African Grey for a First Bird?

[ChristaNL]

Congo & Timneh Greys - Parrot Forum - Parrot Owner's Community


finish reading al those first
(they are FUN and also quite usefull)


(I got my first grey at 13-ish , had known ( & known about) him for years and years before that ( he had been a vacationguest a few times each year, I even met his previous, previous owner once or twice.)


Only get a bird this young (human-young) if your entire family is okay with it, since most likely they will have to share the 'burden' of keeping him/her entertained and happy, because (human)life will happen and there will be long/short periods of less time to spend with the bird... exams, sports, dating, study etc.etc..


(I already had a lot of bird experience, from small exotics & budgies to chickens, geese and pigeons at that time, including the breeding and feeding of abandoned young ones)

 

[SomePeopleHaveBirds]

Oh cool! I wish I had experience like that, guess I wasn't lucky enough.
I haven't decided on a bird yet, I was going to volunteer first! I have been told in another forum to get a pair of cockatiels if I'm a first time owner. I think I might volenteer first like for 1 or 2 years if that will help me if I ever want a bird. I do want to become experienced but I don't really know how, volunteering is the only thing but I want to do more so I can become experienced. Any tips on how to become experienced?

 

[texsize]

I had Amazon parrots for 30 years before getting my CAG.
I can tell you honestly having Amazons did not preparer me for an African Grey.

Body language is completely different.

I still don't know how to "play" with her. She is more friendly towards everyone in the household instead of being a one person bird and that's after having her for a bit over 2 years.


I would put it this way.

If you want to learn to speak Italian don't learn Spanish first. Yes there is some similarities between the two but in the end it wont help that much.

 

[SomePeopleHaveBirds]

I'm glad I'm deciding to volunteer first before getting a bird. I know getting different bird won't prepare me for a new edition to my flock, a whole different one. So should I try working with the bird I might want at a rescue? Like if I wanted a grey I would try to work with the one they have at a rescue? And learning more about it there?
I hope I can do the right things, before I bring home a bird.
Keep the advice coming!

 

[ParrotGenie]

I'm glad I'm deciding to volunteer first before getting a bird. I know getting different bird won't prepare me for a new edition to my flock, a whole different one. So should I try working with the bird I might want at a rescue? Like if I wanted a grey I would try to work with the one they have at a rescue? And learning more about it there?
I hope I can do the right things, before I bring home a bird.
Keep the advice coming!

Yes try to work with another Grey, but also work with others as well. You might surprise yourself and realize you may prefer another species and not want a grey? Volunteers do this all the time. They come in with heart set on a Macaw and go with a different specie of parrot altogether.

There is no such thing as a beginner, or starter bird. I learned over the years go with what you want first time around. Plus the bird you pick is a long term commitment. Work with other parrots and see behavior

and ETC and pick the one that choose you as well. As parrots tend to pick their owners as well.

 

[Scott]

What did you do first with your African grey? Did you establish your routine with it right away?
Also do people just buy a bunch of toys to start off and see which toy is likeable?
What and how does this work when you first get one?
What did you do before getting a grey, can others do what you did too?

Did you get your grey yet? How is it going? What is its name?

FYI this thread is nearly six years old! Begun in March 2013, last visit by original poster was April of same year. One of those mysteries we'll likely never know.

Oh whoops. I hoping I can still get information from it. But I do hope he has got one. I've been researching on them myself not that much but it's good to fly around the internet researching on different parrots that have been kept as pets, like diet, behavior, etc.

No problem at all, didn't know if you noticed! It is fun to search the archives as much information is just as valuable today as then!! I too agree you should work with as many birds as possible. Once you get to know them better, the decision process will be easier. Or not.... ever hear of MBS? Highly contagious and incurable. (Multiple Bird Syndrome. After your first, it is hard to resist!)

 

[SomePeopleHaveBirds]

I'm probably going through it's early stages of it! Hehe! Once I guess used to taking care of birds at a rescue it will be easier huh? Then I definitely want to do all I can. Does that work the same for large birds? Like if I volunteer at a rescue that has them, for a couple years would that mean I could be ready for my own? Or how does that work?
I want to get as much experience as I can!
Should I also think about taking up an avian zoo job later on the future? I think that would be cool.
How long should I volunteer at shelter? (I wanted to do it for 1,2, or maybe even 3 or 4 years of volenteering at rescues with birds, but I want to hear your answer on this)
I don't know what bird to choose! So why not volunteer? It might help me with my option or make MBS worse! Haha!

(I was thinking a little bit of getting a medium sized or large sized bird but I want to make sure if that's the best choice by volunteering, even though from what I read about the noise and the diet still doesn't stop me from wanting to experience what it is like! To be honest I don't mind the cleaning, the noise or the diet I love them even more! Wow I love the bird before I even experience what it is like! I'm really excited to work with birds big and small! Can't wait )

 

[ParrotGenie]

To take home a bird best bet is to foster, but would just help out at a good rescues first for a while, so you get use to and see work involve and care that way while dealing with many species in time. Some jobs at first will not be as on hand, but in time you get there. My birds Vet worked at a Zoo for many years and reason she is more knowledge then most avian veterinarians in this area, due to she has way more experience and dealt with odd issues. Yes I highly recommend to go that route in time. Take it one step at a time and see how it goes and what direction you want to go, is best advise I can give you?

 

[SomePeopleHaveBirds]

Yes (and as long as it's the truth and not what I want to hear than yes it is very useful and great advice). Thank you very much. I will definitely consider working at zoo. I was thinking about being a foster parent for birds, I should definitely try it out. Is volunteering for 4 years enough or should I do it longer?

I will definitely consider it.
Thanks again. Very very helpful.

 

[SomePeopleHaveBirds]

I hope my questions weren't too much. I hope I can figure things out by volunteering to see if I'm ready to take care of birds. I hope I didn't come off as a person wants to rush into things and being the type of person who picks and chooses birds. Also if I offended anyone with any of my wording I'm very sorry, I don't want to get on anyone's bad side, yikes. I felt I have done that many times before. Just wanted to say sorry if I said anything wrong. If I'm not the right person to have birds then call me out now, if I'm not the right person for a bird or if I don't deserve one then please tell me.
Thanks.

 

[Flboy]

I would also say, follow your heart, with your head not too far behind! But being prepared, I would think the biggest thing and being prepared is when you realize you were totally wrong, you have the ability to step back and regroup and carry-on!

 

[noodles123]

Here's the thing, people say there are no beginner birds..and that is true...But, there are no beginner children either. That having been said, as a first time parent, would you opt for a 200lb kid with ADHD (I have ADHD, so I can say that LOL), or an 80lb kid who has ADHD? These are the sorts of differences that matter and these are the sorts of things that many new bird owners overlook....There is no beginner bird, but there is certainly a difference in the way that a new bird owner and an old bird owner handle the same bird- and there is no faking it, no matter your confidence. When you can take 400lbs of bite-force without flinching...or making a sound....you are ready for a medium-sized bird (that's not to say that experienced owners never slip up, but they can take a bite without reacting and they get bitten much less because of their knowledge in reading behavior and confidence when handling birds). Yes, I know they don't all bite habitually (but all it takes is one bad reaction)..Then there is the fear that institutionally follows a bite (and the nervousness that inevitably accompanies future interactions). Any rescue and 99% of parrots will bite and draw blood at some point (if not repeatedly). If you react, you most likely reinforce, unless we are talking about a very young baby...and even then, the non-reaction will be essential during puberty, because the "angelic" bird WILL start reacting to and upsetting many alliances.

 

[SomePeopleHaveBirds]

LinkI do hope can do this. Maybe I'm not the right person, I don't really know.
I should definitely stop planning about the bird and focus more on the volenteering. I'm probably losing sight of what I was going to do in the first place, volunteer.
I sorta doubt I can do this.
(Also I'm arranging to volunteer, things still have to get solved)
Am I going about this all wrong?
I probably am.
Is there anything I need to fix?
Anything else I need to know?
I seem to be going back and forth if I can do it or not, I think I can't but I also think I can, what a wreck I am. Haha! (Probably shouldn't be so hard on myself)
Can't wait to see how hard they bite! Might be apart of the most exciting part of the experience.
(Researching on bird bites is what I have been doing too)
Sigh, what a clueless person I am, how rude of me if I said anything wrong (sorry).



Edit: Hmm, hopefully I can get help on identifying the different behavior and learn how to handle it. Also I'm genuinely curious what a parrot bite is like and how to handle it. Can't wait to find out, really. Very nice.

 

[ParrotGenie]

I do hope can do this. Maybe I'm not the right person, I don't really know.
I should definitely stop planning about the bird and focus more on the volenteering. I'm probably losing sight of what I was going to do in the first place, volunteer.
I sorta doubt I can do this.
(Also I'm arranging to volunteer, things still have to get solved)
Am I going about this all wrong?
I probably am.
Is there anything I need to fix?
Anything else I need to know?
I seem to be going back and forth if I can do it or not, I think I can't but I also think I can, what a wreck I am. Haha!

Like I said earlier take it step by step, try not to overthink every step of the way. More then likely will likely may not go as plan which is fine, that how we learn and evolve. You did your homework which is good which is a good first step. Next step is to go volunteer somewhere, doesn't have to be in New-York, as worst thing you can do is create road blocks before you even get started. Just find a decent rescue somewhere locally and see how it goes. If you over think it your never make the first step. I learned this when becoming a engineer when younger and we tend to over think everything.

There is no starter bird, yes big birds have much higher PSI of force. Yes a Macaw can can generate a pressure of 500 up to 2,000+ psi (pounds per square inch). A Cockatoo can even be worst as they have a 3 point beak to deliver that force. A decent rescue will train you so the animal get the care the need and you don't get hurt seriously. They will usually teach you not to panic and etc. You learn from experience and dealing with bird that have behavior issues is actually the best way to learn and gain experience and hopefully you will come across a knowledgeable person while volunteering at a rescue that you can learn from. A local breeder is a good way to learn as well.

Just go for it, the worst thing you can do is give up before even getting started as your always be questioning yourself later? The people that are successful are the people that take the risk.

 

[noodles123]

I do hope can do this. Maybe I'm not the right person, I don't really know.
I should definitely stop planning about the bird and focus more on the volenteering. I'm probably losing sight of what I was going to do in the first place, volunteer.
I sorta doubt I can do this.
(Also I'm arranging to volunteer, things still have to get solved)
Am I going about this all wrong?
I probably am.
Is there anything I need to fix?
Anything else I need to know?
I seem to be going back and forth if I can do it or not, I think I can't but I also think I can, what a wreck I am. Haha!

Like I said earlier take it step by step, try not to overthink every step of the way. More then likely will likely may not go as plan which is fine, that how we learn and evolve. You did your homework which is good which is a good first step. Next step is to go volunteer somewhere, doesn't have to be in New-York, as worst thing you can do is create road blocks before you even get started. Just find a decent rescue somewhere locally and see how it goes. If you over think it your never make the first step. I learned this when becoming a engineer when younger and we tend to over think everything.

There is no starter bird, yes big birds have much higher PSI of force. Yes a Macaw can can generate a pressure of 500 up to 2,000+ psi (pounds per square inch). A Cockatoo can even be worst as they have a 3 point beak to deliver that force. A decent rescue will train you so the animal get the care the need and you don't get hurt seriously. They will usually teach you not to panic and etc. You learn from experience and dealing with bird that have behavior issues is actually the best way to learn and gain experience and hopefully you will come across a knowledgeable person while volunteering at a rescue that you can learn from. A local breeder is a good way to learn as well.

Just go for it, the worst thing you can do is give up before even getting started as your always be questioning yourself later? The people that are successful are the people that take the risk.

I agree, but my main point is that experience REALLY helps. You can learn, but not without repeat exposure/experience...confidence does come, but it has to be real and it is earned. Volunteer long and hard (1 year + if you can), and devote your time to all birds (not just the ones that like you) because, many times, the one you bring home will have a moody day or a change of heart, or puberty etc etc.
I am SOOO happy you want to volunteer and you have great potential, just don't rush ownership--birds in a sanctuary/pet shop have a lot more stimulation than at home, so keep that in mind as well . DO volunteer for a long time before you make a call.

 

[SomePeopleHaveBirds]

Can't thank you guys enough for the advice. It is really great, I'm glad I joined this forum.
I should definitely work on this and do what I can (and probably be more confident). And I will definitely take small steps and do what I can, like if it's something big, separate it into little chunks and work it piece by piece.
Oh yeah, I was considering doing 4 years if that's good.
But thanks so much, I shouldn't over do it.
I'll definitely come back and check in when I start volunteering! And at least try to fill in on what it is like, hope I find a good rescue though. Thanks! Wish me luck!

 

[ChristaNL]

There is NO such thing as too many questions.
Especially the ones you ask: you are goal-oriented and ask us how to get somewhere, you are not just plunking a problem here and expect/demand us to solve it for you.
Of course we do that as well, but your kind of questions are heaven! It the whole point of this forum: "how can I learn to take care of my (future) parrot even better? "

 

[DRB]

My 3yo Perjo is my first and only parrot, it’s been great for both her and myself.