New to all this.

[Lady Jane]

they turned up with an CAG

How fortunate you will be if you get the grey.

 

[Smbrds]

Highly recommend that the birds you narrow down, to not only ask lots of questions like you're doing now and learning, but also go to species specific sections and study "Good, Bad and Ugly" to see the stories other members' birds and the pros and cons. Excellent resource, as is the forum itself.

 

[scott199]

Highly recommend that the birds you narrow down, to not only ask lots of questions like you're doing now and learning, but also go to species specific sections and study "Good, Bad and Ugly" to see the stories other members' birds and the pros and cons. Excellent resource, as is the forum itself.

I certainly do, it’s my first stop when a species is mentioned, when someone say “what about” I instantly go to that thread.

 

[scott199]

How fortunate you will be if you get the grey.

Do you think so ?

I am a little worried heard such contradicting stories of the attacking or being quite hard to please.

 

[Cynthia & Percy]

Do you think so ?

I am a little worried heard such contradicting stories of the attacking or being quite hard to please.

Since you are going to a rescue to get the bird you will be able to find out his history that they have in managing it what you see is what you get

 

[Petals]

Yello!! Good to have you

 

[Yoshi&Raphi]

Greys are so amazing. They have always fascinated me, can’t wait to find out what parrot you end up getting!

 

[Fuzzy]

Scott! How exciting!!

 

[Fuzzy]

Do you think so ?

I am a little worried heard such contradicting stories of the attacking or being quite hard to please.

All birds are individuals, shaped by current and past experiences. If a bird attacks, there will be a reason behind it... usually something that the human is doing. So be careful to watch and heed any parrot's body language so you can avoid doing something that results in a lunge or bite. Plus, positively reinforce behaviour you want to see more of - that way the bird will enjoy interaction with you.

With a new arrival, you won't necessarily know what is reinforcing for that particular individual, so just observe. Notice what his or her favourite foods are (what does he pick out of the food bowl first?), does he like head scratches, whistles, what are his favoured toys, favourite place to hang out in the cage, etc, etc.? Food is a good one as it is an unlearned reinforcer (all birds have to eat) - will he take a favoured morsel of food from your fingers (start with a big piece so that he doesn't have to get too close to your fingers)?

 

[scott199]

All birds are individuals, shaped by current and past experiences. If a bird attacks, there will be a reason behind it... usually something that the human is doing. So be careful to watch and heed any parrot's body language so you can avoid doing something that results in a lunge or bite. Plus, positively reinforce behaviour you want to see more of - that way the bird will enjoy interaction with you.

With a new arrival, you won't necessarily know what is reinforcing for that particular individual, so just observe. Notice what his or her favourite foods are (what does he pick out of the food bowl first?), does he like head scratches, whistles, what are his favoured toys, favourite place to hang out in the cage, etc, etc.? Food is a good one as it is an unlearned reinforcer (all birds have to eat) - will he take a favoured morsel of food from your fingers (start with a big piece so that he doesn't have to get too close to your fingers)?

Thank you

great advise as always.

 

[scott199]

Well just to keep you updated we have agreed and our new buddy should be here Saturday or Sunday

we have agreed to safe house an African grey called bert (I believe)
13 years old.

not going to lie, I am a wee bit nervous, just hope we can do right by him, I’ve spent the last 6 hours reading everything I can about CAG’s

We’re getting some bits and bobs prior, treats, toys to play with F10 and such etc this week (he does come with his cage and toys and food he’s eating)

we do have to buy a travel cage, any recommendations ? Any better than others or help with what’s good and bad ?


Any pointers, first time advice, helpful little tip bits would be very, very welcome

 

[Cynthia & Percy]

For travel cages are used to cat carrier small dog carrier the kind that they would use at the airport My only tip is read to it and give it treats in his bowl and give it it used to you for the first few days before you leave it out congratulations Cynthia

 

[Fuzzy]

Re travel cages: Are you in the UK - I think you are? Certainly as Cynthia said a cat or small dog carrier. My Chico arrived in a plastic cat carrier (bear in mind that it could get badly chewed):

Look for a cage with a big door which is much easier to get the bird in or out. You'll be able to use it for vet trips or even as a night cage.

Another option is this Rainforest one:

Rainforest Travellor Bird Carry Cage

With car safety seat belt attachment to keep your bird safe and secure when travelling, 2 feeder bowls accessed by side opening doors, rope perch, carry handle and top perch for when you want to allow your bird out of the cage, a great way to get him used to using it in the first instance. All...

www.scarlettsparrotessentials.co.uk

Or if you wanted to spend a lot, the Kings Travel Cage (medium):

https://www.northernparrots.com/kings-cages-aluminium-parrot-travel-cage-medium-prod940910a/

 

[scott199]

For travel cages are used to cat carrier small dog carrier the kind that they would use at the airport My only tip is read to it and give it treats in his bowl and give it it used to you for the first few days before you leave it out congratulations Cynthia

Thank you, yes we will give him a few days or a week, we’ll chat and talk to him and wait for him to come to us, really want to make sure his first experiences with us are only good

Re travel cages: Are you in the UK - I think you are? Certainly as Cynthia said a cat or small dog carrier. My Chico arrived in a plastic cat carrier (bear in mind that it could get badly chewed):

Look for a cage with a big door which is much easier to get the bird in or out. You'll be able to use it for vet trips or even as a night cage.

Another option is this Rainforest one:

Rainforest Travellor Bird Carry Cage

With car safety seat belt attachment to keep your bird safe and secure when travelling, 2 feeder bowls accessed by side opening doors, rope perch, carry handle and top perch for when you want to allow your bird out of the cage, a great way to get him used to using it in the first instance. All...

www.scarlettsparrotessentials.co.uk

Or if you wanted to spend a lot, the Kings Travel Cage (medium):

https://www.northernparrots.com/kings-cages-aluminium-parrot-travel-cage-medium-prod940910a/

moj thank you, yes UK so these are perfect.

the kings one looks fab, but quite painful on the price

the rainforest is well within budget, do you think that would be ok ?

Park of the safe house Rule is we have to supply a suitable travel cage for vet trips etc, they have accounts with certain vets and the closest avian vet is an hour away, so it a basic requirement to have a suitable travel cage.

 

[scott199]

No idea what the moj is about should just be thank you

 

[Fuzzy]

The Rainforest one is fine. That would be my choice after the King's. I have some Kings and a Montana. Rainforest have apparently taken over from Montana which is now unavailable in the UK - although you can still buy them from Germany or Holland. The Rainforest and the Kings medium would both be great for a CAG. They are perfect for my Amazons which are roughly the same size. This is my Montana with Ollie (for size reference) sitting nearby:

This is Bobbie (she's a bit bigger than Ollie) in the Kings:

Ollie and Bobbie are roughly the same size as an average CAG... although chunkier.

 

[Monaco]

So lucky! Even if he's not a good fit, you're going to be in the company of a very special species!

 

[MauiWendy]

Hi All.

Been reading many a post and finally decided to join in and say Hi.

I'm extremely new to this and i am looking/researching getting my first Parrott.
I've wanted one for years but life/kids/time didn't allow me to devote the time and devotion needed, now I'm older, kids older and feel i have the time and funds.

i have so many questions but I'll leave those for the correct place.

Welcome!!! Are you looking in to a specific species? A good place to start is on the thread called “the good, the bad, the ugly” and ask lots of questions.

 

[MauiWendy]

well, i wanted a mid-sized robust little fellow that just wanted to be around us, playful, energetic, not massively 'flighty' this led me to really falling for the white-bellied Caiques and i did have my heart set on a one.

but after reading these forums and many others and chatting to people on facebook etc, I'm really not sure anymore as the stories of "nasty little vengeful attack modes" and terrible biting machines seems to be the thing, but I'm not stupid and i know generally for every bad story on the internet there is 5-10 good ones that never get posted, a little like a car forum, not many people sign up or find them to say "mines been perfect and I've never had a single breakdown or problem" i am realistic and i understand most, not all but most find forums for help with problems, i also understand that regardless of what it is, these are wild animals and anyone going in thinking they will never get bit, is really going in with the wrong attitude.

So with all that in mind, i started to look at Senagals, but everyone seems to say they are very protective and can get attached to one or another of us, not really suitable as its likely to spend much more quality time with me, but I'm at work, so the wife is home with it all day, she's happy to chat and play but wouldn't really interact as i would.

So really I'm looking for advice and insight into what may or may not be right for me.

i did go to an aviary and found the sweetest little hand reared lovebird, (the owner hand it in the house) not quite ready to leave yet but in the next week or two, very friendly, but it seemed a little small and delicate for what i had originally planned, but its certainly looking like a better fit for the whole family.

So, I think I should have signed up as "totally confused"

Caiques are great lil clowns. Little balls of energy. All birds can bite, be territorial, and hormonal. Personally speaking Senegal’s do tend to favor one person over another, but it can also depend on how you bond. I have a Red Bellied Parrot also from the poi family like the Senegal. He favors my husband, but is bonded to us both. Are you wanting a baby where you raise them or one that is an adult where you see the end results?

 

[scott199]

Well just to keep you updated we have agreed and our new buddy should be here Saturday or Sunday

we have agreed to safe house an African grey called bert (I believe)
13 years old.

not going to lie, I am a wee bit nervous, just hope we can do right by him, I’ve spent the last 6 hours reading everything I can about CAG’s

We’re getting some bits and bobs prior, treats, toys to play with F10 and such etc this week (he does come with his cage and toys and food he’s eating)

we do have to buy a travel cage, any recommendations ? Any better than others or help with what’s good and bad ?


Any pointers, first time advice, helpful little tip bits would be very, very welcome

Caiques are great lil clowns. Little balls of energy. All birds can bite, be territorial, and hormonal. Personally speaking Senegal’s do tend to favor one person over another, but it can also depend on how you bond. I have a Red Bellied Parrot also from the poi family like the Senegal. He favors my husband, but is bonded to us both. Are you wanting a baby where you raise them or one that is an adult where you see the end results?

hi thank you, as you see above the basic idea I had in the beginning has kind of gone out the window and we’ve decided to be a safe house for a rescue, we have our first one arriving Saturday/Sunday.

we just felt while we were unsure at least we could help a homeless little fellow out (well not so much little in my mind )

but we may find he’s the one or may not but it’s going to help the little chap find a forever home, so we’re kind of happy we can do something.

I do feel a whirlwind is about to happen