African Grey Info

[LokiLove]

Hey guys I just want to ask you CAG/TAG owners a few questions. I've met a few people that had African Greys and I lived with my aunt who had one as well. I absolutely love them they're my favorite bird and I would love to get one within the next year. My main concern is all the Greys I have came in contact with are not the friendliest of birds only being able to be handled by one person, their handler/owner. Do any of you have a CAG or TAG that will allow more then 1 or 2 people to handle it like your husband/partner or kids. I know my husband will definitely want to be able to handle it and spend time with it as we'll as myself. I also have a 4 year old and am concerned about how these birds take to kids and whether or not it would be a good idea to wait until he's a little bit older. I would love your guys' feedback and advice.

 

[Katiejayne]

My female CAG will let any woman touch her even ladies she's never ever met before however she doesn't like men very much, my partner can handle her to feed her or move her however she won't stay with him longer than she has too.
Kids she is fine with boys and girls, however it depend how the kids are I nanny for three year old boys and they can hold her but she doesn't like it when they grab at her however she hasn't hurt them she just flies away.
I would say it totally depends on how your child is my four year old nephew doesn't like her at all but he stays away for her and she stays away from him so it works great.
The boys I nanny for love her but when she's had enough and doesn't want there attention she stays on top of her cage so they can't reach her

 

[MonicaMc]

Birds need to be trained to accept being handled by a variety of people. This means socialization! Like dogs, birds can benefit from early training and socialization. It's also from my understanding that african greys who are not clipped at a young age tend to be more confident as adults and better rounded birds.


If you were able to find a breeder who would sell you an unclipped grey, then you would need to harness train the african grey (well, a good breeder could start the process for you!) and work diligently on some flighted behaviors! (stay, come here, fly to cage, fly to perch, off that, etc)