Hi,
First I would just like to start off by saying thank-you to the creators of this website and its members for providing such a great format for current/potential bird owners to come for information and advice. It is fantastic!
I am not sure if this is the appropriate section to post this, so if one of the moderators would like to move this thread into another area of the forum please do so
I live in Australia, and am interested in purchasing either a B&G Macaw or a CAG. I have kept birds for over 8 years now, including breeding and hand raising so I feel as though I am now ready to take on this bigger and more complex companion.
However, I am completely unsure which is more suited for me.
I am away from the house between the hours of 9am and 5pm most days, although I am home most the day on Saturday and Tuesday. I understand that both these birds need regular exercise and out of cage time, but I just wanted some additional information as to what you all believe is the MINIMUM that either species should spend out of the cage per day. Obviously, they will have plenty of toys and foraging toys whilst in their cages to keep them occupied, but i'm sure they crave and look forward to human interaction, with quality time being just as important as quantity.
Additionally, my fiancé is still a bit scared of the birds that we have currently (including Quakers and GCC's) so I am a little hesitant contemplating bringing such a large bird (especially the B&G) into our home. I take care of all the birds and provide them with all their needs, but I still want her to feel comfortable around them.
Primarily, my main concerns are:
1. Noise level - I live in a residential suburban area of Melbourne and have never received any complaints from neighbours with my aviary birds, however, I don't want to break the camels back so the speak. Do you find that both bird are equally as noisy as each other? Or on average to the B&G's tend to screech more?
2. Temperament - which of the two species seems to adjust better to routine or lack thereof? Will the CAG tend to thrive more on a routine whereas the B&G will just go with the flow?
3. Companion - Obviously, both birds will have their own individual personalities and characteristics, but which seems to thrive more on human interaction and affection? I've read that the B&G are a lot more cuddly than the greys, but that the grey's are a lot less hormonal come breeding season and puberty?
Ok! I am really sorry about the long post but I just want to make sure I am prepared and fully absorbed of all the facts prior to making such a large commitment!
Ps -Has anyone on this forum from Australia purchased either species from Mark at Perky Parrots? I had a brief conversation with him over the phone and he did not seem to helpful? Was I just getting the wrong impression because I have read that he raises some really great birds?
Thankyou!
Fil
First I would just like to start off by saying thank-you to the creators of this website and its members for providing such a great format for current/potential bird owners to come for information and advice. It is fantastic!
I am not sure if this is the appropriate section to post this, so if one of the moderators would like to move this thread into another area of the forum please do so
I live in Australia, and am interested in purchasing either a B&G Macaw or a CAG. I have kept birds for over 8 years now, including breeding and hand raising so I feel as though I am now ready to take on this bigger and more complex companion.
However, I am completely unsure which is more suited for me.
I am away from the house between the hours of 9am and 5pm most days, although I am home most the day on Saturday and Tuesday. I understand that both these birds need regular exercise and out of cage time, but I just wanted some additional information as to what you all believe is the MINIMUM that either species should spend out of the cage per day. Obviously, they will have plenty of toys and foraging toys whilst in their cages to keep them occupied, but i'm sure they crave and look forward to human interaction, with quality time being just as important as quantity.
Additionally, my fiancé is still a bit scared of the birds that we have currently (including Quakers and GCC's) so I am a little hesitant contemplating bringing such a large bird (especially the B&G) into our home. I take care of all the birds and provide them with all their needs, but I still want her to feel comfortable around them.
Primarily, my main concerns are:
1. Noise level - I live in a residential suburban area of Melbourne and have never received any complaints from neighbours with my aviary birds, however, I don't want to break the camels back so the speak. Do you find that both bird are equally as noisy as each other? Or on average to the B&G's tend to screech more?
2. Temperament - which of the two species seems to adjust better to routine or lack thereof? Will the CAG tend to thrive more on a routine whereas the B&G will just go with the flow?
3. Companion - Obviously, both birds will have their own individual personalities and characteristics, but which seems to thrive more on human interaction and affection? I've read that the B&G are a lot more cuddly than the greys, but that the grey's are a lot less hormonal come breeding season and puberty?
Ok! I am really sorry about the long post but I just want to make sure I am prepared and fully absorbed of all the facts prior to making such a large commitment!
Ps -Has anyone on this forum from Australia purchased either species from Mark at Perky Parrots? I had a brief conversation with him over the phone and he did not seem to helpful? Was I just getting the wrong impression because I have read that he raises some really great birds?
Thankyou!
Fil
I don't really know which is considered to "need" more out time between greys and B&Gs, but I don't think there's too much of a difference. From what I've read, greys don't like to change their schedules much, and therefore do best on a strict routine. If they're well socialized as babies, then they can become better with new situations, but generally I think they prefer to stick to a regular schedule. I've also read that greys are some of the less cuddly of parrots, and they generally don't like being pet so much as other species such as macaws. However, they still enjoy human interaction just as much as any other parrot. Hope this helped a bit!
haha
