Hello all

[wolf0994]

Greetings everyone, my name is Robert and I am brand new to bird ownership. I was first acquainted with parrots when my neighbor bought an African Grey named Charlie about 11 years ago. I was amazed at their relationship and how Charlie was such a big part of the family. I thought she was just beautiful. I did a bunch of research but realized that being in Alaska I was too far to really make this desire a reality without alot of expense so I let my desire to own one fade.

That was until last Saturday when my daughter and her friend were talking and her friend mentioned that her grandmother was finding new homes for her 2 parrots. It peaked my interest and I found out that she was just trying to find good homes for her 2 birds that she has had almost 20 years. Her and her husband were getting older and cleaning the cages were becoming more difficult and she wanted to make sure her birds went somewhere they would be wanted and given attention.

Long story short we were introduced to Kawie (Cow-ee) a 16 year old Congo African Grey, and he was at our home by Sunday. He has lived most of his life with his friend Aggie (a double yellow amazon) who was given to another home. He has a vocab of about 30 words according to his former owner though we have only heard 1 phrase and a few sounds. He will take food from a fork or your hand if it can be held by 2 fingers. He is very skittish of contact and runs from it. I was told he bites so I am not pressuring him at the moment as it has only been 2 days.

Lastnight he said "Hello Kawie" and it was AWESOME! I was so happy. He imitates the sound of the microwave and police sirens (former owner loves police TV shows). And makes some click sounds here and there. He definately is a show off, spreads his wings out and he is a groomer. He is molting at the moment I was told from his former owner so there are a few areas that his feathers are roughed up but he is still beautiful. He will come out of his cage and climb on top but general heads toward the back of it if you come too close, unless you have a cracker, he will walk up to you to get that.

I have ordered Barron's African Grey book as I was told that was a great reference for them. I have owned a few parakeets in the past but never did anything with them. I am eager to bond with Kawie and have us learn to trust each other.

I already have questions but will post a thread for those.

Thank you!

 

[suebee]

welcome and sounds like a dream find!!!

 

[cdog]

Welcome to the forum and congrats on your new friend.

 

[wenz2712]

Welcome to the forum and congrats on your new addition... Lots of Grey owners on the forum who are always here to give you any advice you need

 

[roxynoodle]

Welcome to the forum!

Kawie seems to have a nice cage, but he would really like some natural wood perches instead of the dowels

Lots of experienced Grey owners here though to help. I've only had mine a few months, but she is a little doll and I love her so much.

 

[Spiritbird]

Yes go natural on the perches. Learn what the safe woods are and how to clean the branches so they are safe to put in his cage. I went to construction sites so the wood was fresh cut and not on the ground too long. I picked a sycamore tree and have wonderful, lasting and healthy perches for my Rosie. They can be different sizes and lengths. Just use a zip tie and your done. Harrisons High Potency pellets are good for greys who need that extra calcium boost. Give baths in your shower (shower perch) or spritz or a bowl of water. Other foods good for greys are about the same as any parrot but concentrate more on the orange veggies. like sweet potato, carrots and squash. Grains such as brown rice, Quiona, Couscous. I make mashes because Rosie prefers her veggies cooked. A little yogurt once in a while will be appreciated as is a warm bowl of oatmeal (no sugar) but Cinnamon ok.

Seed is fed as a treat once in a while. I like Volkman's hookbill as it has no sunflower seeds or peanuts. Also suggest a very good basic book from which you will learn valuable information. It is parrots for dummies. I still use this book as a reference. Should you have any concerns at all please ask.

 

[wolf0994]

I will do that on the branches... I have alot of birch trees in my back yard that I might grab some of the branches from and clear the bark off. Can I just widdle it down with a knife or is there a preferred method?

With his previous owner Kawie liked spray bottle baths, I tried lastnight but he ran from me. So I didnt push the issue. It's only been 2 days so I cant expect alot.

Also to spiritbird, I did order a basic book from Barron's. Should be arriving anyday from Amazon.com. Thank you for your comments, very helpful.

 

[Spiritbird]

If the branches are fresh fallen or cut you do not have to remove the bark. I soaked the branches in my bathtub with water, GSE and bleach. But first I scrubed them down with a stiff brush and plain soap and water. If they are small branches you can bake them in the oven, instead of a bathtub soak, at a low temp for 20 to 30 min. and then leave them in there until cool. It is fun and the bird will love taking the bark off if it is still there.

You will learn about GSE in the parrots for dummies book. It is grapefruit seed extract. It is a mighty good germ killer for birds and humans.

 

[wolf0994]

GSE as in Grapefruit seed extract?

 

[Spiritbird]

Yes I added it in the thread above you. You would use about 15 drops in a tub of water. I mix it in the cage cleaning water also. It is in the better mouthwashes for us humans.

 

[Ronald]

Do you have a way to weigh him? In the third picture he looks a little thin. I know its hard to tell by looking but it doesn't hurt to check.

 

[wolf0994]

not at the moment I dont, I cant get my hands on him and I dont have a scale for that size. I doubt he weighs enough for me to do a weigh me with and without and subtract it out. But I will say in person he is a healthy girth.

 

[aliray]

welcome to the forum. lovely bird, congrats. also thank you for answering my question which was what kind of tree branches do you find in North pole Alaska. Alison and Sweetie Pie

 

[aliray]

hi again. I couldn't figure out how to reply back except on the forum. very limited computer smarts however what I was trying to figure out was what kind of trees grow where you live? Birch and evergreens? I think I have to look on a map to see where you live. I have been wactching too much frozen planet on the nature channel. I live in Rotonda West Fla with one Elderly husband to go with the Elderly wife, me, twoelderly red minpins, one green spanish timbrado canary, and one green quaker parrot. oh there is also fluffy the alligator but he lives in the canal out back and no I don"t feed him. Alison and Sweetie Pie the qp

 

[wolf0994]

Fluffy the gator! Thats precious! Yeah birch is the main hardwood thats native to here. Along with that we have white spruce, black spruce, cottonwood primarily. Some aspen is here as well, but the spruce / birch combo is probably 80% of the trees around me. Frozen planet is a great show btw.

 

[Coney]

Very Nice, grays are a lot of fun.

 

[aliray]

wolf0994 I did look up a map and it must have been from your chamber of commerce. very pretty pictures except for that white stuff on the ground which is why we moved from Mass. four years ago and our three hundred foot driveway that used to get covered with the stuff. like I said pretty in pictures. Alison and sweetie pie

 

[Mozzie]

Congrats!! You are going to love having a grey!!They are incredible!!! Mine still amazes me every day! Your life is about to change!