a 12-18 month period. That's my primary concern. I'd have more time to save for parrot equipment, accessories, emergency vet fund, etc, though we all know that budgets can go to hell quickly for all sorts of reasons. Especially during a move! Only have to move cages, stands, toys, etc. once! --Middle Ground? I could consider adopting locally in several months, and arranging for the foster parents to care for the bird at their home while I get to know it, paying for the bird's costs and a "boarding fee"...and then picking it up when we roll out of town. (The new home will be about 10 hours' drive away, broken up into two days most likely, since we'll have other birds/pets with us...we make the trip annually and have a routine.) Hopefully we'd be able to bring her familiar cage with us to set up, upgrading later as needed....unless a "pull-the-band-aid off at once" approach is recommended, in which case I could arrange to have the cage set up/assembled on site (we have handy and helpful family out there). I'm used to travelling with animals, and some of my raptors have a LOT of road miles on them. My truck bed/cap is actually customized with special stall perches for them, and two of my raptors have special kennels. (Where parrots need to see out, hawks prefer sensory deprivation for calmness!) Of course, they're not as sensitive as Greys by any means and their husbandry is entirely different. I'm interested to read about your experiences, suggestions and ideas! M

Hi, Vikki! Well done...coming to this forum to help, and taking in a bird in need. You're getting excellent advice, and this forum is a wealth of information. The parrot community has learned a lot in the past couple decades, and a lot of old "advice" is not just outdated, but harmful. These folks know their stuff! Good luck with your bird, and welcome! (I'm new, too!)

I'm heading down that way early October. I'd love to check out Charlie if she's still there. Poor girl. California is doing a great job paving the road to Hell with good intentions. I escaped CA years ago. Right now I have to pay three times normal amount for a catalytic converter for my Nissan truck because it was built in Cali; they required special converters to meet their emission standards, and for a 2002 truck they have to be specially manufactured to fit the specially-manufactured manifold mounts. Gah. The frustration and search makes me drink more coffee, which probably isn't shade-grown and means the destruction of rainforests somewhere on a farm operated by slave labor.

Oh, so sorry! I felt so bad when I lost my Hahn's. In addition to hiding their symptoms, the can go downhill so fast. Take care of yourself through the grieving process.

I managed to train my Hahn's macaw to poop on command. I had a special t-perch where I'd set him about every 15 minutes (it's been a while; whatever his usual poop frequency was). I'd watch until he began lifting his tail and gave a verbal cue just before he'd actually poop...then praise like mad, and offer him my wrist. Eventually he would go to this perch pretty much all the time. It was a small table'top deal made from dowels and a plastic plate, with picnic plates as liners. With consistency and attention it's not too tough to do, since one can predict the desired behavior due to pooping schedules and body language. It also makes a great party trick !

I'm too far North of you for regular visits, but I hope you find them a good home. They sound like amazing birds!

I'm new, and am delighted to have found this forum. Thanks to all admins, moderators and members. It would be really cool if members listed their bird info in their sig lines...those of us researching CAG/TAF behavior could really benefit from knowing the age and subspecies when reading all these informative posts. Can't wait to read more! Michelle

Thanks for the welcomes! First, I would be sure that the parrot would be safe from the raptors, for sure; the latter have their own facilities, while the parrot would be a house bird. I've got a good resource in a friend who has a CAG as well as a falconry bird. (If you haven't heard of Rebecca K O'Connor, by all means google her; she writes about both her birds, as well as other wonderful stuff). I'll post pics of my crew in the appropriate section at some point, but for now I'm sponging up all of everyone's Grey posts and pics! I will say that raptors definitely have their own personalities, as well. They are very different from parrots in that they are not typically social birds. One exception is the Harris' Hawk, which cooperatively hunt desert terrain in family units, or in groups of two or more as falconry teams. I was visiting The Bird Hut, "the" local bird store today. There's a baby TAG there that has been sold, and will be going home to its owner soon. Absolutely adorable; always trying to get attention and still working on his coordination. Heartbreakingly sweet little guy (girl?).