If you do you'll love this site. Please read it all. You will not regret it.
After reading it I am a step closer to owning a loving one soon.
Please tell me what you think. Thank you
THE LINK :
http://www.alexfoundation.org/
2007-10-02 05:46:53 · 8 answers · asked by RED-CHROME 6 in Pets ➔ Birds
" proudpar... "
Gee, so many moving answers. I learned about Alex from a newspaper in Portuguese, LOL, then searched Alex and its foundation.
and I haven't even bought it yet.
Hi " proudpar..." please stick around... With your qualifications and experience.... please be within reach.
I am so excited about my future baby A/Grey that (honestly) I have dreamt about him/her and I haven't even bought it yet.
2007-10-02 10:04:27 · update #1
Oops.... please ignore the first "and I haven't even bought it yet."
2007-10-02 10:05:17 · update #2
" RAV "
Thank you "RAV" for your 'no frills' but nonetheless very good advice. I am going to sound silly perhaps but the ONLY reason I would like a Grey is to love the thing, really. Nothing else. Many years ago I had a cockatiel that never talked and I did not care. Just the cute little head and face loving me was enough. (justi n case you are all wondering, I am a fully fledged man, lol... with a wife and children but that is precisely what parrots in general do to me !!!) I cannot resist their loving expression.
2007-10-02 10:11:33 · update #3
Very sad news about Alex.Do all the research you possibly can to ensure you give your Grey the very best home. My Grey has given me two years of pleasure so far, watching him grow up has been amazing, it is like having another child,he is devoted to me and vice versa .It is a lifelong commitment and not to be taken lightly.Good luck.
2007-10-03 12:06:59 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, the Alex Foundation is a wonderful sight and African Greys are wonderful birds. I just want to point out however that not all African Greys will display the same amount of vocal and cognitive ability that Alex did. So one should not get one of these birds for that quality alone. There are just far too many birds out there that were purchased on impulse that need loving homes.
If you need further help now or in the future... I urge you to visit http://www.theperch.net/discussion/index.php?referrerid=2601 (my very favorite bird board community). It's a bird only website with TONS of information about birds from very experienced knowledgeable bird owners. You can get any questions you ever have answered there or simply exchange stories with other members. There is a place you can store photos and videos to as well as a store you can buy supplies from. You can even get your own free website.
2007-10-02 14:56:47 · answer #2 · answered by ProudParronting 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I love my African Grey, but I don’t love that site.
I find it very sad that Alex died so young.
Have you seen the video yet of Dr Pepperberg working with Alex... the one where Alex keeps asking "Go back now?" He kept asking in a small voice to be let out of the lesson... like he wanted out, but also knew that she would not let him leave until he had done what she asked. He seemed almost resigned to his fate, but still tried.
Owning a grey is not a guarantee that you will own an intelligent talker. There are Greys who never talk. I know someone who owns one that used to talk, but it clammed right up when another bird repeated its favourite phrase... and it never spoke again. Some will never speak at all in your presence. Others are so vocal that some owners say "I wish my Grey would be quiet for 5 minutes!!!" Buying based on seeing one or a couple Greys talking can lead to disappointment.
One saying about Greys is "If you want a bird that will talk to entertain your family and friends, don't get a Grey". Do you know why that is?
Another saying is “Don’t spend your last $XXXX.XX on a bird”. The initial cost of the bird itself can be small compared to the cost of cages, stands, vet bills, perches, toys, etc.
Rather than buying based on the study of one species, I highly recommend that you learn all you can about bird behaviour in general. There are some very serious behaviour issues that can arise with companion birds. Inexperienced owners can run into all kinds of trouble. The Avian Rescue societies are overflowing with unwanted so called “problem birds”, Greys included.
Have a look at this site. It’s a real eye-opener:
http://www.thegabrielfoundation.org/Home/
Greys are not easy birds to care for especially for newbie bird owners. They require a lot of time and patience... but then again, all birds require time and patience and should be loved for what they are as individual thinking creatures with feelings, and not for being a potentially entertaining possession.
Edit: I read what you added to your question. That's wonderful to hear that you have no expectations and are just in it for the love of them. I wish you all the best!
PS. Sally Blanchard (companionparrot.com) has written a book on Greys that you might be interested in. She also has the "Companion Parrot Handbook". I have her "Beak Book" and it contains some really great info.
Also, Bobbi Brinker has written a book on Greys called "For the Love of Greys"
2007-10-02 16:52:36 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oh no!
I am so out of touch here!
I had no idea Alex had died!
I've been a fan of his for years, after seeing a brilliant documentary about him.
I've always wanted an African Grey. Even before I'd heard about Alex, my friend told me he'd had this same type of parrot before, and it was amazing!
He told me stories about riding his motorbike on country roads and his parrot flew with him ...they had an amazing bond.
I still would love to own one some day. Right now, it isn't possible.
Alex was my hero! I even wrote a kids book inspired by him; about a little boy with selective mutism who began to speak again because of such a parrot. If it ever gets published, I'll dedicate it to dear Alex.
Although this news makes me very sad, other Alex's live on.
I hope YOU get yours and that you'll have a very loving relationship!
Thank you for telling me the news.
2007-10-02 14:27:16 · answer #4 · answered by kiteeze 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I absolutely love and adore my Grey. His name is Beethoven (Bae Bae). He loves to take naps in our laps. He even gets under the covers and sleeps with me. He loves attention.
Unfortunately we were stationed in S. Korea and could not bring him. I miss my "chicken". He is with my mother. I talk to him on the phone and send him new toys all the time.
We were all broken-hearted about Alex. He was a shining example of what a well-loved bird is. He was one of the determining factors for us to get a Grey. Of course the fifteen or so other cockatiels that we have had made us bird lovers. They are all characters when treated to lots of love and attention.
2007-10-03 09:05:02 · answer #5 · answered by josie9395s 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i have 2 african greys and love them both with all my heart.i couldnt even imagine losing them as Dr. Pepperberg lost Alex. he will be missed very much.he was a very special bird, and i dont imagine we will see another one like him for a long time to come.i read this site and it was beautiful. i am a member of a group on yahoo called remembering alex. it keeps alex in our memories so he will never be forgotten. good luck with your new bird. i know you will love him as i love mine.
2007-10-03 00:01:10 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Alex Foundation is one of the finest sites on the Net! You cannot go wrong going to their site!
RIP Alex
2007-10-02 12:51:46 · answer #7 · answered by John P 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Beautiful and very moving. I don't own a Grey, but I have other parrots.They make charming pets,given the right care for their needs.
2007-10-02 14:11:33 · answer #8 · answered by red lady-bird 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋