Hello everyone! I am in the process of adopting my first African Grey from a shelter. He is my first grey, and my first large parrot after two parakeets and a cockatiel. I was wondering if anyone else has adopted a bird at this age and if you had any advice for a first time grey owner specifically suited for one with an older (relative) bird. Thank you!
Adopting a 21 year old Timneh Grey
- Thread starter Kaylynn
- Start date
AmyMyBlueFront
Well-known member
- Apr 14, 2015
- 6,315
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- Amy a Blue Front 'Zon
Jonesy a Goffins 'Too who had to be rehomed :-(
And a Normal Grey Cockatiel named BB who came home with me on 5/20/2016.
Hi Kalynn and welcome to the forum! 
I recently adopted a Goffin Cockatoo,who is 28 years old,after Smokey,my Timneh Grey passed away at 27 years old :31:
My Smokes was about 6 months old when I got her from a pet store <my FIRST "real" parrot> and she was a wild caught birdie. Even after 27 years she did NOT like hands! She would step up,only after realizing it was her last option,then she would tell me what a "good bird/girl" she was :54:
Even being a wild caught bird,she became very lovable. She gave oodles of smooches,she'd yoink on my hair if I bent over her house when feeding her.
She'd get on my shoulder and rub her beak on my cheek,or bang her beak on my forehead..and TALK! oh boy could she ever! And say the right things at the right time.
You didn't mention how friendly your new addition is? Don't be dismayed if it seems like along time before he/she responds.
It took some time for Smokey to really get used to her new digs. It took her watching Amy my blue Front before she started eating proper,she was a seed-only creature. After watching Amy < who I got as a baby at 16 weeks old,now 27 yrs old> eat EVERYTHING,Smokes decided to give it a try,and she LIKED it lol. She ate almost all types of veggies,corn her fav..fruits,grapes < the red ones..didn't like green lol>'nanna's were her fav..her eyes would pin while munching down on a piece..pizza,macaronies..chicken bones..crackers...scrambled eggs...the list was endless.
I have heard Timnehs aren't as "smart" as Congo's..HOGWASH!
We need to see pics of your baby! There are countless members on this forum who are very informative,friendly,CARING people..and again,WELCOME!
Jim
I recently adopted a Goffin Cockatoo,who is 28 years old,after Smokey,my Timneh Grey passed away at 27 years old :31:
My Smokes was about 6 months old when I got her from a pet store <my FIRST "real" parrot> and she was a wild caught birdie. Even after 27 years she did NOT like hands! She would step up,only after realizing it was her last option,then she would tell me what a "good bird/girl" she was :54:
Even being a wild caught bird,she became very lovable. She gave oodles of smooches,she'd yoink on my hair if I bent over her house when feeding her.
She'd get on my shoulder and rub her beak on my cheek,or bang her beak on my forehead..and TALK! oh boy could she ever! And say the right things at the right time.
You didn't mention how friendly your new addition is? Don't be dismayed if it seems like along time before he/she responds.
It took some time for Smokey to really get used to her new digs. It took her watching Amy my blue Front before she started eating proper,she was a seed-only creature. After watching Amy < who I got as a baby at 16 weeks old,now 27 yrs old> eat EVERYTHING,Smokes decided to give it a try,and she LIKED it lol. She ate almost all types of veggies,corn her fav..fruits,grapes < the red ones..didn't like green lol>'nanna's were her fav..her eyes would pin while munching down on a piece..pizza,macaronies..chicken bones..crackers...scrambled eggs...the list was endless.
I have heard Timnehs aren't as "smart" as Congo's..HOGWASH!
We need to see pics of your baby!
There are countless members on this forum who are very informative,friendly,CARING people..and again,WELCOME! Jim
Birdman666
Well-known member
- Sep 18, 2013
- 9,904
- 264
- Parrots
- Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
My oldest foster bird was 60... (amazon)
Most of my older birds were in their mid 20's to mid 30's though these were amazons and macaws.
Older birds, as long as they aren't pluckers, tend to be more calm, and set in their ways. Frankly, as long as you structure the interaction with the bird, they pretty much adapt to what ever structure you put in place for them...
CAGS and TAGS generally get held and allow touching more on their terms than yours. As they get familiar with you, they allow more and more. Boundary setting with a CAG is more finding out what the bird tolerates, and then gradually expanding it over time, as trust develops, to include what you want the bird to tolerate...
There is less reigning in of behaviors (i.e. amazons and macaws) and more expanding behaviors.
I actually think older birds can be easier to deal with, because you're already past that out of control "hormonal" stage. By this age, they know how to deal with "seasonal" biological changes.
Most of my older birds were in their mid 20's to mid 30's though these were amazons and macaws.
Older birds, as long as they aren't pluckers, tend to be more calm, and set in their ways. Frankly, as long as you structure the interaction with the bird, they pretty much adapt to what ever structure you put in place for them...
CAGS and TAGS generally get held and allow touching more on their terms than yours. As they get familiar with you, they allow more and more. Boundary setting with a CAG is more finding out what the bird tolerates, and then gradually expanding it over time, as trust develops, to include what you want the bird to tolerate...
There is less reigning in of behaviors (i.e. amazons and macaws) and more expanding behaviors.
I actually think older birds can be easier to deal with, because you're already past that out of control "hormonal" stage. By this age, they know how to deal with "seasonal" biological changes.
Gillis
New member
I am in the process of adopting an 18-year old Timneh from a nature center. Though I have bird experience, he is my first ever bird I have owned (after loads of research!). So far I have found him very relaxed, he knows what he likes and doesn't like but he has been willing to try new things. He is nervous about coming out of his cage at first and pinches (he has never actually bitten) but as long as I become a little stern in voice and let him know it's time to come out and don't react to his pinches he behaves. It has been a learning experience for us both, learning to understand what the other is thinking. Because he is a little older he has become his own "person" and it has been so fun getting to know him. He is much more like a "human" than a bird in some senses. Patience, patience, patience has been key with him. Slow motions, soft voices, letting him know he is safe and loved.
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- Thread starter
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Thank you everyone for the input. Baron is somewhat cage aggressive but has made leaps and bounds since first coming into the shelter. I've committed to working with him on it because outside of the cage he is a darling. I'm already charmed by him and I haven't even gotten him home yet. I'm just waiting on his cage. I may have gone quite a bit over board with toys for him, but at least I'll be well prepared. I will try and attach a picture of him when I get him home.
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