African grey right for me?

I am wondering if an African grey would be a good bird for me? Here is a little bit about me I am 13. I know I know, "you are to young" "what are you going to do when you got to collage?' etc. etc. but I am prepared for all that and have done a lot of research. I am not like most girls my age, I am at home almost all day (home schooled) and I have talked to my parents about the hole collage thing they said they would be willing to keep my bird for me while I am at collage, and I am planning to go to collage close to home and drive home at least every weekend if not just driving back and forth everyday. I am a very patient and shy Person, I love animals and the outdoors, we live in a house and have room in our living room for a large cage.What do you think? I like these little birds

First of all, you sound just like me except I'm 16 . Your living situation sounds good for a parrot, but we'll need a little more information about what your looking for in a bird, why you want one, why a grey, and stuff like that, so we can give better answer. Greys are awesome, but they can bite very hard and need a lot of mental stimulation. If you OK with that, then maybe it would be a good fit. They can live up to 50 years and may only like one person in the house and bite everyone else. Early socialization can help prevent this. They need a large cage, lots of toys especially wooden toys, tons of attention and patience, and a diet of pellets with fruits and vegetables. We have lots of grey owners here so your in luck! Welcome to the forum!!!

Well you want my honest opinion. No I don't think a big parrot is for a kid. Do your parents understand and yourself how much work a big parrot is? They can control you
If your not careful. They are also not cheap to own, do you realize this? Do you realize how messy they can be? They are not little birds and far from a starter bird. I have been around big birds and have had several small birds and they can be a handful. I wouldn't want a bigger bird than my conures for the reasons i asked you above. A cockatiel would be a great starter bird from you in my opinion. My daughter is almost 13 and she can't take on the responsibility of taking care of our conures by herself. They can be a handful when you let them. I hate to say it but I think most will agree

You seem like you already have done more research than many people twice your age.. Yes greys require a lot of attention but any bird deserves that. Just understand that a grey will be your companion for life, and you should plan accordingly..for the most part greys aren't too loud. ( unless they hear a loud noise they can repeat). I have a grey now and even though she has her moments, she is a wonderful addition to our home. Greys are very much like people in the way they act and think. Imagine having a little brother or sister that never grows up and you have a grey. Hope this helps!

I'd say if you can get one.. go for a TAG :3.

They are a little more laid back, and plenty of fun plus a little smaller.

Though IF you can in your area a Quaker is a wonderful bird for a beginner; at least in my opinion; a little smaller more clownish and cuddly... and they talk just as well.

Starting younger is better in my opinion; just means you'll grow up with your bird and he with you :3

Do a cost assessment. get a hand fed baby Congo African Grey. I think it's a common mistake to take the two types of grey parrots are interchangeable --they're not.

Check the research.....older stuff too.

I don't think it would be a bad idea nor do I think is a good idea for you to get a bird at this time as they need full commitment. Your still young and have your life to live, dates to go out, friends to hang, etc. You bird wouldn't be so understanding if all of the sudden you change completely as you wanted your freedom. Greys are very sensitive birds as are most of the other types of birds as well. Then you noticed your bird plucked naked or self mutilate, what then? Giving up your life to be around your bird to clam him/her down again? Once they start those bad habits, it is very very hard to break them from doing so.

But then you may be one of those kids that just prefers to stay home and be a hermit somewhat. But seriously I've seen it too many times, kids grew apart from their beloved birds due to change in life, work, college, bf/gf, etc. It is something to really think about!

Well, I see you have been thinking about it and have planned what you are going to do when you go to college. I think you could have a bird. That said the question is what are you looking for in a bird? Is a African Grey going to be upset when you only see it on the weekend? I honestly do not have experience with African Greys but know not all birds will be happy about being left alone. I will not tell you what bird species to get or tell you to get a bird you do not want. I will only advise you to keep you options open, research and even see different birds in person. Sometimes you do not know you if will like a bird until you see it. My first birds when I was a little bit younger then you was a old budgie and cockatiel. As much as I liked those two birds (the cockatiel was a angle) my green cheek conure named Paulie won me over with his clownish behavior and his cuddly affection. As a adult living on my own I now have a hahns macaw named Captain Jack. He is different then a budgie, cockatiel or a green cheek conure. Sometimes he unscrews the toy hooks and tosses the toy off, he sometime picks food up with his feet and feeds himself that way. He does not chirp like a budgie, he is not as independent as a cockatiel nor makes noise like on either. He likes out of his cage, he likes attention and while he does not make noise 24/7 he does not have a pleasant chirp. Some people might find a hahns macaw to be too loud. The only thing he has in common with Paulie is that he is cuddly and climbs like a monkey. Unlike, Paulie he has not taken up biting people (Paulie took up biting anyone and making it where I was the only one that could handle him). He is pretty good at not putting to much pressure on me with his beak. He will come to me and follow me even. Unlike any other bird I had he has a black tongue and he will sometime lick people and other things to taste it. I only tell you this because while not one bird is alike neither is one bird species exactly like another bird species.

I would consider MikeyTN advise. Your still have your life to live. What if you want to go out on dates, hang out with friends? You are at the stage of your life that you are heading toward 100 percent freedom. A day will even come that you will probably want your own place. Or how about when you get a job and your own place (in your 20s and 30s) will there be friends you will want to hang out with? Will you want to take a vacation in America maybe even go see a different country? Or maybe someday you have a baby. Will the bird's screaming scare the baby? Will the babies crying make the bird scream? Will the bird be aggressive to the child?

Good point about the baby issue. The most common reason people gave birds to me was it didn't like the baby or didn't like the spouse.

I'd hope she would have a job before her 20's or 30's. I'm shocked by some of the comments saying go for it. I'm sorry but I wonder how many of the people on here still live I'm mom and dad's basement. I'm shocked by some of the comments and encouragement.

Thatdude596 said:

I'd hope she would have a job before her 20's or 30's. I'm shocked by some of the comments saying go for it. I'm sorry but I wonder how many of the people on here still live I'm mom and dad's basement. I'm shocked by some of the comments and encouragement.

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I guess I should go into detail and explain that most likely she will have a career and have bought a house in her 20s and 30s. To the point she would have established footing and may get married or want to take vacations in that time in her life. I live in my own house and have a full time job. Yes, there is a lot of things for her to consider but I will not say a bird could fit into her future sometime. Though I never had a African Grey one of my aunts did. She gave it to her ex husband and has flat out said she will never get another bird again. Bear in mind she had a good job, a house, and her children were not real young when she got the bird (they were approaching their teens years). In reality she did not have any obstacles that would have made keeping a bird hard for her.

Thatdude596 said:

I'd hope she would have a job before her 20's or 30's. I'm shocked by some of the comments saying go for it. I'm sorry but I wonder how many of the people on here still live I'm mom and dad's basement. I'm shocked by some of the comments and encouragement.

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I was 17 when i got Fargo....

Almost 19 now.. Studying full time.. Have a full time job if i want it, but i just work part time..

Uni will be finished in 3 years then i will be able to get a job in the career i want for the rest of my life




I hate people who judge and stereo type someone without knowing..

I was a VERY mature 13 year old, i never went to parties or out drinking with guys... Never have..

I dont like people, i dont like socialising, my animals have always been my life...



Just dont stereotype someone.. I went to see a different avian vet who stereotyped me as a typical 18 year old who goes out drinking and partying with friends.. Where as my normal avian vet has known me for years, and told me that i could look after a macaw, and i was VERY different to most girls..

Yes 13 may be a bit young, but when i was 13 i would of been capable to look after a bird...





Back to the OP, if you cant get to see your bird each day whilst at uni then it is not a good idea... Cause only seeing weekends would be upsetting for the bird..

Have you thought about external uni?

I did homeschooling when i was 16, then for university it is just all online and i dont have to go anywhere





From your statement i guess you arent ready to have a bird until you are 40? Have had kids, have a house, have a family, have a full time job...


You can NEVER plan your life every step of the way, things happen... But saying a young person isn't capable to care for a bird is ridiculous..
Because just the fact that she has come on here, asking for advice, is about 10000 times more mature and responsible than those adults who go out and buy a macaw, just because they look pretty


and i am not saying its a good idea, or a bad idea..

I am just saying dont judge someone before you get more details..
Because i can tell you that my life hasn't changed a single bit in the past 6 years, except more animals

Thatdude596 said:

I'd hope she would have a job before her 20's or 30's. I'm shocked by some of the comments saying go for it. I'm sorry but I wonder how many of the people on here still live I'm mom and dad's basement. I'm shocked by some of the comments and encouragement.

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Not for nothing, dude, but YOUR comments in various threads have raised MANY eyebrows. ...and this one is certainly NO exception.

I will try to politely tell you that harsh comments to her will not help. I just flat out told her to think hard about what life she wants to live and what she wants to do before making such a commitment. Not everyone is the same. Tab does just fine with Fargo. Like Tab I have loved animals since I was a child. I was never the social butterfly and sometimes felt uncomftable around a bunch of people. I was also never a teenager that went out to party. Schools years where rough and not always nice. It was nice to come home to my birds and mom's dogs. I never really asked much from my parents because usually the answer would be no. However, they apparently thought that me having pets was a good idea for me and allowed me to have birds when they say how much I loved them.

Myadabird -

Typing as a mom of a kid that sounded like you at 13, I have more questions then answers My daughter was also more then capable of caring for a bird at 13, in fact she was providing 99% of care for 5 horses at that age, so each kid is their own person. She is now closing in on 23 and still has her first horse, along with her birds and is carrying a 3.8 GPA studying to be a forensic accountant.

But in that same breath, she has not gotten the large bird which is her 'ultimate' bird - a greenwing macaw. We joke that after she is done college, her career is underway and she gets the bird, she will be dropping it off to 'grandmom' everyday like a kid!

The big question is whether getting a Grey, or any larger bird, is a family decision and plan or just your own? If your parents are onboard and see this as the first grandchild in the family that they will help raise and care for, then I think adding a bird to the family might work. But, I think some people do have some valid thoughts that starting with a larger bird may not be the best plan. Green cheeks are fantastic first birds and they certainly don't know they are small birds.

And something that I can share from our experience, the bird you think you want may not be the right bird for you... not so much size wise, but I've posted this before (probably a couple times) - I really thought when I had a larger bird it would be an eclectus, would have bet money on that! But while we were not actually looking, the right bird found us and its something I never would have thought I'd have in my home - a cockatoo (Ivory is a bare eyed cockatoo, one of the medium size cockatoos). My point is only to keep an open mind and think about everyone in the home and what will happen if your parents do keep your bird 5 years from now when you go to college - you want to have a bird that is social and enjoys everyone. Green cheeks are definitely social butterflies, but some larger parrots also share that trait. I won't go so far to say any type of cockatoo is the right bird for anyone, cause they are high maintenance and really is like having a 2 year old in the house again.

Consider volunteering at a bird shelter or even your local SPCA or humane league if they have a bird room. Get exposure to different birds first hand and help with cleaning and feeding. Never know, during your time volunteering, the right bird may pick you out and ask to go home!!

I think you coming onto the forum and asking advice is great and says alot that you are thoroughly thinking about all the responsibility that goes into living with a bird. I do agree your age is a concern, but then our rehomed cockatoo came from adults that couldn't live up to their commitment, so don't think age should be top of the list of things to determine who makes a good bird parent!!

Others have asked for more about you.... share your story of why you think a Grey is the right bird for you, why you want one.... are you an only child, what other pets, etc.

And welcome to the forum!!

Jen

To the OP...you must be really excited. Especially if this is your first pet. If I remember me at that age correctly, I did waaaaay more research then than I do now. I also had waaaaaaay more time on my hands. In a way at 13 I would have been more prepared to own any pet than I am now in my late 20s (but keep reading). The advantage of being 13 is that you have 4-5 years (depending on when college starts wherever you are?) to lay down a solid foundation with that bird. I think that's awesome. I don't have an african grey, so I can;t comment on that specifically-even though I believe that was the main point of your question? I just have a few other things I wanted to say. First-be weary of your family's commitment to help when you are at college. That is several years from now-their situation may be changing too just like yours. Also, do you know for sure that they will give the bird the same care as you? Or are they just promising to feed and water it. I started with a parakeet at age 14. Due to my age and time I had that bird trained perfectly!-especially for a flightly parakeet. My family doesn;t care for pets, they thought it was cool that it could come out of the cage but they weren't careful. So I did some traveling one summer for a month and when I came back I found that my sister had let the parakeet out in the same room as the cat. I got another parakeet, lovingly trained it also, and my mom let that one out in the same room as a wide open front door. Sometimes its nice to own a pet when you're more in control of the living situation. My second advice is that for as excited as you may be-don't rush. Don't be afraid to walk away from a bird you go see no matter how far you drove to see it. And try to spend a lot of time with that bird before you agree to take it home. I read someones post on here about "The lightening Bolt video on Parrot Nation" which talks about having a connection with the bird and I think that is VERY important and vital to the happiness of both of you.
Third, you mentioned that you don't go out much. Are you going to be able to socialize this bird with more than just you and your parents?
Lastly, I;ve found that people of any age usually think they're old enough to do whatever it is they want to do. So I think you're going to do what you want. Just take your time, research alllll types of birds and be honest with yourself about what this birds life might be like-and what you want yours to be like-down the road. It's not fair to judge you on your age-none of us know the life you've had and how ready you are. My sister is 30 and I'd barely trust her with a fish.
Good luck! Keep us posted!

bluecrownmama - I am so sorry to hear the fate of two of your babies at the hands of family members. But not all stories will end that way. My daughter just was on the Semester at Sea voyage, gone for almost 3 months traveling around the Mediterranean. She left all her birds in my care and am proud to report she came home to happy and healthy birds, if anything she says I spoiled the conures too much

All families are different and I hope that Myadabird has parents that would see adding the bird as a family member and not just their daughter getting a bird they need to feed when she's not there. Adding a bird like a Grey would definitely be a family commitment for anyone in my opinion. When we added our cockatoo to the family, it was a family decision even tho my daughter won't be living home forever, but for the immediate future everyone needs to be onboard and socializing with her.

My two cents would be getting lots of input from people who own greys so they can tell you what it's really like on a day-to-day basis. It *sounds* like it would be better for you to get a smaller bird, but as Jen (jenphilly) pointed out earlier, we don't know much about you or your living situation or your personality or TONS of other factors that really go into choosing a bird. (FYI, PLEASE be really careful how much personal information you share here without your parents' permission, especially since these forums are not private to members only -- although even then, some caution is still necessary.)

If your parents are really involved with you in this process and they really truly believe they could help out, then be sure a grey is the right one for you and go forward. There is absolutely no harm in -- and actually a lot of benefit to -- taking it slow. It's *almost* like getting married () because you're picking a lifelong partner! It's almost more serious than getting married because your partner will have no say in the matter. So be good to your bird before you even pick him/her out -- do lots of research (anecdotes from real live people is the best kind of research, IMO), spend time talking it through with your parents, and visit several different greys before you settle on one.

Like a few people pointed out, you can't really account for the next 50 years, but you can at least do the best you can with planning for the future -- it's all any of us can really do, actually.

*cough* Sorry, my two cents often turns into twenty-five...

I DO NOT! Want a baby even when I am older I know I won't, and the bird will be primarily mine but my parents will also take care of it and they want a bird just as bad as I do. I did some more research, and I actually went to an exotic bird store in my area and hung out with a macaw and grey, although I liked the grey I just kinda clicked with the macaw, I don't know what it was but I really liked her personality. I did some research on blue and golds, they seem like more work, more mess,&. More loud but none the less I think I can handle it. To all of the macaw owners what do you like and dislike the most about your bird/ birds?