Conference 7.286::pet_birds

    Hi Rich.
    
    I have heard that both Greys and Napes are one-person birds.
    I have also heard that Greys are more high-strung birds and can
    be more tempermental.
    
    I have had experience with 2 Greys and one Nape.
    I have a Grey who is a one person bird.  He likes me and could care
    less about anyone else.
    This bird even made a judgement about my husband on their first
    meeting.  Jonathan is very high-strung and nervous.
    Of course he was a Quarantine bird and even though he was supposedly
    hand-fed,
    he does not really like to be handled much.
    
    My sister-in-law has both a Nape and a Grey.
    Both of her birds were hand-fed babies and the Grey was a domestic
    bred bird.  Her Grey is a one person bird also
    but seems to be very high-strung as well.  The bird gets so nervous
    if there are a log of people around that he will even bite
    her rather hard.  The Nape is also one person but, if you are a
    woman, will consent to sit on your sholder and talk to you.  You'd
    better not try to touch her though.
    
    
    These are just my experiences and I'm sure there are others who
    could give you more info.
    
    Happy bird hunting...
    
    Laurie
    
    
    P.S.
    
    Just a suggestion.  If you're looking for a bird which might not
    be one person bird and has some speaking ability, my sister-in-law
    recommends a male Eclectus.
    

    
    
    A friend of mine has both a Blue and Gold, a nape and a Grey.  The grey
    is very skittish, however, the nape is a real sweetheart, and will go
    to ANYONE, does not bite.  This just might be the exception when it
    comes to napes.
    
    Think about a Blue and Gold, they don't talk much, but they certainly
    make a marvelous family bird.....
    
    When we bought our bird, Al Decoteau said that he thought that B&Gs
    made the best family birds, you can take that for what it is worth.
    
    I am sure that there are other good many person birds, but I don't
    think that either a grey or a nape are the ones...
    
    -dick

    I have thought of lots of other birds and am still open to more
    suggestions.  I've thought about B&G Macaws but have decided not to get
    one for my FIRST bird.  It seems there isn't "one specific type" that
    meets all of my needs so in the future I'd like to have many birds. 
    For now, I can get only one.  The characteristics I'm looking for in a
    bird are in this order (but close):
    		1.  Playful/lovable/likes people
    		2.  Great-good talking ability
    		3.  Beauty/"grab you by the throat" looks
    
    The B&G is definately 1 and 3 but not really 2.  The same goes for
    Cockatoos.  On the other hand, a nape is definately 2 and most of 1 but
    not really 3 (compared to macaws and cockatoos in my opinion) and a
    grey seems to be 2, most of 1, and almost 3.  Did I lose anyone yet?
    I have left price off the list to keep a purely objective view and if
    it came down to a close call, then it will be introduced (ie forget a
    hyacinth!)
    	In my mind, the grey is 2 up on the nape, better looks and it
    apparently speaks "clearer" and imitates more perfectly than a nape. 
    On the other hand, I was led to believe that a grey is a one person
    bird with a bad temper and a nape was lovable by all.  I've recently
    been informed that a nape is MORE of a one person bird than the grey. 
    If this is so, I'd be leaning towards a grey.  I realize these are just
    generalizations and all birds have unique characteistics but...I'd like
    to find one that has a good track record.
    
    			Keep the info coming,
    					Rich
    

    Rich,
    
    From talking with my sister-in-law, as I said in the P.S. to the
    previous reply, you might want to look at an Eclectus.  Look at
    the male not the female.  I have seen hers and he is very friendly
    with all types of people, women, men and children.  He just loves
    attention.  She has told me that other people have told her that
    they love the Eclectus they have.  She says they have said that
    he has been a wonderful pet.
    
    As far as your requirements,
    I'd say the Eclectus, at least the one I've seen, has 1 and 3.
    I'm not real sure about 2.  My sister says that hers talks but I
    haven't heard it when I've
    been to see her.
    
    Just something to consider.
    
    Perhaps others who have Eclectus could give you more help.
    
    Laurie
    

    Rich,
    
    I have a yellow nape and he is a wonderful member of the family.
    He is basically a one person bird and picked my husband immediately.
    Although It was my decision to get a nape after much research and
    shopping around I am still convinced it was the right decision.
    I get along ok with him when my husband isn't around and he learns
    all or most of his vocabulary (which is quite extensive) from me.
    We both enjoy him a great deal and he keeps us in stitches.  His
    comical behavior and his knack for saying the right thing at the
    right time makes him the perfect companion.  I swear that he 
    understands just what is going on and you can see the wheels turning
    in his little brain constantly.  He has a wonderful joyful personality
    (although he plays quite rough with me,,,but I wouldn't trade him).
    I currently have 19 birds (Including a Moluccan Cockatoo which is
    a beautiful, clever and very affectionate bird (Wild Caught)) and
    if I had to give all but one bird up - Yep you guessed it.  I'd
    keep the yellow nape.  He sings songs and talks up a storm.  His
    clearity is great - equal to an african grey and as for looks,
    I much prefer the vivid green to the grey... but again, that is
    an matter of opinion.
    
    Best of luck on whatever you choose.
    
    Denise

    You might want to consider Indian Ringneck Parrakeets, I think that
    they are 1, 2 and 3.....
    
    I don't know where you are from, but in MA/NH, windsong does handfed
    Ringnecks, and that certainly would be worth looking at....
    
    But of course nothing quite beats a B&G..... :-)
    
    -dick

    One of the things I've observed about Greys is that the younger they
    are when you get them the better.  My aunt got her grey Smokey as a
    baby, and he has a great vocabulary and goes to everyone he's familiar
    with (i.e. about 7 people), and is a little leary of the rest of us.
    
    Our grey, Birdie, was about 5 when my roomate got him.  He plucks, and
    plucks!!!, and only goes to me and my roomate.  He loves our dog and
    cats too.  He love to be cuddled. He runs away from everyone else though, 
    but never bites.
    
    At Misty Haven Bird farm in E. Douglas, MA they have a whole bunch of
    baby greys who are in the process of being weaned.  They are the most
    lovable, cuddley birds who snuggle right up when you hold them and are
    absolutely fearless. 
     
    
    So, if you want a grey, I recommend you get a very young bird, and
    spend a lot of time with it.  The more people around the better if you don't
    want it to be a one or two person bird.   
    
    

    HowDy,
    
    I own a Grey, Cockatoo and Eclectus (these are my hand feds).  I also
    have a Timneh and a Orange Wing (wild caughts).  When anyone brings
    up Grey's, I just gotta get my 2 cents in.  1st and formost, get a
    handfed.  There is no comparing a wild caught Grey to a hand fed.  My
    Grey is about 1.5 years old now.  He really is my number one guy. 
    He loves pets and likes to come to bed with me at night.  He likes
    to get tucked under my arm and hang out.  We don't let him sleep with
    us, but its his relaxing time.  He is so cool.  He talks like you
    wouldn't believe.  He now probably has a vocabular of 200+ words and
    sounds.  I just find that there is lots of personality and affection
    raped up in this little grey and red bird.  As far as being a one
    person bird, this is true.  As far as the high strung stuff well we have
    taken him to several bird exhibits and shows and he does just fine. He
    watchs people when they walk by and talks when I come around but I
    don't see any "im freaking out at this" signs.  At the exhibits we
    leave him out on an open perch.  He does great and loves it when
    people stop and stare at him.
    
    My Cockatoo is not near the talker but really loves her pets and
    attention but... when she doesn't get it well.. someone all ready
    brought up screaming in another topic.  
    
    My Eclectus is a very sweet guy.  He is not near the talker that
    my grey is either however.  I have heard some folks say that the 
    Eclectus will take the place of the grey in the future because of 
    their talking and because of their looks.  I don't agree.  These 
    birds just don't seem to have the talking ability (though it is 
    good) that the Grey's do.  They are gorgeous birds and the hand-feds
    are very sweet.  I don't feel I have the one on one though like
    I have with my grey.
    
    Don't get me wrong, I love all my birds but I really think my Grey is
    my favorite.  I have to say though some may disagree, that the grey is
    probably one of the most intellegent of the parrot family.
    
    The attachment thing is a problem, but I believe a handfed will
    adjust.  We had someone watch my birds for 1 week and she said
    every day my grey became more and more trusting and by Friday
    was talking up a storm and wouldn't go back in his cage like
    he does with me.  
    
    Sorry to ramble, but you cant go wrong with a young hand-fed
    grey, just be prepared to spend the time giving him the
    attention he wants and deserves.  It is very rewarding.

    1.	Yes, I agree that Greys are predominantly one-person birds. Our
    	male *hates* me (not fear, note, just intense dislike), dislikes 
    	all other males, loves my wife, tolerates all other females, and
    	shows interest in children. Our female Grey dotes on me however,
    	but chases my wife around the room trying to bite her toes. She
    	(the Grey) dislikes any other company.
    
    2.	I have heard/read that Greys are reputedly the most intelligent
    	bird species. I havn't had much experience with many other species,
    	but I occasionally observe one or other of our Greys thinking & 
    	working out a solution to a problem. A friend of mine has a Grey
    	who, when given a chip (Fr fry) which is too hot, dips it in 
    	her water dish. How did the bird work that out ?
    	They are said to have the ability of association, and in fact this
    	has been demonstrated by others, et al.
    
    3.	Greys are less noisy than other parrots. This is definitely true.
    
    4.	They are definitely more highly-strung.
    
    Hope this is some help,
    Jim Burke

    
    	I would reccomend the gray above all. I have had mine for almost 11
    months now. Although he is basically a one-person bird, he has taken 
    quite well to most of my friends. His vocabulary isn't high yet, maybe
    around 50 words, but he keeps adding to it. I also have 5 wild grays
    that I have set up for breeding and also suggest, from experience, that
    you try to pick up a hand-fed tamed baby.
    
    							Good Luck!
    							  Mark

    Agree with all the other replies that if you shop carefully and
    go for a handfed, the grey may fill your requirements the best.
    Actually the same could probably be said of the nape, but I read
    in this conference somewhere that napes tend to get more independent
    as they get older.  
    
    Laura

    I am planning on buying a bigger bird within a year or so and want
    pretty much the same thing. I am leaning towards a Amazon 1st and
    a Grey second. My plan is to purchase a used bird that is tame and
    talking, there are lot of them for sale in the "WANT AD"
   .                                                          
        
    I am interested in Dick K. comment about Ringneck PArakeets, I have
    heard they can talk, but do they get the extensive volcabularies
    that Amazons and Greys can ?  
        
    Doug

    	Thanks for the replies, keep em comin'.  I think I should have
    named this note "Grey vs. Nape" because that's the info I'm really
    trying to sort out.  I've been told that napes become more independent
    as they get older and bond to one person only.  Is this more true for
    the nape than the grey? and are napes generally more moody than a grey
    as they get older?   I've heard that greys are both high strung and
    layed back (see where I get confused?)
    	I realize that raising the bird from a baby will determin most of
    its characteristics but some birds have natural tendencies and I'd like
    to find the one with the best track record.  A few notes back on
    squawking has most of it's entries about napes.  Is this due to the
    fact that they could have been wild caught (babies or adults) or just
    brought up wrong?
    	I do plan to get a domestic bred baby bird.  They will be the
    easiest to train and have the best temperment possible (from what I've
    gathered)
    
    I guess the next few questions in my mind are:
    
    	1. which has more tendancy to be attached to only oneperson? (N/G)
    	2. Wich has more tendancy to become moody/high strung?  (N/G)
    	3. Which has more tendancy to squawk/be a real screamer? (N/G)
    	4. Which has more tendancy to be more playful?  (N/G)
    	5. (-.1) Yeah, what about those Ringnecks?
    
    At this point I am convinced the talking ability of both would satisfy
    me, I see the nape having a larger vocabulary and the grey imitating
    more perfectly.
    
    			Rich
     

    One other drawback to Amazons that I have heard is that once they
    reach sexual maturity (3-5 years ?) they are not very pleasant for
    at least a month each spring. Do Greys exhibit this just as much
    ?
                            
    Also I have seen Blue Fronts that talked well and were affectionate,
    and heard of Double Yellow Heads being very close in intelligence
    and temperment to Napes.     

    Doug

After alot of heartache and research I have received just about the
    same info as the previous notes.  Amazons tend to become aggressive
    once they hit sexual maturity and for some reason greys do not.
    Definately go with a hand fed baby. And if you want something really
    beautiful consider a Ringneck.  The normals are really pretty but
    a blue or a lutino is breathtaking.  If you want something "different"
    a hand fed baby Rock Peblar is the sweetest thing around. And they
    CAN talk!!
    
    MaryAnne

    I just saw a grey that made some "Incredibly loud growling sounds" and
    was almost unbarable.  Does this happen often???  He seemed really
    upset and wouldn't stop until a minute after I moved away from him.  Do
    they just do this to strangers?
    
    			Rich (with the pierced eardrum)

    
    	What you probably heard was the incredibly quiet first warning
    	for a truely loud preformance which will begin precisely when
    	it will be most frustrating and embarassing.   If you can't
    	see the humor in that or stand the noise, you'll be disapointed
    	with an Amazon or a Grey, IMHO.
    
    	Good luck with your choice, sounds like you're doing a lot of
    	good research.  I didn't, but I'm really happy with Murdock (nape).
    	
    
    							Roger

    
    Yep, Greys can growl and growl....But..  I have had mine for going
    on 7 years now.  When I first got him (not a domestic) he growled
    so much and it was soo irrating..But this was because  he was scared
    and/or threatened...... he got over it.  Now he almost never growls
    and when he does it is low in volume and only for a short time
    (and only when there are to many new people around his cage/home).
    
    He talks up a storm (but only when he feels like it).  He laughs
    (seemingly on queue) and tells my other birds to be quiet.  Never
    owning a Nape I am probably biased but I think that Greys are the
    best talkers (real GOOD clarity sp?), and very smart.  He has toys 
    hanging from the top of his cage that he unhooks and drops to the
    floor for me to hang back up again..Then he just unhooks it again.
    I think he is trying to train me.  But he does not love attention,
    he would rather be left alone.  He is very handable, but you can 
    tell that he would be happier just left alone on the top of his cage.

    This bird you saw MUST have been a wild caught.  I've never seen 
    a hand fed growl except 1 that we know to have been abused.

    I wouldn't consider my Grey to be high strung.  Actually he takes
    rather well to new things and noises (for a parrot, that is).  What
    he is, though, is moody.  When he wants affection, there isn't a
    more affectionate pet.  But if he wants to be left alone, then forget
    it.  Quite similar to some cats.  By affection, I mean physical
    handling and petting.  He always seems to enjoy a good "conversation",
    and likes it best if I will come over to his cage, put my face at
    his level and talk, whistle, and imitate his sound effects.  He
    is definitely a one person bird, but over time (about 9 months)
    he finally learned to accept me into the flock (he picked my husband
    as "his" person).  He never bites me anymore, and seems to have
    figured out that when he wants affection, that if dad won't give
    it, mom always will.
    
    He's very comical with his talking and sound effects.  His vocabulary
    is small, but we haven't tried very hard, either.  What he does
    say he can do in different voices or inflections.  He loves to make
    sound effects best, and he'll improvise different combinations of
    them.  When he really gets going, he's hilarious.
    
    When we first found him, he'd growl rather loudly when strangers
    entered the room and especially when they went close to the cage.
    I don't know for sure, but I believe him to be wild caught originally.
    But now he almost never growls unless the stranger puts their face
    right up against the cage, or tries to put their hands in, and even
    then it's just a soft rumble.
    
    He does have an annoying habit of using a high pitched, piercing
    whistle when he's pissed, usually because "Daddy" left the room.
    We've had modest success quieting this.
    
    Remember, this is probably not a hand raised, so he probaby learned
    a lot of behaviour, especially the screaming, from the wild.

    Hi Rich,
    
    I love my Grey.  She was a hand fed and I have had other birds that
    were not and should I buy another it will have to be hand fed.  There
    is just no comparing.
    
    My Grey talks up a storm as well as imitates everything from the phone
    ringing to my dog wining.  She loves to be held turned over with her
    tummy up and be scratched under her wings and on her chest.  
    
    She is a great pet.  
    
    Mark
    
    
    

    Mark,
    	Does she let anyone else besides you turn her over to rub her,
    etc.?  Does she like to be handled by strangers?  Is she always that
    friendly or does she have her moments (frequently?)?
    
    				Rich
    

    Hi Rich,
    
    I have never let anyone else try to turn her over.  As far as strangers
    handling her.  She will sit on their hand and she might let them give
    her head a scratch but thats about it.  
    
    I would say 90 % of the time she is pretty friendly.  
    
    Mark
    

    Hi Rich,
    
    I  would like to give you my opinion.   I have 8 birds in all and
    my favorate is my gray.  He was an import and I got him 1 year ago.
    Yes he growled at first, but now almost never growls, unless you
    have a hat on and you go near his cage.
    
    He will go to others if I hand him to  them.
    
    He will give them a kiss if I ask him to. 
    
    He really seems to like kids.  He will talk when little ones are
    around.  At this time he has only said hello when someone other
    than family has been around.
    
    I have an oranged winged that was given to me.  I do think  she
    was mistreated, but is coming around.  I do not think I can really
    comment because she was mistreated.  I am still trying, and she
    is taking her time at coming around.
    
    I also have a congo that I bought from FLorida.  I do not have the
    relationship with him that I do with the Tinmah.  I  have had the
    Congo since March.   He is coming around, last night I got him to
    shake my hand without taking a chunk. (he really doesn't bite as
    hard as he could).
    
    Back to my little Tinmah.  He is really my bird, but will talk to
    anyone that lives in the house.    I have spent the most time with
    him in regards to his training.  He does not really like to be held
    or petted, but will tolorate it.   He does like his head and neck
    scratched and will put his head down to be "tickle, tickled".  I
    really feel he will in the future become a show off and talk for
    most people.  I am thinking of showing him locally when I get the
    chance to see how he reacts.    
    
    I really think my husband reeps my hard work.  It seems
    that SAM (that's the birds name) likes to reward my husband when
    he comes home with all my hard work.
    
    He is now starting to just pick up things in the house.  Not just
    words that we teach him.  
    Of course he talks when ever I am in the house.  My favorate thing
    he does is, when I walk into the kitchen (that is where he is) and
    I (forgive me) forget to say hello, in a very large and deep voice
    he says   HELLLLLOOOOOO.  Like how could you not say hello when
    you see me.  He also  makes the noise like a kiss when he wants
    a kiss.  I am trying now to get him to say.  I want a kiss mom.
    He says a lot of words I don't understand yet, but I know he is
    trying to  say things that he has heard.
    
    Enough from me.  All in all I really enjoy my little SAM and would
    not give him up for anything.  
    
    I think the best thing to  do is to observe the bird.  Go back to
    the place several time if you  have to and pick the kind of
    bird/personality you want.  
    
    I agree, I think you should try to get a hand fed gray, they seem
    to like to be handled more than the imports.  You are certainly
    taking the right road, by reading, checking, and thinking about
    your decission.   It should  be a life long decission. 
    
    Good luck with your decission.  I sure am happy with mine.
    
    

    ...interesting....
    
    One of our 2 Greys, Basil the male, also hates it if someone is wearing
    a hat, or anything on the head. Don't know why, he just hates hats !
    Even if the wife (whom he likes) is wearing a towel for hair-drying.
     
    Jim

      What can you tell me about Timneh Gray Parrots?
    
    I haven't read to much about them and am interested in knowing about
    them.  At some point in time I would like to own a bird larger than my
    little finch, Max.  
    
    Right now I am just looking around and learning about each species so I
    can decide on what I want to own later on.
    
    
    Thanks for everyones reply.
    
    Susan Sipila
    
    

    
    Get a handfed baby - the wild caught birds (I owned a wildcaught for
    years) are very dificult to tame and very highstrung.
    
    Expose your new baby to lots of change in its environmentwhile it is
    young - otherwise later in life putting a new toy in the cage will
    terrify them!
    
    The timneh grey is VERY intelligent.  It is also a wonderful bird for a
    working person, as it will entertain itself in its cage during the day
    (provided you give it toys, a radio or tv, a view out of a window, an
    aquarium, orsome other source of stimulus) without suffering.
    
    They are not really noisy or given to screaming, preferring to talk,
    whistle, and imitate noises.  They are not really cuddly like a
    cockatoo, but will typically permit some handling, and will probably
    enjoy sitting next to you or on your lap or shoulder while you read or
    watch tv.  They are very cerebral and interactive, they'll enjoy
    verbalizing with you, and maybe teaching you to play "fetch" with their
    favorite toys.
    
    On the down side, they get respiratory infections a little more easily
    than other birds, and if stressed are prone to feather plucking
    (although less so in my experience than congo greys).
    
    Of all the birds I've had (from finches, doves and chickens, through
    cockatoos) I think the timneh grey is my favorite.  If you are prepared
    for a challenging, bright, witty companion that will repeat your every
    grunt, groan and expletive for the next 50 years :-) the grey is for
    you.
    
    
    						/Rita
    
    

    Other than their size and color of their beak and tail, they are 
    Very close to the Congo Grey. I agree with the previous noter about 
    getting a hand raised baby. But it seems easier to find Congos that
    are hand fed than the Timehs. Price should be around 600 vs 1000 for
    a Congo. As for being cuddily.. It does depend on the bird. My Congo
    is the most cuddily bird I have ever had. He lies in my hand Upside
    down saying "Belly Rub....Gouchie  Gouchie Coo". And he snuggles up
    to my face and rubs his beak on my cheek. Of course He bites my
    husband. They do seem to be very one person'd. Intelligence should
    be the same with either tghe Timeh or Congo. They are shy around
    strangers... and the noter was correct in telling you to change
    things around on a regular basis. My Winston puts up with a lot
    of change!
    
    		Good luck and keep us posted...
    
    				Dora