Question about Amazon personality and getting along with a Grey

[Birdman666]

horrid to think but there are people who do exactly that modrummer, I see ads like that constantly and I do have to think that something odd is going on whilst hoping it's legit.

I don't understand why people don't take them to a rescue center to be honest. People understand if it's too much for those who become overwhelmed and they're going to be far less judgmental of you if you bring a parrot into a rescue than if you're seen dumping them next to a bin (pretty sure the police will judge you a lot less too)

In Pecker's case, it was amazon breeding season, and the rescues were overflowing with zons that had been dumped. No one was taking them. So these people sat outside the grocery store and tried to give the bird away, and after awhile, when no one wanted her, they were just going to leave her by the dumpster...

WHICH IS ABOUT THE TIME I CAME ROLLING UP WITH SALLYBIRD ON THE HANDLEBARS OF MY GROCERY CART...

 

[Birdman666]

That B&G was just not handled enough, and had never been properly socialized or bite pressure trained. He was VERY shy around strangers... and his owner threw a party... 80 strangers in the house... Bird on his shoulder...

Guess who got the crap bit out of his face?!

GEE, I WONDER WHY...

 

[Birdman666]

don't deny a smaller parrot with "napoleon syndrome"!

Birdman you say that it's sad you didn't buy the majority of parrots you've had over the years but reading those couple stories they sound far from sad stories to me! they all found happy homes all thanks (literally) to you!

I bought both my current Macaws. And my ex wife bought my sun conure.

Every other bird I've ever owned, or fostered, was either a confiscated parrot, a rehome, or a rescue...

"Problem birds" mostly, whose only real problems were human...

 

[SailBoat]

As a proud member of the Owned By 'Yesterdays Trash' Amazons! I have long ago came to understand that there is nothing 'on the cheap and dirt' regarding large Parrots! Getting the Parrot for free, only reduces your upfront costs!

Looking for a Parrot on Craig's List is like "Looking for Love in all the Wrong Places!" Yup, you got Hounded because the number of 'Flippers' that patrol Craig's List is huge as is the Scammers!

If you are looking for an Amazon to Rehome, try the best place in town! Your local Certified Avian Vet's Clinic! Since your current Parrot is regularly visiting your local CAV, you of course have a strong relationship built with her or him, likely on first name basics, right? So, just let them know that you are looking!

I would suggest that you take the time to read the first several 'Pages' of the Amazon Forum to get a feel for life with an Amazon.

FYI: Your current Parrot and an Amazon have 'very' different body languages, and some diet differences, not huge, but enough to be aware of the diet side. Also, from day one, it really makes a difference if you have already read and understand Amazon Body Language (see the top two Threads in the Amazon Forum). Because from moment one, they will be using it to communicate to you and you had better understand what they are telling you!

I'm an Amazon Snob and I Love Amazons! If you are willing to understand their wants and needs and provide for them, you will find the joy in the meaning of: Being Owned By An Amazon!

Since you are coming into this with little experience with Amazons, I strongly recommend that your consider letting the Amazon Choose You! Several of the members that have responded to your Thread have dealt with Amazons long enough to understand from moment one what that Amazon is conveying. At present, you do not.

That is not a bad thing, but you need to consider the benefit of day one, that Amazon wanting you and Not You Wanting That Amazon! That may mean that a totally different Amazon Picks You! Can you be open to that? It will greatly increase your happy life with an Amazon!

Amazon's Rule!

 

[Birdman666]

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A FREE PARROT...

If the bird is "free" you still need cages, food, toys, treats, vet visits, grooming, and playstands... not to mention cleaning supplies... chewed up household items...

And with FREE birds there is also a certain amount of "SHYLOCK" payment required... Sometimes you pay in flesh... "up front."

 

[LordTriggs]

I dread to think of the cost of upfront amazon costs for everything. Or I should say I dread to think of "my" upfront cost! I spent over a month's worth of wages roughly £2000 about $2650, people say even them little conures are cheap and I reply "NAY!" I could easily see myself spending a lot more than most people spend on a car for a Zon.

Modrummer definitely read up on Amazon behaviours and also watch videos on their body language, they're very different to other parrots in their mannerisms and failure to comply with their messages will be met with excessive punishment. I recall a video I believe Wrench or maybe Boats posted of a Zon who did not appreciate her owner's violin playing and despite much warnings was not listened to and as such her owner got a big green pile of feathers and beak shot at mach speed at them

 

[modrummer]

As a proud member of the Owned By 'Yesterdays Trash' Amazons! I have long ago came to understand that there is nothing 'on the cheap and dirt' regarding large Parrots! Getting the Parrot for free, only reduces your upfront costs!

Looking for a Parrot on Craig's List is like "Looking for Love in all the Wrong Places!" Yup, you got Hounded because the number of 'Flippers' that patrol Craig's List is huge as is the Scammers!

If you are looking for an Amazon to Rehome, try the best place in town! Your local Certified Avian Vet's Clinic! Since your current Parrot is regularly visiting your local CAV, you of course have a strong relationship built with her or him, likely on first name basics, right? So, just let them know that you are looking!

I would suggest that you take the time to read the first several 'Pages' of the Amazon Forum to get a feel for life with an Amazon.

FYI: Your current Parrot and an Amazon have 'very' different body languages, and some diet differences, not huge, but enough to be aware of the diet side. Also, from day one, it really makes a difference if you have already read and understand Amazon Body Language (see the top two Threads in the Amazon Forum). Because from moment one, they will be using it to communicate to you and you had better understand what they are telling you!

I'm an Amazon Snob and I Love Amazons! If you are willing to understand their wants and needs and provide for them, you will find the joy in the meaning of: Being Owned By An Amazon!

Since you are coming into this with little experience with Amazons, I strongly recommend that your consider letting the Amazon Choose You! Several of the members that have responded to your Thread have dealt with Amazons long enough to understand from moment one what that Amazon is conveying. At present, you do not.

That is not a bad thing, but you need to consider the benefit of day one, that Amazon wanting you and Not You Wanting That Amazon! That may mean that a totally different Amazon Picks You! Can you be open to that? It will greatly increase your happy life with an Amazon!

Amazon's Rule!

Thank you for the information and insight, you make some very good points!

My local avian vette actually also doubles as a bird rescue facility, however the only Amazons they currently have are two older wild caught birds that are extremely cage aggressive. And I've checked a few times this year and those two are still the only ones I've seen there. But that's a good idea to notify them that I am looking in case they have some leads for me!

And I definitely understand what you mean about the bird choosing you. We got extremely lucky in that our Grey INITIALLY chose my wife and didn't like me, but has warmed up to both of us and can be sweet and loving to either of us (though she still has a slight preference for my wife). We have been going around and meeting Amazons over the last week or two, and so far they have been fairly obvious about their intentions. Had a couple that loved me and hated my wife, had a couple prefer my wife, and had one that wanted nothing to do with either of us haha.

I will definitely read up on Amazon body language and diet, thanks for that tip! We are going to a bird fair in Springfield, MO on Saturday so I'm hoping to find some more Amazons there and talk to some more owners and breeders. I learn something every time.

Thanks.

 

[modrummer]

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A FREE PARROT...

If the bird is "free" you still need cages, food, toys, treats, vet visits, grooming, and playstands... not to mention cleaning supplies... chewed up household items...

And with FREE birds there is also a certain amount of "SHYLOCK" payment required... Sometimes you pay in flesh... "up front."

That I know! Since getting our Grey 3 years ago I have Built a 10'x8' Aviary which even with my handyman skills cost over $400 (used all stainless hardware and Stainless mesh so it was bird safe), built 2 large natural wood perch/trees, bought hundreds of dollars in toys for her to chew up, bought all kinds of treats just to have her turn her nose up at most of them, and then obviously the normal vette bills and food bills, and probably some other stuff I haven't thought of.

I enjoy spoiling our Grey, and plan to do the same for the Amazon, so I would like to avoid a $1000 up front cost if I can find a bird that works for us and can also help that bird out of a less than optimal situation.

 

[KevH]

I would be very wary with the hot 3 napes double yellows and bluefronts specially the males I have double yellow and he hates my grey with a passion and my grey boy hates him the same if I hold my grey in front of him while out he goes crazy your grey would be in a lot of danger especially springtime maybe a female would be better my female nape is different but she's still a baby

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

I would be very wary with the hot 3 napes double yellows and bluefronts specially the males I have double yellow and he hates my grey with a passion and my grey boy hates him the same if I hold my grey in front of him while out he goes crazy your grey would be in a lot of danger especially springtime maybe a female would be better my female nape is different but she's still a baby

..and my BFA is a dna'd male..and wanted to be best buds,but Smokey had other ideas..so...it's an indivigual thing.



Jim

 

[Birdman666]

I have pictures of my CAG hanging out on a big playstand with three large macaws (usually a big no-no) and two hot 3 amazons, including a BFA and a DYH.

Depends on the birds, and how they were socialized.

My CAG was raised from the egg with amazons and macaws. Haven't had any problems with any of them this way...

My Red lored and my Lilac Crowned?! DO NOT LIKE EACH OTHER... so go figure...

 

[modrummer]

Quick update:

Wife and I are still looking for the right bird, off and on. We went to a bird show over the weekend and got to hangout with a ton of different birds.

Not gonna lie, I kinda fell for a red fronted-macaw. It was a total sweetheart, and only a little bigger than our grey.

My wife on the other hand was in love with the Umbrella Cockatoos. They make me nervous because I've heard they can have some crazy aggressive tendancies and I don't want one to hurt Storm. But I have to admit, they were a lot of fun to hang out with all day. Will be looking into them as a possible option as well.

Weirdly, there were ZERO Amazons on that show, crazy huh? So I didn't get any more hands on experience with them, though I did get to hang out with a Yellow Nape at a pet shop over the weekend as well.

 

[Birdman666]

EVERYBODY FALLS FOR THE RED FRONTED MACAWS... THEY ARE SWEETHEARTS. ONE OF THE BEST PERSONALITIES OF ALL THE BIG MACS...

Very playful. Very cuddly. Go to anyone if even mildly socialized. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THEM... Easiest of the big macs to work with, in my opinion.

 

[modrummer]

Question: How do you guys go about finding a good breeder near you? I've tried google, but I'm not coming up with much.

 

[Kentuckienne]

Quick update:My wife on the other hand was in love with the Umbrella Cockatoos. They make me nervous because I've heard they can have some crazy aggressive tendancies and I don't want one to hurt Storm. But I have to admit, they were a lot of fun to hang out with all day. Will be looking into them as a possible option as well.

Oh, the U2s... yes, you fall in love with them instantly. Don't get one! I don't have one, but from what I read people like them at first sight because they are so cuddly and affectionate and friendly. And they stay that way. They will want your attention and cuddling 24/7 and if they don't get it, they will let you know. People living two miles away will hear this as well!

There's a website called Mytoos which has some typical horror stories about cockatoos, very much on the side of the birds, exists to inform people what they are getting into. The site had some issues last time I looked, you couldn't join and some of the links were broken, but what you can read is good.

I visited a Moluccan cockatoo in Hawaii...the bird shop owner set it on my arm and it snuggled up under my chin like I was it's long lost soul mate. I came THIS CLOSE to taking the bird home, and I'm so glad I took the time to research parrot ownership, especially the Moluccans.

There is a reason why some rescues won't even accept cockatoos any more. Too many people get them, realize they can't handle it, dump them to a rescue, and then the rescue can't adopt them out either because they are honest about the challenges of owning a bird with such intense emotional needs.

If you guys have the space, temperament, and deafness to handle a bird like that, then great! If you decide on one, please visit a rescue. They are full of beautiful cockatoos of every type.

 

[Mindy]

Hi, I actually just adopted a Cuban Amazon who is 1.5 years old and got her for a very reasonable price ($500) via a breeder. I went to look at his Blue Front parent raised juveniles but as he was showing me around I saw Ricky, the Cuban. I was there for a couple of hours just talking birds and every time I saw her she just seemed to be really studying me. He had sold her last year to a couple and they had recently brought her back "because she won't step up." A breeder in your area may have an adult for sale or know of someone who does : )

 

[Anita1250]

I have had a BFA and OWA together. The OWA was quite a bit smaller, and the BFA used to beat him up all the time. We had to stop allowing them to be together in the same room, because the BFA would get over there to hurt the OWA. Rocky, my OWA passed away 5 years ago at the age of 47. Sam, my BFA is still going strong at 34. I have had him all of those years, and he could rip my finger off and spit it out, and I would NEVER give him up. I don't know how anybody could do that.

Not that he would. He is a big mush. I can pet him anytime I want, and he just fluffs up and loves it.