Christina

Can someone tell me what it means when you grey, has their wings lowered?

I will post a pic of Finnigan...he has some red factor in his legs and a red feather or two on his shoulder. Nothing like the pic posted above. The vet said that the babies get this when the parents have allot of iron in their diet. She said, he may molt it out or he may keep it. Her name is Dr. Theresa Lightfoot and she has published at least one avian book that I know of, and is pretty well known. I only say that to let you know, she isn't an "avian vet wanna be". :ohmy:

Julie that is sooo great! Congratulations!

I know I'm new to the forum, but I would like to weigh in on this one. I love the intelligence and the understated colors of a grey. They are like the brilliant nerdy people at college. Often overlooked for the vibrant colors of other birds. I have wanted a grey ever since we got our first bird years ago. This was a little caique we bought from PetCo. Yes, I know now, that you don't buy your birds from a chain petstore. But, she did somersaults and hopped around and although we looked at breeders, we went back to Petco, paid top dollar and brought her home. She was sickly from the time we brought her home and probably in the end, we paid 3x's her actual cost in vet bills, and she only lasted a year. It was a fabulous year...but she was bonded to my husband who had always wanted a B&G. We waited almost a year, then looked for and found a B&G and brought him home. What a joy! Although, truthfully, our avian vet, finally told us, that we needed to stop bringing him in, after Kiwi died, if Loki (B&G) sneezed, we had him at the vet. :lol: At any rate, two great birds...what were the chances of getting a third great bird? Would it change the personality of our B&G if we brought another one in? I really wanted a grey, but both the caique and the b&g bonded solidly and immedialtey with my husband, would a grey do the same? I refused to purchase one thinking that it wouldn't work out. Besides, for some reason, TAG's aren't as easy to come by as CAG's and I wanted the TAG, no one sold them locally. We went to a bird show to pick up some supplies for Loki and as soon as we walked in, there they were, the only two TAGs there....and Finnigan came right up to me, wasn't shy at all....we still had the cage that we had for Kiwi (big cage, caiques are high energy little birds) and this little TAG would make a nice home in it. My husband looked at me, and said, just do it. He obviously likes you, take him home and love him. He will be fine. So, I did, and he is such a joy! He loves his cuddle time, but is soo independent as well. I love the diversity he has. Loki is a velcro bird, so this "let me love you for 10 minutes and then I'll play independently" is a joy! Sorry so long...but I'm just excited.:blush:

What a relief. Thank you for responding. I thought last night, he must feel secure to close his eyes and fall asleep, but I wanted to make sure. No, I don't need another velcro bird...one in the family is enough! :unsure: He seems pretty independent. Which is good and I do want to enforce that, but still give him the security to feel its okay to hang with me some if he would like too. Seems a fine line with these little guys. I'll try to post a picture tonite. He is sooo cute!

Okay, I spent the whole weekend with my little Finnigan. I did the math, and he is 12 weeks old today. So, he is a week ahead of where I had been told. We did some bonding this weekend and he bends forward for some serious neck and head scratches a few times a day. He also makes it known when he wants to get picked up by calling and flapping like a mad bird. He travels around with me for a while, then seems content to go back and watch the goings on. One of my questions, is sometimes when we are just sitting there, he tucks his head under my arm and just lays there. I thought at first he might be afraid (hiding his face), but he fell asleep like that last night, so I don't know if it just relaxes him. He is very curious about everything, loves his new toys and loves going outside and watching the birds fly (screened in lanai and he is with me the whole time). He doesn't seem afraid of anything, only curious. Another question I had for anyone that takes their bird to work with them, is how old were there when you started taking him to work? What kind of set up do you bring to work with you? Thanks.

Thank you for your welcomes. An AG is definetly different from our B&G. He is sooo much more reserved and nervous. I did pick the boldest of the bunch, but he is definetly taking his time. I know its only been a few days, and honestly I have been working for most of them, but he sooo much more complicated than the macaws. I knew that, but I guess you don't really comprehend until you have one.

Hi Everyone, Well, I just purchased my first AG. He is only 10 weeks old and just as cute as a button. He was supposed to be on two handfeedings a day, but has digressed back to three. I've already had him to the vets and she pronounced him very healthy. I thought I had done lots of research but was taken back a bit when I heard no mirrors in the cage, and that I should make him a little cave for him to hide in case he starts feeling vulnerable. I didn't know that he would scratch at the paper like does, nor did I know that he would sleep on one foot. I know these are little things, but they don't mention them in the books or articles on line. Anyway, four days and learning alot. He seems to be adjusting well and is getting braver by the day. What a joy. Anyway, just thought I would share. If anyone has any other suggestions or can share the little things that greys do that they don't mention in the books, I would love to hear about it. I almost called the vet about his foot until someone told me that it is a grey thing.

Thanks to everyone for their replies. I took him to the vet this morning for a well check up and all is good. She suggested weaning pellets be added at this time and also said his bobbing would be mild compared to the macaw. He did bob more this morning and ate very well. He also ate from his bowl this morning. So, he seems to be coming along. Thanks again.

I just bought a 10 week old TAG. He is still on two handfeedings a day. I did handfeed my B&G Macaw but my TAG doesn't seem to bob the same. Do they just have a light bob? I don't want to aspirate, so I'm being cautious. The breeder said to feed 30cc's...does this sound right to those of you that do handfeeding? I'm just double checking. He does seem interested in other foods...I've offered grapes, apples, beets, and pellets among a few. He just picks right now, which is fine. He has only been home a day anyway, I'm sure he is still adjusting to that as well. Just want to double check my measurements and the "bob" factor for this bird. He is much smaller than my B&G...so its a different feel for me. Thanks.

I'm sure you guys are right. Thanks for the kind words. You can't rush these things and I believe you right, I'll know when I meet my match.

Well, I did call her and offer her $500 without the cage. She said flat out no. This was after she told me how important it was for him to find a home as a pet and not a breeder bird. But, I just feel like it wasn't meant to be and I know that $500 is low but, feel that CeasarsDad is on to something there, so its what I could feel comfortable doing. She didn't bother to say what she would take, so I guess it wasn't that important to her. But its okay, I'm sure Bart will find a happy home and I'll just keep looking. Big Sigh.

Thank you for your responses. Marir, he was in neutral territory away from his cage. He did okay at first, but the more I pushed him the more nervous he got. Not that I blame him. I often think about these breeders, who don't know that much about birds, just breeding away just for the money and then poor little birds like Bart, who with patience and love would have a fabulous family life and probably come into his own. I guess my hesitation is on the probably. I could keep looking and get one from a family that has maybe had more interaction with people, but then would that poor little bird just pine away for his family and it would be just as sad as Bart? She has him and his cage for sale for $800 (which honestly in Florida is a little high for a Timneh anyway). I think I might offer her $500, no cage (I have one and its bigger than the one she has him in anyway) and if she takes it then Bart was meant to come home with me. If not, then he wasn't meant to. What do you think?

Okay, I'm a bit torn on Bart. I'll have to start at the beginning so this might be long. I got there and the husband went and got Bart out of his cage, which looked clean and there were a couple of toys in there, but nothing stand out spectacular. So, Bart did step up for him and then he did step up on my hand and he did step from one hand to the other. Now, once I placed him on his stand, he wouldn't step back up. He kept lunging and pecking. I say pecking because he did not bite to draw blood, he was more warning me off (he did nip me good a couple of times). He would stand right next to me on the perch if the husband was standing on the other side. Clearly a woman's bird. The wife explained that this was his second home, both his first and this one he was intended to be a breeder. They have had him since November, so not very long. They did take him to the vet then and had him surgically sexed and got a clean bill of health. He looked good and healthy, good feathers, clear eyes, no drainage around his nairs. I don't think they handle him nearly as much as they said they did. Although they did admit that initally, they had to pull him out of the cage with gloves. That he wouldn't bother them if they were feeding him or cleaning the cage, but he didn't want to come out or be handled. He would step up for the husband and he gave kisses to him and to one of the children there. They did explain that Bart doesn't care for the husband, but he more or less fusses with the bird enough to get acceptance. The more I tried to get him to step up, the more nervous he got. I asked if the wife could handle him and she said yes, but he nipped at her and she pulled away fast. Hmmm...what kind of breeder does that? Especially if its your bird and you claim to have him out every night? At any rate. I liked Bart, but I think Bart will take a lot of work. He was a nervous nelly and growled allot, I found this strange if he is out a lot like they said, and this is his territory, but then again, they haven't had him a long time. I feel on one hand, he is only 7...I have many many years and nothing but time to win his trust and show him what a wonderful life he can have, out of his cage and being part of the family. But on the other hand, its a big investment time and money wise when I could just buy a baby bird and skip all this. I wouldn't even consider it if he didn't give kisses, that just says, he has potential to be something other than a breeder bird. What are your opinions?

I go tonight to meet Bart and I have a list of questions and observations to make thanks to your input. I do have a blue and gold macaw...but as you guys probably know, they are very easy going and we purchased him right out of the nest, so we know every single nuance to his character. From the research I have done on Greys they are much more sensative, so I think if there are problems to work out, we could, but its going to depend on if Bart and I make a connection. If my instincts say he is the right one, then I'll go for it. I'll let you guys know tomorrow how it went. Thanks again for your suggestions and reccommentdations, they helped allot!

Thanks for the welcome. Good suggestions. I'm very hopeful he is the one. I'll keep you guys updated, if you think of anything else, just post away.

Hi Everyone, I'm new here, but have been lurking for some time. Anyway, I'm going to look at a 7 year old, male TAG. I was wondering, before I go, what are recommendations from you guys for good questions to ask. The girl selling him apparently bought him for a breeder bird but never found a female. She says he is pet quality, I'll have to see about that. I know what to look for as far as a healthy bird, but have never purchased a rehome before. Any suggestions on what to look for as far as behavior and good questions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your advice, and maybe I'll be a new grey owner soon. Christina