Eshana

I'm moving into my first apartment at the end of August. I was hoping to have an AG on deposit at least by then. The biggest problem I'm having isn't with my vet fund or trying to decide which cage to get (even though I still can't decide that), my problem is choosing between the Timneh and the Congo! I've read article after article. I've been to page 40 on a google search reading up on it! My poor boyfriend has had to drag me away from the book section of the Union Square Petco because I was nose deep in AG books! So far what I've gathered is that Congo's are more skiddish and learn words later...that some of their behavior problems come from being taken from their parents too soon, and that Timneh's mature faster and are thus more open and mellow. The thing is, I don't care if the bird is more skiddish. I like a challenge and I am an extremely patient person. I've also read on a few pages that the Congo is a bit more intelligent than the Timneh, although I don't quite believe that. I don't have the personal experience but I believe this is a bias because of the attention Congo's get. I am also a huge fan of the underdog. I first became attracted to rats because of their misunderstood reputation. That's not the only reason I keep them as companion animals (I love intelligent creatures) but the idea of having a Timneh that may not be as objectively attractive and not as popular also appeals to me. The point is, I'm stuck. I really don't know how to decide and I don't feel myself leaning any way one or the other. Did anyone have the same dilemma? Any opinions on the subject matter? I know it has been discussed to death but this decision is killing me.

If you are sure he's male, get that mirror out of his cage! He could think it's another male and it could be messing with his hormones.

I have seen birds of all types do this. I assume my own Shelby does it because he knows he'll get attention if he manages to get his Zupreem past the seed guard.

Thank you for the rave review of the store! I think I'll save up a few paychecks and take the trek there for my birthday in August. Maybe I'll call the store in a week or so to find out about the male TAG. I do hope he gains his strength. I guess I just have a super soft spot for the underdog.

I've seen this store advertised in 'Bird Talk' magazine. To be honest, I'm shocked at how nice this store seems from the way you've spoken about it. It looked like a mom and pop petsmart to me! That should teach me not to judge a book by its cover! I hope that the male TAG finds a good home. Is he in an area of the store that anyone can visit? I was thinking of taking a drive out there soon to look at cages....

I guess one thing I'm worried about is the fact that I'm about to turn twenty. I love my boyfriend, I really do, but how do I know I'm going to spend the rest of my life with him? I don't want to get an AG that will bond to him and then he and I break up and the AG spends all his/her time missing him!

You are getting your TAG from Fancy Feathers! I saw that same pic on her facebook!

I've been doing research on congo's vs. Timneh's for a while now and came upon this interesting article: http://www.africangreys.com/articles/greys/species.htm Here's a quote: "...Again, these surveys rely on personal experiences of African Grey owners, which may not always be as objective as a controlled laboratory experiment. Therefore, they should be considered possible trends, rather than outright facts. In my survey, which included equal numbers of Congo and Timneh Greys, 63 percent of the male Congo Greys changed their preference from the primary caregiver to another family member. They did this between the ages of two and three years. Sixteen percent of the female Congo Greys in the survey changed their human bonds.... ....But, what about the Timnehs in my survey? A big surprise to me was that no Timnehs of either sex changed their pair bonds. Some even added the other human into a multiple bond at various times in the Grey’s development. There were no rejections of primary caregivers, as with the Congo Greys. The natural assumption here is that perhaps Timnehs don’t live for extended periods in family or nursery groups, so they do not have to reject that group (or human) in order to find suitable mates...." Is this a similar experience for you guys? Thanks!

Congratulations! I love reading about all your Grey's!

I just read a very interesting article on droppings from bird talk's annual bird magazine (I picked it up for seven dollars at petsmart) It was highly informative. I'll try and post an exert later.

My vet told me that a bird on the head= the bird trying to be more dominant. I don't personally care, except for the fact that I am suddenly washing my hair twice as much!

He's adorable! How old is he?

My 'tiel will call me 'Pretty Bird!' and calls himself 'me!'

If it makes you feel better, I'm in college right now and I've never fist bumped anything!

I'm interested myself. I currently have a 'tiel. By may of next year I will have a grey, but before then I want another bird for my 'tiel to talk to, so I've been debating between a sun and a green cheek...the sun's loud shrieks being the reason I lean green cheek. The shriek is fine in my current location, but I don't want to live in Staten Island forever!

There are more conures than just a sun! There are smaller ones that aren't so loud. I could imagine a sun conures loud shriek being a problem for a baby/toddler. A green cheek can be loud, but they don't 'shriek' as much. They come in a lot of pretty mutations, too!

If you're looking for a cuddlebug, why not a conure? I've experienced so many conures in my life (I've never actually had one, but I've worked with many different types) and every one has loved to cuddle. They're small enough that nips won't take fingers.

I used to work at a Petland Discounts. We had a lesser sulfer crested cockatoo named Rocko. He was an outright nightmare. Every time I went into his room to clean it I'd walk out bleeding and bruised. Then some rich guy walked in and paid cash for him and we got a new baby in, a greater sulfer crested cockatoo named Snowflake. Snowflake was a sweetheart! She'd dance with me while I blasted the radio, she loved to snuggle and ride around in my hair, she'd play hide and seek when I was working the floor, absolutely amazing! Of course, I was a part time worker, so I didn't have a ton of time for her. For hours at a time she was left in her cage room, staring out the glass, screaming for us to let her out. Customers shopping used to complain. We eventually made a stand for her so she could sit outside her cage while we worked. A small child almost got her finger bitten off (it was an accident, she was spooked) so we had to keep her behind glass for good. That's just my experience, I'm sure plenty of people on here have cockatoos that are wonderful.

Is this the same guy who was feeding the poor thing Jelly Beans? I say call animal control and report him! I'm so sorry that happened =[ Hopefully the "highest bidder" also is a good caretaker.

That's so cute! I loved the fist bump, too. I'm so happy that they can actually learn it!

That's so interesting! Often I read people comparing the way greys act to that of a functioning autistic child. I myself have a large interest in autistic and asperger education. Perhaps if you picked up a book on early childhood education for autistic children, you can apply those methods to your "classroom" teachings!

After five years a bird will certainly get bored of a toy! Try switching things around several times a month.

I am so sorry for your loss, and I hope that in time you allow another grey into your heart.

So adorable! I love how well you communicate...he really is such a smart bird.

When I was in high school, I worked at the tri-state chain Petland Discounts. When I worked there I had convinced my manager to make a thousand changes, and all the animals were well cared for. Then my manager was fired and a new manager was hired, who hated me for being a part time employee. She changed everything and made it so bad that I had to quit before I did some of the things she wanted me to. Well, anyway, I went to the same Petland a few days ago to buy some bird toys for my 'tiel, when I decided to wander around for a bit, in a nostalgic sort of sense. There was a different manager, and none of the people I worked with were there (this was only about four or five years ago). The "small" animals were in horrible condition! The water bottles were all empty, the cages were smelly, and you could see urine residue on the side of the tanks. I told someone working there that the water bottles were empty, and he said "oh we don't clean cages until tomorrow." and walked away! The bird cages weren't any better. A bare-eyed cockatoo was in the "large" bird cage (it's basically like a small closet with glass all around...a large manzanita tree fit inside) begging all the customers for attention. The cockatiels were three to a parakeet cage, an african grey was in a cage that was only slightly larger with no toys and one dowel perch. I wanted to cry. I've reported these stores before (including when I was working there) and was told they fit the "minimum requirements for selling live animals! Sorry if this was long winded, but I felt awful. If one sixteen year old girl (at the time) was able to care for 50+ animals three days a week, certainly a whole store full of employees could do it! I wish the animal feed store on Staten Island sold bird toys.