Wanting a African Grey,.....I think ???

[roxynoodle]

They really do like to go outside if it's safe for them where you live. With the West Nile though, one bad mosquito bite, and dead bird. I just can't chance it anymore, and am constantly inspecting my window screens for any holes.

 

[427HISS]

As luck would have it, here in Nebraska the virus is not a problem, so far anyway.

 

[usamimi]

They really do like to go outside if it's safe for them where you live. With the West Nile though, one bad mosquito bite, and dead bird. I just can't chance it anymore, and am constantly inspecting my window screens for any holes.

I didn't know about this. I am going to be in major panic mode this summer. :scared01:

 

[Molcan2]

If your building an outdoor aviary I suggest this site:

NaturalBird.com Indoor and Outdoor Bird Enclosure FAQ

It tells you how to make a safe one and what you can do to prevent your bird from getting diseases outside.

This is painfully long, sorry:

Now onto the the Grey/Too question. My personal opinion, is the Grey. I never wanted another Too again - ever. I love Greys, Green Wings and Catalinas. I used to have a U2 years ago, that was the first large parrot I had ever had (long story but he was taken from me ). Fast forward to present time. I have never actually gone out and looked for a bird, stuff just finds me. I was offered my M2, free (she came with multiple cages, stands, toys etc.), on the way to meet her I tried to explain to my BF why I never wanted a Too, after meeting her we decided to bring her home. I have the right personality for a Too so in a way I sort of feel obligated to care for one seeing how there are so many in rescues. Toos are not easy to live with and require constant everything. There is soooo much to write about Toos that it would be ridiculous for me to re-type it all again. So I'm going to copy/paste an old post of mine below:

Owning Toos..... Hmmm, well they are different but completely rewarding if in the right household. Never get a Too and expect it to be quiet (this is not a realistic expectation) be prepared for one that screams all the time and be happy if you get one that doesn't. They are very sensitive birds, I like to refer to them as emotional basket cases - as well are the people who share their lives with them - thats right we are crazy. They sometimes require more time to transition into a new house hold. Give your new Too 1 FULL YEAR before making the determination whether to keep it or not (no matter how hard the transition may be to make) it can take that long to adjust.

Also I've copied and pasted the following from another post I responded to about Toos: They are loud (this is what def sets them apart). Usually they scream only when they aren't getting what they want (each is different, mine doesn't do any screaming regularly in am or pm. What people refer to the normal sounding off). When Rome first came home she went through a period where she wasn't happy anywhere - wasn't happy on my arm, she wasn't happy on her stand and she wasn't happy in her cage - no matter what we did she screamed. I waited for her to get over herself and shes come a long way since then but it was really really difficult in the beginning.

Its a misconception that Toos need 'more' time than other parrots because they don't. They act like they need more (when in actuality they really don't) so people give them more than what they need and they get spoiled (they spoil easily, I guess thats a better way to put it). Its not so much that they aren't independent (because they really are if thats the behavior that you encourage, but you have to provide them with the means to be independent, ex: they love to forage for food, so create an environment where thats what they do all day), its that they want more. You give them all the attention possible and they want double that (you give them an inch and they don't want a mile they want the entire country). Thats what we mean by demanding. This is why everyone throws the experience part out there. Toos are like a child, let them run the house and they will, however they thrive off of structure, routine, and discipline (with these in place you will have a wonderful Too). Look at it like the parents who give in when their child cries for a toy (these people should never own a Too, because the Too will end up owning them), a Too's scream is so loud that most 'give in' to what they want in stead of sticking to the rules. This only reinforces the screaming and makes the bird more in charge. The 'experience' that everyone talks about is the ability to not only reinforce positive behaviors but to also lay down strict rules and abide by them (i.e. a person who can be firm and strict makes a good Too owner). The fact is, that no matter what bird you choose to get your 'experience' from, may not set you up for a Too (I got my 'experience' from training horses - the concepts transcend into Too behavior). A Too constantly asks for attention, you cant give in to what they want. Attention time (when, what kind, and the length) needs to be set by you and not the bird (has to be on your terms - ALWAYS). They will beg and beg for attention, then they demand it, and you have to wait until they forget that they even wanted you in the first place, then you give them attention. They have to know that you set the rules and they have to know that these rules are firm. In the begging they will test the rules constantly. If you stay consistent then eventually the bird will learn and become better rounded.

Hope this helped, good luck in making a decision.

 

[427HISS]

All of you are very helpful. I trust the one on one information and knowledge from you more than any book, magazine or pet shop with birds. It sound the the Too's are a bit too troublesome, like a spoiled brat child ! lol

Although I'm home most of the time, I just can't dedicate 100% of my time and efforts to just one pet as we have other dogs & cats. I have a pretty tough mind, but I don't think all the potential screaming, would possible make my mind like over cooked noodles. I used to train hunting dogs and some personal pet training for hunting customers and household's, so I feel that I could have what it takes to train a Too, but I just really don't think their for us, at this point in our lives. Especially since the Grey sounds like a much better suited bird that meets our wants & needs.

I love the look of the white Too's and the "Tomahawk" yellow head dressing, but the Grey is very,.....handsome with it's colors and beautiful red tail !

 

[roxynoodle]

It's not that "Toos are all spoiled brats. It's that they WANT to be, lol! And they are very good at manipulating their owners into dedicating every moment of their lives to them. And most people just give in to them too easily. They very definitely require the right kind of owner.

 

[427HISS]

I guess like with human children having tantrums, the expression would be,....it's "TIME OUT" ,.....for you mister !!! lol

 

[roxynoodle]

Kids don't scream for as long as cockatoos do. So people want the bird to shut up, and they give in to get it to be quiet. And then the bird learns all it has to do is scream and mom/dad will come running to give it what it wants.

 

[427HISS]

lol,.......that ain't no lie !!!

You just can't say, ....go to your room and watch tv or play video games & me me the ^ell alone ! (my sister always said she would never let either, babysit her kids. Heck, that's all they do) lol !

I'll send you a pm !

 

[427HISS]

I don't know if any of you have had the pleasure of speaking with member, roxynoodle, I have and she's one great lady !
We spoke on the phone for quite some time and had fun doing so.

Thanks roxy !

 

[roxynoodle]

You're very welcome And please feel free to call back anytime you want to. And that goes for anyone else here that wants to talk about their birds, or getting a bird, or horses or home remodeling, lol! Or if you need help with math.

 

[427HISS]

Great, I'll call for all of the above ! lol
(add Buckeye football also) lol

I found this breeder here in Nebraska and only breed African Grey's. I called the number but it's been removed and the last update on the website was back in March 12, 2011. I hope their still in business ?
I did send a email, so hopefully they'll reply.

Do any of you have information about them ?

UPDATE-

Well, my email was returned, so they might be out of business. Bummer !

Feathers 'N Flame-

FeatherNFlameAviary

 

[roxynoodle]

And yes, I'm also always willing to discuss Buckeye's football, lol!

Did you look on birdbreeders.com? There might be new info on that breeder or you may find other breeders near you.

 

[427HISS]

Yep, that's where I located them.

Bird Breeders in Nebraska NE - BirdBreeders.com - Avian Directory of Available Birds and Bird Breeders

Here's another. It's in Sioux City Iowa, about 2 hrs. from me. We just spoke and she has a 6 year old Too that says she's quiet, loveable, likes everyone, talks, dances etc.
She will be emailing me tomorrow with a short video of her and all other info.

Sue Zimmerman-

http://www.zimmermanpets.com/forsale.html

 

[427HISS]

We're excited !

We did rescue the Medium Sulpher Crested Eleanora Cockatoo from the
Macaw & Cockatoo Rescue of New Mexico. Her name is Baby, but we'll be changing it to Shelby, after our 1966 Ford 427 Shelby Cobra. The car was,....my baby, but now the bird is. lol

She'll be shipped out next Monday !

I can not give the owner (Anna) of the rescue enough praise !!!
She has been fantastic in all aspects. In the last two months I've done a lot of rescue research and found that Anna and her program to be one of the best in the USA. She made me feel very comfortable, was extremely honest, sent photo's and video of Baby. She's a wonderful person and loves her birds.

Please check out her website.
Macaw and Cockatoo Rescue of New Mexico

We should get the "Kings Cage" today or tomorrow and we're going shopping for toys & food Friday also.

This is Anna and Baby (both are sweethearts)

This is the King cage we bought her.

This is the King stand we bought her.

These are the new locks on the King's cage & very impressed.

Video #1
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcE7nQfjPh0&feature=youtu.be"]Baby Shelby, Eleanora Cockatoo, Hamming It Up - YouTube[/ame]

Video #2
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJONm82_IOI&feature=youtu.be"]Baby Shelby part "too" - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Spiritbird]

If anyone is looking for a quality CAG or TAG baby there is a breeder in Florida that is so so knowledgeable and has wonderful birds. http://africanqueenaviaries.com/babies.htm

 

[427HISS]

Cool. I would put the infomation in the Rescue Centres or Adoption/Re-Home forums.

 

[mnkeastman]

aww I didn't see the videos before she is gorgeous!

 

[427HISS]

Yeah,......it runs in the family. (my side)

 

[427HISS]

The cage and stand were a B**** to put together, as the instructions sucked ! I've put together Taiwan made crap that had better instructions.

It took me and friend two hours to assemble the cage. The stand only had a small photo, no instructions at all.

I also have gotten very tired of company's not including instructions/manual with their product. You have to download their pdf file, thus using your own printer & ink !

I once had to print off 18 pages of a manual !!!

But, it all came together and both products from Kings are real high quality.