Goffins, Amazon, or Grey?

[kalypso123]

I have narrowed down my next bird to a CAG, Blue Front or Blue Naped Amazon, or a Goffins Cockatoo. I am worried that the cockatoo will become aggresive towards other people same with the Amazon. The hormones of an Amazon also worry me so I would be obtaining a female. The Grey seems like the best fit but I like the cuddlieness of a Goffins. I also have a Cockatiel so Im not sure how an Amazon would take cockatiel. I can give around 4 hours of attention a night and more on the weekends. I would like to here some other opininions on which bird would be best.

 

[Tosca]

Are you serious about a blue naped amazon? They are super expensive.

 

[kalypso123]

Yes I am but most likely a Blue Front.

 

[EAI]

Would the 2 hours be only for your future parrot or both Kalypso and your future parrot combined?
Right off the back, a Cockatoo doesn't seem like such a good fit because IMO they would need way more attention, 5-7 hours, to satisfy their more "clingy" needs. Even with all the species you mentioned, I think more hours are needed for their mental and physical well being.
You should also consider the amount of powder or dander they can emit and check that everyone in the house doesn't have asthma or anything that can set them off from that. An air purifier would be good thing to have (for any parrot owner!) so that's something to consider.

Is there any reason you chose those specific bird species? Hopefully, it doesn't come off as rude--but to see if there's any other birds with the same qualities, looks, ect that would fit better with your home.

 

[Scott]

I have all three of your choices, with the caveat that my Grey is a Timneh, not Congo. AFAIK the temperaments of both Grey species are similar.

Hands down my favorites are the Goffins - I have both parents plus their three hand-fed babies. (now adults) Goffins are typically more independent than other 'Toos, such as the Umbrella. The hand-fed kids are wonderfully cuddly, and even among them exist variations of personality. Mine have always existed in a sort of "family" environment with their own kind plus a Citron, Moluccan, and Grey. Consequently, my experiences have not been with a single bird who looks to me for its sole companionship. If your choice is a Goffin, ensure you obtain a very large cage, plenty of passive (chew) and challenging toys, and establish a routine for interaction.

I find the Greys too standoffish for my liking, and the BFA is wonderfully entertaining but terribly unpredictable with his beak! Bottom line is you need to find the bird that best comports with your personality and expectations. The choice is far more than a particular species, it is a search for the best relationship!

 

[Jayyj]

I think really if you can only give a couple of hours a day it would be kinder to look at species that have a reputation for independence and self entertaining, or even a species that can be kept as a pair without limiting your ability to interact with them when you can. I don't know much about Amazons but I think it would be a big ask of a CAG or any kind of too to expect them to cope on such a limited amount of one on one time.

For what it's worth, I give my galah around six hours out of cage time a day and I still feel guilty that she spends so much time on her own during the day.

Sorry for the negative reply, but I'm sure there's a species that will suit your circumstances.

 

[kalypso123]

I typically arrive home around 5:00 and my cockatiel goes to bed at 9:00 so its around 4 hours. Sorry for the improper math lol. I can also give some attention in the morning as I head out around 7. I would like to know the friendly factor on these birds. I know amazons typically prefer their own species but every bird is an individual. Kalypso is very mellow and even tempered. I would think Greys and Goffins are more excepting but I dont know for sure. I do prefer the size of a grey. I would like another tiel or maybe a parakeet to keep Kalypso comapany. This parrot would be in the living room more than Kalypso is since he will be larger and our cat is scared of the bigger birds.

 

[LeaKP]

Greys are awesome, I have had them and love them to bits. They need attention and they need it consistently. They can be left for hours but not all day every day. They aren't apparently as needy as cockatoos. If I had the schedule that allowed me to have them, I'd have one or two in a heartbeat.

 

[kalypso123]

I have actually narrowed my choices down to Green Cheek Amazon or a Orange Wing Amazon.

 

[MustLoveAnimals]

I have a Cockatiel and a Red Crowned Amazon (A.K.A. Green Cheeked Amazon). I just rescued the 'Zon last week, but he is doing very well with my 'Tiel so far! They can be out of their cages at the same time with no issues at all. Of course, supervision is always necessary.

 

[Hawk]

I have all three of your choices, with the caveat that my Grey is a Timneh, not Congo. AFAIK the temperaments of both Grey species are similar.

Hands down my favorites are the Goffins - I have both parents plus their three hand-fed babies. (now adults) Goffins are typically more independent than other 'Toos, such as the Umbrella. The hand-fed kids are wonderfully cuddly, and even among them exist variations of personality. Mine have always existed in a sort of "family" environment with their own kind plus a Citron, Moluccan, and Grey. Consequently, my experiences have not been with a single bird who looks to me for its sole companionship. If your choice is a Goffin, ensure you obtain a very large cage, plenty of passive (chew) and challenging toys, and establish a routine for interaction.

I find the Greys too standoffish for my liking, and the BFA is wonderfully entertaining but terribly unpredictable with his beak! Bottom line is you need to find the bird that best comports with your personality and expectations. The choice is far more than a particular species, it is a search for the best relationship!

I agree with Scott here...as I also have 2 amazons and a Timneh grey...
The Timneh's need a lot of Interacting, not necessarily a cuddly bird, but a high maintenance one in such a way they need the human interaction or they go bonkers.

The blue fronted amazon is much the same way, they WILL scream ear piercing thunder to get your attention. Both mine are getting a bit spoiled, as they are out all day long.

It would depend upon your lifestyle and your willingness to devote 4 to 7 hours a day with your birds. 365 days a year. They are part of your family once you get them. I think that's the true reality people encounter after getting the birds and they soon end up on craig's list. I don't try to sound rude, I say it like it is, think it out and once done rethink it out to be sure. It's a commitment.

 

[Hawk]

Greys are awesome, I have had them and love them to bits. They need attention and they need it consistently. They can be left for hours but not all day every day. They aren't apparently as needy as cockatoos. If I had the schedule that allowed me to have them, I'd have one or two in a heartbeat.

Greys are awesome birds, Mine is still young, 2 ish in age. But the bond is incredible. True, you can leave a grey out most of the day and they will entertain themselves provided the cage is large and they have an assortment of toys. I keep a toy box of his toys near by the cage on a low shelve and if he's a bit adventurous, he will play in his toy box.
He's out from sun up to 9pm then it's cage time. He'll nap when he's tired during the day on his rope ring above his cage. But our interacting time is always special. We play catch with the ball in the living room, then we get the puzzel's out and play. In summer we go for walks outside on our large property and see the scenery, go for rides in the truck.

When I have work to do he'll sit on my shoulder with me and place his foot softly on my face, and just look at me. Then gets close and rest his beak on my check or nose for sometimes 4 or 5 minutes. When bedtime rolls around he says " Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh", when I say it's bedtime. They are like a small child both emotionally and intellectually. To want one you have to give it serious thought because it is one big commitment.

My amazons are the same way, it's quite a family bond and the birds couldn't be happier.

 

[Kiwibird]

I'm partial to amazons, hot 3 amazons in particular (I know, many people avoid them, but I like them!). I appreciate their more 'independent' nature, the fact they are less likely to develop behavioral issues like plucking/screaming and the fact that they show very clear signs when they are feeling aggressive so you can (for the most part) avoid being bitten. I'm not too into having a 'lap bird' and chose the tendency to self entertain over affection in a companion parrot. I grew up with a goffin and can honestly say, I wouldn't consider a cockatoo personally. Alfie is very loving and cuddly towards my dad and even has his moments with other people where he wants to be petted or play. However, he is a 'stealth biter' giving little or no warning when he's feeling aggressive. When he gets you, he won't let go until you physically pry him off. I'm not sure if it's the fact he doesn't let go or if his beak is actually sharper than an amazons, but he inflicts the worst kind of bite (often to the bone). Zons seem to strike and let go. Alfie also chews anything he can get his beak on, and from my understanding, that's pretty normal for any cockatoo. All the amazons I've known weren't excessively destructive, seemed to pick up on the fact they could chew up toys but not rip up the house and have been able to spend most of their days out of their cages so long as someone is around and not cooking/opening doors. Alfie has never been able to be out unsupervised for even a second. And this is strictly a personal thing because both species are extremely loud, but I prefer the sound of an amazon on full volume to the sound of a cockatoo on full volume. While probably comparable in decibels, there is a difference in pitch, and which one you find most tolerable should be a consideration as all large parrots will vocalize loudly at times.

I have not spent significant time around any grays to have a real opinion. They were in my top 3 species when looking for a bird though. One thing to keep in mind is their intelligence. I struggle sometimes to keep Kiwi busy with his level of intelligence, and he's no where near as 'smart' as the average CAG. It's apparently not that uncommon for well loved CAGs to pick up a large enough vocabulary to be able to speak in context to communicate and learn concepts on par with what a young child can. Puzzle toys and learning new things may be easy the first year or 2, but it can be difficult to entertain a creature perpetually trapped in the mind of a 4 year old for the next 60 years! Then again, how nice would it be for your bird to possibly someday be able to tell you what it wants instead of just scream until you guess right? Just something to consider

 

[MikeyTN]

I have a Cockatiel and a Red Crowned Amazon (A.K.A. Green Cheeked Amazon). I just rescued the 'Zon last week, but he is doing very well with my 'Tiel so far! They can be out of their cages at the same time with no issues at all. Of course, supervision is always necessary.

I do hope you have taken the Amazon to the vet and had testing done before letting them interact together already without quarantine first....

 

[MustLoveAnimals]

I have a Cockatiel and a Red Crowned Amazon (A.K.A. Green Cheeked Amazon). I just rescued the 'Zon last week, but he is doing very well with my 'Tiel so far! They can be out of their cages at the same time with no issues at all. Of course, supervision is always necessary.

I do hope you have taken the Amazon to the vet and had testing done before letting them interact together already without quarantine first....

I sure did!
And I quarantined him before taking him to see the vet.

 

[Hawk]

I'm partial to amazons, hot 3 amazons in particular (I know, many people avoid them, but I like them!). I appreciate their more 'independent' nature, the fact they are less likely to develop behavioral issues like plucking/screaming and the fact that they show very clear signs when they are feeling aggressive so you can (for the most part) avoid being bitten. I'm not too into having a 'lap bird' and chose the tendency to self entertain over affection in a companion parrot. I grew up with a goffin and can honestly say, I wouldn't consider a cockatoo personally. Alfie is very loving and cuddly towards my dad and even has his moments with other people where he wants to be petted or play. However, he is a 'stealth biter' giving little or no warning when he's feeling aggressive. When he gets you, he won't let go until you physically pry him off. I'm not sure if it's the fact he doesn't let go or if his beak is actually sharper than an amazons, but he inflicts the worst kind of bite (often to the bone). Zons seem to strike and let go. Alfie also chews anything he can get his beak on, and from my understanding, that's pretty normal for any cockatoo. All the amazons I've known weren't excessively destructive, seemed to pick up on the fact they could chew up toys but not rip up the house and have been able to spend most of their days out of their cages so long as someone is around and not cooking/opening doors. Alfie has never been able to be out unsupervised for even a second. And this is strictly a personal thing because both species are extremely loud, but I prefer the sound of an amazon on full volume to the sound of a cockatoo on full volume. While probably comparable in decibels, there is a difference in pitch, and which one you find most tolerable should be a consideration as all large parrots will vocalize loudly at times.

I have not spent significant time around any grays to have a real opinion. They were in my top 3 species when looking for a bird though. One thing to keep in mind is their intelligence. I struggle sometimes to keep Kiwi busy with his level of intelligence, and he's no where near as 'smart' as the average CAG. It's apparently not that uncommon for well loved CAGs to pick up a large enough vocabulary to be able to speak in context to communicate and learn concepts on par with what a young child can. Puzzle toys and learning new things may be easy the first year or 2, but it can be difficult to entertain a creature perpetually trapped in the mind of a 4 year old for the next 60 years! Then again, how nice would it be for your bird to possibly someday be able to tell you what it wants instead of just scream until you guess right? Just something to consider

I agree with you on the bite of a Goffin. I have handled as a trainer just about every species of parrots. The 3 that I found that are stealth biters and bite with a razor sharp tight grip are....Yellow Umbrella cockatoo's, The Goffin, and the Eclectus (Red Female mostly) Cockatoos you have to pry them off and They leave their mark.

Zons and greys do bite softly and let go, often they grab and move the finger or hand...a gesture to back off and leave them be for a while. Not heading the first couple warnings they will increase their grip. Rarely will my zon or grey ever bite me. They push me away with their beak. My Senegal on the other hand, when he's cranky he can draw blood every time. I swear he has teeth of a shark...

 

[Scott]

Amazing how much variation in experience we've had!

By far the hardest and most tenacious bite is administered by my BFA. His mode is to chomp hard and not let go!

My TAG frequently threatens but typically pushes with the beak. On rare occasions his bite is quick and piercing.

The male Citron is most unpredictable and 2 to 3 times per year will deliver a superficial bite - all others are gentle pinches.

It is rare for any of my 5 Goffins to bite hard enough to break the skin. They generally will only resort to biting when attempting to discipline me (!) or when playing and get carried away. I trust all three of the hand-fed adults with unrestricted shoulder privileges and would grant the same to the wild-caught mother if she had interest. The wild-caught male/father is kept in a large flight cage due to aggression. He enjoys being touched and groomed with my fingers and rarely will give a mild bite that barely causes discomfort.

My female Ekkie won't bit me hard, but others can be treated to a grinding and progressively deep thrust. My male did this as well; must be a species trait.

 

[Hawk]

Amazing how much variation in experience we've had!

By far the hardest and most tenacious bite is administered by my BFA. His mode is to chomp hard and not let go!

My TAG frequently threatens but typically pushes with the beak. On rare occasions his bite is quick and piercing.

The male Citron is most unpredictable and 2 to 3 times per year will deliver a superficial bite - all others are gentle pinches.

It is rare for any of my 5 Goffins to bite hard enough to break the skin. They generally will only resort to biting when attempting to discipline me (!) or when playing and get carried away. I trust all three of the hand-fed adults with unrestricted shoulder privileges and would grant the same to the wild-caught mother if she had interest. The wild-caught male/father is kept in a large flight cage due to aggression. He enjoys being touched and groomed with my fingers and rarely will give a mild bite that barely causes discomfort.

My female Ekkie won't bit me hard, but others can be treated to a grinding and progressively deep thrust. My male did this as well; must be a species trait.

Wow...My 8 year old BFA which I had 6 of those 8, has never once bitten me hard at all. She can perch on shoulder groom my face, ears and I never once ever had to be concerned about her beak. She's very gentle, to my wife and I, but anyone else, I wouldn't put her on their shoulders..

My Grey is the same way, very gentle, Used to bite hard when a baby, but they learn over time. He's 18 months and very good with his beak, and is potty trained now as of a few days ago. Proud of the little guy.

My worse bite ever was from a harrier hawk I raised. Good god they bite hard and rip flesh. My steel mesh leather gloves are a bit worn from her. But I have since released her back into the wild. Was injured and took a couple months of healing.

 

[QueenSwick]

I personally own a Blue Fronted Amazon and she is AMAZING. I got het at 13 years old from a local bird shop. I was originally going for a baby CAG but the second I walked in I fell in love with her. She is very independent but still loves attention. She isn't very cuddly but will sit with me for however long I want her to. She is very content and loved. I got very lucky with her, as I hear not all Amazons are like this. She has never once bit me, although have gotten nipped a couple times while playing rough with her. I have been around various types of birds, and I can confidently say that a female Blue Front would be an amazing choice. I am always around Sparky, my Blue Front, but if I wasn't there she isn't the type to pull out feathers. She prefers me over everyone else, yet its okay for her to be away from me for awhile. I think out of the three choices an Amazon would be best. In my experience, Greys tend to be a little too clingy for only 2 hours of attention and the same goes for Goffins. Not all birds are like Sparky and I realize that. I don't think you should even consider getting a parrot unless you can devote at least 4 hours to it a day AT LEAST, but that is not my business. Good luck!

 

[Birdman666]

My BFA and my lilac crowned are both gentle.

My Red Lored was once a horrific biter. She would latch on and slide back and forth, while grinding, using the egg tooth to strip flesh off your finger...

My DYH foster didn't suffer fools gladly, and would just do the quick nail you good and let go... (You'd be warned first. Your own fault, fool!) He wouldn't latch on and hold it, but you would be bleeding.

I agree with the toos doing that unexpectedly on occasion. That was my experience with them as well.

Sennies were probably the worst offenders though in terms of just not letting go... You can pick a sennie up by the "latched onto" finger and shake him and he still won't let go!

My CAG is probably the worst offender in my household.

My macaws only latch on when we are playing tug of war with some object... But if a big mac is determined to grab it and hold on? It's coming off...