My parrot says some really cool stuff like, "I can talk can you fly." But every now and then he breaks out something weird like "Bite your friends," "hurt the dog," or "Bo is from dirty water." I swear we never hurt any dogs, we don't even have a dog. I think he just picks words from stuff he hears around the house and makes his own sentences. I'm just wonder what other people's grey's have to say.
"Happy Bird Day!" --Bo, my parrot
2006-10-13 18:31:10 · 9 answers · asked by rishathra7 6 in Pets ➔ Birds
Our african grey is about 17 years old. My boyfriend has had him since he was a baby. I've lived with him for a few years and every now and then he still comes up with new stuff for me. He has had dogs in the past and he often talks about pets he has outlived (and people he has outlived which is really creepy)... but he definetly makes up his own sentences. "Bo is from dirty water" comes from two other sentences he picked up. "Bo is from Africa" + when changing his water saying "dirty water" somehow = "Bo is from dirty water." I think he picked up "Bite your friends" because when he tries to nip we tell him "Don't bite your friends." It's still weird.
Really though, I love Bo with all my heart but would not recomend owning a parrot to many others. They're incredibly smart which means tons of work.
"Ohhhhh.. A Wise Bird!!" --Bo
2006-10-13 18:54:36 · update #1
Oh yes, they outlive most of their keepers too! Hookbills live an average of 60 to 100 years! I have several Greys, we are a bird sanctuary and have adopted alot of 'trouble' birds over the years. My boy E. S. lived with a trucker for serveral years and he mocks the CB radio, and lifts a leg and 'farts and spits'. He also waits until I am as far away as possible ands immitates my husband calling me in an angry voice. I run, round the corner and ALL the birds laugh. Sunshine talks to my deceased cat Kit'te every morning as if he has just walked in the kitchen. I like to think maybe Kit'te is walking by in spirit checking on his home, and human eyes are just to jaded to see! My babies learn new things all the time, and we love them!If you check my yahoo page I believe I have pics posted!
2006-10-13 20:28:47 · answer #1 · answered by littlescreechowl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Buying a young parrot has advantages but you will not lose that much if you buy a grey that is 10, the challenge would be finding one. A bird that is older but has no illnesses, diseases, or bad habits. I don't think it would be a mistake but buying ayounger bird does alllow you to bond with them before they hit sexual maturity. Breeding birds is a challenge, and there is no guarantee that your female and her male will get along either. Even if you have some experience breeding is a whole knew experience. Breeding them means caging them together. This cage or aviary will have to be large enough fo them, and then the nesting box as well. Have either of you hand fed before? If not, if you are seriously considering breeding your Grey's then please go to a breeder of either amazons or a similar sized parrot and let them teach you. Experience is key when it comes ot hand feeding. You will need to set a brooder also. Also who will stay with the chicks when thye have to be fed every 3-4 hours? (Depending how long you let them stay with the parents) These things have to be thought through. Also is there anyone in your area interested in Grey's? If not, what will you do with the 2-4 babies? Will you, can you keep them? Also do you have the time to provide for a grey? 6 hours? Also think of the diet needs of a breeding female as well. If you two are serious you need to decide about where it will take place, the birds will have to stay will one of you all and not be moving around as that can cause stress and that would prevent breeding. You really have to do your research as Breeding and properly socializing a young parrot is key and not easy. Talking to breeders in your area for advice and tips is best, and if you can help them. See how long it takes. Will you be able to quit your job to stay with the birds and feed the babies and check the brooder temeprature and all that? If you buy a hand fed baby then make sure you can and will keep her happy and spend those hours with her otherwise you will end up with a plucking grey, and wether you wnat babies or not you have to be able to provide for your breeding pair. Also you say keep the female for breeding and keep a baby? No, if you buy a hand fed female and then keep a baby you will have 2 greys that need your care adn attention. You cannot just ignore the female once you have a baby. Please do more research on the responsibilities of owning a grey, and then talk to breeders and etc because it is really hard even with only one pair. Not saying it is impossible but it has to be thought out and you have to have it really thought out.
2016-05-22 00:29:20 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Coco, my grey, is only 7 years old. He has lived with a previous owner for 3 years. I think he combines things he's heard from his old owner and from me.....and he says weird stuff all the time.
"You're a mean one, Mr. Scrooge" is one of my favorites, but he's also got
"What are you doing? WHATCHUDOOOIN? Come on!"
"Fred? Going out Fred?" (We don't know a Fred)
....He also makes the sound of a microwave beeping and the sound of popcorn popping in a microwave.....
and the cutest of all: My family and I just had to put down our twelve-year-old basset hound 2 months ago. The day we came home from putting him down, the bird whistled and said "Ziggy?? Come here Ziggy! Goin out? Good boy" and will now call him (probably wondering where he is) every morning. Before that day he had never learned how to call the dog. I really do feel that Coco knew Zig passed away and this is his way of letting us know.
:) Have a great day
2006-10-14 02:39:33 · answer #3 · answered by DeeDee 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's gotta be interesting to see what he'll come up with next! I am curious - did you have him from the time he was a baby? If he had a previous owner maybe they said those things in front of him. Otherwise, I think what you said is true - that he's making his own sentences up. Or maybe some he could have gotten from the tv?
I wish I had an African Grey, they are soooooo smart!
2006-10-13 18:42:34 · answer #4 · answered by crouchingpossum 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had one that would Mimic video games noises. He would do it really loud, it was awful. When my second child was born he became so jealous and angry and when he (the baby) started to walk, "bird" would hang off the side of his cage and call him over, he would say " Oh Brandon Boo come here baby. Come on, come here" And I know he wanted to take a bite out of him.. Needless to say when the next Baby arrived he had to go to a new home. But I miss him still......
He would also call the dog.. "Petey, come on Petey you stupid dog" Same reason, to bite him.
2006-10-13 18:42:17 · answer #5 · answered by mahjah72 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They (researchers) are finding that African Greys are scary smart. You hear about "child like intelligence" in certain animals,, but these birds have shown the ability to put complex thoughts together and come up with ideas of their own.
It doesn't suprise me at all that he's doing that.
2006-10-13 20:00:41 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't have a parrot but my mom told me a parrot story that's funny. Years ago she knew some lady that had a parrot. The parrot used to yell "Goddammit Dom". The lady's husband's name was Dom. The parrot must have picked that up because the lady yelled it so often!
2006-10-13 19:00:54 · answer #7 · answered by beachgirlkandy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yuppers!! used to know one who barked like a dog & not just one bark but he barked like a BIG dog & like little dog(yip yip yip)...he also swore a bit.....said things like "Go phuck yourself, Marvin" we have no idea why Marvin but thats what he said.....smart animals but your SOOO right A LOT of work!!! definatly NOT for the average person
2006-10-13 20:53:18 · answer #8 · answered by *♥* ♥* FaeGoddess*♥*♥* 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i want one of those:(
2006-10-13 18:33:16 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋