Adopting a G2

[veimar]

I know I'm crazy, but I really want to adopt a Goffin cockatoo, and my husband supports me. We live in a mortgage free house on a large lot, and although we are rather poor than rich we have steady source of income and plenty of free time. We are kinda people who prefer to have life rather than a lot of money money and no life.
I have a green cheek conure, and I just feel I really want a too. I've been contemplating for a few months already, and no matter how much I tried to disregard this idea it still bugs me all the time. I read tons of stuff about toos, and I'm starting to volunteer at a local bird rescue from next month (I cannot wait!). But I don't have experience with large parrots. However I've been always very good with all sorts of pets I had and I like challenges.
There is a lady in our neighborhood who is selling her 2 yo G2 for $500 with cage. We live in a semi-rural area near Chicago, and she is only 7-8 mi from us. Maybe that's the call? It's a LOT of money for us right now, but I feel that she is asking a fair price… Or not? So I don't know… I feel so insecure. :31: Maybe I get some advice from you guys?
Thank you...

 

[Sterling1113]

I feel you- I've always loved the smaller 'toos and I would love to have one once I'm in a house. They're such cute interactive birds, they need lots of space, toys, and attention though!! And be prepared for the noise level.. haha.
In my honest opinion(and from what I see around me/from breeders) $500 with a cage is a good price. How big is the cage? If it's small be prepared to spend a few hundred dollars on an appropriate one.. those can be expensive by themselves!
Most of the G2's I've seen go from $600-900 depending on if it's craigslist or a breeder.. but that's here in Texas, I don't know what's normal for you in Chicago.

 

[jenphilly]

My personal advice to you... do not buy a 2 year old Goffin from a private seller. I would wager any amount of money the bird is up for sale because it is starting to get into maturity phase and a little nightmare.

I think it is wonderful you are volunteering at a shelter!!! But if you have read my ramblings you may already know I'm a huge advocate of shelters and adoption babies. Spend some time getting the bigger bird experience and once the shelter operator knows you a bit, I would again wager money that they will be able to help you with adopting a wonderful little Goffin clown. And being at the shelter you will have the chance to meet all the birds, never know, tho you think you really want a Goffin, might find yourself having an instant connection with an Amazon or mini macaw. I say this because like you, I thought I had a 'dream' bird, I was so in love with the eclectus. You would never have convinced me that was not the perfect bird for me. Spent so much time researching diet and such.

And guess what my real perfect match is... a bare eyed cockatoo. Never in my life would I have ever guessed that I would be a too person! But Ivory picked us out, she let us know she was the right bird for us, and she was quite correct I believe with all my heart that when you volunteer at a shelter, you will be amazed at what bird picks you!

I am not trying to convince you against a Goffin, they are awesome little birds, high maintenance, but awesome nonetheless. My only 'convincing' is to follow your thoughts about the shelter and after you spend some time there, let us know who hops in your jacket to come home

Look up my daughter's posts about Mac (Riddick07), the blue and gold macaw that she (and most everyone else) is begging me to let her bring home. She never thought of a B&G, but you can see from the videos the love affair that is going on!

I look forward to hearing about your time at the shelter. I hope you have the same wonderful experiences we do with A Helping Wing.

 

[veimar]

Thank you very much Sterling and especially Jen for so kind and elaborate reply! Yes, I know the birds choose us not we choose them… This lady is posting over and over, so probably there is some problem there… She didn't mention anything about how tame he is or if he is nippy…. I know that he (it's a male G2) will start puberty very soon, and that it's gonna be a difficult time. I email her and if she wouldn't respond I just let it go…
Jen, you mentioned mini Macaws - that's #2 on my favorites list! It's still early for a really big bird… I really want a very friendly and cuddly bird since I'm a cuddle monster myself. LOL I'm also a bit concerned how would my little GCC Parry get along with another bigger bird.

 

[Sterling1113]

Thank you very much Sterling and especially Jen for so kind and elaborate reply! Yes, I know the birds choose us not we choose them… This lady is posting over and over, so probably there is some problem there… She didn't mention anything about how tame he is or if he is nippy…. I know that he (it's a male G2) will start puberty very soon, and that it's gonna be a difficult time. I email her and if she wouldn't respond I just let it go…
Jen, you mentioned mini Macaws - that's #2 on my favorites list! It's still early for a really big bird… I really want a very friendly and cuddly bird since I'm a cuddle monster myself. LOL I'm also a bit concerned how would my little GCC Parry get along with another bigger bird.

You could look into a Hahn's or an Illigers! They're both quite small. Hahn's would probably be closer to the size of a Sun than a GCC, but still not a dramatic size difference.
I thought about a mini macaw too, they're so cute!
Just be careful- some people say they tend to become "one person" birds quite easily, so if you do look into a mini macaw, make sure you socialize, socialize, socialize!!!

 

[veimar]

Do you have a mini macaw, Sterling? I was thinking about Hahn, and that shelter has a few! But are they friendly and cuddly? I dunno if it's just Parry, but he is sooo tiny! A Hahn would probably be twice as big as he. And yes - Parry already became one person bird since my hubby is afraid of bites and almost doesn't handle him. Parry senses that and always tries to bite him. He used to bite me too, but I got rid of that habit in a week. So I don't want an overly protective bird, but I have no much options to socialize it.

 

[Sterling1113]

Do you have a mini macaw, Sterling? I was thinking about Hahn, and that shelter has a few! But are they friendly and cuddly? I dunno if it's just Parry, but he is sooo tiny! A Hahn would probably be twice as big as he. And yes - Parry already became one person bird since my hubby is afraid of bites and almost doesn't handle him. Parry senses that and always tries to bite him. He used to bite me too, but I got rid of that habit in a week. So I don't want an overly protective bird, but I have no much options to socialize it.

I know how you feel, Kiwi is rather bonded to me, and she gets nippy with Brad, but he doesn't let her get away with it- so it's only sometimes when she's moody.
I don't have a mini macaw, I would love one though. If I didn't find Yoshi when I did, I'd have probably gone with a mini mac.
Here's a visual aid for you, hahns and a sun ---> http://www.parrotchronicles.com/features/multiplebirds/jadegilliigan_multiplebirds.jpg
They're pretty stocky, but they're not as big as some other "medium" sized birds. The Illiger's and Severe are larger, closer to the size of a large Pi, but still not as big as the full-size macs. (Severe macaws are notorious for being severely one-person, and bitey, many are biased against them but every bird is different and I can't speak from experience.) I haven't been around one personally, so I can't tell you about their noise level, but I know a couple members here have Hahn's so I'm sure they wouldn't mind answering questions for you.
You can also do a search for "hahn's Macaw" on the "search" tab of the forum, maybe you'll find a bunch of your questions have already been answered.
Just keep in mind- like their larger, full-size cousins, they can and WILL be testy! Which includes faux-lunges, displays, etc to see if they can push you around. Sometimes it can be hard to tell if they're gonna bite, or if they're pushing, so you'll have to do allot of reading your bird's body language!!
Sorry I'm rambling now hope I helped a bit!

Edit: I didn't even answer your question... I'm sorry. I've seen videos/pictures of them being cuddly and cute, but every bird is different, especially if you rescue- you can never guarantee a bird will be cuddly. Even if they aren't cuddle-monsters, though, they make great companions and I'm sure just having one as company would be a joy.

 

[veimar]

I loved your "ramble"! I actually decided to follow Jen's advice and wait until I start volunteering. I'm totally open to any bird - I would rather take a bird that likes me whatever it would be. I didn't even think about getting a parrot before I got Parry, and now I feel that there is no better pet for me than a bird. I always loved cats and dogs, but birds are just so awesome and so much smarter. I was only wondering about one thing that always amazed me in animals (even my rats have that) - they can really "feel" you. They just know your mood and feelings. When I had a dog she was very playful, but when I was sad or not feeling good she just sat at my feet and watched me quietly wagging her tail. I wonder if parrots have that ability… I'm not sure about Parry, but once when I had a terrible migraine and was laying on a couch with my eyes closed, he sat on my head right in the place where it was hurting the most and sat like that for an hour without moving until I got up. I was really surprised.

 

[Sterling1113]

I loved your "ramble"! I actually decided to follow Jen's advice and wait until I start volunteering. I'm totally open to any bird - I would rather take a bird that likes me whatever it would be. I didn't even think about getting a parrot before I got Parry, and now I feel that there is no better pet for me than a bird. I always loved cats and dogs, but birds are just so awesome and so much smarter. I was only wondering about one thing that always amazed me in animals (even my rats have that) - they can really "feel" you. They just know your mood and feelings. When I had a dog she was very playful, but when I was sad or not feeling good she just sat at my feet and watched me quietly wagging her tail. I wonder if parrots have that ability… I'm not sure about Parry, but once when I had a terrible migraine and was laying on a couch with my eyes closed, he sat on my head right in the place where it was hurting the most and sat like that for an hour without moving until I got up. I was really surprised.

Well it's awesome that you're going to wait until you've been around a few rescue birds! I would love to do volunteer work, but sharing a car, and the closest rescue being 2 1/2 hours away, that would be tedious as no other.
Birds really are fantastic at telling your mood- Kiwi is usually the first one in my apartment to recognize my mood swings/hormonal shifts(which, being pregnant, is quite often.) and depending on the mood she'll be hyper and playful or quiet and cuddly. And if I'd had a restless night and was super tired, and decided to take a nap, then she's super quiet and doesn't get too loud with Loki or get into trouble. (As to normally, since they're rarely caged, if I lay down during the day, both of them would be in my bed trying to get me to play.. Or finding something to chew on. Lol.)

 

[veimar]

This rescue is only 35-40 min away from us, but I have to find someone to give me rides since my hubby works and always uses our only car. I can take a bus to get a bit closer to that place. I forgot how to drive already… They said it shouldn't be a big problem though. So I HOPE… I'm so glad you're getting a baby! So wonderful! I cannot have kids due to health issues, so I care for the birds then. The best thing would be to talk my hubby into volunteering with me - then we can share a ride.

 

[veimar]

Can you imagine - she is STILL selling it on CL!! $350 now… I wonder if there is anything wrong with this bird. She never replied to my email - I try one more time.

 

[Sterling1113]

I know whenever I put something on CL if someone emails me it goes straight to my spam, so I have to check my spam/junk file. It's likely she just missed the email and by the time she saw it decided it had been too long. (I always am embarrassed to reply late to things.)
If the price dropped, it's likely the bird just wasn't selling. I'd suggest meeting the bird a few times and perhaps getting him/her vetted (maybe she will split the bill?) just to make sure.
If it's meant to be it'll work out. Maybe there's a reason you keep seeing the bird.

 

[veimar]

Oh, maybe that's the reason she cannot sell her bird - all the CL emails keep going to her spam folder and she never receives them!! LOL Nothing surprises me these days. Poor lady…