Linda77

Timneh African Gray needs a new home. I've gone back to school full time and he needs more 'me' time. Adult healthy bird in perfect feather. Steps up on command, flies to me when asked to, on a pelleted diet, no bad habits--but not a cuddler and not a shoulder sitter. Very interested in everything going on, with many comments to add---if you can say it, this bird can, too. A home where he gets more one on one time with someone wanting lots of conversation and a clown in the house would be ideal. He has no problem quieting at night and sleeping in the mornings until you awaken. Enjoys spending time on the deck in his travel cage, or on his T-stand inside watching the action. I am asking an adoption fee and cage/accessories are included. Please email for more information to leimbach.farm@centurytel.net (I do not follow the board too often). Thank you.

Hi, thanks for the reply. Buddy is an adult (his eyes are completely light colored), but I've no clue to his age. I think they guesstimated 8 or ? when I took him. I was told he was locked up in a drug house in Detroit being fed cookies. These Detroit people got him from their mom, who went into a home or somesuch. I can't place any value in what they told me. I took him in because he talked and needed a home. A talking non-plucking CAG bird was my objective, and he talks like a champ--to us, to himself, to the dogs, anyone and everyone. He also whistles, dances and is great at self-entertaining so that I don't worry about him plucking feathers in boredom. He is satisfied with his life and comfortable enough to come looking for me when I let him out of his cage when I get home from work. I like that he enjoys routine--as life on our farm is all about that! Also, he has been trusting enough to come out on the deck with me and hang out. All good signs. And, yes, I know this guy more than likely will never be a cuddler. That's ok, as I stated--I wanted a talker. The books sound wonderful, I'll check Amazon to buy, and I do have some consultants I've found on the web for more insight. thank you again for your great feedback! Linda

Hello everyone, I've had Buddy, the TAG, for about 4 months now. He is an adult I bought from a bird collector/dealer. Buddy had major trust issues for a time, things like diving off rather than being near me. I believe he was handled quite badly previously, so was mostly afraid. Now, he is stepping up, going 'bye bye' onto my arm, wanting to be in the room where I am, etc. He has made lots of good progress in a short time. The trouble is---he will give me a vicious intentional bite randomly. The latest was Saturday. I returned home with wiffle balls into which I put chicken thigh bones (his favorite), and told him what I had. He hopped right onto my arm from his playperch, and as I was placing him onto his cage perch, he grabbed hold of the web flesh between my thumb and index finger and gave me a fully-wide-open bite which drew blood and incapacitated my hand for two days. OW!! Geez, talk about feeling snubbed. It's hard to want to be around him when he does this to me. And I'm the person he likes! He's afraid of my husband still. I realize it is probably because his cage was involved, or food/treats, or not wanting to go into his cage (he did step right up, though). But, still, I would like to trust him, but from now on, him stepping onto my hand will take unprecidented courage on my part. I cannot use a perch/stick, as his previous owner had a 'method' of locking parrots in a shower and forcing them onto perches. Needless to say, Buddy freaks with sticks of any sort, including brooms, etc etc. Has anyone had similar experiences with this trust thing and how can I get past this? Also, he has just barely begun to let me touch his toes and beak when I wake him in the morning as he is clinging to the side of his cage. I'm outside of the cage, of course, with bars for protection. I thought we were coming along pretty well! Any help welcome, Thanks, Linda

Thanks Judy---I'll get some pics out. Appreciate the feedback.

Hi Just joining the forum--glad you are all here. A month ago, I bought (but basically rescued) a Timneh grey from a local 'bird collector'. The grey is named Buddy and he is adult with a history of several owners and a poor diet. When I went to meet him, he flew away until exhausted, then he stepped onto my arm, which the owners said was pretty good for him to do. He had very little human contact and was coming and going in/out of his cage as he pleased. Since I've had him, he will step up for a treat, snatch it, and jump off asap. If I move him around the room on my arm, he's visibly nervous and looking to get off, fast. I can get him to his kitchen perch, where he bails on me, and if I take him from the floor toward the perch, he is climbing onto my shoulder then head to get to the perch as quickly as possible. Bottom line: he tolerates being on my arm only if he has to and then only briefly. This has improved already, as at first he was chomping the arm instead of stepping onto it. (saying "ouch" as he did it...so there's history here). Last night, he actually ate his treat, on my arm, atop his cage, did a "la la la" and head-bop in synch with me.... great progress, I think! Anyway, of course no cuddling or scratching or any lovey stuff, which is ok, but I'm wondering if anyone else has been here with their second-hand grey and if I'm doing all I can to get him to trust me. Other than not liking to be touched or getting onto the arm, he's not attacking or freaking out---he just wants to hang out, not interact physically. I do have him giving kisses (beak to lips) for a treat, which is more trust on my part than I care to think about! Thanks so much for any insights and advice. Linda