Are african greys good pets for beginner bird keepers?

Question

i am willing to spend any money for cage, toys, food and other items. i saw an african grey at my neighborhood pet store and i did some research on it. this would be my first time owning a bird if i do get it.

Answer 1

i would go with a smaller bird like a cocktail before a bought African gray do your research before you buy a bird cause  a bunch of birds are lifetime pets

Answer 2

This is  difficult to answer because it depends on you and how much bird knowledge in general and African Grey knowledge you have acquired.

Most start with Budgies, then some get a cockatiel, Then a larger bird.

There is alot to learn and know about these Exotic Avian Species, so You might read and learn online and join afew yahoo bird groups online to learn and ask questions for bird owner's.

Two sites to start learning from here -

http://www.birdsnways.com/

http://www.birdchannel.com/

and search goggle.com for species and information.

Answer 3

i would say get a smaller bird first or try fostering a large parrot before you buy one

Answer 4

i think it would be better with starting small, i started with canaries, budgies then to tiels and lovies and now a parrotlet(tiny parrot) which is the most i  want

Answer 5

If this is your 1st bird and you are SET on getting an African Grey, do alot of research!!  They are not the easies of all birds to start with, but one of the more difficult ones.

African Greys are smart and can be lovable, but they are also much more work!!

We have an African Grey and we LOVE her!!  She is challenging but rewarding.  However, we have seen several of our friends fall in love with our grey and then want to go out and get one of their own....we have strongly discouraged them in making an impulse buy of a parrot!!

I would do some research and think long and hard about it before committing...with an African Grey it is a lifetime choice because of their lifespans!!

Here are some questions, if you can answer a whole hearted yes to these questions, do some research about caring for an African Grey and then go for it!!

Can you live with loud noises?

Can you live with messes?

Can you handle being bit without retaliating?

Do you have lots of patients?

Here are some African Grey resources:

http://www.theafricangreyparrot.com/

http://www.birdtricks.com/AfricanGreyPar...

http://www.africangreys.com/