I am considering adopting a 5 year old African Grey named Shadow but...

it's not a huge but. I am 31 and spent most of my childhood (6-13 years old) around birds & bird breeders, everything from Sapphire Macaws & Salmon Crested Cockatoos down to Finches and Canaries. I recently lost my Quaker in an accident and I was & still am devastated, but I know what it takes to live with a bird and I am very experienced with them. My issue is that I want to be able to spend a great deal of time with this bird, I know that African Greys need a great deal of attention. I am a master's student right now, so I spend a lot of time at home, but I am worried about what will happen when I start my career and need to be away during the day to work. How much out of cage, one on one time is recommended? I am worried that some days will only be two hours or so and I don't want to take her on if she's not going to be happy. I was also wondering about boarding. In the past, I had my bird boarded or had a sitter come in, but I don't know how well an AG would fare with a boarder. I think a sitter is out of the question because they need to be able to have her out and about etc. I don't foresee being able to travel a lot, but from time to time I would be travelling to other cities to see family etc. I can't take her on the Via Rail or Greyhound, so once I drive it won't be a big deal, nor would it be those times that I fly.

I could use any & all advice you have to offer as I do this soul searching and make this decision. I lost my baby a week ago, so this does seem and feel kinda sudden, but I had wanted an AG since I was 10 so it's kinda not. I don't expect this bird to replace him, nothing can but I have a good opportunity to take on a lovely bird who sounds like a real sweetheart.

thanks all

Darci & her kitties

There are quite a few members here who have busy lives and are able to have successful relationships with their fids. [emoji4]

IMHO if you can teach her how to self-entertain, provide lots of toys- puzzles, foraging, shredding, etc then she can be occupied while you're at work....and then spend as much time with her as you can when you are home; play with her, training, learn tricks, watch tv with her, or whatever....

It's when they don't know how to entertain themselves, don't have enough to keep them occupied, or are left alone even when mom or dad ARE home that spells trouble....

If you do adopt her, you could get her used to you being gone, or you could also invite a friend or family member that you trust to be her bird sitter- someone that will come over and spend time with her while you're gone....that way when you DO start your job, she will already be used to interacting with the bird sitter and/or being home alone.