Red-lored amazons, african greys. Opinions?

[Psittaciformes]

Hello!
I'd love to hear what you guys think of these two species. I'm looking into them for when I feel ready.

One thing to note about the RLAs first; the ad I found, they're tame but used to be really tame, they've been housed in a big aviary. I'm pretty sure they've been housed with 2 BFAs too, and possibly another species of zons, but I couldn't find the ad so I may be mistaking about the 3rd species.
There is 1 female and 1 male, the male was born last year in May and the female was born in May 2013.
What risks would I be taking if I did go for one of them?

Now, I'm REALLY into red-lored amazons, I do quite like african greys too but haven't done as much research yet, but I'm working on it.
Pretty sure they're congos, I'll show a couple pictures from the ad at the end of this to make sure.

One thing I wanna know more about african greys would be, are they playful? All you see online is them talking and stuff, but how playful are they?
Zons can be pretty independent, what about african greys?

Do their toy interest generally differ?
What are the long term expenses in your experience?
Are there any special needs I should be aware of?
I found zons are prone to obesity, so avoid fatty foods.
Something I found out about the African greys is that they're prone to low blood calcium levels, I'm gonna have to read up more about this.
Is there anything else?

What are their personalities/behaviours like?

Something I worry about if I get an african grey is that they're dusty, I'm scared that, what if my lungs end up not being able to handle it, I really wouldn't wanna rehome a bird.
I did have my lungs listened to and x-rayed last year, but came back all clear and I don't have asthma. It should be fine, right?

http://cdn.blocket.com/static/1/original/73/7328474446.jpg
http://cdn.blocket.com/static/1/original/73/7310831815.jpg
These are the pictures from the ad.

EDIT: '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'
In regards to African greys, how accurate is this?

Source: http://www.arndt-verlag.com/projekt/birds_3.cgi?Desc=E157.htm&Pic=157_1.JPG

 

[RavensGryf]

Well you're not alone with loving the Red Lored Amazons... I think they're one of the most beautiful of the zons available as pets. Many times pics don't do them justice, but one with the head in full color is a sight to behold (at least IMO)

There are enough zon and Grey people here to answer specifics about living with one, so I'll refrain from saying any more, but this is definitely exciting news! I know... when you're ready

 

[Psittaciformes]

I've only seen pictures of them and they're just gorgeous! We get a lot of ads for them over here.
Well not a lot but it's one of the more common ones

 

[JerseyWendy]

Hi Sebastian!

Yes, the pics you posted links to are Congo African Greys.

Since I've never been owned by a CAG, I'll let those with experience chime in about them.

I DO love my Amazons - with a passion. They so fit my personality. 'Nuff said.

 

[Psittaciformes]

I thought so, just wanted to double check, thanks

Care to say why you love zons so much? Sounds kinda rude but you know what I mean! Lol

 

[Birdman666]

I have both.

Red Loreds tend to be on the shy side for zons... (qualified "for zons..." zons are NOT shy birds. But red loreds are not Nape, Blue Front, DYH level excitable.) They are pair bond birds of course. They are probably the most sensitive souls of all the zons. The wild flocks are "guardian angel" birds. They look out for their flock mates... even bringing the sick and injured food. They are extraordinarily empathic... while maintaining that amazon goofiness. Not especially good talkers. But very loving...

But then, I'm probably biased. My Sally has been my "flock leader" for well over 12 years now. I've frankly lost track of time.

CAGS are flock birds, not pair bond birds. They are studious, and cautious. They have to be introduced to things. They get handled on their own terms. They are stubborn. But they are smart as hell. They can also be very empathic. Use language appropriately and in context with a CAG and they will pick it up appropriately and in context.

The dander with a CAG is not like too dander. Shower them once a week and you should be fine.

I LOVE THEM BOTH... So, I couldn't live without either one. But they are opposite ends of the spectrum in many respects.

 

[Psittaciformes]

Hmm yeah, this is gonna take some serious thinking and reading...

Mark, would you mind telling me a little bit more about CAGs? What's it like living with one? What kind of toys does yours like?

 

[Birdman666]

Well, my CAG was raised with amazons and macaws. His best buddy is a lilac crowned amazon. He grew up rough housing with a Red Fronted macaw...

So, he has taken on a considerable amount of their personalities in terms of play time. He and Sweepea still beak wrestle and chase each other around the big play stand.

Right now it's amazon breeding season, so Lila is swooning over him, and they have become inseperable. They feed each other all the time.

The good CAGS are instigators. They study everything, then when they think they know the "ins" and "outs" they mess with people and things...

Tusk's hobby at my sister's place was tormenting her cats.

He does things like "ringing the doorbell" and the sound is so accurate, that at times, I've answered the door, only to see Tusk doing his poofy bird dance... GOTCHA! YOU FELL FOR IT!

The most famous one was Tusk using my angry voice and telling my daughter to GET HER LITTLE BUTT DOWN HERE RIGHT NOW. (She came down soaking wet wrapped in a towel, full of teen angst. She was taking a shower.) Only problem was... I wasn't angry about anything, and I wasn't the one who called her. TUSK DOING HIS POOFY BIRD DANCE AGAIN!

Then there was the Halloween event, which I previously posted about. Tusk hanging over the little girl telling her "It's okay. You're okay." Comforting her the way he had been comforted when he was upset...

And the bad day at work event, where he waddled off, grabbed a cashew (his favorite nut), waddled back and placed it in my hand saying "It's okay. You're a good boy."

CAGS are stubborn as hell. Quite possibly the most stubborn of all of them.

His favorite toys, wooden chew toys. Pipe bell toys. Phone books, and stuffed soda boxes. He's my paper shredder...

CAGS are handled on their own terms. Cuddly on their own terms. They're not big on the touchie feelie stuff, and mine would rather run around on his own near you, than be held... very independent.

He's a bit on the skittish side. When spooked, they don't even think about it. They react and take off. Not a good recall bird at all... the opposite of a good recall bird.

 

[Psittaciformes]

LOL those stories made me laugh! I remember reading the one about your daughter a while back.

I wouldn't mind an independent bird, I've only had Velcro birds before. VERY distracting!

Is there anything I should feed more or less of? Considering the blood calcium levels.

 

[Birdman666]

LOL those stories made me laugh! I remember reading the one about your daughter a while back.

I wouldn't mind an independent bird, I've only had Velcro birds before. VERY distracting!

Is there anything I should feed more or less of? Considering the blood calcium levels.

Mine get scrambled eggs with the crushed up shells mixed into them. He's also got a flavored calcium perch, and uses it.

The thing with CAGS is even though they are not usually velcro birds, they need A LOT of mental stimulation.

I spent a lot of time teaching Tusk things. ALL my birds get handled every single day. Some just get handled more than others.

 

[Psittaciformes]

Alright, and how often?
How much per serving, with or without greens?

 

[Birdman666]

I do one scrambled egg, split between five birds about once a week.

And I usually do the shells from one or more of my two eggs crushed in there too...

Greens are more an everyday thing. In the treat cup. Part of the fresh foods.

 

[Psittaciformes]

If it's just for one bird, how could put the rest in the freezer, or would it be better to just eat it yourself?

Yeah, I just meant if you mixed it with veggies or just gave it plain.

 

[Birdman666]

Those of us who aren't birds generally don't want to eat crunchy eggs.

Put the whole thing in a bowl, let him eat his fill, and throw the rest away.

It's not expensive and it doesn't freeze well. It's just an egg...

 

[Psittaciformes]

Fair enough! I didn't think it all the way through lol

What about your RLA? What's it like to live with one, and how different are they to other amazons?

 

[Flboy]

.............Red Loreds tend to be on the shy side for zons... (qualified "for zons..." zons are NOT shy birds. But red loreds are not Nape, Blue Front, DYH level excitable.) They are pair bond birds of course. They are probably the most sensitive souls of all the zons. The wild flocks are "guardian angel" birds. They look out for their flock mates... even bringing the sick and injured food. They are extraordinarily empathic... while maintaining that amazon goofiness. Not especially good talkers. But very loving...

I understand, but the thought of splitting them up is heartbreaking! The closer I get to these buggers the more I get torn apart seeing them treated like 'animals'!
NOT a criticism, just am so conflicted over it myself!

 

[Birdman666]

Splitting who up? Am I missing something... I don't follow.

Suggested reading: The parrot who owns me. That's very much like what life with a red lored is like.

Sally is one of my original birds. She was badly abused, and was one of the worst biters we ever had.
She had a phobic disorder, and was going to be put to sleep if I didn't take her... so I took her, and hoped for the best.

It took four months of intensive rehab, to get her to overcome her fears, and work through her issues. (AND THAT WAS FOUR TO FIVE HOURS PER DAY FOR FOUR MONTHS!!!)
So, needless to say, as a result of that super intense training, she became one of my most bonded birds ever...

And the "guardian angel" thing is absolutely real with these birds. They are fiercely protective of their flock.

This is the bird that taught Demitre not to scream. (He was upsetting everyone, so Sally put a stop to it.)
This is the bird that went "Big Bird" on my ex wife, every time she raised her voice to me.
This is the bird who stayed up all night watching out for predators, and doted over me when I was incapacitated with a back injury.
This is the "mother hen" bird who shows the new birds, and fosters that came into my house "the ropes." She mother hens everyone....
This is the bird that preens my eyebrows every day...

She and I have been through a lot together. She's 16-17 years old now, and I've had her since she was 2...

She's very, very bonded.

 

[Psittaciformes]

Yeah I'm not too keen on splitting them up. I doubt I'll go for those, just figured I'd bring it up anyway, for all we know they don't even get along, I'm gonna send him and email with some questions unless I find another one when I feel ready after Kiwiberry. Unless I decide to go for an African grey.
I have a lot of reading and thinking left to do!

 

[Psittaciformes]

I think he's referring to the RLAs I mentioned in my first post, there's a guy with 2 RLAs, 2 BFAs and possibly another species of amazons, in a big aviary.

 

[Psittaciformes]

Wow, that's incredible! She sounds like an amazing bird!

How'd you learn to rehab birds?