I've been offered an African Grey Parrot?

Question

What do I need to know to keep one as a pet?

Answer 1

Do your research. Decide whether or not a bird will fit into your life. You have given no details as to why you have been offered this bird.
Are there behavioral problems? Health problems? Is the family moving? Did the owner die?
All of these factors might play into your ability to train/ rehabilitate the Grey. This also might play into its current issues, if it does have unwanted behaviors: screaming, biting, lunging being cage territoral, etc.
However all of these behaviors can be corrected using positive reinforcement training, and Applied Behavior Analysis.
Greys are not considered excessively noisy at all. It all depends on their training. I currently have 2 in my living room and all I hear right now is the air conditioner. They are silent.
Hit the following websites to determine if this is a challenge you want to take on:

http://www.itsagreysworld.com/articles/about.htm

http://parrotsonline.homestead.com/ArticlesGrey.html

http://www.birdsnways.com/birds/species.htm

http://www.naturalencounters.com/parrot.html

http://www.alexfoundation.org/

http://www.africangreys.com/greyplace/fun.htm

http://www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/index.htm#toc

http://www.parrothouse.com/pamelaclark/secondhand.html

This will give you an idea of what is involved in keeping a companion parrot.
It's not for everyone. But if you decide to take her, you will have lots of homework to do.
They are absolutely wonderful companions and I recommend them highly for people who are willing to invest the time and effort in their training and care.
Greys are wickedly intelligent... you really have to become skilled at observation and training techniques and learn to keep their minds occupied.
Use that computer as a training tool for yourself and begin reading from the websites I've posted. That will be a good beginning for you in helping you to make the decision as to whether or not you want to take her on.
If you feel you cannot, please make sure she ends up with a skilled and experienced family or a Parrot Adoption Organization.
Good luck with your decision.

Answer 2

African Grey Parrots are very smart animals. It is said that their intelligence is close to on par with a 3 yr old child. Parrots are not easy or cheap, but they are fun. I will not mention cage or food items because the person giving the bird to you or a pet store can easily tell you.

African Greys need socialization. Most like to be held, talked to, and taught tricks. They do need a lot of sleep (usually 10-12 hours) in the dark ( so have a cage cover), but other than that they really like attention.

Answer 3

I have a grey and he is NOT noisy. They can be if BORED. They need toys, switched out every few days.

Next, go to the home where he is and see if he will let you hold him. If not, then you will have a longer road of a bird that will be tame. It can be done, lots of sites on it. Just a heads up there.

Greys are THE smartest bird. They can learn upwards of 2000 words, and will sing song, IN KEY, mimic YOUR VOICE. They do not start talking until about 1 year of age, so if he is not talking and is very young, you may get a great deal! They sell for about $1000 each.

Get the bird if he will let you hold him. Treat for lice, just in case. Greys are the best. LOVE MINE. Have yours sit on your hand while you watch tv. Cages, huge ones, sell on ebay for $100 SHIPPED! I make toys for mine. Mine is sleeping on my shoulder as I type this :)

Answer 4

The first thing you need is a cage big enough so it can have plenty of toys! I bird I had would get bored and that's when he would start screaming(very LOUD) I read in a parrot book that this breed does get bored and they also like to come out and sit outside their cages. They are great birds and can be taught to say alot of words good and bad. Mine was a one person bird so get on its good side right away ! I know grown men who feared my bird if he was out of his cage(I think he was abused by a man before he was given to me) because he would walk over and bite them(painful) so keep an eye on him until you see who he will tolerate Have fun with him or her they really are great and beautiful birds!!!!

Answer 5

You need to know that parrots are social animals, they are often not happy on their own. They can be very noisy, and aggressive. They live for decades - how old is it? They are highly intelligent - check out Alex, see this website and select the "entertaining parrots" story:
http://www.pbs.org/saf/1201/video/watchonline.htm
You also need to know why the current owner is offering him!

Answer 6

I don't know but you should think seriously before taking it in and get some professional advice. They are very intelligent birds and need a lot of time and attention. My friends dad has one and it is just kept in the cage all day, every day - the poor thing is bored ****less. If you don't have the time to spend with it and give it some element of freedom - forget it.

Answer 7

You need to have a lot of time to spend with it. Parrots hav the mentality of a two year old child, they are intelligent and need human companionship. They are alot of work and can make a lot of noise.

Answer 8

Agreed with last answer, they can also live for over 20 years so your in for the long run!

They are however great fun and company and will readily learn new words such as " Get f*cked you dress wearing homo!"

Dead handy when the vicar calls! They do however need entertaining so leave a radio on or stick them by the window when you go out.

Answer 9

This is legal? Watch out for dodgey traders, theres a bit of a clamp down at the moment cause of the recent scares..

Answer 10

It will outlive you if its young. Its a lifetime commitment. They are wonderful pets and can be taught many things, including talking.