african grey parrot

[rattietayls]

I was wondering if they are nice... compared to cockatoos and amazons?
I want one, but i would have to convince my mom 

[MiniMuffin]

You're pretty young, right?

I would NOT suggest an African Grey or any other large parrot. Not only do they live a long, long time (can you commit the next 60 years to caring for a bird with the mindset of a 2 year old?), but they're also VERY high maintenance birds. African Greys need tons of mental stimulation and a very rigid schedule or else they get very bored and nervous, which is why many of them are feather pluckers. A AG would probably not handle you going to high school and then college very well.

I would also suggest that you not even consider a cockatoo or amazon until you're out of college, as they too require lots of toys and attention and are a huge commitment.

It's hard to think about the future when you're young, I know, and it's hard to think that you won't have time later on, but you really won't be able to give a large parrot what it needs once you're in college.

As to birds in general; Are you and your mom prepared to change how you live in order to safely keep a bird? You can't have teflon (non-stick, that means cookware, microwave popcorn, some hair driers) in the house, only soy/beeswax candles, unscented, and far away from the bird, no more strong chemical cleaners. Birds also really need to be eating lots of fresh, organic fruits and veggies, as well as a high quality pellet (I use Harrison's, which is about $7+ for a lb without shipping, which my small-medium birds need 1-2 lbs a month of, and I mix it with Zupreem pellets too). I easily spend $50 a month on the birds, and that's not counting the fresh foods that we already have on hand.

Please do a LOT of research before getting any kind of bird. They're not for everyone, and certainly aren't easy or cheap.

[rattietayls]

You're pretty young, right?

I would NOT suggest an African Grey or any other large parrot. Not only do they live a long, long time (can you commit the next 60 years to caring for a bird with the mindset of a 2 year old?), but they're also VERY high maintenance birds. African Greys need tons of mental stimulation and a very rigid schedule or else they get very bored and nervous, which is why many of them are feather pluckers. A AG would probably not handle you going to high school and then college very well.

I would also suggest that you not even consider a cockatoo or amazon until you're out of college, as they too require lots of toys and attention and are a huge commitment.

It's hard to think about the future when you're young, I know, and it's hard to think that you won't have time later on, but you really won't be able to give a large parrot what it needs once you're in college.

As to birds in general; Are you and your mom prepared to change how you live in order to safely keep a bird? You can't have teflon (non-stick, that means cookware, microwave popcorn, some hair driers) in the house, only soy/beeswax candles, unscented, and far away from the bird, no more strong chemical cleaners. Birds also really need to be eating lots of fresh, organic fruits and veggies, as well as a high quality pellet (I use Harrison's, which is about $7+ for a lb without shipping, which my small-medium birds need 1-2 lbs a month of, and I mix it with Zupreem pellets too). I easily spend $50 a month on the birds, and that's not counting the fresh foods that we already have on hand.

Please do a LOT of research before getting any kind of bird. They're not for everyone, and certainly aren't easy or cheap.

Don't worry. I already have a parrot, and I know lots of info, I love animals and would NOT consider getting one unless I knew everything about it,
and I knew what would happen in the future.

[MiniMuffin]

Oh, really, what kind of parrot?

I would still suggest you not get a large parrot, especially an AG or 'Too, until much later in life. There's just no way anyone can know what will happen through highschool and college, and it's just not fair to the bird to put them through losing attention or their home if you can't handle it.

Of the three though, I personally prefer AG's personalities, and would love to have one many, many years from now!

[rattietayls]

She is an amazon, and if we got another parrot, it would be my mothers, not mine. As I said, our family is very well educated about parrots and animals.

[LiLRATTiES]

I have a 4 month old African Grey that i got when she was about 2 months old. I hand fed her and she has weaned herself. She is a very very very smart bird. Almost forget sometimes she is a bird. I also have a Goffin cockatoo and she is a handful. I would say go with a grey but make sure u have the time and money for its care. Mine chew threw about $50 of toys a week. Make sure u read about feeding pellets and fresh foods. Seed mixes are not good for a bird. I work at an Exotic vet clinic and that is one thing i learned very quickly. Well I wish u luuck!!

[rattietayls]

LiLRATTiES,
We have the time and money, don't worry. And we know not to feed them seed mixes, again, we have another parrot 

[LiLRATTiES]

then go for it. as long as u know what's up in the parrot world. just to let u know african greys are considered the smartest parrots... as for the cockatoo I havr a goofin and I love her to pieces but they r very demanding like macaws

[rattietayls]

Thats why I am leaning much more towards the African Greys 

[tsk_n_such]

I think African Greys can go either way..some are sweet as can be, and some can be little dickens'. I'm basing that not only on my own grey (who falls into the stinker category) but on the ones I see at work as a vet tech. Many are a bit bratty. I don't think this makes them BAD birds in the least. I think they're just smart enough to have a sense of humor about these things. I know that my grey finds it extremely funny to manage to bite someone.  He recently bit the pup's nose and was pleased as could be with himself all day

I will say that my grey doesn't scream, which is really really pleasant