An update

[GreenWing]

Thanks to those who've sent all the emails and messages and were there after I lost Tiki. I am still grieving, and I miss her everyday.

An African Grey parrot named "Baby" in need of a rehome helped me through my grief. I wanted to adopt him, but someone beat me to it. As a result, though, I've fallen in love with African Greys. (I'm finding out that they're much like myself )

I've been bonding with a female Congo African Grey, also in need of a rehome. She was distrustful of me at first (as she is of most people), but over time I've befriended her. She now lets me scratch her, pet her, and she talks and laughs for me. She's between 5 to 8 years of age, and has an extensive vocabulary. She does not pluck her feathers, but does have a cursing problem.

She is getting close enough to me to want to step-up (offering her leg) but when I offer my hand, she'll grab my sleeve and chew on it instead of stepping-up. She also loves to play with my hair but has not been rough about it at all.

I am interested in adopting her and I feel excited about it. She'll step-up for the clerk but has yet to for me because she likes chewing my clothes. Any advice on getting her to step-up? I let her know I respect her boundaries and it always leads to a step closer, but I'd like to help speed up the progress, if I can. I know Greys are chewers so I don't mind the chewing, as I'll have designated "parrot clothes."

Anyway, it's good to be back and posting again.

[Michael]

One trick with the cursing is to help him improve his pronunciation. For example, changing words to mass, ship, truck, bunt, and witch. It's easy, mkay?

[cml]

Glad to have you back on the forums again!

[marie83]

Welcome back. I'm so sad that Tiki has still not returned home yet but good to hear of your new companion, what is her name?

[Pajarita]

Good to hear you will be getting another feathered friend. I've gotten several parrots that said inadequate things but, usually, as time goes by, they stop saying them and replace them with the words they hear everyday.

[GreenWing]

One trick with the cursing is to help him improve his pronunciation. For example, changing words to mass, ship, truck, bunt, and witch. It's easy, mkay?

Lmao! Best. Comment. Ever.

Glad to have you back on the forums again!

Thank you so much, it's good to be back How are your birds doing?

Welcome back. I'm so sad that Tiki has still not returned home yet but good to hear of your new companion, what is her name?

Thank you Marie, her name is Chance. We made a lot of progress today - she stepped up for me twice, let me pet her longer and let me kiss her! BUT she also gave me a good bite at one point, she didn't bleed me but she left a red mark. I probably pushed her a little too hard to step up; I respect her boundaries, but at the same time she responds to my confidence, so I tested the waters. However, Chance won't let my spouse handle her and she bit him when he asked her to step-up. But... Chance now has competition as I have met a very sweet Yellow Fronted Amazon also in need of a rehome that is pretty quiet and doesn't bite; she stepped-up for me right away. I am stuck as I like both birds but can only choose one. What do you think, Marie? Should I go with the Amazon who steps up nicely, doesn't bite, accepts my spouse and is really sweet -- or the CAG that I've worked so hard to build a friendship with, but will likely be more work?

(For what it's worth, both birds are at least five years of age and have matured)

Good to hear you will be getting another feathered friend. I've gotten several parrots that said inadequate things but, usually, as time goes by, they stop saying them and replace them with the words they hear everyday.

Thank you so much, and that is great advice. What do you know about Yellow Fronted Amazons? I am torn between the two birds at this point.

[marie83]

Omg, I would struggle to choose but tbh I think I would go with the more troubled of the two in the hope the other one wouldn't get shunted from pillar to post as it has less problems and in theory it would be more likely to find a forever home.
It really does depend on circumstance though- you have someone else to consider, you know how much work this bird could be if the birds behaviour regressed or never improved any further (less likely though if your already getting such good improvements). Theres no guarantee the amazon would remain so sociable with the two of you once it has chosen its favourite and breeding hormones set in though again you have experience, your willing to put in the work and you don't let bites put you off. I think you would make a good caregiver to either of the birds but ultimately its your choice and you know your own circumstances best.

[cml]

I like amazons (obviously ). But greys are nice too, and I dont think you can go wrong either way, and you will be helping either of the two. Go with your heart!

[GreenWing]

Omg, I would struggle to choose but tbh I think I would go with the more troubled of the two in the hope the other one wouldn't get shunted from pillar to post as it has less problems and in theory it would be more likely to find a forever home.
It really does depend on circumstance though- you have someone else to consider, you know how much work this bird could be if the birds behaviour regressed or never improved any further (less likely though if your already getting such good improvements). Theres no guarantee the amazon would remain so sociable with the two of you once it has chosen its favourite and breeding hormones set in though again you have experience, your willing to put in the work and you don't let bites put you off. I think you would make a good caregiver to either of the birds but ultimately its your choice and you know your own circumstances best.

That's a good point; I've spent a lot of time working with the Grey, but as I told Michael, I don't think Chance "chose" me... it's more of a work-in-progress where she has slowly warmed up to me. When I first met Chance she stared at me wide-eyed and didn't like me at all. Now after many visits and treats she has finally decided I'm alright... she perks up when she sees me, but just doesn't like to be handled much. That's just how she is, though.

As for the Amazon, she's a real sweetheart, stepped up for me, said "hello" a lot, and let me kiss her. I found out that her original owner was elderly in need of hospice, and couldn't care for her anymore. She seems to be equally friendly to men and women; I like that she let my husband handle her with no problems. The only instance of her being aggressive is when the baby 'zons are with her... she is very maternal with them. It's a really tough decision but I need to spend more time with the Amazon before I make a final decision.

I like amazons (obviously ). But greys are nice too, and I dont think you can go wrong either way, and you will be helping either of the two. Go with your heart!

Yeah, this is true... I really like both birds and care for both, but so far my heart is saying the Amazon.

[marie83]

That's a good point; I've spent a lot of time working with the Grey, but as I told Michael, I don't think Chance "chose" me... it's more of a work-in-progress where she has slowly warmed up to me. When I first met Chance she stared at me wide-eyed and didn't like me at all. Now after many visits and treats she has finally decided I'm alright... she perks up when she sees me, but just doesn't like to be handled much. That's just how she is, though.

Whilst I can see your point and obviously I don't know anything about her beyond her needing a new home I would say that some birds wouldn't "choose" anyone due to how they have been treated, handled or not handled in the past, also if they are strongly bonded to their current owners that would also make a big difference to how they act towards new people. This was certainly the case for most of mine, I think there was only really Ollie who "chose" me, but we survived the challenges and as much as I hate to say they all turned out to be good pets, I would say things have definitely turned out really really well. How does she interact with her current owners/fosteres/rescue staff?
I do think you should follow your gut instinct though and go with the one you think you can provide the better home for though.