Advice on Adopting 12 y/o Grey

Hi all! My wife and I currently own a beautiful green-cheeked conure named Einstein. Since meeting that sweet little bird, I myself became a bird person. We are looking at adopting a 12 year old African Grey (named Remy) whose owner is moving out of the country and cannot keep her. Einstein is my wife's bird, and as such, is very partial to her. I hope to bond well with Remy, knowing that it takes time to build trust, what kinds of things can I do to build a strong relationship with this bird?

How wonderful that you are considering adoption! I think honesty when I look at birds I think " I see you" sometimes I get caught up in doing stuff, and trying to rush them, then I take a breath and I see them,.... I just suggest trying to connect with the unique individual they are.
Have you met the bird yet? How was Remy's reaction to you?
Also he may grieve for his owners at first, even for months, and it might take time to see he true self because of that. So keep in mind that he didn't have a choice, and if need be wait for him to work past that.
My Quaker rescue Penny, had anger and confusion to work through before I got her whole heart. And she was not in a happy place when I found her, but I can tell that before that she had been loved.
Or it might take a few days or s week for him to decide hey, my owner isn't cominge back! So just expect some bumps in the road to bliss. Talk to him about it.it might be wonderful right off too.but I just keep in mind he might wake up each morning for awhile going who are you, and where am I?

I’ve only owned my Perjo , 42 mos old , and have since she was 8 weeks. So I can’t speak to bonding with a bird that is 12 but I would imagine spending lots of time interacting and talking to the new addition is vital.

Are you also getting it’s current cage and toys? If not maybe try to acquire it all. Keep as much stuff familiar to the CAG as possible.

Also maybe have the owner give you a list of all the words the CAG can say so you can speak its language from day one?

Good for you for thinking of adoption.

I'm a amazon kind of owner, 'zons are so exubertly parrot kinda "WOO HOOWAKKAWAKKA YIPPEE kinda birds. I've always found greys to be more introspective, thought full and observant "Yes I like corn,but only if the kernals are arranged in a square pattern. Please do so at my next feeding old chap".

I'm sure you have done your homework in reading about greys and their oh so subtle ways. We have a huge contingent of Grey orwners here, so you'll be in good company. It can take time to develop a bond with any parrot, and even so with one 12 years in another family. But treats are the way to a parrots mind, that and lots o' love.

Enzo was 13 when I got her, she chose me before i took her in and bonding just seemed to happen, but again, she chose me. So with Enzo and I it was just a few days of gaining trust then we where away..... I think this is the exception rather than the rule though. See how she interacts with you now, wish you luck if it all goes well you will have a best buddy for sure!


Very good call with familiarity too, CAGs are very much routine based and familiarity. They of course can change and learn new routines but for starting out, there will be enough change in his life to have to deal with a new cage and toys as well

I've always found greys to be more introspective, thought full and observant "Yes I like corn,but only if the kernals are arranged in a square pattern. Please do so at my next feeding old chap".

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Aint that the truth, Enzo will eat carrots under duress that are in batons, but she loves them diced and round.... and dives straight in.

DRB said:

Are you also getting it’s current cage and toys? If not maybe try to acquire it all. Keep as much stuff familiar to the CAG as possible.

Also maybe have the owner give you a list of all the words the CAG can say so you can speak its language from day one?

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Very much this, I got all of Enzos belongings and cage, even her night time cover and favourite treats and seeds, I also received 4 pages of A4 with things she likes to do, eat, play and a list of things she she said, things to be warned about too. Enzo was a terrible biter with her previous family but ive never had a malicious bite off her personally. I was given the best start possible thanks to her previous owner.