anyone got an African Grey?

[Two_Sheds]

my pet shop has got a baby Grey for £650. A lot of money, but I'd rather have a parrot than a dog, which would cost a lot more over the long-term. I'm an experienced parrot keeper, but not had a Grey before.
Anyone else got one? Are they very noisy? (my Conure's screeching drives me insane )

[Claire72]

No, not got one, always wanted one when I was at college though.
A local pet shop has one, and mostly it is quiet, but does have a squark or two at times

[Alice]

My sister had one Two Sheds. It was an absolutely fabulous speaker. It mimicked everybody and associated what was said with what was happening. It didn't do unnescessary screaching.

[Flummery]

Don't forget they live a long time. I'm too old to get one now, although I'd love one! I'd have to bequeath it to the kids.

[Two_Sheds]

I got a starling instead ~ be careful what you wish for! baby starling, 1 June 08 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

[Ethansmum]

I bought my Mum one for her birthday ages ago (we lived in Africa for 20 years but never got one! now we get here and she wants one!). It is a 'one person' bird if you know what I mean. I hates me, my kids and my Mum! Zulu (thats his name) dotes on my Dad though- he absolutely loves him. Then after a few weeks he'll switch back to my Mum and won't have anything to do with Dad.

He isn't noisy (except if you are eating something he wants - he'll kick up a fuss until you give it to him. He does bite though if hes in a mood- thats why the kids (and me) are petrified of him. Hes bitten my dad through to the bone! That said my Mum loves him to death.

We paid about £550 from a breeder. Get as young a bird as you can- the eyes should be black. Please buy as big a cage as possible too.

[Two_Sheds]

Get as young a bird as you can- the eyes should be black. Please buy as big a cage as possible too.

yeah, I know. I've kept parrots for 20 years, but now I have a bigger house, instead of a flat, I'd like a Grey. He'd be fairly 'free range' ~ the cage would just be for bedtime.

[rustylady]

Heaven help you! If you're absolutely set on having an African Grey, then go for it. I got to know two of them quite well when I lived in Kenya for three months. They lived in a large cage on the patio in the shade - they'd never been socialised and were vicious little b*****s, although they did accept the offer of food (loved chillies) as long as you were careful where you put your fingers. They didn't talk either, though Greys are supposed to be very good companions if socialised from an early age.

[Pootle]

Don't forget they live a long time. I'm too old to get one now, although I'd love one! I'd have to bequeath it to the kids.

Ha ha! My Grandpa bought one when he was in his mid 70s - we all thought he was bonkers, but he (and the parrot) are still going strong at 94 (Grandpa, not parrot!)

The only downside is that Grandpa's cleaner used to have a small, yappy dog and a bad smokers cough - the parrot impersonates the dog and has a bad smokers cough which is annoying, but then I don't have to live with it

[Two_Sheds]

I just found this on You Tube... my Grey would be more polite (maybe!) YouTube - Swearing Parrot

[NOG]

If you want a parrot? PM me your address and I will catch you a few and post them to you.

We have loads living in the trees at the allotments. Only they are green not gray.

There are a few groups living in Kent and Surrey.

[Claire72]

If you want a parrot? PM me your address and I will catch you a few and post them to you.

We have loads living in the trees at the allotments. Only they are green not gray.

There are a few groups living in Kent and Surrey.

Really? naturally, or have they been 'released' from peoples houses and just reproduced?
There must be something in the global warming lark, wouldn't have thought this country was warm enough for them!
(do they talk if they are in the wild?)

[bubblewrap]

African Grey, I had enough problems with the Norwegian Blue
YouTube - Monty Python: " Dead Parrot "

[Flummery]

I got a starling instead ~ be careful what you wish for! baby starling, 1 June 08 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Ahhh! Remind me not to visit when you're doing spaghetti though!

[Flummery]

Really? naturally, or have they been 'released' from peoples houses and just reproduced?
There must be something in the global warming lark, wouldn't have thought this country was warm enough for them!
(do they talk if they are in the wild?)

I think they are the ring necked parakeets that have become a real plague in some areas. They are now naturalised.

On hols last year we were in a village in N Yorks and two Macaws and a cockatiel flew over us. They seemed to be feral but might just have been free-flying and home for nights? Very amusing - and confusing!