pattertwig

Welcome I am new here as well (and Grey-less). This forum has been a great resource for me. I am also considering the matter of adopting an older grey or getting a baby. Good luck!

I hope the following is OK, I've had migraines the past few days and my brain is still in a fog lol rbpittman wrote: I bet that makes getting Dixie's attention and love extra special. lol Thank you for sharing your experiences with getting an older (but still young) Grey and a baby Grey. What made you get a baby grey after getting the older gal by the way? Ohh OK. Well that's nice you got pictures and updates. At least with babies, you have nature vs. nurture on your side. There are pluses to older Greys too though and adoption as you have both made apparent. I will definitely keep what you said in mind. haha bird lady. That just sounds funny. I hope that bird found a good home Where did it end up going to? That's when you can tell people care. Even if it was free, I probably wouldn't have taken it because it would have been too soon! I've still not even made my mind up yet and look at all of the questions I'm asking lol I would certainly have to be a big pain and visit an older bird a few times before making the plunge...maybe I am being too cautious about all of this? Thanks for everyone who has posted so far! I think it's great to get examples and perspectives/experiences from both sides, teamed with research, to get a good well-rounded understanding. Another question outt of left field.... ...when do you all consider a grey to be a true adult (mentally, horomonally etc)?<br><br>Post edited by: pattertwig, at: 2010/02/06 02:54

Thanks luvparrots. I took a look at that site and emailed some people. Talon wrote: Thanks for replying! Did you get to pick out your baby? Or were you just given a baby at random since it was so far away? Did you go down there to see them? Yes, I did find a few in the Springfield area, but there are some near the south shore/north shore areas I think. Not all have contacted me yet. A few have contacted me, but some no longer breed, and some have changed their contact info (so I never got in contact with them). I really don't mind waiting until next year if I decide a Grey is for me, even if I can't find any or don't find a good match. That's funny you mention rescues..one breeder said she no longer breeds, but she has two surrenders she was willing to have me come visit (females). I will probably stop by to see them, at the very least just to spend more time with Greys and ask her questions. I'm open to whatever may happen though I've read that introducing things like harnesses and traveling can prove to be impossible, or at the very least challenging. If a rescue I click with turns up, and we mesh well, I would consider it, but I think I'm gearing more towards a baby due to my specific needs and so I can know it's history. Then again, and adult bird has more of a set personality compared to a baby...

Hi Everyone, I'm starting the process of visiting breeders/ bird stores and such. This serves two purposes for me: getting to be around both Grey species a bit more and also exploring all options. Recommended breeders have my priority of course. Do any of you have recommendations or know of any breeders in the New England area (preferably MA where I live)? I'd love to add breeders to my list

wdizneguy wrote: Thank you for sharing That's nice of you to buy/rescue a second-hand parrot. I'm glad Pongo is doing well. It is certainly a big decision, especialyl when other animals are involved as you pointed out. Toys are very expensive and you almost need a second fund just for that lol judygram wrote: Thanks! That seems like a neat little cage. The fact that it collapses is a very nice feature. jessdecutie18 wrote: Thanks for the welcome! Love the name What made you choose a TAG over a CAG? haha love the bathing example. I guess there are a few water greys out there. I'm sure it depends on exposure.

judygram wrote: Thanks for responding That's encouraging that at least one grey does well on a car ride, 4 hours even! The most I'd be traveling is 4 hours, but honestly, whatever parrot I decide to get will come with me to work at least once a week and I'll likely try to take it with me as much as I can so it can get used to everything. What does your travel cage look like/how big is it?

Acappella wrote: Thanks for the welcome! Yes, I am really trying to think this through. I find it hard to imagine what parrot species would be best suited to me both now and 50 years from now, but I'm being realistic. haha mimicking the water in the pipes? That's interesting and specific. There are all sorts of sounds here that I'm sure a grey would imitate. Good to know. Yes, I agree. I am going to visit a place 3 hours away from me as they sound responsible and ethical. They have you visit the birds for however long it takes them to wean and you must go once a week. That, to me, shows they aren't in it just to make a buck, but I want to see it to beleive it lol. I talked to them for about 3 hours on two separate occassions, so they do seem knowledgeable. I won't be making the decision for at least another month. If anyone knows of any breeders, I'm all ears. i want to explore all of my options.

kittykittykitty wrote: Yes! I am starting to understand that Dave is the man to go to for specific care questions. He came up with the aloe vera spray right? I just looked it up. Thank you, that was helpful. I guess allergy issues aren't a huge concern for me now!

pearllyn wrote: Oh my gosh, no worries! Not long-winded at all. That was INCREDIBLY helpful! The part about the allergies, noise and harness training/car travel was especially helpful. It's just what I was looking for. The part about the quietness and noise level was also very helpful. I really have a hard time trying to put to words the level of playfullness/quietness I am looking for I guess, but what you said appeals to me lol I guess it varies from bird to bird for the toy thing. The YN took a while to accept any new toys, big or small. The budgies, of course, never really cared. The tiels were a little cautious, not as bad though. haha I don't know ANY animal that doesn't get loud during the quiet parts of a movie.

Dave007 wrote: Wow...that IS quite different! The male YNA that was with me for long-term care got VERY loud during horomonal period (on top of being aggressive). What a polar-opposite that the Grey gets quiet, and also that it's the females and not the males that get more sensitive (kind of like an eclectus?). It sounds like the Grey's horomonal period is a piece of cake compared to what I've been through with the male YNA I cared for (went through a few horomonal cycles and molts), although I plan for the worst just in case. I used to just let him be and respected his space, or talked to him when he was interactive. Wooden perches became a good tool and it was a good compromise. Do Grey's have "the big one" like the Amazons do for puberty (that's the 5-12 year old one that can last 2 years for zons)? I'm guessing they don't since you didn't mention it. Thank you for the lovely comparion. That was very informative.

oops, also wanted to ask... Horomonal periods: how are they compared to a YNA? how are they in general? Males and Females: Is one calmer/less aggressive over the other? This can vary by species, which is why I am asking. I'm sure I'll think of more. I'm going to keep searching the forums too!

Hi Everyone! What a warm welcome! Thank you By the way, I only have ownership experience for budgies. I typed that wrong, sorry. The tiels and the Amazon were long-term care things (although I basically owned them, so I guess you could say I did lol). I typed up some stuff as Dave suggested. Some of them probably depend on the individual bird. I am considering a Timneh by the way, not a Congo: -I'd like an intelligent bird I can talk to (I don't care about talking ability). When I talked to my parakeets it was rewarding, but when I talked to the Amazon, I would say "wow, he is really listening" even if he never uttered a word. I guess it's kind of hard to describe the "prescence" I am looking for. i hope it makes sense a bit! - Sound/Pitch (not counting mimicking and learning sounds and words), what can a grey be related to with regards to other parrots (especially an amazon since I have experience with those)? I hear they make a sound like a drop of water or something lol that seems to be pretty common. I'm not sure what their natural calls are really. -Birdy dust! Greys are bad I hear for this...do any of you have sensitivities or hay fever/seasonal allergies? Are they really that bad? If so, how is it with an air filter in the bird's room? I only have mild sensitivities and have filters everywhere just in case my sinuses block up. My main triggers are fresh cut grass, pollens, trees, molds and urine smell (like from a cat box). -Birdy showers...I have read that Grey's don't like water as much as Amazons. This means it would be hard to reduce dust right? how iften do you bathe and is it difficult to get the accustomed? -Shyness/quietness: I know it can depend on the bird, but compared to the YNA clowns, they seem a lot more demure. I'd like something a littler calmer than an Amazon. -Road trips: would a Grey, if accustomed, be OK traveling in a car and then for little trips out of state at the family's house or to work? Do they not take this well? -Playing with toys: how naturally playful are they and how do they cope with new toys? do they seem to prefer one type of toy over the other as a whole? That's all for now! I apologize if it's jumbled. I'm so tired today and it's late! Thanks all

Hi Everyone, I just joined. I tried signing up a day or so ago, but I guess it didn't go through because I never got an email (sorry if that causes any trouble)! I have had ownership experience with cockatiels, parakeets, and a male YNA. I have been considering an African Grey as my future avian companion for about a year or two now. I finally decided to join some forums as I am getting more serious about my search. Since I can't be around them a lot due to lack of availability, I was hoping that somehow this forum would help me determine if the Grey personality is what I am looking for.<br><br>Post edited by: pattertwig, at: 2010/01/27 19:09