Headlines

Pet Bird Thread

M

Mark

New member
Hey everybody! I am seriously considering getting an African Grey Timneh this Winter. I've wanted on since I was a kid and my girlfriend's Mother has 5 exotics I play with and learn from. I have been reading all of her books, etc. for months to get prepaired. Please share your bird stories, advice and lots of picks please.

Thanks! :)
Mark
 
Oops! Just realized this probably belongs in "The Bar" - admin., pleas move for me. Thank you! Mark
 
Mark said:
Hey everybody! I am seriously considering getting an African Grey Timneh this Winter. I've wanted on since I was a kid and my girlfriend's Mother has 5 exotics I play with and learn from. I have been reading all of her books, etc. for months to get prepaired. Please share your bird stories, advice and lots of picks please.

Thanks! :)
Mark
Click to expand...

We've got one, an African Grey. He or she, can't tell what sex they are without a professional, is a great pet. The only downside is they tend to be one person birds. They will bond with the person who feeds and takes care of them. They immitate everything from the telephones, all kinds, to the microwave, alarm beeps, and dogs barking. It's hilarious when my 86 year old mother in law answers the phone and it is the bird or goes to see what is in the microwave. The bird also tends to immitate it's main owner. Watch what you say cause you never know what it will pick up. Our bird is about 4 years old and has about 25-30 different words and sounds. Very smart and loving, but ours is really only a one person bird. It also likes a very stable routine. Don't change who feeds it for any lenth of time. My wife started feeding it due to our change in work schedule and it plucked out all of it's feathers until we took it to an avian vet and she explained how they like their routine. I went back to feeding it and all was well. Our bird doesn't even like to have new toys in its cage. You have to introduce new things slowly. We leave the cage door open and the bird comes in and out as it wants. Its wings are clipped so it doesn't fly. It is not afraid of too much. Loud noises do not bother it. It even pecks at the dogs. :)

GerritM
 
I've had a couple that were given to me due to bad owner decisions to get one in the first place. I highly recomend this guy http://www.birdsunltd.com/. Do your research and buy from a reputable breeder, and stay away from pet stores.
 
Got one, had two at one time. They are finicky at best. They either love you or hate you and they can bite.

Like previously mentioned they are possessive to a single person. While the owner (liked one) can touch others would be very wise to avoid such behavior. I trained ours to say "I'm gonna bite you" because everyone's first thought is to pet the bird and they get bit badly. Worst people are those that have had birds before and think the Grey's are like all others. They immediately get bit hard by the bird.

They can be annoying with miscellaneous noises and such. They are very routine orientated. They have a schedule they like to go by and are condition responsive. Lights on behavior, you walk up they say certain routine (such as hello), lights out behavior (such as good night), etc..

They can be taught a lot of words, the largest of any birds they say. If they do not get sufficient attention, they are self destructive and will pull their feathers out and for some reason they do not seem to grow back.

They need a lot of attention, be aware of this and they are great. Ignore them and they can be a bad child.
 
Ours doesn't need too much attention. Just needs it from me with its routine. They are not good with children. they like to be covered at night.There are a few foods that you need to stay away from, chocaolate is one. Otherwise they eat almost anything.
 
I have had my Amazon for 22 years now. I picked her out when she was an egg from a professional breeder. She was laid in Texas and hatched in Colorado. There are many aspects to a bird such as a birds ability to speak. This is specific to each breed. In other words, some are just better talkers than others. Just as some are inherently affectionate while others are just the opposite or aggressive.

A grey is a great talker....BUT....a bird with the ability to display a bit of an attitude, no doubt. An African Grey, a member of the amazon family, will actually growl at you when pizzed off. Now take for instance the Cock-a-too. This family of Psittaciformes actually are a fairly affectionate, family of birds (the larger of them have actually been the most affectionate, such as a Moluccan).

For the most part all birds will bond specifically with one person. For instance our bird actually LOVES me....and simply tolerates Matt. And when I say she loves me I mean it she thinks I am her mate inclusive of breeding attempts followed by egg laying ! (I know freaky little bird right!)

Also keep in mind that birds are have a pretty great life expectancy vs your average domesticated animal, ie: cat, dog, rodent or whatever. It of course is different for each breed but mine for instance has a 80-85 year life expectancy. SO a COMITTMENT to the um-teenth degree is required. I am glad your have spent some time with birds so you can better gauge this commitment your about to make.

Here is something else to keep in mind when selecting a bird. It is great to rescue a bird from an unwanted situation it important to know that once a bird goes rogue it is EXTREMELY difficult to turn them around. Broncos we call them. So beware of birds with questionable behaviors or prior ownership situations. As was earlier stated the are extremely habitual. On another note keep this in mind: My Amazon has the intellect, of approximately a 2.5 year old child.....which I will live with for the rest of my life the perverbial terrible twos as they say. A bit trying at times but for the most part an extremely enjoyable member of my family.

I think it is great that you ready to join the cult and wish you the best with your new family member! Just make educated decisions and stick to it.

Julie
 
My ex-wife brought a bird into the house.
I hated it.
Seed husks all over the place under the cage.

Somehow I don't have a problem when I watch one of my dog's shake, and loose fur flies everywhere.
Guess I'm just not much of a bird guy.
 
Sea-Dated said:
The only bird we have ever had.:sifone:
Click to expand...

Charlie: So lieutenant, where exactly were you?
Maverick: Well, we...
Goose: Thank you.
Maverick: Started up on a 6, when he pulled from the clouds, and then I moved in above him.
Charlie: Well, if you were directly above him, how could you see him?
Maverick: Because I was inverted.
Iceman: [coughs whilst saying] Bull****.
Goose: No he was man, it was a really great move. He was inverted.
Charlie: You were in a 4g inverted dive with a MiG28?
Maverick: Yes ma'am.
Charlie: At what range?
Maverick: Um, about 2 meters.
Goose: It was actually about 1 and a half I think. It was 1 and a half, I've got a great Polaroid of it, and he's right there, must be 1 and a half.
Maverick: Was a nice picture.
Goose: Thanks.
Charlie: Eh lieutenant, what were you doing there?
Goose: Communicating.
Maverick: Communicating. Keeping up foriegn relations. You know, giving him the bird!
Goose: [Charlie looks puzzled, so Goose clarifies] You know, the finger
[gestures apprpriately]
Charlie: Yes, I know the finger, Goose.
Goose: I-I'm sorry, I hate it when it does that, I'm sorry. Excuse me.
 
Perlmudder said:
Charlie: So lieutenant, where exactly were you?
Maverick: Well, we...
Goose: Thank you.
Maverick: Started up on a 6, when he pulled from the clouds, and then I moved in above him.
Charlie: Well, if you were directly above him, how could you see him?
Maverick: Because I was inverted.
Iceman: [coughs whilst saying] Bull****.
Goose: No he was man, it was a really great move. He was inverted.
Charlie: You were in a 4g inverted dive with a MiG28?
Maverick: Yes ma'am.
Charlie: At what range?
Maverick: Um, about 2 meters.
Goose: It was actually about 1 and a half I think. It was 1 and a half, I've got a great Polaroid of it, and he's right there, must be 1 and a half.
Maverick: Was a nice picture.
Goose: Thanks.
Charlie: Eh lieutenant, what were you doing there?
Goose: Communicating.
Maverick: Communicating. Keeping up foriegn relations. You know, giving him the bird!
Goose: [Charlie looks puzzled, so Goose clarifies] You know, the finger
[gestures apprpriately]
Charlie: Yes, I know the finger, Goose.
Goose: I-I'm sorry, I hate it when it does that, I'm sorry. Excuse me.
Click to expand...

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:
 
My brother has a pied. Its traits and attitude are in line with what everybody on here has said. Loves my Dad, tolerates my brother, and does not like my Mom or me. It's definitely "his" bird.

We leave the cage open, wings are not clipped so we find him in some interesting places around the house. Just have to be really careful about opening the door.
 
Thank you for the great responses! Even the smart ass ones - I can take a joke! :)

I'm leaning toward a Timneh Grey - and definately a female. The Timnehs are a little less agressive and may be more open to more than just one person - so I have read. If I decide to add another bird, it will likely be a Mealy Amazon. My girlfriend wants a Mulocan someday and a Hycienth Mcaw would be cool in the future too (please excuse my poor spelling).

My girlfriend's Mom has two Mcaws which she rescued. They are very difficult and one has sent her to the hospital twice and recently broke her entire fingernail in two! She also has two Amazons. They get a bit noisy, but are the life of the party. Then comes her Grey Timneh. I'm the only other one than her Mother who can take it straight out of her cage. She rarely talks in front of me, but talks up a storm when I'm in another room.

The reason I don't already have a bird is because I appreciate the commitment involved, but am now in a position to finally do it after about 25+ years of wanting a Grey in particular. Please post any picks you have and thank you very much for your imput! Keep it coming! :)

Mark
 
slivings said:
I've had a couple that were given to me due to bad owner decisions to get one in the first place. I highly recomend this guy http://www.birdsunltd.com/. Do your research and buy from a reputable breeder, and stay away from pet stores.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the site. Need all I can get. I can't find a Female Grey Timneh to save my life! I completely agree with you on pet stores / breeders. I can't wait till all of this first stage is over and I can enjoy my new friend!

I sure could use some more highly recomended (with any one's personal experience with) breeders.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top