Thinking of Buying an African Grey, Need Some Help

Okay, so I've been thinking about getting an African Grey for a while now, and I found a shop that has 2. The reason that I've had to rely on a shop is because there are no breeders, or anyone willing to sell their parrots here (in the U.A.E) another thing is that there is now an import ban on live birds.

So I was just wondering, this shop has 2 African Greys, neither of whom have been hand reared so are afraid of people. And are adults, I was just wondering if I should get one of them, and if not then why not?

First off Welcome to our Family Dev, and Congratulations on being our 500th Member.

It sounds to me like they are ex breeding stock. Do you know if they are male/female or both? How old are they?

It would be a lot of hard work, and it will probably take a long time, BUT they can become hand tame. You will get a lot of bites thats for sure, This would be an ongoing thing, you couldn't leave it for a day here or there.

My gut instinct would be to find out a lot more about these two birds, before I made any kind of decision. At the moment they could be quiet because they are scared, what happens if they turn out to be screamers? That is something that you may only find out when you have them at home and they are getting used to their enviroment.

Find out as much as you can, better now than later on when you could have real problems.

Ah right I forgot to mention, they are screamers, or at least one of them is, I'm not sure about the others. I plan to go back tomorrow or the day after to find out some more about the birds.

This shop is more or less my last option, although another shop did offer to import a bird, although I'm not sure how they will manage that with the ban.

Thanks for the help, I'll keep your advice in mind

keep us updated you would have to treat these like a rescue as far as wroking with all their behaviour issues

Welcome!

Next, I would also recommend finding out allot more about these two birds. Here are some of the questions I'd be asking:

1. Where did they come from?
2. How old are they?
3. Who has owned them (as in who, not their names per se), and how many owners have they had?
4. How they have been treated?
5. Does where you are living (or where you may be living) allow this type of pet and if so do they have a problem with a screamer?
6. Are there any avian vets where you are?
7. Do you have the time each day to devote to reforming them?
8. Will they be alright separated?
9. Do they have any medical issues?
10. Are there other grey owners in your area that you could go to for hands on advise or help?

... and anything else you can imagine asking.

As for the shop that offered to import one while there is the ban; I'd tend not to go there. The last thing you want to do is end up in serious trouble for participating in smuggling birds (essentially thats what they'd be doing).

Thank you though for asking and learning before you buy. FAR too many birds are impulse buys and their owner too often ends up re-homing the bird. When I take in an animal I do so for the rest of its life unless there is a situation where the animal would do better with someone else (as in if they end up not doing well at all with other animals, and ONLY if it would vastly improve their life).

Again, welcome and please do keep us up to date on your decision and any questions you may have.

Thanks for those questions, I'll be sure to ask the ones I can. As for the one about them being separated in the shop they're both in their own cages far apart from each other so I don't think separation should be an issue.

As for screaming, I'll talk it over with my family, but I think they shouldn't mind very much. And I'll be sure to stay away from that other shop.

Thanks for all the help guys, I'll be sure to keep you all posted

Even though they are in separate cages in different areas of the store doesn't mean they wont have separation issues just to mention. They know the other is there still. This is not to assume they will have anxiety when apart, just mentioning that.

Oh okay. Sorry still got some stuff to learn

I'll be sure to look in to it when I go tomorrow.

We have all not known things we now know familiarly. We also are always learning more.

Also are you thinking of getting them both or only one?

I only ask because as one is already a screamer it wouldn't take much for the other one to go the same way. I screamer is enough to handle but two.

another shop did offer to import a bird,

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Before forgetting this store, find out how they intend to do this. They may have found some loophole? You haven't lost anything by asking. If they really don't want to tell you, its probably illegal, so walk away. Its not worth going there.

I'm really interested in finding out a lot more about these other Greys. Also might be worth asking if they've ever been a pet at any stage.

Please keep us informed on these two little darlings.

Just thought of something else, Might be an idea to ask (if they were ex breeding stock) if they are proven or bonded if so come breeding season you may have a right handfull and or problem.

Where about are you from?

Peta said:

Also are you thinking of getting them both or only one?

Before forgetting this store, find out how they intend to do this. They may have found some loophole? You haven't lost anything by asking. If they really don't want to tell you, its probably illegal, so walk away. Its not worth going there.

I'm really interested in finding out a lot more about these other Greys. Also might be worth asking if they've ever been a pet at any stage.

Please keep us informed on these two little darlings.

Just thought of something else, Might be an idea to ask (if they were ex breeding stock) if they are proven or bonded if so come breeding season you may have a right handfull and or problem.

Where about are you from?

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I'm planning on only getting one, seeing how that goes, and then getting the other if I can. This will be after I figure out how to deal with a screamer of course .

I'm living in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, unfortunately this means very hot temperatures during the day (up to about 40 degrees C. sometimes higher) any tips on how I can take care of them despite the weather? I plan to keep them indoors most of the time but I'm guessing they should be taken outside as well.

I'll as the shop that offered to import the birds about them, if their methods are legal and the Greys are hand tamed and young I'll most likely be getting them even though they are expensive (by quite a bit).

I'm planning on only getting one, seeing how that goes, and then getting the other if I can. This will be after I figure out how to deal with a screamer of course .

I'm living in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, unfortunately this means very hot temperatures during the day (up to about 40 degrees C. sometimes higher) any tips on how I can take care of them despite the weather? I plan to keep them indoors most of the time but I'm guessing they should be taken outside as well.

I'll as the shop that offered to import the birds about them, if their methods are legal and the Greys are hand tamed and young I'll most likely be getting them even though they are expensive (by quite a bit).

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Probably very wise decision.

As they live there also they are probably used to the heat, but you can also give them mistings, They may just hate that, but it really is good for them.

Its usually the best way to go, and having to spend a bit extra can sometimes save you a lot more in the long run.

Good Luck and Keep us posted please.

I guess what it comes down to here is HOW COMFORTABLE would you be handling these birds daily, and giving them the love/structure/discipline that they will need ... this relationship is going to be determined by how much you put into it ... if you feel that YOU can be the flock leader, set up the structure that these birds will require then by all means, go for it ... but if you don't think that you can do it then it is probably wise to look somewhere else. When you think about these questions be completely honest with yourself. If you can't do this, it's not fair to the birds to put them into a situation that's not going to be beneficial to them ... and you won't be happy with the relationship between yourself and the birds ...

I called the other shop (the import one) and asked them about their birds etc today. Turns out that the birds are locally bred, so the import ban is not an issue. Also, they can get African Greys that are only about 6 months old.

It's a bit more expensive than the other birds though, so I'm going to get one hopefully by the end of next month some time.

Yay!

Oh thats great news Def, you'll have to post lots of pics for us to see, and we want to hear all about him/her.