african grey?

[bird luva 4eva]

i am thinking of getting an african grey as i love all birds and only have 4 small birds atm(2 budgies,2 cockatiels).would anyone recomend them?

[notredamebird]

I love them! But the question is: what do you want in a bird? What attracts you to them? They are a good bird, IF they are the type of bird you would enjoy and if your lifestyle is a good match.

[xwitchymagicx]

Where would you house the african grey?

Can you afford the vet bills/cage/diet etc that it needs?

Do you have the time to give it and your other four birds the attention they need?

I've never had one, but I'm sure their harder to look after than smaller birds, and more expensive too for their day to day care.

I'd only recommend a bigger bird if you know you have the time, money and patience to care for them. Oh and of course, space.

[Jeff & Lana]

TAGs and CAG are both great birds. But they do require quite a bit of time/effort in order to keep them happy and healthy. Have you had an opportunity to interact with one yet? If not, I strongly suggest checking them out at a local breeder and talk with several people that have one before making your decision to bring one into your flock.

[CritterLover]

I love them, too and you've gotten some good advice here. Ask yourself what you want in a bird, consider if you have the time, space and resources to care for it, whatever bird you get, from smallest parrotlet to biggest macaw.

There is a book, Mattie Sue Athan's Guide to Companion Bird Behavior and it covers the behavioral traits of many of the more common parrots. See what appeals to you, spend some time with some real ones (adults, though -- all baby birds are incredibly cute!!) and make your decision.

Best of luck!

[ray1457]

I've had budgies, 'tiels, and conures, but not an AG... My only suggestions would be to do lots (LOTS, LOADS) of research, and visit some of the birds at a breeder. I was amazed at (and almost unprepared for) the difference in personality between the smaller birds and the conures, so I can only imagine how much more of a challenge it would be to live with a MUCH larger bird...

[Joey28]

I wouldn't recomend an African Grey for a begginer Parrot they need lots of attention like any other parrot. Maybe a smaller parrot that would be good for a begginer would be a Green Cheeck Conure or a Sun Conure... don't you go to school to. You wouldn't have the time...