African Grey

[Cecilia]

Aviculture: medium-noisy parrot often shy and anxious; only 50% of birds become tame or confiding, remainder stay reserved or flighty; latter tend to behavioural problems and plucking; try to hide in corner of cage at approach of keeper; best imitators among parrots; many birds have ability to make associations; bathing requirement differs; enjoys chewing; provide regular supply of fresh branches.

I noticed many people on here have African Greys.... Are they harder keepers than Blue & Gold Macaws? Here is the Aviculture of a B&G... My husband has always wanted an African Grey and I a B&G.... What is the major difference in upkeep or behavior? after reading above about the AG I'm concerned about getting one.... (I DO NOT play on getting either ANYTIME SOON) Just doing research!

Aviculture: lively and sometimes noisy parrot, particularly in early morning and late afternoon; quickly becomes accustomed to keeper; inquisitive; very hard chewer; provide regular supply of branches and tree stumps; hardy; can be kept with other large macaws and parrots outside breeding season; in very large aviaries even during breeding season; enjoys bathing or being sprayed in summer.

 

[Gandolf]

Well I can only speak about the AG. I do not have a Macaw yet LOL
I wasn't sure about the AG when we 1st got him about 3 month ago. The wife really wanted one and I had my Goffin's as my kid.........Very weird thing happened in the last couple of months. The AG has bonded with me and it is hysterical. I absolutely love Theo and I am so so glad that we got him. Gandolf the Goffin's has now really become my wife's kid....he,he,he...
Out of all of my flock the AG is the easiest to take care of, very surprising to me....The Goffin's is the Terrible 2's Kid and take constant attention.
If you R looking for a snuggler then the AG is not that sort of bird. although we R woking on that

Good luck and don't let what you read scare you about the AG.

 

[Erithacus]

Most of the guys I know own a CAG. I would say all the CAGs I have met are tame, some are friendly. Given proper trainings and exposure, they can be very socialized.

 

[HRH Di]

I've wanted an AG since we started with parrots. The breeder we got our red-front macaw from also breeds CAGs and has some wonderful birds. She has 6 CAGs that aren't breeders but her "pets". I trust her experience and recommendations and we were able to get our sweet Ruby-Bubi from her.

She feels that the "problems" associated with AGs is due to incomplete or bad socialization. A well socialized AG can be as friendly as any macaw. My Ruby will go to anyone in our family, especially if they have food, but prefers me. This concerns be a little because I don't want her to be a "one-person" bird. But other than that, she's the quietest of our flock and the best eater. She's still young but other than chewing on any bands or clips in my hair, doesn't have many bad habits.

Ruby does cuddle with me, not as much as Jade our macaw cuddles, but she'll rest her little head against my cheek and say "oooooooo". I think AGs get a bit of a bad rap because they're more sedate than macaws or 'toos. Ruby's definitely the serious one of the family and Jade's the clown and Max is the grouch - Max only cuddles with my husband.

Personally, I don't see why you can't get both an AG and a B&G. Greys are so much smaller that I think they would be easier to start with...but I don't and never have had a B&G so I don't really know. Contacting people who have either or both birds is a great way to get information. All parrots are such individuals that the "general species behaviors" are more general than one thinks. Good luck with what you decide.

 

[Cecilia]

@ Gandolf - LOL at the "yet" part... That's too funny.

@ Erithcus - I just didn't want to get an CAG for my husband and it end up not being tamed at all.

@ Hrh Di - [She feels that the "problems" associated with AGs is due to incomplete or bad socialization.] That's how I feel about all the pit bull's I have rescued. =D

I want the B&G and my Husband wants the CAG which is good because he has no experience where I have some with a multiple of different parrots. None as big as the B&G but I have no problem waiting spending more time around them and learning more before getting one for myself. I will be making my husband interact with one and teaching him stuff here and there until he is comfortable. I do not want to be stuck with 3 babies to myself lmao ON TOP of the 3 children I have. It will be a minimal of 2 yrs before we get either of the two... I want to be in the house we "own" before we decide to make a life long commitment such as so. =) The woman I bought the Violet-Black Masked Lovebird from is a licensed breeder here in Florida. She breeds a various amount of different birds. I will speak with several different people about their CAG and B&G and what they did to train them and etc.

 

[Spiritbird]

If you understand the wild nature of AG you will be able to work with them from a point of knowing their needs. They are super intellgent and need that stimulated from their guardian. Grey parrots are different from the aspect of being sensitive to your feelings. They must be taught acceptance of change and independent play. None of the words in the description in your first paragragh pertain to a well loved and nourished AG.

 

[Cecilia]

Thanks Spirit, I kind of figured they were being crucial to towards the CAG. I got both the info from the page that on this forum when you go into a specific type of bird forum.
It just so happened that i was reading it to my husband lol and I told him that's not right.. I'm gonna ask and then let you read the responses... LOL I was telling him many of the people on this forum site have CAG and they seem to be amazing birds. =)

 

[schristensen13]

For what it's worth...I adopted an "older" CAG a few months ago (Mariah). She is 16 and her previous owner did a wonderful job of socializing her and exposing her to different environments. Although I was prepared for a very long settling in and bonding process she has done great! Super sweet and very intelligent. Not very cuddly at all (especially compared to my Meyers) but she more than makes up for it in other areas.
Take your time and find the right AG....TAG or CAG...baby or older bird. When you find the right one you will know.

 

[Crackers]

I too have been interested in a CAG but I am also interested in a yellow naped amazon. People keep telling me I am nuts and that it will be neurotic and pluck its feathers-not because I wont properly socialize or give it the care it needs but because "it is in their nature."

I have met several well socialized CAGs and they seemed like fine and personable birds.

I have lived with amazons but the CAG is an unknown for me. That is why I am tending to lean toward the yellow naped amazon over the CAG. My heart is with the CAG though, just afraid because of what I am being told and the fear of the unknown.

I appreciate all the information here but Is there any more advise/information you can provide? I think what I am looking for is beyond what you read on the internet.

o What have you done to socialize your grey and what suggestions would you have for me in this aspect of properly socializing a CAG?

o Beyond health problems, in your opinion, what would cause a grey to pluck its feathers?

o I work 8 hours a day, but my bird is out in the morning and he stays out as long as he wants at night until he goes to bed. They have several hours out on the weekend or any days I take off. I interact with him and do training as well as letting him play on his own. Would a CAG be happy with this situation? I ask this question because I have been told they need constant interaction to be happy and are not happy being a cage for that time period.

Sorry to bug and I know everyone is busy but I take my bird purchases seriously and want to make sure it is a match on both sides. Thank you kindly in advance.

 

[nofearengineer]

AG's are not anti-social by any means. It all has to do with getting them used to other people early in their life.

AG's, because of their extreme intelligence, are susceptible to neurotic behavior if they are allowed to get into a rut. The same way a human recluse may develop behavior problems. Being around only one person, or even worse, being alone all the time would make you crazy too. Nobody would say it is in your nature if that happened. They would say you "need to get out more," and everyone would understand. Why should that be different for parrots?

Parrots are far, far more social than humans will ever be. They are used to running around in flocks of thousands. That they become unhappy when not given enough stimulation should come as no surprise.

 

[Gandolf]

I totally agree with nofearengineer
AG's are one of the best behaved birds out there. I will admit that before I had one I had all sorts of misconseptions about them. I am LUCKY and PRIVELAGED 2 share my life with my grey

 

[pittiepride]

I recently rescued an CAG of 30+ years, she is not cuddly, but has been well socialized. My dad has a CAG, she's 16, had her from fledgling, she's nice enough but definitely strongly bonded to my dad and prefers him over all else, unlike Dolly our bird who will go to anyone.

My dad also has blue and gold macaws and I couldn't get near either of them, they both are totally plucked bare (came to him that way).

I think you have to weigh everything about the bird, for me, I look at the time I am able to spend, the things I am willing to do, the size of the bird and space they will need etc.

I didn't want a small bird, and didn't want something big like the macaw, I actually looked at a red belly parrot, but thought it was too small. I found a grey that matched with our family and it just happened. Sometimes you can't plan these things.

Whatever you choose, I am sure you will be a great home.

 

[Crackers]

Thank you all for the information. The more you provide, the better I am feeling about this. Thank you!

 

[Cecilia]

.... I'm glad my post is of help .... I've decided to pass for now on the CAG

 

[Gandolf]

.... I'm glad my post is of help .... I've decided to pass for now on the CAG

O'h darn. I was hoping U would go for it At least U R doing research and asking questions. Good luck.

 

[Cecilia]

Hehe... Maybe after I have my Macaw for a few years... LOL

 

[Gandolf]

Lmaofoc......

 

[Cecilia]

Okay I know the LMAO but whats the foc?

 

[Gandolf]

Okay I know the LMAO but whats the foc?

LOL its Laugh My Ass Off Fell Out Of Chair There is also Fell On Ground Rolling

 

[Cecilia]

you mean Roflmao hehe I'm a gaming nerd too so I know some of them.. lol I am so diverse people think I'm weird. Animal Rescue, Mother of soon to be 3 kids @ 23 yrs of age, married, gamer, sports player, etc.. LOL I'm a rare one... LOL