Newbie

[sarahwll]

Hi,

I have just registered on this forum. I have wanted an African Grey for many years and have decided to start looking. I would appreciate any tips or suggestions on the best place to get one. I would prefer to buy from a breeder or get one from a rescue.

 

Sarah

[Talon]

Hi & Welcome! It's great that you joined before you got your bird, that way you can know so much beforehand. I wish I had done the same.

There is so much great advice here, just keep reading, you'll learn all you can very fast.

I'm not sure what to tell you, just make sure it is a reputable place wherever you get your grey. Keep looking, they are out there. Do you have a preference? Tag or cag? :whistle:

[Caspersmum]

Hi Sarah,

 

I've just had a look on your profile, but can't work out where you're from, so this might not be too useful, but hey, I'll try to help!

 

My advice would be to get a baby parrot if you've never had a bird before - it's pretty scary bringing a bird home in the first place, and rescue birds tend to have bad habits, which can be hard to deal with if you're not used to it. If you look online there are lots of sites listing breeders. You can then phone a few of them up to get an idea of what they're like. Once you've found a few you like, I'd suggest you go to visit them - and you'll get a good feel for how they treat their birds - does it feel like a production line, or do they really care for and understand their birds? I'd also recommend visiting while your bird is being hand reared so it can get used to you before you take it home.

 

That's my take on it, but I'm sure others will have more to say!

 

Julia

[sarahwll]

I am in NC. Tried to rush through filliing out forum questions. Guess I need to go and finish it.

I have a blue front amazon now. He has been toruring us since 1992. I also have five dogs, fourteen horses, two donkeys, one draft mule, a pair of emus, and various waterfowl that roam around. I have rescued many animals just never a bird.

Is there a good book or website for african grey's? I want to study and learn about them before getting one.

 

Sarah

[judygram]

I can give you the name of a good book to read about greys, "For the Love of Greys" by Bobbi Brinker. It has lots of good information, I read it before I bought my grey.

I also second Julia's response, get a baby if you can.

[sarahwll]

Do you have a preference? Tag or cag?

 

I am not sure. That is one of many reasons I want to study up first. I want to know the pros and cons of both. I learned years ago with horses not to be an impulse buyer.

 

Sarah

[judygram]

I don't think there is a lot of difference in the personalities of a Cag versus Tag, just differences in body characteristics. Both make fine pets.

[Talon]

Sarah, I agree with Judygram, one is not any better than the other. Just different body sizes.

We have 3 horses, I understand what you mean about the horse remark! What do you have for a horse, and do you ride. Not trying to hijack this thread, just curious. We could always move this over to the off-topic section. You can reply there if you want.

[jtullos2]

I read this book call the "African Grey Parrot Handbook", i found it to be informative with good information. It has been very helpful with my baby grey.

[judygram]

I think I have that one too, I bought several books on greys before I got mine, never too much information.