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Kay
Egg
Joined: 22 Jun 2006
Posts: 5
Location: Texas |
| Hi I'm new! |
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Hi.  I'm new here. I am looking to get a bird. First time owner. I have been researching ALOT! I saw a special on parrots awhile back and thought they were so entersting. I wasn't sure if I wanted to get one yet if I could handel it. So I have been doing research. I could time wise because I work at home and am taking courses for school online so time isnt an issue. The first bird I saw was the grey. I was in ah by its looks and well everything lol. But with all the reasearch I am still unsure I would like to ask question to people who I know have them as pets and love them not just having them for research no offense  to anyone. I like the grey because in many cases it attaches itself to one person because I am the only one here. I read that they can be stubbern and hard to tame tho. Thart makes me nervous  !
I wanted a bird that likes to cuddel but I read that greys arent cuddly parrots. But the cockatoo is but I read as they get older they get agresive. As you can see I need some help lol. I don't want to pick a bird and then it clash with my personality and it and I be unhappy.
I would like a bird that I can pretty easily tame and bond with. Who likes to cuddel and play (but from what I read all parrots LOVE to play!)
Is that the african grey?
sorry so long.
Thanks to anyone who can help!
Kay |
Monday June 26, 2006 2:58 am |
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fionam
Moderator
Joined: 29 Mar 2005
Posts: 1757
Location: Surrey, UK |
Hi Kay,
And 1st thing your very welcome here...
I do not have a Grey or a Cockatoo, but I am sure that the others who do will be along...
You are going about this the right way, i.e. doing lots of research first.
Have you thought about an Amazon... I do not have one of those either but if I was going to get another bird I would get an Amazon...
Good Luck with your search and do let us know what you decide..
Regards
Fi |
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Monday June 26, 2006 5:47 am |
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Cathy
Kamikaze pilot
Joined: 02 Apr 2005
Posts: 6673
Location: Omaha, NE USA |
Hi Kay & welcome to fluffies!
I don't live with either a grey or a cokatoo, but a lot of people of this forum do & I've come to know them almost like 2nd family 
Firstly, I have to say, I think any bird
can
be warm & cuddly, a lot depends on the birds history, how it was raised. That's most likely to happen if you aquire a young bird. However, there are no guarantees!
And, even older, re-homed birds can be warm & cuddly, but normally, the more homes a bird has had, the less trusting it is of people.
Greys & 'toos are both very intelligent birds that can make wonderful companions. Tho, from what I've heard, I think 'toos are much more sensitive than others & are more likely to develop behavioural issues, such as screaming & plucking.
I wont go into any more than that since I do not live with either, but I wish you lots of luck with your decision! |
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Monday June 26, 2006 12:26 pm |
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Cheeta
Moderator
Joined: 06 Apr 2005
Posts: 7972
Location: Australia |
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Hi Kay
Welcome to Fluffies.. I applau you for doing your research first! So many people jump in without knowing what they are doing and the bird end up having to suffer for it. 
I have a beautiful and cheeky cockatoo, but I would NEVER recommend cockatoo for a first time bird owner.. I've had many many birds before acquire my Apollo, and he's still a handful!! yes given that he's very very cuddly, and very playful (check out my diary pages for the fids vids page to see how silly he is...) but he has his moments and he is very antisocial.. these guys needs to be socialise from a very early age and train properly.. They also require a lot of attention, and very very needy in comparison to ohter parrots like the amazons or the senegals parrots.
I don't know much about the Grey since I don't live with one, aside the fact that I would LOVE to have one of those guys...
Ask lots and lots of questions, don't be afraid to ask anything.. The only silly question is the question that isn't asked. so fire away..
Cheers.. and good luck.
Bih |
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Monday June 26, 2006 3:20 pm |
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shirin
Moderator
Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 7405
Location: Canada, Toronto |
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Hi Kay! Welcome to this forum
I have an African Grey named Bunny who is the apple of my eye I never thought I could love anything or anyone this much! I got her when she was about 5 months old. When I first brought her home, she was extremely nervous and shy and preferred to sit by herself on top of her cage and watch me from a far. But everyday, slowly, she began to trust me more and more. She started asking for head scratches, and before I knew it, she was coming down off her cage to come play with me
In my opinion Bunny is a cuddly bird. She loves it when I put my nose in her feathers and scritch her head and kiss her all over. She rubs her beak on my face and gives me kisses to show me her affection, and often times she even regurgitates food to feed me (the ultimate sign of love ). I can hold her in my arms like a baby and she loves it
http://www.fluffies.org/en/flu.....try_id=352
I think the difference between a cockatoo being cuddly, and Greys being cuddly is that cockatoos will let you touch them whereever, but my Grey hates being touched under her wings. Another thing I noticed is that cockatoos will be cuddly with just about anybody, where as for a Grey to be cuddly with you is a sign that he has an incredible amount of trust in you and truly loves you and is bonded to you.
As far as taming, if you get a hand raised baby, most often they will already be tame. Greys go through an adjustment period of about 3-4 weeks when they go to a new home where they might be extra shy and nervous as Bunny was, and would prefer not to be handled much. During this time they assess their new environment and their new flockmates, you, and decide whether you're trust worthy or not. If you have the time and patience and are willing to show your Grey unlimited amount of love and understanding, then you will be rewarded in ways you would not belive.
Sorry for going on and on  I guess you could tell how much a love my little Bunny |
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Monday June 26, 2006 3:43 pm |
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Kay
Egg
Joined: 22 Jun 2006
Posts: 5
Location: Texas |
Thank ya'll so much! Any info is helpful.
Well I went to the petstore yesterday....... No I didn't buy one lol! But I did see a Green Cheek conure! I hadn't ever heard of these before but I felt so sorry for it. It was sitting all alone in its cage looked very board! It didn't have any toys to play with just some branchs to sit on  !
So I think it's between the Grey now and the green cheek as I researched alot about them after I got back from the store.They said they can be neepy but have very outgoing personalities. Its hard to decide which one would be best for me. Is a grey a good first time bird owner kind of pet?
Thanks again! |
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Monday June 26, 2006 6:24 pm |
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Sue
Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 10102
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Hi Kay! Welcome to fluffies!
I live with a cockatoo and I can say you this: He is NOT a big cuddle bird! Some cockatoos are and some aren't. I also notice a big change when I cuddle Zazu: He becomes insecure resulting in more plucking..
Well raised African greys don't always attach to one person.. |
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Tuesday June 27, 2006 11:12 am |
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chispleeze
Flier
Joined: 14 Jul 2005
Posts: 475
Location: Upstate NY |
Kay, did you end up deciding on a bird yet? I have a grey and I absolutely adore her. But honestly I was kinda hoping you opted to get the little green cheek as a first bird. I don't think greys or cockatoos are the best first birds. Unless you absolutely have your heart set on one. In that case then I'd say go with your heart because otherwise you'll just be pining for what you really wanted. But if you're not certain then I'd start with something that's not quite as sensitive as a grey or as demanding as a cockatoo can be. If you're still researching, you might want to check into Senegals. They are GREAT little birds. Friendly, cuddly, smart, playful...
Just wondered how you were making out with your quest.
Robin |
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Friday July 14, 2006 4:30 am |
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Chaquita's Mom
Experienced flier
Joined: 29 Jun 2005
Posts: 1028
Location: Pennsylvania, USA |
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Hello Kay! Welcome! I have to agree with Robin here. I don't recommend getting a larger parrot to start with. I have a Yellow Nape Amazon and a Sunday Conure. Those little conures can be a trip!! You would love one as a first bird! High energy, playful and fearless!!  Most of us have graduated to having more than one bird. The only bad thing about a conure is their call It's not often, early in the morning when they get up they can get loud or when you come home and they hear your voice. Their chirp can be quite ear piercing. So if you live in an appartment you may get complaints. BUT............all birds can be loud to a point
An Amazon is a more independant bird and doesn't demand cuddles and your undevided attention like a cockatoo. I don't recommend a cockatoo for anyone except experienced bird owners and I mean EXPERIENCED. I love parrots but I would never own one  I got my YNA when she was 26 years old (last year). So I don't have the experience of owning a young bird. Chaquita was rehomed a few times in her years. She's been a real joy to own but a challenge too. I'm teaching her to be more cuddly and it's working. It's been a year so far and still not as cuddly as I'd like her to be. Maybe in a few more years
I definately say, go for the conure! You won't regret it! Their lifespan is about 30-40 years Half of that of the grey, cockatoo and amazon! They can live up to 80+ years with proper care Then when your ready, go for the larger parrot |
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Saturday July 15, 2006 12:30 pm |
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Jrmno1
Flying tumbler
Joined: 28 Aug 2005
Posts: 2310
Location: Ohio, USA |
I wouldn't recommend an amazon or a cockatoo for a first bird.....a grey maybe....but a green cheeked conure sounds great. They are not as loud as some of the conures. They can be a little nippy but they sure have a big bird personality and some can learn to talk......its kind of a raspy voice but when our Chichi says peekaboo it sounds so sweet. Before buying a bird it is good to handle it and spend time with it at the store or breeders...see if the two of you click together. Good luck. |
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Wednesday August 2, 2006 12:23 am |
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freznow
Egg
Joined: 01 Sep 2006
Posts: 6
Location: USA |
Hi! I'm looking into getting my first bird, too, and am most likely going to get either a green cheek or black capped conure, because they don't require as large a cage as an african grey, are generally more quiet than other conures, are smaller, and jsut all around they seem great. Though I love African Greys and can't wait till I get room for a large cage, a conure is right down my alley.
Good luck! Green cheeks rock! |
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Sunday September 3, 2006 9:26 pm |
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Cathy
Kamikaze pilot
Joined: 02 Apr 2005
Posts: 6673
Location: Omaha, NE USA |
Hey! Good luck to you with your first bird too freznow |
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Monday September 4, 2006 4:55 am |
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Ag_86
Bappie
Joined: 14 Feb 2006
Posts: 77
Location: Mississauga, ON |
I would probably go with a smaller bird for a first time bird. Cockatiels and conures are good! Senegals, myers, and red bellies can make good first time birds as well. If you get a bird that has been hanfed and hasn't been through some trauma, then you shouldn't have much trouble with taming. Ususally, birds do have an adjustment period. If you have your heart set on a larger bird I would recommend visting either a rescue or a place with larger birds that way you can learn to handle them. I just got myself an african grey and I am so glad I have handled so many large birds before I got her. They can really tell if you are comfortable with handling them or not. I have only had my grey for 3 weeks now and she is almost fully adjusted. Between a green cheek and a grey I would say a green cheek makes a better starter bird. However, there are many types of birds out there so keep looking around. You will definately find one that is right for you! |
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Wednesday September 6, 2006 11:58 pm |
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