I am looking to buy an african grey parrot. I have found a few babies but they are going for like $1,000 without a cage. I looked in the classified ads in the local paper and found a one year old and a 2 year old with cages going for $800 and $700 respectively. Is it a good idea to buy the one or two year olds or should i buy a baby? I know that even at 1 or 2 years old these birds are still young because they live to like 40 years old. I just need some advice because age doesn't really matter too much to me.
2006-09-30 17:19:24 · 11 answers · asked by trader4578 4 in Pets ➔ Birds
just make sure they are healthy and yes, i would get them.
2006-09-30 17:28:07 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The baby one. Although African Grey parrots' lifespans are up to about 50 years (or more) in captivity, 2 year old parrots may be a little bit more awful than you think, because they may be attached to something/someone already. A baby one can be wilful at first and times, but as it grow up, and you show tender loving care, it will grow attached to you. In the end, it still depend on your thinking. Why would I buy a pet for? Leisure? Study? And yes, you will grow attached to it as well ^ ^ Good luck!
2006-10-01 02:21:29 · answer #2 · answered by Inquiry Complex 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good idea to have your vet take a look at a used bird first. If whom ever is selling them may be getting rid of a problem.(sometimes behavior problems) It's like buying a car, if you'r not a mechanic take it to one. If the seller won't go to the vet with you beware. Yes buying an older pet of any kind can be very rewarding. If its a behavior problem the first owner didn't know what to do and you can fix it. If it's a health problem you need to know what you'r getting in to. Most people are on the up an up but thats a lot of money to be spending if its a "lemon" Happy hunting
2006-10-01 01:44:51 · answer #3 · answered by LisaMarie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used to incubate and hatch African Greys. I started this because I wanted a baby Grey myself and figured others felt the same way. When you raise them from babies, they see you as their parent when they are young but as adults I think they see you as their mate. My female now lays eggs and tries to masturate on my hands. If you buy an older bird, expect to spend plently of time to get them to trust you completely. Whether a baby or older they make great pets but expect problems. If left alone too much they might featherpick. They all go through a "teenage" period where they test their owners - don't think they will never bite - even accidently if startled.
2006-10-01 11:04:16 · answer #4 · answered by Darlene 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Actually, I think they live to be 70, but I could be mistaken.
A way to get a cheaper African Gray and do a good deed at the same time is to get one from a bird rescue. While these birds will be older, they won't have those awkward "teenage" years to go through, and the personality you meet now is the one s/he will have forever. You can get to know the bird before you adopt him/her, making this a good option.
2006-10-02 02:06:33 · answer #5 · answered by zandyandi 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go see the birds and see if they like you. Parrots of most any breed get attached to the person that raised them and will greeve when they are gone. You might get along with them at their current home and maybe for a week at home. But then they will notice that mom or dad is not going to come and get them and they will turn on you. But you might get lucky and they like you just as much. I got a conure at 12 weeks old and he loves both of us and then I got a cockatiel at 5 months old and at first he would hissss at me from time to time and would run from my girlfriend. Now the bird will come to both of us but took a little while.
I would say get the younger the better but that still depends on you if you are a bird person or not. It will take a little time with any bird.
2006-10-01 01:36:55 · answer #6 · answered by Don K 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a Vet check on the bird first. But I have taken birds as old as 24 years old, and have found them to be every bit as wonderful as babies I have raised myself. I think if you spend a little time and everyone likes each other, it usually works out pretty well.
2006-10-01 11:46:20 · answer #7 · answered by cantrellpets 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Make sure you ask the owners why they are getting rid of the bird. Sometimes there are behavior problems and the current owners can't handle them. Get the bird checked out by a qualified avian vet. Buyer beware!
2006-10-01 14:08:15 · answer #8 · answered by LucyPooBird 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
DO TAKE MY ADVICE PLEASE
do not rush into this buy a handreared baby,if it growls at you it's certainly a wild one.
2006-10-01 03:23:45 · answer #9 · answered by barrie s 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
~If U Really Want it Then iny thing wrong will not matter so i think that u should get it and love it and keep care of it ~
2006-10-03 20:11:17 · answer #10 · answered by Galaxy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
are you kidding me!?!? birds are the worst animals to ever have for a pet and trustme i would rather poke my eyes out and suck my blood for 48 hours then own a pet and it is a waste of money i would rather spend it on my self throwing up everywhere
2006-10-01 02:05:00 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋