Questions about greys

brittani299

New member
Nov 19, 2013
81
0
Seattle
Parrots
1 Green cheek conure Rudy;
1 Blue Fronted Amazon Tiki:
1 Lilac Crowned Amazon Elvis
Hello :)
I am new to this fourm but not forums in general. I have been looking at adopting an African grey. There are a ton of them to sale in my area for about $500 for whole cage setup and everything. I have a green cheek right now. They willnt be in the same cage I know that is bad. I just want to know of African greys a lot harder then my conure or easier. My green cheek is my first bird so I have learned a lot about birds in the last year. If I get a grey I am going to make it a bird room out of my spare extra bedroom. When I am at work would this be ok to put it in? Also I know every bird is different but in general would my conure get along with a grey or is the grey to large? Thanks :)

Brittani
 

Birdman666

Well-known member
Sep 18, 2013
9,904
258
San Antonio, TX
Parrots
Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
bad idea!

CAGS can be quite aggressive with a smaller bird in the same cage. Your GCC wouldn't stand a chance against a CAG beak. They need separate cages!

They aren't so much more difficult to work with, but they are different, and a CAG has a beak like a scissors. Where your GCC could put a pinhole in your finger, a CAG can remove the flesh from your finger, or inflict a bite requiring stitches. So you do need to know how to work with a bigger bird...

CAGs tend to be less touchy feelie than GCCs. They also tend to be more vocal.
 

handfedhandfuls

New member
Aug 12, 2013
16
0
Ontario, Canada
Parrots
Senegal (Toby - female), Congo African Grey (Raz - male), Crimson-Bellied Conure (Phoenix - male), Blue-Throated Conure (Rio - male, future breeder), 2 Blue-Fronted Amazons (Ollie - male, Georgie - fe
They will likely not get along. The age of each bird is also a factor... If both are babies, they can be "raised together" (don't take this too literally, they should NEVER be caged together), meaning they may leArn to tolerate each other and may actually become friends. My grey and my crimson bellied conure will preen each other for hours.. BUT we got them around the same time.
Birdman666 is right about the beak and bite of a grey. Taking care of a big bird is MUCH different than your green cheek. And they do not appreciate being handled as much as the green cheeks too. They need a lot more time out of their cage, if you work long hours it is not fair for the grey. However, a bird room is a good idea, although they must be caged while you are not home. Lots and lots of foraging toys are good for your grey while you are not home.
A big bird is a big step but you can't learn if you never make the the step. That being said, make sure you do A TON of research before you buy a big bird. So many end up in rescues because people do not do their research before buying, and it is quite sad.
 
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brittani299

brittani299

New member
Nov 19, 2013
81
0
Seattle
Parrots
1 Green cheek conure Rudy;
1 Blue Fronted Amazon Tiki:
1 Lilac Crowned Amazon Elvis
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I actually wrote they won't be cages together. I think you read that wrong. I know that is bad. I would never house two birds together even if they are the same species
 

Birdman666

Well-known member
Sep 18, 2013
9,904
258
San Antonio, TX
Parrots
Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
Sorry, I misread that. My bad.

My CAG was around when I had 11 birds, including 3 conures. He thought that chasing conures was a sport...

Of course, this is the same bird that also thinks chasing CATS is a sport... and popping out from under the cage and grabbing toes is a sport...

Raised right, they are feisty, funny, birds, that can use language appropriately, and instigators who mess around a lot.

Raised improperly, they are neurotic plucker/perch potatoes that are afraid of their own shadows.

If you get one, raise it right, and it should be fine.
 
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thekarens

New member
Sep 29, 2013
4,022
3
I'm very partial to greys, so I'm all for people getting them when they are interested in them, but I wouldn't count on them wanting anything to do with your conure. Our grey didn't actively seek out the other pets in our house, but he sure would chomp them if they got too close. He also loved to give bare toes a pinch if he got the opportunity.
 

brianlinkles

New member
Aug 17, 2011
740
1
Oakwood, Ohio
Parrots
i am the mom of three parrots:
Dorothy- African grey (cag)
Bowie- blue and gold macaw
Nellie- hyacinth macaw
Reggie- hyacinth macaw
Marnie- white bellied caique
I have a grey, I think she is one of the most gentle greys I have seen so she might not be a good indicator. However, she can hang out on the tree with my daughters gcc. She in fact enjoys it, she loves to watch me feed the baby gcc's. This said she absolutely hates my rb2! He is a funny little guy but quite the little "brat" (I say this in a loving way LOL) when it comes to any other birds. He lands on her, chases her around etc. I would say that if you have them in two different cages in the same room they would be able to keep each other company when you are not there. If they are the right personalities then under supervision they may be able to be out at the same time. This is always a case by case thing. As I have stated my cag likes to hang out with the gcc. I think that it all depends on the two personalities.
 
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brittani299

brittani299

New member
Nov 19, 2013
81
0
Seattle
Parrots
1 Green cheek conure Rudy;
1 Blue Fronted Amazon Tiki:
1 Lilac Crowned Amazon Elvis
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  • #8
Ok thanks! I thought that is what you all would say. So if I get a grey how do you spend time with each bird without them being near each other. Right now my conure is out of her cage 85% of the day. She doesn't have her wings clipped so she flies around my house and loves being able to do so. From what I understand greys like perches. My conure is a love bug and sits on out hands and knees all day long. A grey probably won't do that right?
 

thekarens

New member
Sep 29, 2013
4,022
3
Our grey always liked being with us, either on a knee arm or nearby perch/play gym.
 

Birdman666

Well-known member
Sep 18, 2013
9,904
258
San Antonio, TX
Parrots
Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
Ok thanks! I thought that is what you all would say. So if I get a grey how do you spend time with each bird without them being near each other. Right now my conure is out of her cage 85% of the day. She doesn't have her wings clipped so she flies around my house and loves being able to do so. From what I understand greys like perches. My conure is a love bug and sits on out hands and knees all day long. A grey probably won't do that right?

CAGs generally get handled on their own terms. It depends on the bird. Mine will get handled for short stretches, but when all the other birds wanted to hang out actually ON ME... (as in all ten at once) my CAG preferred to be running around on the back of the couch...
 

Katiejayne

New member
Sep 30, 2013
191
0
Parrots
African grey
Green cheek conure
I have a green cheek and a Congo African grey, brought them at fourteen and sixteen weeks old at the same time. They don't really take a lot of notice of one another. I don't let them out together as I don't want to risk it but they do not fly to each other's cages or call each other or anything. it is hard trying to ensure they both get time out the cage. It's funny cuz mine are the opposite of what everyone describes my gcc doesn't really like to be with me, wouldn't let me pet her or anything whereas my CAG loves to be with me if I go into another room she will fly after me and she loves a cuddle. It's funny because I got the green cheek the week before the grey and everyone said bigger bird much harder but I actually find the grey easier but more mess but that's it
 
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brittani299

brittani299

New member
Nov 19, 2013
81
0
Seattle
Parrots
1 Green cheek conure Rudy;
1 Blue Fronted Amazon Tiki:
1 Lilac Crowned Amazon Elvis
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #13
That's pretty funny! It is funny how each bird is so different. My green cheek loves everyone and gives kisses. She can be nippy sometimes but for theost part she loves people. If I got the African grey she would be 1 year old so that is pretty young.
 

Katiejayne

New member
Sep 30, 2013
191
0
Parrots
African grey
Green cheek conure
yea one is still pretty young. that is y I got a green cheek everyone said they were so loving but I wouldn't dare but my lips near her beak lol but she's still lovely in her own way and so funny to watch. Lol but I would defiantly recommend a grey
 

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