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Tonya,Daisy&Frisbee
Just hatched
Joined: 11 Jun 2005
Posts: 37
Location: Washington |
| Thinking About Rescuing A Gray |
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Hello. I have 2 G2's male/female. The male I just rescued about 3 months ago. Am thinking about rescueing a Gray, someone I know rescues birds and she said for some reason, this time of year, she usually ends up with quite a few Grays. We are just waiting for the perfect one...YEAH RIGHT! hehehe
My question is, and I know I can google and I know of some informative websites, but I'm just going to ask you opinions on the pros and cons of owning a Gray. I know they aren't all the same!! Another question that came to mind while typing this, I don't think I've ever been around a Gray that I have heard scream...like my 2 G2's. My male is as loud as a macaw, I swear. But...just something that has stuck out in my mind?!
Thanks so much!
Tonya, Daisy and Frisbee  |
Monday June 13, 2005 7:29 pm |
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shirin
Moderator
Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 7405
Location: Canada, Toronto |
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Hi Tonya 
I will tell you from my personal experiences and from all the reasearch I've done (I did a research paper for my english class on African Greys, obsessed or what?  ) how Greys differ from other birds. Most Greys are extremely shy and sensitive birds. Don't expect your Grey to love you and trust you right away, especially a rescued one who may be coming from not so pleasant a past and might have a harder time trusting people. I got my Grey as a baby, and when we brought him home he was extremely cautious and nervous. He even started chewing and snipping his tail feathers, and he actually got down to just one feather. (They've all grown back in now) It took him about 2-3 weeks before he actually got used to his new environment and us. I was told to basically leave him be and not force interaction and that he would come around on his own. And that's what I did. For the first 3 weeks he refused to come off his cage and was very quiet and shy. He wouldn't allow us to handle him at all. Although he did step on my hand to be let out of the cage, I've heard stories that some Greys won't even do that. He would even growl like a dog if my boyfriend got close to his cage. But all the while he was watching us and evaluating his new flock. One day I was sitting on the floor doing homework, and he came down on his own and started playing with my highlighters. And slowly we started developing a bond.
Although this is not necissarily true for all Greys, from stories I've heard, and my own personal experience, Greys do tend to be one person type of birds. Usually they'll develope a strong bond with one person and will despise everyone else in the household (again this isn't the case for all!). My Grey won't let anyone else but me to scratch his head or pick him up. Also if they start viewing the person to whom they have bonded as a mate, they could become very territorial and attack or bite other people or pets that have their "mates" attention.
I mentioned that Greys are really sensitive, by this I mean that they don't like change. Even a new toy in the cage can stress some Grey out, and toys have to be introduced slowly. (although I haven't found this to be the case with mine ) They are also very sensitive and in tune to their environment and their 'flockmates' (although I'm sure this is true for many birds). For example Fighting or yelling in the house could seriously stress out these guys. One of my friends was going through a divorce; at the same time one of her other birds had been diagnosed with cancer so she was really stressed out. Her Grey picked up on this and started plucking for the first time after 14 years!
Another thing that you should know is that unlike cockatoos, Grey aren't really cuddly birds and don't really like to be held or handled. Don't get me wrong, they are very sweet and affectionate birds once they have bonded to you. My grey loves head scratched and kisses and even cuddles just before he goes to bed, but doesn't want to be held or picked up a lot.
As far as their vocalization, they're known for being good apartment birds because they're so quiet generally. By quiet I mean, they don't have a loud scream like cockatoos, but they are very talkative. Right now my grey is sitting behind me talking up a storm. But all the vocalizations are very pleasant: clicking, whisling, and saying their favorite words in the sweetest voice! They never fail to entertain!
You should also know that some greys may experience stress when kept in close proximity to larger, noisier birds such as cockatoos. Although, I'm not one to comment on that since I have a U2 on the way  Maybe you can put your Grey's cage in a different room than the Toos?
Sorry, made this kinda long.. but over all, in my opinion, if you know what to expect, and have done all your research, there really is no "con" against keeping a grey, and in fact having my Grey has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life |
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Monday June 13, 2005 9:01 pm |
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shirin
Moderator
Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 7405
Location: Canada, Toronto |
I forgot to add, Good luck with your decision |
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Monday June 13, 2005 9:03 pm |
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Tonya,Daisy&Frisbee
Just hatched
Joined: 11 Jun 2005
Posts: 37
Location: Washington |
| Thank you Shirin! |
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I just printed it all out so I can read it ! |
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Monday June 13, 2005 9:09 pm |
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Tonya,Daisy&Frisbee
Just hatched
Joined: 11 Jun 2005
Posts: 37
Location: Washington |
It would help if I could actually spell the bird...gray...duh!
I'll post more later. |
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Monday June 13, 2005 9:33 pm |
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Tonya,Daisy&Frisbee
Just hatched
Joined: 11 Jun 2005
Posts: 37
Location: Washington |
| Shirin |
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Hey, thanks for that information. That's exactly what I have heard about Greys. I would love another cockatoo, but with a self mutilator...high maintenance, I just don't think it's something I should do. Although, Frisbee is 20, maybe it's the age...but he is way low maintenance than her. He is like an angel sent from above! I WANT an umbrella. APparently there is one Grey that this lady is familiar with and will need a home soon, Henry.
But honestly, maybe it's only because I've been around one Grey (spent time) named Oscar the Grouch (rightfully so) who bit me SO hard! But, I think a cockatoo to a grey...huge difference. I'm used to the lovey dovey thing. You know? I'm cool with a bird that is more content on his/her own. It's just something about greys that make me nervous. I think it's the eyes. I guess, just out of all birds, for some reason, they are the ones that intimidate me the most. And I've been around a lot of birds. Very involved in the bird community over here.
So, who knows. I thank you for your information and might post or PM you again soon!! |
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Tuesday June 14, 2005 3:15 am |
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Sue
Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 10102
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| Re: Thinking About Rescuing A Gray |
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quote:
Originally posted by Tonya,Daisy&Frisbee
I don't think I've ever been around a Gray that I have heard scream...
Hi Tonya.. Great that you're thinking of adopting a grey!
I don't live with a grey myself, but my friend has two. When we clipped the 'wild' one, he'd growl.
It's an awesome noise, goes right through the bone..
It sounds like they're choking.. It's hard to realize that it's just the sound they're making when they're screaming!
Else than that, I haven't heard those greys screaming. Just whistling. (Can be quite loud) |
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Tuesday June 14, 2005 9:52 am |
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shirin
Moderator
Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 7405
Location: Canada, Toronto |
You're very welcome Tonya. You're right, Greys and cockatoos are a world apart, but both are special in their own ways I guess. Feel free to pm me anytime, I might have some questions for you too very soom about my new cockatoo (he's not home yet)
Shirin
Last edited by shirin on Tuesday June 14, 2005 2:33 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Tuesday June 14, 2005 11:19 am |
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Cheeta
Moderator
Joined: 06 Apr 2005
Posts: 7972
Location: Australia |
| Re: Thinking About Rescuing A Gray |
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quote:
Originally posted by Tonya,Daisy&Frisbee
We are just waiting for the perfect one...YEAH RIGHT! hehehe
Hey Tonya,
So the plan for getting a third bird is coming along just nicely then. Good to hear. LOL
And oh, there's always a PERFECT ONE out there for you. It might not be THE perfect bird, but it is the perfect one for you!!! I sure hope you find that one very soon. Good luck.
Cheers
Bih |
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Tuesday June 14, 2005 2:22 pm |
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Tonya,Daisy&Frisbee
Just hatched
Joined: 11 Jun 2005
Posts: 37
Location: Washington |
Hi Cheeta!
You know...just want to be prepared!
If you get this...I wanted to ask you a quick question about the cockatoos...but I will post under general. |
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Tuesday June 14, 2005 7:50 pm |
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Cheeta
Moderator
Joined: 06 Apr 2005
Posts: 7972
Location: Australia |
Hi Tonya,
Yes it's always good to be prepared, coz you never know when it'll happen!!! Could be tomorrow!!! 
I've read the other thread and I have posted a response.
cheers
Bih |
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Wednesday June 15, 2005 5:31 am |
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dim1g
Flutterer
Joined: 15 Mar 2005
Posts: 126
Location: Chicago |
| grey story |
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my sake is a "rescued" grey - at his previous place he was taken care of but left in cage at all times. and since i adopted him, while i've had frustrating times that have even brought out the tears, i can also say that adopting him was one of the smartest things i've ever done. the long post by (forgotten who) about what greys are like was really on the nose... geez these are sensitive, wonderful birds. i could go on and on, but i'll tell just one recent story (if i can make it through it):
i was in a car accident on may 22nd and it killed my beloved dog Husky (i think i posted about this already, maybe not, been on so many pain pills it is hard to keep track of whom i've told...). it was on vacation in northern wisconsin, where i was staying with famiy, and i had brought my dog and my bird. after the accident i spent a week in the hospital (boyfriend came and stayed with me, wonderful wonderful man that he is) and then i was released. we swung by my family's home to pick up Sake, and then headed home (and have since been stuck flat on back in bed for the last however many weeks - uggh...). i was pretty badly hurt. what hurt worst of all was losing my dog. when we picked up my stuff and Sake from my family's home, my father went to get him, and came back to the living room to say the bird would not come on his arm (usually loves my father). i went to get Sake, and he came out on my arm and cuddled against me and stuck his head almost into my armpit. and he refused to move. he KNEW i was hurting, and i was crying about Husky and being hugged by my family and Sake never moved, he just held onto my arm tightly and kept his head in between my arm and body. how he kew i don't know, but he knew. and since then, whenever it overwhelms me and i am crying, i go to sake and he is there for me.
i can't say anything about other birds, but my adopted african grey is the most wonderful creature ever.
dim |
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Wednesday June 15, 2005 7:21 pm |
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shirin
Moderator
Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 7405
Location: Canada, Toronto |
Dim that's a beautiful story, it almost brought tears to my eyes.  |
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Wednesday June 15, 2005 7:29 pm |
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Tia
Fledgeling
Joined: 13 May 2005
Posts: 319
Location: Illinois |
I agree with what everyone has mentioned above about greys. They are a mystical bird and their eyes do express alot! I cannot imagine my life without my two guys! They are not perfect but they complete our family! Since both of the greys have bonded with me it does get pretty hairy when other folks are around, I just tell them they have to respect their boundaries...sometimes even I have to do that. Good luck in making your decision. |
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Wednesday June 15, 2005 7:47 pm |
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Tonya,Daisy&Frisbee
Just hatched
Joined: 11 Jun 2005
Posts: 37
Location: Washington |
That is a beautiful story Dim. Thank you for sharing. I'm sorry for your pain. I can't even imagine. I have 2 dogs, 2 cats and 2 goffins. I'm terribly sorry for your loss. Daisy has been there for me through some pretty rough emotional times for me, and if it wasn't for her, I don't know how I would have gone through it.
Thank you again for sharing.
Thank you everyone! I will keep all posted if/when the time comes. Hopefully sooner than later. |
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Wednesday June 15, 2005 7:54 pm |
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