CANT DECIDE!!! PLEASE HELP!!!

[Sienna]

Met and named two birds i want to buy at the breeders, but i can only get one. one is a Hyacinth Macaw, and another is a Congo African Gray. i kno each bird has its own personality, but i need to know the general pros and cons of each bird, and your personal opinion. thanks!!!!

[Michael]

Doesn't sound like either is suitable for you.

[Sienna]

Doesn't sound like either is suitable for you.

why wouldnt i be? its not like you kno me

[Michael]

I don't need to know you. I just know that someone who takes this kind of decision so lightly is not qualified to handle these parrots. Basically, if you need to ask the difference between a Hyacinth and an African Grey, then you probably have so little experience or exposure to parrots that you shouldn't even be considering anything beyond a "beginner" parrot.

Personally, I don't think anyone should buy an African Grey without at least several years of experience with small to medium parrots. No one should buy a hyacinth without at least that and experience with a medium to large macaw as well. When I was considering getting an African Grey, the first thing I did was buy the book about African Greys. Eventually I decided that it wasn't the parrot for me.

[Brittanyv326]

I agree with Michael. I think you should do some reading. First, definitely read Parrots for Dummies. I learned an unbelievable amount from that book. The author actually owns an African Grey so she talks about them in a bit more detail than the other types of parrots. She goes through everything you should know before you even go to a breeder! I think it is vital to read this or another book like it. Once you have an idea of what type of bird you want, go and buy a book on that particular species and read it cover to cover. THEN and only then contact breeders. Sorry to be so blunt, I realize coming on here for information may be your way of doing research, but you need a lot more than brief outlines of the species before deciding.

[Natacha]

Wow, talk about a broad range here..

Just out of curiosity, have you asked how much the Hyacinth macaw will cost?..'Cause around here, the price of the bird alone will discourage a lot of people from taking it on. Not to mention the cage it requires (and in the case of the Hyacinth, I wouldn't go with anything else but stainless steel and given they are the biggest macaw, it will have to be a HUGE cage), the continuous supply of toys it is bound to destroy, the specific diet (rich in nuts I believe)...it gets costly.

And then the African Grey, the "talker" who doesn't always talk. One of the species of parrot out there that is prone to feather destruction/mutilation when something goes wrong. One of the species of parrots that requires the most stimulation/interaction to keep happy. Now I know a lot of people who have very happy/content African Greys, but they don't qualify their bird as an "easy" bird, far from it.

I wonder, what have you researched before thinking of getting either of these birds?

[myakando]

This is the sad reality for so many parrots out there. People go out and get birds without having any type of kowledge at all, they may THINK they do but they don't! They just don't do their research. In the end, it is the bird that becomes the victim when they get *dumped* down the road for whatever silly excuse the owner decides to make up.... loud, too messy, bites too much and of course, the all too famous "I just don't have time for it anymore."

[TheNzJessie]

i have worked with all different types of parrots for 6 years at my local zoo and a pet store i worked at. and one of those types of parrots were cag's (congo african grey) i personally would not recommend them to many people there not the type of bird you take on lightly. i found looking after them 5 days of the week 4 hours a day stressful i cant imagine living with one. dont get me wrong i love them to death and still visit the pair every weekend. but there a bird that should not be underestimated. as for the macaw your talking about i have never worked with one so i cant give any advice on them sorry.

[bmsweb]

Doesn't sound like either is suitable for you.

Dude! I don't even know what to say to a reply like this . . . . you honestly crack me up Michael LOL

[skeetersunconure]

i pretty much agree with what everyone else said but try starting smaller