Popsicle

I haven't had contact with African Greys before, apart from once, for a short time. So this has been so helpful!! Thank you very much for taking the time to answer. Please everyone, post your answers!!! I would really appreciate more info. Thanks.

I'm here to gather information about the personality of both TAG and CAG through a survey. It might help me choose which Grey I'm gonna get and also to learn more about their behaviour. So it would be great if you could help me by grading the following questions from 1 to 4. (1 = rarely or not at all / 2 = sometimes / 3 = often / 4 = very frequently) Please start by stating whether your parrot is a TAG or CAG. Then follow to the questions: 1. Does he/she get on well with more than one member in the family? 2. Is he/she receptive to strangers? 3. Is he/she receptive to change / new things? 4. Is he/she cuddly? 5. Is he/she aggressive? 6. Is he/she playful / energetic? 7. Is he/she moody / grumpy? 8. Does he/she speak? 9. Is he/she loud, noisy? 10. Does he/she damage household objects they shouldn't? Thanks a lot for your collaboration!

This article isn't about territoriality but since you're gonna have a baby soon I figured it could interest you. It gives some tips on how to prepare the parrot for a new baby so he doesn't get jealous, etc. Hope it helps a little. Good Luck! https://www.birdsupplies.com/Articles.asp?ID=182

Amazing room! Wish I could do the same in my place. The birds seem to love it. Great job!

Was thinking the same thing... I'd buy a harness.

What is "the blue box"? hehe Your list was one of the smallest here by the way so I guess you're a lucky girl.

I like this post too. Made me have a good laugh. Do you all let them free in the house to go wherever they like and do whatever they want or do you manage to keep an eye on them most of the time?

Parrot's nature tell them they should sit as high as possible, to be able to spot predators. As she have this problem with balance (due to the nails missing), she doesn't feel confident enough to sleep high in the perch and doesn't feel secure to sleep in the bottom of the cage either. Probably the reason why she can only sleep in the bottom of the cage during the day, when she feels secure, with you around. As others have said, she will learn do be more independent and more confident with her disability and everything will be fine. Regarding the screaming... I know you've said she got better already. But I read you shouldn't scream back at the bird when they scream. They are contact calling you. If you speak to them from another room when they scream it might reinforce their screaming. Wait for her to stop screaming then go in the room and reward her. Here's a video that might help. I'd also recommend reading the book "The Parrot Problem Solver". http://www.amazon.com/Parrot-Problem-Solver-Barbara-Heidenreich/dp/0793805627/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top Since you have many birds, it might help you with a few tips on training. Hope she gets better and better with time. Good luck! x

I've seen some of you have made your own playstand. I'd probably like to do the same. What types of trees have you used for that or what types can I use? I've read some trees can be toxic for birds. I know Java is good. Think Pine Tree is fine as well. Anything else? Thx.

The thing for me is not only price but mainly space. I want him to have enough space to feel comfortable but unfortunately our living room isn't big enough, which is another reason I'm inclined to go for the New Jersey. I'm in London and already found many websites that sell them here. Thanks for measuring your cage and helping with advice. I'm quite happy with my choice. I will just try and find somewhere I can actually see the cage before buying. Just to make sure we are doing the right thing. Thanks again. x

Sorry to bother so much but do you remember if your cage for your Grey is Montana New Jersey or Montana Grenada? Thx. New Jersey looks the same but the measurements are a bit different: Total Width (with seed catcher) - 106cm (42”) Width of Cage (without seed catcher) - 86cm (34”) Total Depth (without seed catcher) - 54cm (21”) Total Height (with stand) - 160cm (63”) Inside Height (without stand) - 130cm (51”) My doubt is because some websites say New Jersey is suitable for Conures, Senegal, etc and other websites say it's suitable for Greys. :-/

Is your TAG's this one? Total Width (with seed catcher) - 112cm (44”) Width of Cage (without seed catcher) - 90cm (35.5”) Total Depth (without seed catcher) - 61cm (24”) Total Height (with stand) - 165cm (65”) Inside Height (without stand) - 127cm (50”)

Would this one be ok?? Identical design, same brand but a bit larger. Total Width (with seed catcher) - 112cm (44”) Width of Cage (without seed catcher) - 90cm (35.5”) Total Depth (without seed catcher) - 61cm (24”) Total Height (with stand) - 165cm (65”) Inside Height (without stand) - 127cm (50”)

That makes sense... don't have enough space in my living room for something much bigger though. Will keep looking and see if I find other options. Thanks.

I saw both CAG and TAG in person and I found the Timneh a lot smaller than the Congo. I was actually impressed because everyone usually say it's just a small size difference. I thought it was quite a big difference. Regarding behaviour, I believe each bird will be different, no matter what breed. I think it will depend mainly on how you train him/her, how you bring them up. I did think the Congos were more lively/playful than Timnehs I saw. But I've seen videos online of Timnehs that are also quite talkative and fun. So as I said, it will depend on each bird.

Hi Monipinkrose, Hope you don't mind me using your thread for my doubts. Maybe it can help you as well. I haven't bought my Grey yet but started looking up cages. We like this one: Montana seems to have good reputation and reviews. Couldn't find a photo with a parrot inside but I have seen this cage in person and it is quite spacious. Total Width (with seed catcher) - 86cm (34”) Width of Cage (without seed catcher) - 66cm (26”) Total Depth (without seed catcher) - 56cm (22”) Total Height (with stand) - 161cm (63.5”) Is it suitable for a CAG? Please share your opinion. Thanks.

Haven't bought my Grey yet but started looking up cages. My husband and I like this one: Montana seems to have good reputation and reviews. Couldn't find a photo with a parrot inside but I have seen this cage in person and it is quite spacious. Total Width (with seed catcher) - 86cm (34”) Width of Cage (without seed catcher) - 66cm (26”) Total Depth (without seed catcher) - 56cm (22”) Total Height (with stand) - 161cm (63.5”) What do you think? Is it suitable?

Great tips. Thanks. Just one more question... it sounds like he sleeps in his normal cage and not in your bedroom. Correct? Still didn't buy my parrot. I'm in a "collecting information phase" to decide how to do it to make it work with mine too.

Haha I don't really want my parrot to wake up at 6am either. What time does Murphy go to bed? Where does he sleep? Do you cover him? Any special trick to make him sleep until 9am?

No no no Dan. Sorry I gave you the wrong impression. I am totally committed to letting him out as soon as I come home, play with him, let him be part of our activities, etc. Also intend to buy a harness and take him to places with me, including to my in laws in another city, when we visit. I want him to enjoy time as a family with me and my husband for sure. And with other people as well. I know that's important to keep them healthy and happy. I'm just generally asking all of you if there's anything about them that make you feel like "you can't take it any longer" sometimes. I created this thread out of curiosity, driven by the video I posted in the beginning of the thread.

I don't mind the screaming if it's not too much of course. I know parrots make noise. But my problem is I am living in a flat at the moment and I worry I'll get in trouble with my neighbours. lol Well in general I'm just trying to find out what are the problems you all see in having a companion parrot as a pet.

I can see you added a Senegal Parrot to your flock, Eshana. He's gorgeous! And they are supposed to be great pets as well as Greys. How are you gonna cope with 3 parrots in a flat? hehe Don't neighbours complain? I am thinking of getting a CAG as well and really worried I might get into trouble because I also live in flat (even though I'm trying to move to a house asap). Good luck with everything! x

Well, I've had parrots for 5 years until I got married and moved country. And my main complaint was the screaming. My parrots were caged because they were 2nd hand and came to me quite wild. I don't know if the fact they were caged made a difference. They never plucked but they were a bit aggressive. And every now and then they would scream very loud. They were Amazons though. People do say Amazons tend to be a lot louder than Greys. I haven't had a Grey to compare yet. So I don't know. I do understand though that each parrot is an individual and will behave differently. The thing that worries me is I had a family before to help me looking after them. Now it's only me and my hubby. He works full time and I intend to do the same soon. Reason why I would like to understand the Grey owner's complaints and see if I'm gonna make a good owner too.

I was watching this video that was posted on a thread here in the forum: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5101167n&tag=contentMain;contentBody And wondered... HOW LONG HAVE YOU HAD YOUR GREY (OR OTHER PARROT) FOR AND DO YOU HAVE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE AMAZING BUT DEMANDING CREATURES? DO YOU EVER FEEL LIKE GIVING THEM AWAY OR ACTUALLY HAS GIVEN ONE AWAY BEFORE? IF SO, WHY? Please share your experiences as a Grey/Parrot owner here. Thanks.

Thanks for the advice. I'm gonna get a baby so hopefully he will settle in the sleeping cage routine fine. Fingers crossed.