African Grey parrots are extremely popular among parrot breeds because of their intelligence and their relatively reasonable price as compared to other types of parrots. They can range anywhere between $500-$1200 depending on the source. There are also parrot listed in local newspapers that are being sold or “given to a good home.” It cannot be stressed that while parrots make interesting pets, there are issues one must consider before making one your pet. I mention this because there are many unwanted parrots and many people overlook the subtle nuances of these exotic pets.
Instructions
Buy African Grey Parrots
1. Before you even search for an African Grey, research this parrot extensively. They are a commitment on many levels. They live anywhere from thirty to seventy years of age. This is a very long time to be in the care of something that relies on you for everything. They also need a tremendous amount of attention. They are extremely intelligent and once they bond with you and your family, they feel considered part of the flock. If the initial excitement of a new pet begins to wane, they are smart enough to realize that they are no longer being treated the same. They can get depressed and parrots in general will self-mutilate, i.e., pulling out their own feathers, if their mental state is not healthy. Another major consideration is that they are not far removed from being wild animals. They have not been domesticated like dogs and cats, and will bite (quite hard) and act like the wild animals, in certain circumstances.
2. There are negatives to consider with every decision that is life altering. If the negatives outlined are non-factors, then you should proceed to the next step in buying an African Grey. There are two schools of thought with regard to the young bird that you will be purchasing in reference to its initial upbringing before it is ready to be sold. One school of thought is to let the “mother bird” raise her children and when they are the right age, they are separated and sold to their new family. The other school of thought has the baby birds “hand fed” by the breeder and eventually the owner if sold at a very young age. Proponents of the second method believe that if the parrot sees a human from the moments its eyes are open, then it will act less like a bird. Either philosophy can be refuted and the best way to choose is to read up on the subject and contact breeders, store owners, or parrot owners. Then make a decision based on what you logically think is most appropriate.
3. You must also decide where to purchase your parrot from: breeder, pet store, or parrot store. There are proponents of each type and once again it mostly has to do with societal beliefs. Some people would say that breeders are better because they do most of the work and care for the animals. Others say breeders do not care about the animals; they are just trying to make a buck. No one claims the pet store is not trying to make a buck, but they criticize the environment as being not appropriate for this type of intelligent yet fragile pet. The parrot store specializes in parrots and each owner is criticized based on his or her business practices. There are good and bad with each type of seller, so research each possible source. Word of mouth is often very helpful and reputations usually precede each individual or store with little to no real delving into their business practices.
4. Now that the disclaimer part of the has concluded and you are ready to purchase the actual parrot, there are a few other things to consider. Before picking out the parrot it is important to set up a cage or "home," for the new family member. Since they are prey animals they need a safe place and this is usually their cage. The cage for an African Grey needs to be at least 3' by 3' by 3'. They make much bigger cages and it comes down to space and how spoiled you would like to make your new pet. Buy food and bird toys. Have the setup ready for the parrot.
5. After you have decided who to buy from, take as many family member that live in the house with you to meet the new pet. It is important that this type of pet realizes that it does not have an social status above any member of the household as it may treat he or she in a more aggressive manner. Bring the African Grey home and enjoy.
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