Amazon parrot or African Grey?

Question

I am looking into getting a parrot. I have experience with them and I am not worried about having enough time to play with the bird. I will have plenty of time, and there are five people in my family so the bird is going to have lots of attention and plenty of activity. We also have many guests so he will be introduced to all sorts of new people while young.
My question is:
Which is the more outgoing and affectionate? The (blue fronted or other) Amazon or the African Grey? I've heard a ton of negative stuff about the Grey and some people have told me that the Amazon is really moody and becomes terrible around sexual maturity.

I'm attached to the Grey because of its intelligence and loyalty but all the negative information has me looking at the Umbrella Cockatoo and the Blue fronted Amazon. Are these other two breeds worthy equals to the Grey?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Answer 1

Hi

This is going to be a quick answer as i have to go

Being a breeder of parrots (and a shop in uk) we never ever recomend the grey as a parrot which would do well with the whole family,

Reason for this is most greys tend to be clingy to one person, sort of female grey to male member male grey to female member, they are also not to good with kids (this is what we found out over the years)

Some people may not agree with what i just said but its just my opinion.

I Have never had a problem with bf amazons, or orange winged, i have sold them as family parrots and have never had any negative feedback from customers, also my bf amazon toby is great with everyone,

If you are however considering getting a cockatoo be prepared they are very very hard parrots to please they require an awfull amount of play and also you have to constantly provide new things for them to do as they can get very bored very quickly and start to pluck,

Also with the cockatoo normally when they hit sexual maturity normally around 5 years old they go a bit "wild" and sometimes are then no good as pets.

My cockatoo is now six, he was a hand reared baby and as daft as a brush and would love everyone and now he just about tollerates us all.

Either way find a breeder who'll let you visit your baby before its ready to go so you can then form a bond with it before you take it home it'll make the process easier.

Goodluck

Answer 2

My preference is the African Grey -
If you are serious about getting a parrot keep in mind that it is a lifetime commitment as they can live long enough to watch you collect social security. I highly recommend contacting your local bird club and attending a local bird club meeting. Most members are allowed to bring their birds (and most bird clubs & members are strict about health precausions). You can ask your local veteranrian or pet store for help to find a local bird clubs. I also recommend a breeder over getting a pet from a store. Birds have different personalities. I have found cockatoos to be manipulative and similiar to cats in their need for attention. They appear to have more separation anxiety then other birds - I don't know why. It sounds like you are willing to take the time to find the bird that is right for you - this shows that you are mature enough to wait until that happens. Good for you. It would also be prudent to get a young bird, but again, bird clubs often have birds (parrots) that are looking for good homes. NOT all of these birds have issues and some are actually very cool. I know, I have adopted in the past and recommend it as an option. Good luck - just make sure that the cage you get your bird is big - and then go find one a little bit bigger - the bird should be able to streatch or flap it's wings without touching anything in the cage.

Answer 3

I've never had a Grey, I've known a couple of Amazons and they were OK...but I had an Umbrella Cockatoo once that was wonderful. He had been a hand-fed baby, he had the personality of a very friendly cat. He would let anyone handle him, absolutely loved kids (to the point of grooming their eyebrows, when he got to the eyelashs I'd get nervous and make him stop) and was always gentle and wonderful with anyone. I had a boss with a Mollucan that was the same way, although he had a definite preference for females. For a very friendly, outgoing bird that enjoys being handled by lots of different people, I can highly recommend hand-fed cockatoos.

Answer 4

I have an Umbrella Cockatoo who is absolutely wonderful. Although completely manipulative, loud, and demanding of my time I cannot get enough of him! He loves everyone and when I have company, he loves to be passed from person to person. He is very animated, always dancing, talking, and being an absolute clown!
As for African Greys, I watch 2 of my neighbors on a regular basis. They are phenomenal talkers and mimic sounds of alarms, telephones, and even my dog! Two bad things are that they are both plucked almost bare of feathers and bite when they don't want to be handled. They pick their one person and don't care for others.
I think Amazons are wonderful but I've heard what you have. That they can be very moody and also that they don't usually talk much. They are so beautiful though!
I am currently watching a friend's Ectlectus who is so darling. One thing about him though, is that he doesn't seem to have much of a personality. He likes to be held and loves to eat, but just sort of sits there otherwise. Not a loud bird though, a definite bonus!
Gosh, there are so many wonderful birds for you to choose from. Take a look at this website. It is very informative.
Good luck and have fun!
http://www.pet-parrots.com/

Answer 5

In 1989
I owned an African Grey [or baby sat him for3 years- full time]
His name was Onyx and he was incredible.
His eyes were green gray with silver flecks and he was so intense. He was free to fly in the house (clipped) and caged when I was at work or in bed. He and the cat got along grand, they both hated the dog, so it was like a cartoon to see them in action.

He did not like much "human" interaction, he just didn't seem to need much, but he was like a "cat personality" ... he came to you when he wanted attention. I oftern ate sunflower seeds out of my pocket while I read a book or watched TV.

Contray to that he LOVED to ride into car- you even say the word or the TV ad came on for a car , he went nuts. So we would take a pillowcase walk out to the car and take a long drive.


Very smart and loyal- it took a while for him to warm up to me, since his owner was a male. [ went a way to college- and I kept him for him- they loved each other and literally talked on the phone]

It got so , we had to stop talking he would sulk and molt for days after talking to him.

I was so sad that He went back home- but the minute his owner came into the room, [he had not physically seen him in two years] the bird when nuts and he was screaming with joy! They really loved each other and it was my pleasure to share a brief time with him.

SO that was my African Grey story. Fast forward- He is still alive & well. Onyx is 24 years old.
The only one molting 'Ha ha" is his owner now in his late 40's.
This bird is a family member. But he was never good around kids. Yet neither was his parents- so who knows.

Oh did I mention he meows- just like my cat who is 21 years old.

Answer 6

African Greys are much friendlier and less likely to "bite the hand that feeds them" than Amazons. And Greys are more sociable than Amazons so they can handle the many people likely to be around the house.

Answer 7

An African Grey is a better talker!

Answer 8

I am not a fan of parrots or other large birds, but the African Grey has won me over.

Severe Macaws are pretty nice birds too.

Answer 9

African Greys are really great at speaking and learning little tricks. I don't know much about the others.

Answer 10

AFRICAN GREY they re very intelligent i own one hes the best bird i ever owned good luck