parrot choice

Aaron Ward · #1 (**permalink**) 02-25-2008, 07:06 PM

hey I'm thinking of saving for a goffins cockatoo or an African Grey wich one I've
been doing ALOT of research and have brought it down to these two heres some pics
goffins cockatoo
http://www.aviancompanions.com/GofSmall.jpg
and the famed Grey
http://firstflight.co.za/images/Afri...y_babies_5.jpg

Lucille · #2 (**permalink**) 02-25-2008, 07:33 PM

I've owned both, and currently have an Umbrella 'too. They are very different kinds of birds. I prefer the toos but they are a big responsibility as are all birds, but toos in particular seem to have the potential for a lot of issues. Kudos to you for doing your research first.

Aaron Ward · #3 (**permalink**) 02-25-2008, 07:51 PM

thanks right now im leaning towards the goffins but still dont know what to get

X-Factor · #4 (**permalink**) 02-25-2008, 07:53 PM

Greys from what I know have THE largest vocabulary of any bird....20k words or something. I have an Eclectus Parrot. Quite fun that guy.

Xeikeness · #5 (**permalink**) 02-25-2008, 07:54 PM

If I were to ever own a parrot, I'd go for the african grey.

I lived behind a couple that had three cockatoos in a massive enclosure in their back yard(southern california, the weather was just perfect for them to live outside most of the time).

We called the birds the "Raptors".

Every single morning from 6am, we'd wake up to:

YAAAAAAAAAAARK! REEEK REEEK REEEK RAAAAAWWWWWWKKKK! SCREEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!! RAAAAAAAAAAWWWWRK! CRA CRA CRA CRA CRA! RAAAAAAAAWWWWWWRK!!!

Man I hate those birds.

Granted, the people who owned them never paid any positive attention to them. About 3pm the stupid lady who owned them would walk out, feed them, and bash on the cage with a broom and tell them to shut up, or spray the cage with the hose.

I called animal control on them a couple times, but nothing ever got done. If I wasn't certain those birds would try to kill me if I tried to help them, I would have done something more hands-on, but yeah. They woulda killed me.

However, even after those ones, every 'too I've ever met has been a screamer. Socialized or no, they seem to love the sound of their own screeching. x_x

African grey, please? LOL

Allysen · #6 (**permalink**) 02-25-2008, 07:58 PM

When I was trying to figure out what kind of bird to get, I sat down and made a list of exactly what I wanted out of a pet bird, and then reevaluated what kinds would work the best for my situation. Greys and 'Toos are very different kinds of birds, both very intelligent and a lot of work, but both can be super rewarding.

Aaron Ward · #7 (**permalink**) 02-25-2008, 08:05 PM

i know because i want more more then a mimicing bird that will only sit around i want one thats rewarding ,active more of a companion bird not just a lil parakeet who will live only 8-10 years i want somthing that can learn from me and that i can learn from that could be a little more complex with their personallity

Xeikeness · #8 (**permalink**) 02-25-2008, 08:12 PM

Sounds to me like an African grey would be a better choice anyway. They are THE most intelligent parrot on the market, and they love to sit around and have actual conversation with the person they connect with. Honestly, if I were you, I'd start going to bird stores, and spending time just sitting around and handling the birds. See which one you connect with more.

That's what my mom did, and she ended up with this little green parrot that drives me nuts, but it's the perfect match for her. Sometimes, you never know, really. The bird that fits you best might not be what you were planning on.

Aaron Ward · #9 (**permalink**) 02-25-2008, 08:22 PM

ive been doing that and fell in love with an african grey and a goffins

*edit* thats why i need help

Xeikeness · #10 (**permalink**) 02-25-2008, 08:24 PM

Then you are stuck, aren't you? lol

Good luck... I love birds, but more corvids, myself. Parrots are fun to play with, though. I had a friend with a macaw once who I developed great repoire with. I'd stand in his living room and "juggle" the bird. I didn't know birds could laugh. o.O

Almost made me want one. ^_^ Keep us posted though, pictures are gonna be a must.

Wish I could help more, but I'm very limited on parrot knowledge.

Lucille · #11 (**permalink**) 02-25-2008, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xeikeness

The bird that fits you best might not be what you were planning on.

What a great answer!! And I agree! Currently I have around 45 birds, and 7 different kinds of birds but my fave is the 'too, with the Duyvenbode lory second, although I like them all. It is a matter of choice.

Allysen · #12 (**permalink**) 02-25-2008, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron Ward

i know because i want more more then a mimicing bird that will only sit around i want one thats rewarding ,active more of a companion bird not just a lil parakeet who will live only 8-10 years i want somthing that can learn from me and that i can learn from that could be a little more complex with their personallity

Both would be good choices then. From personal experience, my timneh grey has THE most complex personality I've ever experienced in a bird. It's amazing to watch him study a room and come to me with "problems", like when he needs his toys adjusted. He'll actually come wandering across the bed with a toy in his mouth that he wants re-tied, or twisted back into the position he likes. He won't leave until you do it right, either, lol!

He has a little keyboard toy in his cage with three different buttons that play three different songs. You can hum Fur Elise, and he'll run across his cage and push the buttons until the right song plays, it's SO cute!

One of his weird quirks is that he won't talk in front of people. If he's in his cage and he doesn't think anybody can hear him, he jabbers on for hours, saying "Oh what a good boy!" and "hello!" and "What are you doing?" and random other words, but the instant you come into the room he shuts up.

And as for cuddliness, I've never had more of a little snuggler. When the day is at an end, all he wants to do is sit on your chest and be scratched and love. He coos like a dove and closes his eyes and runs his beak across your chin, very tenderly. He's just the coolest little guy!

Aaron Ward · #13 (**permalink**) 02-25-2008, 08:35 PM

ya know ive always loved goffins ever since i met the one at pet extreme who would do stuff like in the matrix and absoulutly would not let any one touch him but me and i guess the person who bought him man i wish i could have bought him

BRITTani · #14 (**permalink**) 10-19-2008, 08:09 AM

I guess I should throw my 2 cents in....but I would go for the Grey, smart and chatty, my grandmother had a goffin...it was a rescue and the meanest thing you could imagine, but that's not his fault of course. Personally I have a blue and gold macaw and Jack is the quirkiest guy I could ever ask for. Just yesterday we were outside and a kid asked if he was real after Jack screamed at him and started yelling "WHAT!"....I said no and the kid believed me...go figure....

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