Questions about greys

2manypets

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Jul 24, 2011
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Green cheek conure-Rio
So I have always loved african greys but decided to start smaller with a GCC. So one day I am determined to get one and have some questions about their behavior.

I was going to get one but was always worried about one biting me. Are they nippy birds? Do they bite alot (like hard bites)? Just thinking about a hard bite scares me lol. I would like to keep all my fingers!

Are they cuddly or do they prefer to be seen not touched?

Do they become I guess "mean" like people say cockatoos do? Like hating you when they are a couple years old?

Thanks!
 
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Spiritbird

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All birds will bite the hand that feeds it if you are doing something they do not like or are afriad.

I do not think the greys are cuddly birds. GCC sure are. I have one of each.

I have not experienced a bird hating their guardian, any bird. If it happens could be harmonal or again fear.
 
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pittiepride

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Apr 6, 2011
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I have been bitten pretty hard by my grey, most times preventable, but the odd time out of nowhere. I would not call her cuddly, nor any of the other 4 greys that I have known. We got her a few months ago, she's in her 30's. However, she has decided that my husband is her mate and he can do just about anything to her or with her, he literally sits on the couch with the bird on the armrest and strokes her head like a cat, and when he stops she starts to bang her head and crawling up his arm. So with him he is cuddly, but me, I can't even tickle her but can handle her fine. My dad's grey is the same, she is tolerant of most people but is only close with him. I think greys pick their people, I am not sure if it matters if they are old or babies, they just do.
My positives on greys and why I got one are
- independent but enjoy company
- don't need to be "on" you all the time
- vocabulary
- size (they don't need a huge cage)
- tend not to scream like toos
- quick learners
kara
 

Netty

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Jul 30, 2011
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GTA ontario
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none yet. have owned avians in the past
How big do they get?

Depends on what kind (CAG vv TAG) TAGs are generally smaller then CAGS

Some general averages:

Congo Grey:
Body Length: 12 to 14 inches
Body weight: 375-600+ grams

Timneh Grey:
Body Length 10 inches
Body weight 300-375 grams
 
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2manypets

2manypets

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Green cheek conure-Rio
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What size bar spacing would they need?

Do they scream or is it more like talking/chattering?
 

Netty

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Jul 30, 2011
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GTA ontario
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none yet. have owned avians in the past
From my experience of birdsitting them, my friends aunts grey got loud in the morning and at night... and anytime you opened the DVD case door(it was one of those big cabinet ones) they would "growl" really loud in fear.
And yes they can be a noisey bird.... but a too is worse.
3/4 inch -1 inch bar spacing should be fine for them.
 

Abzeez

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Apr 26, 2011
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WI
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Bean the Blue Front Amazon, Chico the Ringneck, and Ida the African grey
When I worked at a pet store there were 4 GCC there. They would stalk me, and stare at me with evil eyes and then plan their attacks on me. I have disliked them ever since and taken my worst bites from them.... and I own an amazon. People tell me all the time that amazons have the worst bite. Just saying. :)
 
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2manypets

2manypets

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Green cheek conure-Rio
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:p They stalked you lol. I think Rio plans his attacks too.

Rio is very nippy. He will definatly let you know when he is done being touched. If he is on your hand and he has had enough he will go at any hand by him and bite or latch on until you put him down.

That makes me feel better about the bitting thing though! I am sure I would eventually get over a bite.
 

HRH Di

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Jan 9, 2010
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Max - Alexandrine, Jade - Red-Front Macaw, Ruby - CAG
My Ruby is more nippy than Jade, but not so much as Max. She isn't as cuddly as Jade but wants to be with me and wants to be touched, however, it must be...discreetly.

I don't think she's "mean" but she is more of a one person bird than I'd like her to be. I think this is why someone might think they're mean. She and my husband are working on becoming friends, but they're both still pretty suspicious of each other.

Ruby is the quietest of our 3 birdies.

I just love her to bits and can't imagin not having her with us.
 
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2manypets

2manypets

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Green cheek conure-Rio
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Would this be a good cage for one?

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Large-Parrot-Finch-Macaw-Birdcages/dp/B002YYXSLS/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_3"]Amazon.com: New Large Play Top Bird Cage Parrot Finch Macaw Birdcages Heavy Duty: Kitchen & Dining[/ame]
 

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