I have a question about Greys????

[TookieTookieBird]

I have met african greys in pet shops and pet expos. They always seem very very quiet. Do they scream???? I mean scream like our Umbrella Cockatoo??? Also, someone told me that they bite all of the time, is this true????

One more question. My dad and I have been fighting about which is bigger, the Timnah or Congo. Which is it?? and what are the similarities and differances??
I'm kinda interested in maybe getting one in the future when I have all of my research done. I once had one follow me around the whole store. I wanted to take him home, I was sad when I left but I didn't know much about him. I wanted to get a whole lot of information before taking one in. Not like we did with the cockatoo. HAHAHA!!

 

[Spiritbird]

You may be interested in this article about greys.
Winged Wisdom Pet Bird Magazine - The Adolescent African Grey

 

[antoinette]

Hey SB that is a great article, we still have so much to learn !!!!?
Thanks for the link
Great day

 

[wuvzbirdies]

Hi there,
I have a 10 month old Congo; he is a wonderful companion however I wish I would have done some research before I got him. It was a last minute decision and it was my husband who talked me into it, I had done a lot of research and decided I wanted a GCC, then we came across my Russell and my hubby sold me on it. I have to say it was an extremely difficult transition for us, I am ashamed to admit there were several occasions I wanted to get rid of him but of course my Hubby wouldn’t let me and I’m glad because we are very close now and I couldn’t imagine my life without him. In hind sight I now know it was his adolescent phase and feel bad that I felt that way, I wouldn’t give my teenage boy away (although sometimes I sure wish I could!).

Greys are known to be timid or shy around strangers, mine still goes to the back of his cage and clams up around my BFF who comes by all the time but when she leaves he’s all chatty again. I think any parrot has the potential to be a screamer but Greys are not known for their screaming ability. I’ve never had an issue with my guy; he can be loud during his vocalization times during the day which is generally about 3 times. Other than that he’s not a loud parrot, and then it’s not even really loud it’s just constant chatter a notch above the noise level of the family conversations (he likes to be heard).

I don’t want to persuade you from not getting one but you should really research as it is a high maintenance bird and seeing you already have one with the Cockatoo you wouldn’t want to regret any decisions you made when it was too late. There are members on the forum who will say having a grey has been a breeze and that may be the case for a lot of people but it wasn’t for me so I think it’s a 50/50 chance.

In regards to biting, the only person mine has bitten is my 8 year old Daughter and that is only because she used to taunt him and tease while he was in his cage. I’ve been trying to get him used to her but she is scared of him now and he senses it. Again any parrot can bite but I think that is an association to fear so if there is none I don’t think there would be any reason they would adopt that type of behavior.
Congo’s are bigger than Timneh’s but not by very much, the Timneh is more slender than the Congo. The noticeable difference between the two are the tail, a Congo has a bright red tail where a Timneh has a deep maroon tail. The Timneh has a darker plumage than the Congo and a horn colored beak where a Congo has a black beak.

Again this is only my 2 cents and is only based on experience with the Grey I have.
Good luck on your research.

p.s. SB that was a very good article on adolescence, I wish I had come across that while I was going through it with Russell.

 

[justwingingit]

I have a 19 year old female Grey, Simon, who was raised by a man for her first 11 years. I've had her ever since. Simon can be loud with mimicking sounds and talking, but certainly not like my macaws or sun conures. Greys are internal birds, meaning they tend to keep things inside. And guess what? Anyone of my birds can bite me when they have the attitude going on or just feel cheeky or jealous. Simon has been a joy to me and has never bitten me. This is not to say that you will never get bitten. All my birds are a joy and I know that sometimes they, like people, have an off day. Remember, that birds will also pick you to be their flock member. Don't ignore those signals either. You may want a Grey, but some cute B&G stands on it's head to get your attention. Research your favorite, but research other birds; just in case. Good luck and you are smart to do your homework.

 

[TookieTookieBird]

Thank you to the people who gave me the link. I will read it later. But it's really nice to hear the people who experience a day and a life with a grey. I have read many many articles on many animals. Sometimes it's better just to hear what people have to say. I have tons of animals some we've planned some we just got without research. Our Umbrella too was took by us because he had no where to go. No one wanted him. Research came later. Some say it was insane to do, I just say it was one of my animal experiences. He is very annoying sometimes, but he isn't going anywhere. After visiting bird rescues and sancuaries I get so choked up now with the volume of U2's M2's cockatoo and macaws. The history just is sad. I just wish I had a mansion that I could make into a bird castle and take them all with me. I would need ear plugs but so what at least they would have a home. That's why I asked if they scream, because going to these places you hear so much noise and when I looked at the greys they never said a word. Isn't that funny. Maybe it's because they are so smart.
Thanks again,
JJ

 

[Greydad01]

Screaming depends on a couple things, the bird's personality, & the situation.

Zoey doesn't scream, for the most part, but we had a friend over today with his 2 young kids(ages 2, & 3). Zoey hadseen our friend several times before, so she was familiar with him, but it was the first time meeting his kids, so she proceded to scream in fear & disaproval.

Biting is dependant on both you, & your grey. I say that because alot of actions & movements we think of as innocent, they perceive as threatening. This can be helped by actually telling your grey of actions you're about to make(especially if they ride your shoulder).

In most cases, Congos are slightly largerthan Timnehs.

 

[Spiritbird]

I have an 8 month old Timneh who is small. Last I weighed her before eating was 290 gm. I like a small bird. She is very seldom loud and has never bitten. Right now she is going through the "teen phase" and needing to express her need for independence. They are high maintainence in that you need to be willing to give them much of your time and attention, or you may end up with behavior issues.
good luck.

 

[antoinette]

Great advise and tips from all the above members.
My AG Mishka 2 years old now does not scream, thanks the heavens above.
Depends on the circumstances etc, sudden noises etc.
SB is correct high maintenance, lots of time and patience.
Good luck with your decision.
Great day

 

[Beatriz Cazeneuve]

Greys are not screamers and the Congos are bigger and heftier than the Timnehs. Congos are also more clingy and a tad better talkers than Timnehs.

But, if you already have a too and have limited interaction time (like, for example, if you work outside the home), two clingy birds might not be such a good idea.

 

[TookieTookieBird]

Thanks for all of the informations. It helps. Yeah I understand two clingy birds might not be a good adventure, that's why it isn't a rush rush decision. I totally get what ya mean. I'm still kinda in the very very early stages of thinking about it.

 

[norenekay]

My Grey, Corky, is 15, male and has been with me his whole life. My experience is he bites gently to advise me of his wishes like "don't scratch me now, don't you see that new cup on the counter?" He bites harder when he thinks I am going to do something that will be dangerous and he bites really hard if I don't listen. He chose me as his caregiver and won't let anyone else take him out of his cage. Just the other day I put my face up to him and didn't know he was upset about something and he grabbed the bridge of my nose. Didn't hurt but that is the first time he has EVER put his beak to my face and we just looked at each other in shock. If there is some noise your cockatoo makes that you don't like, don't let a grey know because they will start making it just to get your goat LOL

 

[TookieTookieBird]

If there is some noise your cockatoo makes that you don't like, don't let a grey know because they will start making it just to get your goat LOL

Oh man, Are You Serious!!! That is too funny!! Wow they are smart huh. I could tell they are smart just by looking at them.