Considering a blue and gold who has been surrendered

[jugoya]

Have you looked into other species?

Caique's in specific are good birds for families and you could get two without worrying about them bonding as much with each other. They are smaller but such comical little characters and they Flock bond hence they would bond with each and every member of the family.

They wrestle bounce and constantly are in motion.

AND if you get a pair you dont' have to worry about them being lonely during the day.

 

[mcarr]

Have you looked into other species?

Caique's in specific are good birds for families and you could get two without worrying about them bonding as much with each other. They are smaller but such comical little characters and they Flock bond hence they would bond with each and every member of the family.

They wrestle bounce and constantly are in motion.

AND if you get a pair you dont' have to worry about them being lonely during the day.

I have not looked into that species other than briefly reading about them in my Parrots for Dummies book.

I will look a bit more, thanks!

 

[mcarr]

Husband has not offered a lot of comments beyond being interested in the African grey. He'd rather not have a super loud screamer, he said.

 

[ShellyBorg]

Then really look into the the TAG. They are a nice laid back grey. The CAG need LOTS of time one on one.

 

[mcarr]

Thanks. We are going to the bird store to have the entire family meet the B/G.....just to be sure. If everyone was committed to his care, we could do it. However we'd all have to share in the work and cleaning. Also really looking forward to talking to the bird expert there. I'm open minded about this and will really listen to those who own parrots.

The birds I have had include, of course a budgie when I was a girl......I loved Tweety Pie so much. And then when I was a teenager I had Rojo, a red headed Conure....loved him too.

I've been telling husband for the past 22 years that someday Wed have a bird. When the kids were older and when we could afford a parrot. I always told him it would be a African Grey, however my mind is open and I'm learning all I can. It may sound odd, however I believe the bird will, in a sense, choose me. It may take a year to find the correct companion, but I'm excited!!

Thanks everyone.

 

[mcarr]

Just wanted to stop back and thank you all and let you know we visited the B/G again today, talked to another macaw owner, and spent time with some macaw babies and other adults. We decided that the macaw, while a lovely bird, is not te correct species for our family. We re going to wait until breeding season and get an African gray. So, I'll head over to the African gray forum.

Thanks again!

 

[GinaF]

Mcarr,

I commend you for doing such a good job at thorough research before taking on such a demanding bird! Well done. I wish more people were like you and took the time to learn about the species before they jumped in with both feet. Clearly, a big mac isn't for everyone. If I took pictures of my livingroom right now, most people would cringe. Blue can take down a 2x4 in about 4 days.

I need more wood!

 

[mcarr]

Mcarr,

I commend you for doing such a good job at thorough research before taking on such a demanding bird! Well done. I wish more people were like you and took the time to learn about the species before they jumped in with both feet. Clearly, a big mac isn't for everyone. If I took pictures of my livingroom right now, most people would cringe. Blue can take down a 2x4 in about 4 days.

I need more wood!

Thanks for the help. The gray is the bird every family member wants to be involved with. We all realize we have to adjust schedules also.

From what I understand, the shop owner will obtain a baby from her breeder (they are down south) and then hand feed it until it is weaned....they allow the bird to lead the weaning. We'd go visit him/her at the shop until ready to come home. Does that sound good?

 

[brianlinkles]

That sounds perfect! I do want you to remember that greys are generally birds that while they will tolerate others will probably bond with only one (if lucky several) people. I have a wonderfully gentle grey. Dorothy loves me, has never inflicted any bites on me. However, she has nipped (nothing horrible) on my other family members when they try to take her out of the cage. I don't want to throw more in the mix here however have you thought about a rose breasted cockatoo? I have one and I have to say that Nigel is sooooo playful. He allows anyone to pick him up. He plays games with my kids, dogs etc. This is not just my rb2 I go to my breeders aviary where he has rb2's and I have watched kids run in there and just scoop them up off the ground! Then they chase the kids untying their shoelaces, landing on their heads. It's so much fun to watch them interact with the kids. This is how I ended up with one. My husband knew I was going to add another bird (he is not that comfortable with birds) he asked if I would think of an rb2 because he thought they seemed playful and he felt so comfortable with them. They do not have the issues of the larger white cockatoos. I cannot say enough of how well they fit into the family! I am just thinking that you have children, and that they are going to want to interact/play with your bird. I'm not saying that there are not playful greys out there but they are not the norm. Just my two cents!