what is it like owning a CAG

[rheashard2]

I know little about them. I was living in apartments. Had plans to travel. It wasn't just the intelligence that put me onto a CAG or TAG. It was statement in many avian books that Amazons, macaws are naturally loud with their dawn and dusk chatter. Greys have a lower volume. There were many comments (complaints) about greys mimicking them. So ask others here.

 

[texsize]

thank you for the response! i really appreciate you giving me this great insight, if its not too much to ask i was wondering ownership and personality wise how a grey would compare to an amazon as its another breed im considering. Thanks!

Having both species I have thought about this a lot.

My CAG is learning and saying new words all the time.
We do nothing to try to teach her it just happens.

My Amazon’s vocabulary is much more fixed in place.

Both will say words in context but my CAG will use phrases where my amazons are individual words.

Bingo will call out my wife’s name when he wants to get her attention. The Twins will call out my son’s name.

Bella ….. her use of names is wierd. She says my name but I don’t know why, what her reason is for calling me.
I always respond when she calls so maybe that’s all she wants.

Bella my CAG is a more all around friendly bird with all family members.
I can’t say that about my Amazons.

Bella is a MUCH quieter bird than any let alone all 3 of my Amazons.
She can be annoying. When she imitates my Cockatiels at 3X the volume of a normal Tiel.

I have only had the 1 CAG and I have had 4 different species of amazon parrots.

In the end every parrot is it’s own unique personality.

 

[Babyrizzmuffin101_ohio]

Having both species I have thought about this a lot.

My CAG is learning and saying new words all the time.
We do nothing to try to teach her it just happens.

My Amazon’s vocabulary is much more fixed in place.

Both will say words in context but my CAG will use phrases where my amazons are individual words.

Bingo will call out my wife’s name when he wants to get her attention. The Twins will call out my son’s name.

Bella ….. her use of names is wierd. She says my name but I don’t know why, what her reason is for calling me.
I always respond when she calls so maybe that’s all she wants.

Bella my CAG is a more all around friendly bird with all family members.
I can’t say that about my Amazons.

Bella is a MUCH quieter bird than any let alone all 3 of my Amazons.
She can be annoying. When she imitates my Cockatiels at 3X the volume of a normal Tiel.

I have only had the 1 CAG and I have had 4 different species of amazon parrots.

In the end every parrot is it’s own unique personality

i know each bird has there own personality, but, was wondering what you think would make a better pet?

 

[rheashard2]

i know each bird has there own personality, but, was wondering what you think would make a better pet?

That's something that you have to ponder. Read on baseline personality traits and care. Some people like little and cute; budgies, tiels, etc. Others big, pretty; toos, macaaws etc. The variety and choice is limited only by you, your lifestyle, willingness to commit. Whatever you choose make sure to read and include articles by avian specialists. Look for objective information. Look at information from individuals who travel with bird acts. No-one will pay to see a featherless irritating parrot. Getting a good foundation will help. Then plan your care accordingly with patience, flexibility, patience, knowledge and more flexibility. There's always many ways for parrot care. If you see something any where that you're unsure of then research it. Then you can make informed decisions.

 

[Babyrizzmuffin101_ohio]

That's something that you have to ponder. Read on baseline personality traits and care. Some people like little and cute; budgies, tiels, etc. Others big, pretty; toos, macaaws etc. The variety and choice is limited only by you, your lifestyle, willingness to commit. Whatever you choose make sure to read and include articles by avian specialists. Look for objective information. Look at information from individuals who travel with bird acts. No-one will pay to see a featherless irritating parrot. Getting a good foundation will help. Then plan your care accordingly with patience, flexibility, patience, knowledge and more flexibility. There's always many ways for parrot care. If you see something any where that you're unsure of then research it. Then you can make informed decisions.

thank you so much! your advice throughout this thread has been great, i will most definitely do more research

 

[ScottinSoCal]

i was wondering ownership and personality wise how a grey would compare to an amazon as its another breed im considering. Thanks!

Before Scooter the Gray, Boo the Blue Front Amazon lived here. He was also a rescue.
He'd been mistreated before he came here. One wing broken and healed improperly. A bulge on the side of his face that his vet said was scar tissue from what had apparently been a long-lasting and untreated sinus infection. And I'd always been told "if it's green, it's mean," but Boo never bit me - well, almost never. He hated blond-haired women with the heat of a thousand suns, and I wasn't allowed to talk to them while I was holding him. The one time I tried he climbed down the front of my shirt, grabbed my thumb in his beak and started to slowly up the pressure until I couldn't take it anymore. My blond sister didn't believe me when I told her it wasn't a good idea to pick him up, and she got a permanent scar on her arm as a going-away present. But he was here for over 16 years, he was happy and loved being out, exploring the house, or sitting on me getting head scratches. Like all parrots, he had his own personality. He used "good morning" to mean "I want out" or "I want some of what you're eating" or "I'm bored and want something to change" or "I've had enough now, it's time to go back to my cage for a nap." I had to learn to read context.

 

[Babyrizzmuffin101_ohio]

Before Scooter the Gray, Boo the Blue Front Amazon lived here. He was also a rescue.
He'd been mistreated before he came here. One wing broken and healed improperly. A bulge on the side of his face that his vet said was scar tissue from what had apparently been a long-lasting and untreated sinus infection. And I'd always been told "if it's green, it's mean," but Boo never bit me - well, almost never. He hated blond-haired women with the heat of a thousand suns, and I wasn't allowed to talk to them while I was holding him. The one time I tried he climbed down the front of my shirt, grabbed my thumb in his beak and started to slowly up the pressure until I couldn't take it anymore. My blond sister didn't believe me when I told her it wasn't a good idea to pick him up, and she got a permanent scar on her arm as a going-away present. But he was here for over 16 years, he was happy and loved being out, exploring the house, or sitting on me getting head scratches. Like all parrots, he had his own personality. He used "good morning" to mean "I want out" or "I want some of what you're eating" or "I'm bored and want something to change" or "I've had enough now, it's time to go back to my cage for a nap." I had to learn to read context.

boo sounds so sweet! i really appreciate all the advice you've given me, im just stuck in between the two as my family who grew up with both species all swore to the blue front being a mean bird, and the two rescue greys to be one person but very intelligent and friendly. Yet i know that amazons are very selective with who they like and need someone who respects them, while greys have a high social need and can be neurotic, which is part of the reason im stuck is because im away 5 hours each day on weekdays (im free all weekend) i will make sure the bird gets at least 5 hours out cage time but i still wonder if im away just too much for a grey due to there self-destructive habits when lonely, although i love a social bird, and i love the amazons goofiness but wonder how there intelligence compares (im not referring to speaking ability that's not an important thing for me as its kind of a silly reason to get a bird) as i really love a smart bird. If you have any advice knowing both species i would appreciate it a lot.

 

[rheashard2]

boo sounds so sweet! i really appreciate all the advice you've given me, im just stuck in between the two as my family who grew up with both species all swore to the blue front being a mean bird, and the two rescue greys to be one person but very intelligent and friendly. Yet i know that amazons are very selective with who they like and need someone who respects them, while greys have a high social need and can be neurotic, which is part of the reason im stuck is because im away 5 hours each day on weekdays (im free all weekend) i will make sure the bird gets at least 5 hours out cage time but i still wonder if im away just too much for a grey due to there self-destructive habits when lonely, although i love a social bird, and i love the amazons goofiness but wonder how there intelligence compares (im not referring to speaking ability that's not an important thing for me as its kind of a silly reason to get a bird) as i really love a smart bird. If you have any advice knowing both species i would appreciate it a lot.

I worked 12 hr shifts 4-5 days a week, SCUBA diving nearly every Sunday weather permitting. I traveled state to state every 3-6 months (travel trauma RN). TV or radio and lights were on a timer. I made his area as consistent as possible. I gave him my undivided attention as close to dawn and dusk as my work allowed then randomly. Because I was traveling to different places I was a tourist on most of my off days. At least 2x/month I took him on outings. This was for 17 of his 22 yrs. Get your feathered bud to understand your schedule and problems relating to separation anxiety (theirs not yours) will be minimized. They don't have to like it, mine never did. But he knew he was my dictator, owner, boss etc when I was home.

 

[Babyrizzmuffin101_ohio]

I worked 12 hr shifts 4-5 days a week, SCUBA diving nearly every Sunday weather permitting. I traveled state to state every 3-6 months (travel trauma RN). TV or radio and lights were on a timer. I made his area as consistent as possible. I gave him my undivided attention as close to dawn and dusk as my work allowed then randomly. Because I was traveling to different places I was a tourist on most of my off days. At least 2x/month I took him on outings. This was for 17 of his 22 yrs. Get your feathered bud to understand your schedule and problems relating to separation anxiety (theirs not yours) will be minimized. They don't have to like it, mine never did. But he knew he was my dictator, owner, boss etc when I was home.

thank you for this, i will ensure i have a consistent routine if i get a grey to minimise issues.
your post has helped me alot, thank you!

 

[ScottinSoCal]

Get your feathered bud to understand your schedule and problems relating to separation anxiety (theirs not yours) will be minimized. They don't have to like it, mine never did. But he knew he was my dictator, owner, boss etc when I was home.

Scooter doesn't like my leaving for work, but she knows it happens and that I'll be back. On the rare mornings I forget to give her head scratches and tell her goodbye and I'll see her later, she gets very upset and calls me back. It's part of the routine, and she won't have changes to the routine.

 

[ScottinSoCal]

It was statement in many avian books that Amazons, macaws are naturally loud with their dawn and dusk chatter. Greys have a lower volume.

I've told people who asked that a CAG will always be the loudest thing in the house. If you want a quiet bird, make sure you have a quiet house.

 

[Babyrizzmuffin101_ohio]

Scooter doesn't like my leaving for work, but she knows it happens and that I'll be back. On the rare mornings I forget to give her head scratches and tell her goodbye and I'll see her later, she gets very upset and calls me back. It's part of the routine, and she won't have changes to the routine.

scooter seems so smart!

 

[Babyrizzmuffin101_ohio]

I've told people who asked that a CAG will always be the loudest thing in the house. If you want a quiet bird, make sure you have a quiet house.

yeah ive heard this as well!