new member

[bigfellasdad]

Hi there.

My name is Andy and ive recently taken into my family a 12yr old Congo African Grey called Enzo. She (assuming a she!) is around 12years old and she is a total sweet heart!
I live alone apart from weekends when my 12yr old son comes to stay, sometimes my oldest son comes along too.

I recently lost Jed, an old, inherited cockatiel who never grew flight feathers and was a nasty piece of work although I tried my best to care for him, I miss the little fellow I miss his bad company and having a bird in my 'flock'. A neighbour of mine was in a charity which rehomed unwanted birds so she has 8 parrots and needs to rehome some. When I asked her advice on which bird I should get, one of her CAG's (Enzo) spent all of her time trying to grab my attention, however I never had in mind to get a parrot as I have always had budgies and cockateils only. Some weeks later I nearly bought a CAG and when i again went to my neighbour for advice she offered Enzo to me, nervous at the start she quickly put my mind at ease with her temperament and we now get along fantastically in only a few weeks.

She has no papers or ring but I believe she is 12yrs old and I will be her 3rd keeper, and hopefully her last! As well as a red tail she also has quite a few red feathers around her body, very pretty young lady...

Ill try post some pictures for you

<img src="http://www.parrotforums.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=2825" alt="Some Of Enzo's Red Bits" />

 

[LordTriggs]

good on you taking her in! Make sure she gets a vet visit, you may have to get an open ring or a microchip for her and get documents registered for her as for some places it's the law they have this stuff. The rescue should have done all of this though so you may need to talk to them about it, neither of you want to get in trouble

Now you say you never thought of getting a parrot but you had Budgies and tiels. Well Surprise! you've already owned parrots!

 

[Flboy]

Welcome! Really awesome to adopt!

 

[Scott]

Welcome Andy and Enzo! My condolences for the loss of Jed; they really work themselves into our hearts despite scruffy appearances.

Your close bonding with Enzo bodes well as CAGs are generally cautious and slowly adapt to new homes. Keep up the great work!!

 

[bigfellasdad]

Welcome Andy and Enzo! My condolences for the loss of Jed; they really work themselves into our hearts despite scruffy appearances.

Your close bonding with Enzo bodes well as CAGs are generally cautious and slowly adapt to new homes. Keep up the great work!!

Thanks for the welcomes

Im in the UK and I don't believe it is a legal requirement for papers and ring/chip but of course ill check up on this.

The lady who gave me Enzo works all day (teacher) and she hasnt enough time to dedicate to each of her birds, 30 minutes each and most of her evening has gone. Enzo needs 30 minutes just to say hello when I return from work so as she is out of her cage every moment im in the house she is getting plenty of play time, her flight has much improved and to be honest im spoiling her rotten, so that has helped the bonding for sure.

She has already picked up a few more words, and accents, now she is saying hello in my voice rather than an old(er) mans voice!!! She has nearly learned the theme tune to the adams family too, its funny as she bobs her head/neck to the 2 beats in between the other notes

It is like having a toddler in the house again though, im on my 2nd kettle since she arrived but I think im getting on top of the chewing and she now knows where she can/cant chew; i hope.

 

[wrench13]

Welcome and be welcomed. And blessings for adopting what sounds to be a life time companion for you. We have many Grey owners on here, so read read read, and enjoy.

 

[Allee]

Welcome aboard, Andy and Enzo! It's always a good sign when the parrot chooses you. Greys are super intelligent and fun to be around. Enjoy the adventure and remember to share the experience.

 

[Scott]

Welcome Andy and Enzo! My condolences for the loss of Jed; they really work themselves into our hearts despite scruffy appearances.

Your close bonding with Enzo bodes well as CAGs are generally cautious and slowly adapt to new homes. Keep up the great work!!

Thanks for the welcomes

Im in the UK and I don't believe it is a legal requirement for papers and ring/chip but of course ill check up on this.

The lady who gave me Enzo works all day (teacher) and she hasnt enough time to dedicate to each of her birds, 30 minutes each and most of her evening has gone. Enzo needs 30 minutes just to say hello when I return from work so as she is out of her cage every moment im in the house she is getting plenty of play time, her flight has much improved and to be honest im spoiling her rotten, so that has helped the bonding for sure.

She has already picked up a few more words, and accents, now she is saying hello in my voice rather than an old(er) mans voice!!! She has nearly learned the theme tune to the adams family too, its funny as she bobs her head/neck to the 2 beats in between the other notes

It is like having a toddler in the house again though, im on my 2nd kettle since she arrived but I think im getting on top of the chewing and she now knows where she can/cant chew; i hope.

We have several active UK members, perhaps they can give guidance on legalities. And kudos for adopting an unwanted parrot, sometimes they make the very best of companions.

 

[LordTriggs]

Welcome Andy and Enzo! My condolences for the loss of Jed; they really work themselves into our hearts despite scruffy appearances.

Your close bonding with Enzo bodes well as CAGs are generally cautious and slowly adapt to new homes. Keep up the great work!!

Thanks for the welcomes

Im in the UK and I don't believe it is a legal requirement for papers and ring/chip but of course ill check up on this.

The lady who gave me Enzo works all day (teacher) and she hasnt enough time to dedicate to each of her birds, 30 minutes each and most of her evening has gone. Enzo needs 30 minutes just to say hello when I return from work so as she is out of her cage every moment im in the house she is getting plenty of play time, her flight has much improved and to be honest im spoiling her rotten, so that has helped the bonding for sure.

She has already picked up a few more words, and accents, now she is saying hello in my voice rather than an old(er) mans voice!!! She has nearly learned the theme tune to the adams family too, its funny as she bobs her head/neck to the 2 beats in between the other notes

It is like having a toddler in the house again though, im on my 2nd kettle since she arrived but I think im getting on top of the chewing and she now knows where she can/cant chew; i hope.

hate to inform you but in the UK it is a legal requirement for all birds to be rung and for birds on the CITES list which CAGs are they are required to have an article 10 certificate. You'll have to have some words with the rescue cause technically speaking they've broken the law by giving her to you. I'd also speak with a vet about options in regards to this, they may be able to help you out. Check out on this https://www.gov.uk/guidance/cites-imports-and-exports#application-process about the stuff surrounding it if you can make sense of it (they're always so confusing) may be an idea to give a call or email to the contacts at the bottom of the page to see how you can get her stuff sorted out. Some vets won't allow a bird to be treated without the proper paperwork and stuff.

Like Scott said there's a few of us here. Plumsmum would be a good person to talk to about it as well as she has a RB2 who also needs the certificate I believe

 

[bigfellasdad]

oooh, thanks for this! Im a member of DEFRA so ill drop them a line and ask for advice. From my quick investigation it seems like I may need a gifting certificate initially from my neighbour then a companion bird article 10 certificate for myself.

There is no way Enzo would be sold, but the worrying bit you mention is the requirements for a vet, so as i say, ill get right on it.

Thanks again.

 

[UnkTob]

Welcome! I just recently joined and can say I'm very impressed with the community here so far! Very helpful flock of people.

The thought of her bobbing of the head during the pauses of the Adams Family theme song made me actually laugh out loud. Yup. Post that to YouTube.

 

[janquito]

Welcome to you and Enzo! I've always wanted an African Grey but unless I get an older one, it won't happen because it'd outlive me & I can't do that to a bird.
It sounds like you've done well so far. I hope your sons and she gets along but it may take a while.

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

 

[GaleriaGila]

Welcome!

Adopters are automatically on my hero-list.

I'm so glad you found us!

 

[bigfellasdad]

Thanks guys. Had a bad day with her yesteady and I went to work on not a great atmosphere with her. I took half days holiday to make sure she was OK. .. how cray is that!
Today has bwen awesome with her, all the toilet places she had (doors mainly are now out of bounds and she seems to have accepted it. She is now most holding her poos when I shout her to the safe places. Totally different girl. She even went to bed at 10pm with out issues as my son and I spent 15minutes with her whilst she settled.
She's the absolute best, love her loads

 

[bigfellasdad]

With respect to all of the good will thoughts about taking an older bird in to the flock...

I am a 50yr old single father of two, I really can't be arsed with a baby in the house so a 12yr old is fine if not a little too young as she will likely outlive me. My son's have promised to take on Enzo if she out lives me.
I think all birds deserve all the love and care that the human owner can give and an older bird even more than a baby as it knows better than a young bird. It totally fits in with both of our lives. I'd recommend it to any body. Jed was also taken in from a family who showed the bird no love. OK it never worked with he'd as he spent too long afraid and unhappy but I believe I made a difference to him, as he did to me