I dont know how much you want to spend--I have a friend with an African Grey parrot (he is definitely not 'thousands'probably about $5-800) that is just shy of human--he greets me by name, laughs at my jokes, whistles just about every TV theme song he has ever heard, has a good sense of humor (he knows when to curse, give an exaggerated fart or kissing sound) and is a good affectionate pet. There is of course care and some training of the bird involved, but as long as you dont get a squawker, African greys can really become part of a family....when I visit he loves to come over, perch on my finger or shoulder, or just sit near me and talk---he also knows a few tricks -he plays dead if you shoot him and says 'got me! and he will ring exactly like the phone to get people to come into his room and then laugh at them when they do....
African Greys are verry smart--I saw a show on the discovery channel a few years ago where they actually figured a way to measure their comprehension and gave them a test based on colors, shapes and verbal commands--it confirmed what I already believed from experiences with 'Alex' -- they have the ability to think and interact appropriately.
Its uncanny at times-the timing of his comments.
As far as ex's son being too young--well maybe now, but the good thing about Greys is that they have a very long lifespan and could be with him for a very good chunk of his life.
They are definitely highly likable and lovable creatures
How are you doing? Here are a few things to consider about birds. While African Greys are great talkers they also get bored easily and they live real long. A bored bird can develop bad habits such as feather pulling and screaming. Parakeets are not really good talkers, but they are inexpensive and you can gauge if your child is responsible as a caretaker. Another choice not mentioned is a myna bird. They are great talkers and they do not live as long as parrots. However they are fruit eating birds so they have loose stools. Also they are not as cheap as they were years ago. I think the government has stopped the importation of wild birds from India. Best of luck with your new pet!
i would love to have a bird like that mstar, but no way i can afford it at the moment. i know i said i don't want to spend "thousands" and i've been offered one for around 875. but not yet, at the moment anyway.
anyway i'm still shopping around.
and i appreciate all your input. you are wonderful people.
i'm snowed in so i can't go visiting birdies right now.
i'm a new momma !!!! it's a cockatiel ! (don't know yet if boy or girl, it's too young to know)
it looks a lot like the sweethearts wrestlenot posted
it's grey and white and has orange cheeks, if it stays grey and white it's a girl, and if it stays only grey, it's a boy, or something like that
i think its name is going to be rascal
**
i never knew a few miles from here was a bird farm ~ they are all raised from babies. it was awesome. (and you bring them in to get them clipped and whatever for free) for the rest of their lives. and you can call them anytime for advice
there was an mstar type bird there. all he wanted was to be petted. we asked about him and they said "that's the old man." he's 70 years old and we've had him here since he was a baby
anyway i'm so excited and my son is beside himself
i wanted to tell you all thank you so much
this is one of the happiest days of my life ;)--> ha ha ha ha ha ha ha really !!!!!!!
i thought you might like the name rascal, rascal :)-->
and mstar i couldn't believe it, i was already thinking about you and alex, and then they said "that's the old man" -- i about died. not YOU as the old man, but the mountain !!!!
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Tom Strange
soggie... a credit no doubt to the loving family with which they are living!
... I've been here and I've been there and I've been in between...
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mstar1
I dont know how much you want to spend--I have a friend with an African Grey parrot (he is definitely not 'thousands'probably about $5-800) that is just shy of human--he greets me by name, laughs at my jokes, whistles just about every TV theme song he has ever heard, has a good sense of humor (he knows when to curse, give an exaggerated fart or kissing sound) and is a good affectionate pet. There is of course care and some training of the bird involved, but as long as you dont get a squawker, African greys can really become part of a family....when I visit he loves to come over, perch on my finger or shoulder, or just sit near me and talk---he also knows a few tricks -he plays dead if you shoot him and says 'got me! and he will ring exactly like the phone to get people to come into his room and then laugh at them when they do....
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Tom Strange
yeah... I almost got one of those once... and if I ever got a bird I would... but it's probably a little much for the young man to start out with...
...but they do have the largest vocabulary of any bird, period.
... I've been here and I've been there and I've been in between...
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Littlehawk
Exie.......will a Littlehawk do?
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Nottawayfer
That is funny! I have to get one of those!
MStar, is that the "norm" for african greys to be so smart?
Laughter is a tranquilizer with no side effects.
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mstar1
African Greys are verry smart--I saw a show on the discovery channel a few years ago where they actually figured a way to measure their comprehension and gave them a test based on colors, shapes and verbal commands--it confirmed what I already believed from experiences with 'Alex' -- they have the ability to think and interact appropriately.
Its uncanny at times-the timing of his comments.
As far as ex's son being too young--well maybe now, but the good thing about Greys is that they have a very long lifespan and could be with him for a very good chunk of his life.
They are definitely highly likable and lovable creatures
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E. W. Bullinger
Dear Exie:
How are you doing? Here are a few things to consider about birds. While African Greys are great talkers they also get bored easily and they live real long. A bored bird can develop bad habits such as feather pulling and screaming. Parakeets are not really good talkers, but they are inexpensive and you can gauge if your child is responsible as a caretaker. Another choice not mentioned is a myna bird. They are great talkers and they do not live as long as parrots. However they are fruit eating birds so they have loose stools. Also they are not as cheap as they were years ago. I think the government has stopped the importation of wild birds from India. Best of luck with your new pet!
EWB
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excathedra
thanks thanks thanks and more thanks.
i would love to have a bird like that mstar, but no way i can afford it at the moment. i know i said i don't want to spend "thousands" and i've been offered one for around 875. but not yet, at the moment anyway.
anyway i'm still shopping around.
and i appreciate all your input. you are wonderful people.
i'm snowed in so i can't go visiting birdies right now.
?
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Littlehawk
littlehawk's are really nice birdies to have around exie my dear. they like going to hockey games too!
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excathedra
littlehawks are priceless
?
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Tom Strange
myseestorEx... did you decide yet?
you probably do want to get a "handfed" regardless of type... they're a little more, but worth it because of fewer headaches...
... I've been here and I've been there and I've been in between...
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excathedra
we're going to see the canary lady (just her nickname) -- they're all handfed -- very reputable dah dah dah
she's going to show us anything we want but i think our focus will be on cockatiels and budgies
?
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Tom Strange
have fun, stay warm, yippee!
... I've been here and I've been there and I've been in between...
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excathedra
thank you. i think we're going saturday. i didn't mean right now. but it will be cold then too
:)-->
?
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excathedra
i'm a new momma !!!! it's a cockatiel ! (don't know yet if boy or girl, it's too young to know)
it looks a lot like the sweethearts wrestlenot posted
it's grey and white and has orange cheeks, if it stays grey and white it's a girl, and if it stays only grey, it's a boy, or something like that
i think its name is going to be rascal
**
i never knew a few miles from here was a bird farm ~ they are all raised from babies. it was awesome. (and you bring them in to get them clipped and whatever for free) for the rest of their lives. and you can call them anytime for advice
there was an mstar type bird there. all he wanted was to be petted. we asked about him and they said "that's the old man." he's 70 years old and we've had him here since he was a baby
anyway i'm so excited and my son is beside himself
i wanted to tell you all thank you so much
this is one of the happiest days of my life
;)--> ha ha ha ha ha ha ha really !!!!!!!
?
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mstar1
an mstar type bird???
He was like me?
;)-->
seriously congratulations --I hope rascal brings you and your son many years of joy
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rascal
Excellent Ex!!!! Sounds like you guys found a really great bird (I like the name too...lol)
How exciting for you guys :-)
Keep us updated on the little sweety will you?
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excathedra
i thought you might like the name rascal, rascal
:)-->
and mstar i couldn't believe it, i was already thinking about you and alex, and then they said "that's the old man" -- i about died. not YOU as the old man, but the mountain !!!!
thanks you "guys," you're terrific
?
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