Break it down for me...

Hi all!

You may or may not recognise me from the macaw forum as I am soon to be the proud owner of a Hahns macaw (Novemberish) and then a Blue and Gold or Greenwing Macaw (Aprilish)

What I want to know - and I want to know it from the people who live with CAG/TAGs day in-day out, is what is it like living with one and could I ever consider adding one to my flock?

Here is my situation: I lecture at university - work is pretty cruisy, and they don't seem to mind/care what you do in/with your offices, so long as it doesn't affect anyone else. My example is in my office, I have 7 fish tanks - including my giant 6 x 2 x 2 foot tank. so there should be no issue with me bringing my bird to work with me. (We'll be moving my 3ft tank out and setting up a playstand there) I do work at nights occasionally, so will need to come out here, and I'd like to bring my birds with me. We're not sure if both can come, or if only one can visit at a time. (Depends if they become attached to each other) My main issue though is because of my work, I go away on conferences at least twice a year, and I can be gone for about two weeks, worst case scenario would be if I had two conferences back to back which would be a month.

I'm running on the assumption that my macaws, being the lovable, playful goofballs they are, will be fine. (There is Parrot Rescue Centre for bird boarding, or my friend also has a macaw so they can be looked after while I'm away - OR if they take to my partner, he will be able to look after them )

What I'm concerned about is that if I did consider getting an African Grey, would it cope with me being away? And if not, what can I do to alleviate stress? I'm well aware of how crazy smart they are, and that there have been some examples where they can be taught the concept of time (e.g. a Calendar marking down days until I get home), but I'm paranoid about all the plucking stories I've heard. I would like to teach it the concept of time, "I'll be home in 5 days" so that way it can understand that I'm only gone temporarily, and also teach it to (please don't laugh... ) chat/view me on Skype XD (OK, you can laugh). I'll be calling my partner each day anyway to let him know how I'm going, and I'm wondering/hoping that the 'visual' contact may make it feel more at ease - however there's the flip-side/chance that it may stress the bird out more.

So, my question to you: if you have a grey, what do you do when you go away? Does it pluck/stress? What can be done to alleviate that?

Would you recommend a grey with my life style? (Be honest, please)

And if you do recommend one, what can I do, training/reinforcement wise to make it comfortable with me leaving for periods of time?

Thanks all!

I should also add:

This is a year or two years away consideration. After my macaws, I'm not planning on getting another bird at least for 9 months so I can train them!

Does anyone here have a Grey with a Macaw? How do they get along (if they do?) ? And is the excess dander/dust from the grey an issue with your macaw? (I have air filters, but I'm not sure what is considered good enough if they were to share a room)

hmm... It's a tricky question. Much of it is parrot dependant.

I'd look at an older bird or maybe a pair that doesn't need as much time.

The thing with greys is that they're very reliant on routine. They know when something is out of place and it can lead to plucking and nerotic behaviours. I'd look for a second hand grey that is used to being independant.

I contacted the Parrot Rescue Centre and Greys don't come up for adoption very often (if at all)

Where in QLD do you live?
Greys are so expensive here LOL Otherwise I would probably have one already

I live in Caboolture... I am interested in parrot sitting larger parrot species, especially greys... so if you ever get one, keep me in mind
The reason being that I want a larger bird (or more than one larger bird) eventually... and I think birdy sitting occasionally might be a good way to weigh up my options. I want to make sure my money and love wont be misplaced
I'm not inexperienced... Ive owned many species and handreared even more... but I have no experience with the real big time parrots (macaws, greys, large cockatoos)

Also you must have the best job in the world xD I would love to bring my birds to work with me.

Thingamagigs said:

Where in QLD do you live?
Greys are so expensive here LOL Otherwise I would probably have one already

I live in Caboolture... I am interested in parrot sitting larger parrot species, especially greys... so if you ever get one, keep me in mind
The reason being that I want a larger bird (or more than one larger bird) eventually... and I think birdy sitting occasionally might be a good way to weigh up my options. I want to make sure my money and love wont be misplaced
I'm not inexperienced... Ive owned many species and handreared even more... but I have no experience with the real big time parrots (macaws, greys, large cockatoos)

Also you must have the best job in the world xD I would love to bring my birds to work with me.

Click to expand...

I live up in North Queensland, so a bit far for bird sitting me thinks. And there are already volunteers who are keen to bird sit for me XD I don't blame them, lol. It's not often you get to hang out with a big bird day in, day out. That, and most of the time my partner will be looking after my guys when I'm away. I'm hoping with him there they won't pine for me (unless they bond with him, in which case I would be rather sad ) lol

I think when I looked at their prices, they were going for about $5000? That was from an extremely reputable breeder though - this guy you pay a little more, but you get a more socialised bird, plus with the greys, he has an adult bird that 'teaches' the younger ones to start talking/singing, so he can have an idea of if they'll be talkers by the time they are weaned. (Not that talking is a big standing point, but it would be nice regardless)

I will have to ask you for his number when the time comes! Compared to other species greys have dropped in price VERY quickly... when I started looking at getting one a few years ago they were $16,000 each. LOL Then a couple years later they were $11,000... then a couple years ago they were $8,000... now they seem to vary between $4,000 and $7,000. Macaws have stayed pretty steady in comparison... perhaps greys are much better breeders.

I am starting to think a grey would be a very good investment for me, but I need to spend some time with them to be able to judge that. Shame you are in north qld I would have begged you to let me come over for birdy cuddles

where i got fargo from, they bred african greys as well, they were selling them for $4000 i think
i think slowly the prices are coming down for all species

and i wish i had volunteers everyone thinks fargo is a dinosaur and he will eat them !

and it doesnt seem like anyone has an african grey and macaw?

Ouch! You can find one on Craig's list in Canada for $1000! $1500 for a hand raised baby.

tab_xo said:

where i got fargo from, they bred african greys as well, they were selling them for $4000 i think
i think slowly the prices are coming down for all species

and i wish i had volunteers everyone thinks fargo is a dinosaur and he will eat them !

and it doesnt seem like anyone has an african grey and macaw?

Click to expand...

I know for a fact they cannot coexist in the same cage [not that I would ever put them in the same cage together], and some suggest even the same room. This is due to the dander/dust issue that can cause respiratory issues in the macaws.

I'm interested that if you did have a good HEPA air filter, if they can be kept in the same room. (I bought two of the Russel Hobbs Mountain Breeze varieties) Otherwise I may have to split my dust birds and my macaws (I also keep budgies, and they too drop dust and dander everywhere)

You mentioned that you have a partner. I think it's crucial that you allow your pets to bond with him. I think the fact that you don't have the grey yet is a bonus because when you do get him, you and your partner can bond together with him. If you can do that then I cannot foresee any problems.

My african grey, Soprano is 4 years old. My wife brought her up for 3 years and since we've been married, a year now, me and Soprano have become very close. Each parrot is different, but if you give it time then they will bond with your partner.

I also think if the parrots have company, it would also help. You have 2 other birds and they will keep your bird company while they're gone so I don't see it as a problem.

bubmarley said:

You mentioned that you have a partner. I think it's crucial that you allow your pets to bond with him. I think the fact that you don't have the grey yet is a bonus because when you do get him, you and your partner can bond together with him. If you can do that then I cannot foresee any problems.

My african grey, Soprano is 4 years old. My wife brought her up for 3 years and since we've been married, a year now, me and Soprano have become very close. Each parrot is different, but if you give it time then they will bond with your partner.

I also think if the parrots have company, it would also help. You have 2 other birds and they will keep your bird company while they're gone so I don't see it as a problem.

Click to expand...

Yeah, I'm hoping that the Grey will be more of a 'flock' bird (socialise with everyone and my birds) rather than a bond-to-one-person. There could even be a good chance it will bond with my partner ;_; I'd be sad, but not much I can do. lol I'm hoping that by bringing it in to university with me and visiting places that it learns to meet and accept new people, but we'll see.

I'm concerned about mixing the Grey and Macaws due to the dander issue. =\ Hence why I want to talk with someone who has both and see what they do to fix that. We have no avian vets in my area, so I'd have to fly down south to see one if anything came up, and I'd rather prevent an issue then have to constantly treat a medical condition.