advice??

[rlchic93]

Ok I need some help and advice anything anybody could give me would be great.

Ok here is the scenario a 3 year old african grey that seems to be being mistreated and ignored and she also is a plucker.

Now with that being said something about her just reached out and has a piece of my heart already.


But now my problem is I was all set to get a cockatoo but now this came up and this little girl definitely is no cockatoo. So I need the good the bad and the in between from real life owners please and thank you.

 

[Abzeez]

Sometimes something like that just falls in your lap, and it may not be what you wanted at first, but you find out it is what you wanted all along. If that makes sense.

I adopted a ringneck almost 5 years ago, he is now in his 30's. I don't even know how many homes he has been in. I didn't want him, but I didn't want him to go from home to home anymore. He, at first was terrified of children. I guess in one of the homes he was in he was abused by them. It warms my heart to see him with my almost 4 year old daughter. They have bonded, and I never thought that would happen. When she sits on the couch, he flies down to her and they share treats. Now, after all these years, and working through a lot of issues with him, he has become wonderful member of our family, and I wouldn't give him up for the world.

I say go with your heart, but if you see something in this grey, and you are willing to work with her, I say do it.

 

[rlchic93]

Thank you!! I'm glad it makes sense to someone else to

 

[rlchic93]

Any advice anyone could give me would be great

 

[Spiritbird]

I have a friend and he is on this forum also. He was visiting someone and saw a grey in dire straights living in a tiny cage and never let out. He purchased it from this person and the bird Lucy has turned out to be wonderful. She is in a big cage talking and eating up a storm. Most of all she is happy. Greys are fantastic birds.

Sometimes, when dealing with birds, we have to think with both our heart and our brain. If you are a true bird lover I do not think you can pass by this treasue that appears meant for you.

 

[rlchic93]

Thank you!

 

[Blackfang320]

the grey and a cockatoo are both alot of work like any parrot i mean i agree with what someone previously said go with your heart. dont feel obligated to get the grey what if its too much for you to handle or deff not what you wanted ? then your out of money,out of a bird,and still wanting a 'Too lol so i never settle for something thats not what i want not to seem like a brat or spoiled because thats probaly how im sounding right now lol but this is what came up so i wanted a CGG well it was $150 not bad my mom was willing to pay then from the same person i saw this color mutation that cought my eye i asked about it it was $300 quite alot of money so i directed myself away from it and i wasnted a cuddly bird so i asked how cuddly the norms were and she said the cinn. turq. was hands down cuddliest BAM my eyes were set so i said to myself i want this $300 dollar bird if i get the normal one im still going to want the $300 one so i will be unhappy and that wont be good for this bird that was cheaper when someone probaly wanted it so i went with what my heart said i got the $300 dollar baby and she is the best pet ever im 100% happy so do what your heart tells you =) i hoped i helped and i didnt seem like a witch lol

 

[MikeyTN]

Did you read the other post I posted? All of my birds except the pair of Eclectus that was planned, all the others was not planned. Things happen for a reason and we were meant to have the babies we do have. Just some TLC and good diet plus lots of love and attention will turn this grey into a wonderful loving bird. Birds are intelligent and inquisitive so they will learn to adjust. Good luck!

 

[HRH Di]

I agree with the "go with your heart" advice. Either bird can be a lot of work, but from personal experience, I've found that I'm a Grey person

 

[mtdoramike]

do your research on line before committing. How much do you know about Cockatoo's or Greys for that matter. Cockatoo's are very demanding birds, can be very affectionate, but can be VERY LOUD when they want attention. So you need to look not only at your living arrangements, but also your surroundings. If you have close neighbors, who don't like loud screaming, a Too may not be for you.

A Grey on the other hand isn't your tipical screamer. They are a more quieter bird, but don't get me wrong, there are the exception to every rule so not all birds are the same. If not mistaken Both species are dusty birds so does anyone in your house hold have allergies or breathing problems?

My question to you is: do you currently own a bird? Do you have any previous large bird experience? If not then, I would be VERY hesitant to adopt or rescue a bird no matter how badly your feel for it. Most rescued abused birds come with a load of baggage like emotional and physical issues that takes an experienced bird person to deal with. If you get this particular bird, it could turn out to be a great thing, or a horror story that could turn you off to birds in the future.

I agree, with go with your heart, but you really need to go more with your head in this instance and tread lightly and slowly and make absolutely sure you know what your getting into. It would be a shame for this bird to get bounced around again due to buyers remorse.


Mike

 

[MikeyTN]

Mike made some good point there!

 

[rlchic93]

Yes I do have big bird experience I have been around them my entire life and also had a cockatoo who was a rescue job until about a year ago like I said she was a rescue and sadly her previous owners had used a wood stove and smoked heavily around her so her lungs were trashed. It took me some time to decide after the loss of her I was ready to give everything I could to a bird who desperately needed it. So yes I am very aware of the screaming. I know I have thought this over long and hard I was just asking for some other people's advice. But yes I truly do know what im getting myself into.

 

[mtdoramike]

Yes I do have big bird experience I have been around them my entire life and also had a cockatoo who was a rescue job until about a year ago like I said she was a rescue and sadly her previous owners had used a wood stove and smoked heavily around her so her lungs were trashed. It took me some time to decide after the loss of her I was ready to give everything I could to a bird who desperately needed it. So yes I am very aware of the screaming. I know I have thought this over long and hard I was just asking for some other people's advice. But yes I truly do know what im getting myself into.

I hope I didn't offend you, but when you look for advice on any of the forums, a little back ground on you is also most helpful.

 

[MikeyTN]

Anytime you lose any of your pet can be very devastating and very emotional to experience. But its the needs that these poor animals needs the most that take us further. It brings us joy to see them healthy and well taken care of. Most of my animals had a hard life to begin with, some wouldn't make it much longer as sick as they were when I took them in. Its people like you and I make their life journy possible, should give yourself a pat on your back. If you feel this bird is your calling then go for it. You have any other questions please feel free to ask away.

 

[Tammy]

I got my Amazon 1 year ago in March. His original owner died & he ended up in a noisy house not allowed out of his cage. I had never had a bird before but worked with dogs, etc. all my life. Over the past year my Amazon has changed my life! I love having a Parrot. (My dog isn't thrilled) He talks to me all day, takes showers and now he plays tag & is learning the Hokey Pokey.

My aunt had a wonderful African Grey for over 30 years. I still cannot get over how smart & loving these birds are. If that African Grey needs a loving home & you give it to him I think you are going to look back & believe you were the lucky one.

 

[rlchic93]

Thank you and no I wasn't offended it's just still a little emotional to talk about the loss of my cockatoo.

 

[MikeyTN]

Thank you and no I wasn't offended it's just still a little emotional to talk about the loss of my cockatoo.

It will be like that every time you talk about your Cockatoo. I do the same thing every time I talk about my Quaker that died in my arms. I feel your pain!!!! But we must go on as there are other babies that needs us. I was in pain after the death of my Quaker, I ignored my other animals and they didn't understand why. I had to suck it up and be brave and strong for my other babies as they needed me as much as the one that went to birdie heaven.

 

[Zazoo]

As an owner of both a Grey and a Cockatoo, I think you should take the Grey. They're awesome birds! They are a lot easier to "adopt" than a Cockatoo. I was my Grey's 1st "human", but I rescued my Cockatoo. The Cockatoo must have come from a home where he wasn't loved or cared for, and was a great challenge. I gave him everything I could and after two years, he still couldn't adapt to a loving home. As I left the country I had to re-home him (again, poor bird), but luckily to a loving, much more experienced than me, human.
You can always get a Cockatoo later, and even though it's a challenge having more than 1 bird, my opinion is when you have one already, what's more? It's like having more than 1 child ... the love can only be better, and there's always space in your heart for one more.
But like everybody here says .... remember that parrots are a huge commitment. I regard them as children .... they deserve all the best and you have to be ready for one.
Good luck.

 

[rlchic93]

Sadly later today I was going up to get her and the woman who had just sold her even though she doesn't like her new owner. It was a bit disappointing

 

[mtdoramike]

Ahhhhh, that's a shame.