Never owned a Parrot

[brandi]

I have never owned a Parrot, but am VERY interested in getting one. I have read books, articles, and magazines about parrots. I would like to get an African Grey. I found one for sale in Indiana. The owners say the Grey is a year old. I contacted the owner earlier today to still see if they had the bird. I want to be sure I know everything I can know and be prepared before I get one.

 

Can anyone give me advice since I have never owned a Parrot before?

 

Thanks!

Brandi

[Talon]

Read as many of the posts here as you can. You'll learn alot here from experienced owners of greys.

There are alot of good books out there as well. I don't have one that is a favorite, but I have read many. Good luck and keep us posted on the grey in Indiana. Are you far away?

[judygram]

We don't usually recommend you get a grey for your first parrot but if you have done your homework you may be able to handle it. How much reading have you really done? I would suggest you read each and every post on this forum for one thing. "For the Love of Greys" by Bobbi Brinker is another good book. I'm not saying don't get one but if you have your heart set on getting a grey and are willing to make the committment to a lifelong companion and give it the love and attention it requires then go for it. But make sure this is what you want to do and if it is you won't be disappointed if you give it your all. Good luck to you whatever decision you make and let us know if you decide to get one and we will help you all we can.

[Ice]

Welcome to the forum. Hope that you are sure of getting yourself a CAG. If you love these birds, you cannot go wrong. Just give it alot of love and attention and you will be just fine.

[brandi]

What type of parrot would you recommend I get for a first parrot?

[Tari]

Quaker Great talkers not to expensive. Just make sure your state allows them.

[Caspersmum]

Hi Brandi,

 

It sounds like you've done a lot of research. As others have said, Grey's aren't the easiest birds to have as a first bird, but that's not necessarily a reason not to get one. That said, if I was in your shoes, I think I'd go for a baby rather than a pre-owned parrot. That way you can prevent them from developing bad habbits.

 

If you're thinking about other birds, I had a ring-necked parakeet. He was really friendly, spoke loads, and was happy to go to anyone - while CAGS are often more inclined to like just one person. When I was first bird-hunting I borrowed a book from a friend which had a bit about lots of different species - explaining what the pros and cons are if you have one as a pet. I can't remember what it was called, but its useful, because you can think about why you want your bird, and whether a particular type will fit in with your lifestyle.

 

Julia

[Guest]

Brandi welcome here, I'm happy you joined the forum

 

I think it's great you're that prepared before actually getting a Grey. Because you have read that much about them, I'm sure you have some idea of what you're up against and how to handle that. Personally I think it's rather difficult to advise whether a Grey is a good first parrot to own or not, since it all depends on the individual Grey as well the (future) owner If you're all set for it, I'd recommend you to do it.

 

Maybe there are some specifics you might want to look at before taking him home like his reaction to the current owner, his overall look (healthy), etc.

[Guest Monique]

Hi Brandi! Welcome to the forum!! When I was a kid we had cockatiels and parakeets growing up. Then when I grew up my first bird was a Grey. I agree with the others that a Grey is not necessarily the easiest first bird. Make sure you have pain tolerance to take a bite that you will not be scared of them. Be willing to be patient and observant. As long as you have done your research really well I know you will be fine if a Grey is what you want and you understand and accept both the good things about them and the potential challenges.

 

I look forward to hearing more about you and your future birdie(s)!!!!

[brandi]

Thanks for everyone that has given me there opinion.

 

I have read about other parrots, but I am still interested in the Greys. I am one of those people who want my animals to be part of the family. Since the Greys are so smart, they seem like a good bird to have if you want to keep teaching it new things.

 

I do live in Indiana. I found another Grey for sale in Indiana, this Grey is about six months old. Is that a good age?

[Guest briansmum]

i've read lots saying that you shouldn't get a grey as your first bird, i had budgies as a child but i dove straight in the deep end with my grey, i read everything i could and everyone on here has been soooooo helpful. i love my grey to bits and although he's a lot of hard work i couldn't imagine not having him in my life, even though he's only been with me a month.

 

i would reccomend though that you get a little baby, while 6 months is still very young, a lot of their suseptability and niavity is passing by then, they learn most and their chracter devlopes most in the early months of their life. i would suggest you arrange to visit the grey before you commit to buying so you can get to know eachother before you make a decision on this particular bird.

[Caspersmum]

Hey Brandi,

 

 

I think Beccy's right. But also remember, whatever you decide to do, we'll be there to help you every step of the way - you just need to ask!

 

Julia

[Richardsmommy]

Brandi, I don't doubt one bit that you'd make a good CAG owner. You're studying up on him before you actually buy one and you're taking the time you need for preparing a good home for him. That says a LOT to me. It tells me you are patient, so you're going to be able to handle his habits. It says you're loving because you're putting the welfare of the bird before your own desire to own one. You're smart because you want to read up on him first, so you'll know what to expect.

 

Richard isn't my first bird, but he's my first parrot. I did the same thing...I got all the information I could before I went out and purchased one. I also went to my parents' house to visit their bird so I could get an idea of how the bird was going to react. I also visited stores and watched, played with, and interacted with the birds so I could observe their different personalities. By the time I got Richard, I knew what to expect.

 

Here's a few tips (which I'm sure you've probably learned by now):

 

1. The CAG will live for 50 - 70 years. You'll want to try to preview your life and how he will fit in. You will also want to add him to your will unless you're very young (and if you are, don't rub it in).

 

2. The CAG has intelligence of a 5-year old. You're going to want to find creative ways to keep him stimulated. Richard has already figured out what makes people in the family tick and what makes me give into his wants. If I have food in my hands, he'll come over to me, put his zygodactyl on my hand and then bow his head down into my chest...similar to when they want to be scratched. When he wants to be fed and I'm not holding food, he'll make a sound like the microwave beeping. He's already reasoned that when the microwave makes a sound, we get food and eat.

 

3. The CAG's emotional Quotent is that of a 2-year old. This means you're going to have to watch him very closely because he's going to want to get into everything. Richard is very close to me (and suffers a bit from seperation anxiety). He yelps when I leave the room, showers with me and even sleeps with me. One day I held Richard up to see Patches, my parakeet. With Richard on my right arm, I held my left finger up to Patches, who was nibbling on my fingertip. Richerd reached over to my left hand, with his beek he pulled my hand away from Patches and then put his head down on my left hand for me to scratch him. I'm not sure if he thought he was saving me from Patches' nibbling, or if he was jealous (I'm guessing he was jealous).

 

4. If you have pots and pans with teflon in them, you'll want to replace them. If you can't do it all at once, then at least try replacing them individually, starting with the pans you use most often. I lost a parakeet because my husband boiled a pan dry and the smoke from the burning teflon got to the parakeet. The cage wasn't even close to the kitchen, and there wasn't much smoke in the living room, but aparently it was enough. I'm not sure if cooking with teflon without boiling it dry is safe...or if teflon is even hazardous to CAGs at all, but I didn't take any chances.

 

5. Interview your parrot seller. You'll want to know how the parrot was raised from his hatchdate. Was he hand-fed and did they interact with him often? Did they hold him much, or did they keep him in a box with all the other hatchlings? Interview their clients to see if their birds were healthy. I didn't ask them for their client list. I spoke to people as they came in the door. I asked them if they had purchased any birds from them, were they happy with their decision, etc. Richard was hand-fed. I watched the workers as they interacted with the birds there. Richard was very close to one worker, and that scared me because I thought He wouldn't want to be with me, but he warmed up to me very quickly BECAUSE of how close he was to the worker. I wouldn't hesitate to get another bird from that store.

 

I hope some of this helps. But, as I said before, I don't doubt your parotting skills (Hah! Parotting skills! Get it? I made that one up myself!) I think you'll do great! Keep us posted!<br><br>Post edited by: Richardsmommy, at: 2007/06/13 19:22

[Tari]

Wow Richardsmommy what a well thought out post.

I must echo this moslty the part about the teflon.

I was one of those people that thought "Oh its ok Ill never let that happen." and I killed my birds. Several of them. My small flock of breeder parakeets. My blue crown conure Robin and my quaker Draco. He was my very first parrot and just writing this makes my cry. He was five years old and the best. Sang, danced and talked up a storm.

I still miss him very much.

Needless to say that day all that non stick stuff went out the door. We ate hamburgers from the dollor menu for a month while I saved my money for SS pots and pans.

Get that stuff out of the house asap. Its bad for people too oh and you cant use your selfcleaning oven ever again.

[judygram]

Brandi, a good first parrot for me was a sun conure. She is the sweetest thing and my constant companion. Conures can be very playful and comic. On the weekends sometimes I take a nap in the afternoon and she is on the pillow beside my face or my hair, I don't think she always takes a nap but she is quiet as a church mouse. But if you do the research like everyone else said and you decide the grey is for you then go for it and don't look back.

[Guest Monique]

Brandi - if you can rescue a Grey that is 6 months, 1 year, or 10 years I think that is great. There is no reason to restrict yourself to only a baby. One benefit of an older bird is that their personality is already shaped so you can really get an idea of their likes and dislikes. What I would do is think about what is important to you and not in a Grey and then decide which one is for you. A mistreated older Grey or one who was raised poorly could be challenging and are you up to that. Or an older Grey that's had lots of interation, etc. will be just as good to you as a baby - you just won't get the baby time with them. But that is the smallest part of their life anyway you will have many many many years with them as an adult no matter what. Good luck in your decision!!!

[judygram]

Whatever decision you make remember we are here for you to help you every step of the way if needed. All you have to do is ask.

[brandi]

I want to thank EVERYONE for your input. It has helped me alot. I will have to keep everyone posted on what I end up doing. I e-mailed the one lady back, she said she has had several inquires already. I told her that I would like to see the bird (if she consider selling it to me). I have not heard back from her yet.

[Richardsmommy]

Tari wrote:

oh and you cant use your selfcleaning oven ever again.

 

Whoa! I haven't heard that one! I have a self-cleaning oven, but I've never self-cleaned it (I only use it for Thanksgiving and Christmas).

 

Are you saying that USING it is bad, or cleaning it is bad?

[dblhelix]

Most ovens (particularly self cleaning) are coated with some non-stick material. When you use the self clean option the oven heats up VERY hot (much hotter than normal cooking temps) and this causes the nonstick surfaces to release toxins in the air.

 

Teflon is Duponts brand name for PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene). Almost all "non-stick" cookware contains PTFE. It is a fact that at high temps the PTFE releases toxic gas. The verdict is still out about whether or not toxins are released at normal cooking temps (say under 500 degrees F). Some studies show it is toxic (at least to birds) even at the low operating temps. Birds are very sensitive to air toxins given their small size and advanced/efficient respiratory system. PTFE may actually be used in many things: pots/pans, toaster ovens, space heaters, electric woks to name a few.

 

I have Hard anodized aluminum cookware. That, stainless steel or old fashioned iron are completely safe. I will NEVER use the self clean option on my oven with the bird anywhere in the house...Its kinda scary if you do a search on PTFE and read up on all kinds of horror stories. You cant (or at least should not) make yourself crazy about this, but I would strongly recommend you DO NOT USE nonstick cookware and be conscious about other things that heat up and may contain PTFE. :ohmy: You certainly do not want to overheat the stuff since that is clearly dangerous, even to humans. I do my best to stay away from it, period.

 

Not intended to scare people, just educate:

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=15&cat=18&articleid=2874<br><br>Post edited by: dblhelix, at: 2007/06/15 04:48

[Tari]

There that was explained better then I could. When I bought my new oven I did not buy a self cleaning one. And it does not have any non stick stuff on it. I use backsoda and vinegar to clean it. Hard work but it is safe.

And the good thing is it was cheeper oven. :laugh:

[brandi]

I am going to look at the six month old Grey tomorrow (Sunday). A lady is getting rid of it. It sounds like a wonderful Grey (as she described Kiwi). I was wondering if there any things I should watch out for such as; illnesses, diseases, or behavioral problems. She said Kiwi is very friendly and will go to anyone. She also said that Kiwi is begining to attempt to talk. She explained to me why she has to get rid of the Grey also. Are there any other questions that I should ask? Help me out if you can. Thanks!!

[dblhelix]

Look for alertness, energy level, feather health. Observe the droppings to ensure they look in the normal range based on the diet being fed. Check the vent area for any signs of uncleanliness and the nares for any signs of crust (these can indicate inllness). Of course observe the personality..If there are no unusual signs and if Kiwi seems comfortable with you (a new person) right off the bat then you may have a winner! BTW - why is the current owner parting with such a young bird?

[Guest briansmum]

yes i too invested in a really good set of stainless steal pans they cost £70 vs. the £20 non stick set i had before i got my grey. i'm lucky my toaster and electric fireplace do not have the non stick coating on them.