MisterT Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 Hello:) I`m currently living in Surrey B.C. Canada... and I need help finding a Grey ether a new baby or a tame mature male or female, the Grey I want has to be able to handle car rides, walks and bike rides cuz I`m looking for a little buddy and not an ornament in a cage... A breeder`s contact info would be great but i`m willing to consider adoption of an older Grey...Any response will be appreciated. Thank you for your time.B) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
she Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 I cant offer advise on where to perchase your grey,but I can advise you to do a lot of reserch on greys before you take the plunge.You are looking for a very special bird indeed if expected to do all you want.Greys can be very nervey birds and most dont take kindly to change. It would have to be a very well socialised bird and one who tolerates some sort of harness,a lot dont.I am sure people on this forum do have greys who partisipate in the activities you describe but my own grey would have non of it. I am sure he is more typical of the grey species than most. Sheila Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talon Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 These aren't things that a typical grey would be happy doing. You may find one who would tolerate it at best, but I think you should be looking at a different species of birds, or perhaps a dog who would love to do the things you describe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talon Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 I just read your profile. You have NO experience with birds. My ADVICE is to research an african grey, and THEIR demanding needs before even CONSIDERING getting one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MisterT Posted November 3, 2008 Author Share Posted November 3, 2008 Ok Talon I understand u maybe feeling guilty but slow down. Just because I want to take my bird with me outside and let the grey live a little Doesn’t mean I am going to skydive with him on my shoulder or take the little guy downhill skiing. Sitting on my shoulder with a harness while I walk is not an insane idea, riding a mountian bike with him is not insane as long as the proper saftey precautions are taken. Taking a grey with you in ur car again not insane as long as you take the time to build up to the new environments... I will thoroughly research these activities and get to know the little fella before I just decide to grab my bird and drag them outside into the real world where it is actually dangerous!!! The new environments may even be stress releasing and calming as with kids with ADD score higher on tests when spending just a little time in a green environment I`m sure the little Greys would apreciate some fresh air and green space. Just do your research 1st and take it SLOW. Maybe coffee is not ur thing... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvparrots Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 I'm sorry but my first image was a big dude with a patch over one eye and large gold chains around his neck with a cigar stub between his teeth flying down the freeway on a Harley with a grey flapping in the wind behind him anchored by a harness. This of course is not what you have in mind. When you speak of dirt bikes do you mean riding over bumpy ground over hill and dale, because that would not be cool. A grey could not hang on and they are delicate. Going for long walks on the beach or bicycle rides in the country side of course would be great for both of you. Good luck on finding a grey of iron. And I mean that with the best of intentions.:blink: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zooman Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 Although everyone seems rough on you its cause they love having birds and you'll see we are all pretty crazy with how we treat our birds they dont mean any harm or anything im sure. I have heard and seen people slowly introducing their birds to camping and bike riding and have special carriers just for that purpose. We just want you to make an informed decision and yes greys are different than lets say a amazon which is a very outgoing parrot and very smart compared to the "average" grey that is shy and scared of trying new things. I def think in my opinion if you plan on doing the type of things you want get a baby and SLOWLY bring him/her into it. A re-homed parrot are for experience and patient owners and even i dont feel i have enough experience to do it and i have 2 parrots. But please do your research and when/if you get one treat it amazing and it'll be your best friend for a long time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talon Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 I'm not quite sure what you mean by the coffee remark. I don't drink it, and never have. As far as me feeling guilty? For what reason? I did, and continue to do my research on greys even tho I have had 2 of them for 3+ years. You stated some pretty serious expectations in your first post. That shows me that you really don't know a whole lot about African greys. Certainly you need to do an incredible amount of research regarding having one as a pet, never mind taking it with you as a companion in the woods. You owe it to any bird to do the research and fully understand them before you get one just for the purposes you previously stated. I apologize if you think I'm coming on a little strong here, but I have read so many threads on which people get a grey for the WRONG reasons, and then traumatizing the poor bird unintentionally, and ultimately giving the bird away because of the physiological damage that was done because of a lack of understanding of them,their instincts, needs and habits. If you want to do all those things with your grey, do your homework, which takes time, and understand that you may end up with a grey that won't tolerate those types of things you want it to do. They are all quite different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MisterT Posted November 3, 2008 Author Share Posted November 3, 2008 Yes thank you, I`m no slouch when it comes to listening to negative criticism and if anyone thinks a grey is not for me hear me out. I have read that Grey`s are more like monkies as they spend more time doing calm acrobatic moves to get around in the trees then they do flying. I would feel really guilty to have an animal in my care kept inside a small cage if they were flyers and cover a large territory of land in the wild. A grey seems to be a good moral choice for me, it relly bothers me to see any animal kept in a small environment with no way to relive stress... this type of stress is poison for any living creature,insects included. I have loads of patience and lots of endless love and when I find a grey the little buddy will be well protected at all times. As for bike rides yes the calm mountian bikes rides with the proper carriers and most likley home made carrier like Tinker wears. I know from experience this world is full of crap and most of the time when I by something I have to customize it...:evil: The real world is a dangerous environment and I would never consider taking my Grey outside without a harness and a recall system taught to the Grey, I get cranky when I see people with dogs that don`t listen to them or know how to heal, seriously dangerous for the dog and others. Thank you for your time and I hope to hear some real life stories and thoughtout criticism. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talon Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 MisterT, I agree wholeheartedly with you that keeping an animal in a cage of any kind is cruel. I think once you read through the many threads here, you will find that most of us members keep our birds OUT of their cages as much as possible. My birds only go in their cages when I have to leave the house, or when they go to bed. Otherwise they have free range which includes flying in my entire house for the entire day if they choose. (which btw they don't always do). Yes, it can be extremely stressful for a bird to be cages all day long, and they will develop "issues" if left in their cages day in and day out. But your comment about the world being full of crap and having to customize it...is cruel if you think you can customize a grey to your liking. That my friend is an impossible feat!! If you are talking about taking your grey outside, it ALWAYS needs to be harnessed. We have countless stories here about members who were convinced that a recall system is all that they needed. When you learn about greys, you will also learn that FEAR will overtake any training they have for recall. I could fill your head with real life stories, and thought out criticism, but experience and research is the best you can do at this point. I am done here. I hope and pray that any bird you get has a wonderfully happy life due to the fact, that you understand, nurture and love them. Sincerely, Talon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaxtersMom Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 I don't know where you read greys are anything like monkies because I don't see it. Since you brought it up~I think a monkey would be good for these things you want to do. Seriously. What's wrong with that? A monkey would like things like you describe and much more willing. If you get a grey you shouldn't have these kind of expectactions of it. It would take a lot of time & work. Good luck to you. : 2008/11/04 20:48<br><br>Post edited by: BaxtersMom, at: 2008/11/04 20:49 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave007 Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 You came here and only asked for 2 things.... 1--the Grey I want has to be able to handle car rides, walks and bike rides( motor bike in the woods). 2--A breeder`s contact info would be great but i`m willing to consider adoption of an older Grey.. ----------------------------------------------- This is a parrot community. All different types of parrots are owned by the members. All the members put the welfare of their birds #1 on their list, rightly so. When these people spot certain posts that will definitely harm a bird, red flags go up all over the place. Why do red flags go up? Well, in your situation the magic words *has to be able*, the emphasis being on HAS. You're not a parrot owner. You've never been a parrot owner. You have no idea what parrot ownership is all about. You have no idea about a parrot's needs. You have no idea about what #1, #2, #3 is on the importance list of a parrot's needs. You read material and see pictures and fantasize about yourself on that motorbike scooting through the woods with that bird. You haven't asked any questions about what it's like to own a parrot, how to clean out the bird's shit in a cage, what diets are used, what parrots are capabile of, what parrot training is all about. All you want is a bird to keep you company while you scoot through the woods or ride in your car. You really think that type of bird can actually be gotten. Sort of like something being made to specs. Because of some of your short *cute* responses, I can see that you're irresponsible at the least. If you intend to achieve something for yourself, leave a live bird out of that goal. There are stores where you can buy a stuffed doll shaped like a parrot and you can tie it on your scooter and have a good old time. Some of those toys actually have a voice box in it and the doll will squawk on command or maybe, even talk. If you won't respect the fact that the parrot people here who are much more experienced than you, are telling you the truth about your crazy intentions and consequences, simply don't visit here anymore. People have enough to think about concerning legitimate situations concerning their birds. """""riding a mountian bike with him is not insane as long as the proper safety precautions are taken."""" What precautions would those be? """"The new environments may even be stress releasing and calming """"" And what happens when stress is drastically increased? What will happen with the bird when and if these things you want to achieve don't work out? He will need the indoors then. He'll need a cage too. Will you be sad while zipping through the woods all by yourself?<br><br>Post edited by: Dave007, at: 2008/11/03 05:19 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judygram Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 I couldn't have said it better myself, amen and thank you Dave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talon Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 BRAVO DAVE!!! Not another word is needed!! You said EVERYTHING THAT ALL OF US EXPERIENCED MEMBERS HERE WAS TRYING TO GET ACROSS! Karma for you!!:woohoo: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tycos_mom Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 There are a few breeders that have greys right now there is one on vancouver Island that will have Timnahs in 6 weeks ready to go home and I do beleive there is another in Maple ridge that has Congo greys Just google bird breeders in Vancouver BC and you should be able to find them easy enough Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tycos_mom Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 There are a few breeders that have greys right now there is one on vancouver Island that will have Timnahs in 6 weeks ready to go home and I do beleive there is another in Maple ridge that has Congo greys Just google bird breeders in Vancouver BC and you should be able to find them easy enough Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairymyst78 Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 Dave awesome job! I feel sorry for any bird that ends up with someone who really doesn't understand how to care properly for them. So many birds out there need re-homed due to people having this insane belief that a bird is like a dog or cat. OR worse yet get hurt by someones uneducated carelessness. Karma for you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandra902 Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 hey mr T my merlin is a rescue bird, 4 yrs old, that we have had for 1 year now. i heartily commend you for considering rescue and hope you do not rule it out as you continue your research. there are so many worthy birds out there that could flourish under your care. that being said, yes indeedy i did a lot of research too before merlin came home. but that is kind of like parenthood, you don't REALLY know until labor and delivery and you come home as a family. so of course in my zeal i had a list as long as your arm of the goals i had for merl and when i expected to reach them. haw haw haw! little did i know that parrot time is next to the eternal. being a cat and dog person, goals with rescue animals are much more quickly reached. our merlin has taught me much more than i have taught him. you seem to have an open mind, and that will carry you to new depths of wonder should you find that perfect match. so good luck to you, keep us posted as to your progress, won't you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bertbert Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 I have to say, I've had my grey for only a year now, and he is the twitchiest, scared and most high strung bird I have ever cared for! He goes for car rides now, but that took months to overcome his enormous fears of going outside, then entering a moving vehicle. He loves being on a tree, but that too terrified him for a very long time. He is terrified of new toys and perches, the wind, open spaces, the window, anything and everything depending on his mood. I take him for short walks periodically, but that depends on his mood. I read all the time that greys were very particular about their atmosphere, but the way he really is, isn't explainable until you own one! My grey is anything but outgoing and calm. I've been working with him to expose him to as much as I can, and though I've had him for a year, it goes very slowly and there's nothing to be done about it, has to be on his own time. But the longer you take, the more stuck in their ways they become. A grey may never be comfortable with everything you would like out of it that's all. If I were to use two words to describe a grey, it would be "high strung" lol. Just the last thing you want is a bird that isn't fitted to you as a person, my budgies and cockatiels were way more easy going than my current scardybird, and I've met other parrots that were happy going places. But for my grey, a one month goal as to not overstress him would be experiencing a new room. Going on a bike.....I don't know if that would ever really happen without him having a heart attack, plucking all his feathers or chewing off his nails. Lots of patience and time is required to train them, and as slow as you go, they will probably never be happy with going places just because they like consistency and are terrified of anything new or different. I love my grey, but he is the most fragile bird I have ever been in contact with...maybe it's his personality, but I think a lot of it has to do with his natural temperment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casper Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 Every grey is different! Nobody can buy a grey and plan what you are going to be able to do with it beforehand! For example, my eldest grey Charlie was traumatised by an earthquake earlier this year, he went from being the most outgoing, loving most easy going grey to being a very scared, timid grey who is now unable to fly! This is due to the damage he caused to his wing after thrashing round his cage. He also lost his confidence and I am limited to what Charlie can do now,I know his limits, he is a very special bird. I suppose what I am trying to say is you might have great ideas of companionship and involving your grey in your lifestyle but what if you ended up with a phobic bird or one who didnt feel at ease with the things you want him to do? Would you be happy with this and still love that bird as much? There is no way I can take Charlie on outings anymore like I do my other two, it would stress him to much and I wouldnt want to do this to him. Just make sure you do lots of research and make sure a grey is the right companion for you, a grey is for life, and such a big commitment! Caroline. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MisterT Posted November 4, 2008 Author Share Posted November 4, 2008 Awesome thank you for the replies even the emotionally charged over the edge one from 007:angry: Yes I have great ideas for giving the little Buddy I get all the love I can and as for being irresponsible just becease I want to spend time training my Grey to be comforatable with their natural environment well I can only say, people that think their bird is happier kept inside a human home and never taken outside are narrow minded and lazy. If you have tried and tried and tried again, and failed I would love to hear about your experiences and maybe a kind soul like Shanlung would be able to offer a different strategy or point you in the right direction, and Bertbert GO buddy Go buddy just keep yourself motivated I bet your grey loves getting outdoors, I`m mean he probably really :kiss: loves you for it:cheer: Bertbert not to step on your toes you are probably already aware of this but there is a slim chance some readers don`t, if you are`nt using a harness I read that when birds get really excited or spoked that they can have a heart attack because they lack that part of the brain that releases the right hormone to calm themselves down and thats why when you call someone a Birdbrain it`s an insult, they just kept spazzing out about the SMALLEST things... I mean the bird will calm down but it takes a long time for them to settle, The more you handle them just like any emotional creature the more love they feel and the calmer they will be. I`m not out to make people angery or emotionally abuse people so chill and please think through your posts before you rage off. And yes when I get a grey and lets just say they do not like the calm wind flowing through thier feathers while on the pertch across my handle bars of my mountian bike (MTNbikes are more comfortable and don`t mean screaming down mtn`s) then I will still love them, And if my little buddy just hates going outside for fresh air while pertched on my shoulder then I will still love them , and if my little buddy hates riding in my car while standing on the top of the seat where the headrest used to be or pertched on my shoulder then rats, no big deal life is full of dissapointments. Thank you for your time and again I mean no harm to anyone. -------------- Words to live by: Die for something or live for nothing (Rambo) Let love rule and die trying (ME)<br><br>Post edited by: MisterT, at: 2008/11/04 22:32 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zooman Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 I agree with bits and peices of everyones comments but i agree we dont know Mr T and his ideas or plans but i dont think its far fetched to think a grey MAY be able to be accustomed to going outdoors and going camping etc. Yes if his plans were to be screaming down mountain trails on his bike with the bird id be the first to say what the hell are you thinking??? but i dont think he's that naive. I have a elderly old neighbor that rides his bike in the park with a custom perch on his bike for his cockatoo they look so cute riding around and the bird loves it when he stopped to talk to me he began to bug his daddy to get going again..all im saying is if the grey decides not to want to do these things after carefully trying then he'll have to deal and love him like he said he would. As much as our environment differs from their natural one they as we would hate to be cooped up indoors all the time. My Zuri hates new people but loves going in the QUIET outdoors like a park and i can tell loves the outdoors but again thats a one case and every bird is different lie we are. But you all raise valid points that he should listen too, but ultimately him and his grey will have to share their bond in whatever way they can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaedyn Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 MisterT: Say you find that your bird doesn't enjoy the outdoors, or riding in the car, or bonds with a family member other than yourself, what happens then? As you said, "no big deal, life is full of disappointments". I understand that you'll get over it, but will your grey still be given the love and attention it deserves over the next 40-60 years? I'm not trying to discourage you, I'm just asking this question because this is a very likely reality and a big commitment, of which your grey won't have a say so in the matter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaxtersMom Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 When this post first came up you sounded to me like you are a very energetic, risk taker and somewhat of a daredevil type and I believe you scared the crap out of all the members including myself that you wanted a grey to do all these outdoor activities with you and we could picture a bad ending. I could picture you on a motor cycle flying down the highway or on a mountain bike doing jumps and flips in the air with your bird in tow. Now I am not so sure. They are amazing creatures but they are cautious by nature and can spook very easily. They are also very curious and do some crazy things which are fun and entertaining to watch but always stay on the cautious side. If spooked they can be gone in a second even if you think you have taken all precautions. I think everyone just wants you to know that before you get a grey and find out it's not right for you or your lifestyle. I think it's good that you are doing research and hopefully when and if you get a grey you make a very informed decision. I'm not saying that it can't go outside or can't ride in cars and I've seen pictures of people who take their greys on bicycle rides (with a harness) and next year I plan on having my grey outside frequently and going for walks if he is willing and comfortable with it. You just made it sound like you were more into action adventure daredevil activities atleast to me you did and I don't think any grey would be comfortable with that much excitement. I am interested in what you end up doing and if you do get a gray or now. I still wouldn't compare a grey to a monkey like you said you read somewhere but do think it would be funny to see a monkey riding on bikes with their owner;) I don't want to discourage you either but just know they can't/won't do all things us humans sometimes expect;) but are amazing companions in thier own right.<br><br>Post edited by: BaxtersMom, at: 2008/11/04 18:31 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janfromboone Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 I guess you guys are just used to reading into these posts -- things. I didn't get any impression that this person in canada wanted more than a companion. Isn't that what these guys are? They are so smart that they can learn to adapt to alot. If you never put a harness on when they are young they may never learn to wear one, and if you never take them out in the car or outside while they are young they may never learn. Maybe all she needs is a young bird! I think you are hard on her. I can see the bird enjoying everything she mentioned and being exactly what she wants if she starts with a young bird and spends time with it -- Isn't that what she said she wanted to do. She doesn't want a cage ornament. What's the big deal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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