I have owned a Congo African Grey before and Im thinking about adopting one instead of buying one this time. Ive filled out some adoption applications.
Im currently being home schooled for my senior year of high school. Im going to college next fall for behavioral research for domesticated birds. I want to work in a zoo for a couple years after college so I can get more hands on experience and then I want to open my own bird store (like a pet store) I want to be able to train birds for people, and pet sit others birds .. etc. but anyways the reason Im going to college for this is because I want to be around birds obviously .. Im scared because if I adopt a bird I dont know how the college process will work when I have the bird .. I REALLLY want another bird and Im torn on weather or not its the right decision for the animal and if I would be selfish getting a grey right now because ill be in college next fall ....
what should I do if I REALLY want another grey ..?:/
It wouldn't be too fair for the bird because you will be very busy in school and won't have much time for a bird. If you live in a dorm, you can't have a bird in there, either, and if you live in an apartment, there may also be restrictions due to the noise a parrot can make. I know it's tempting, but I would hold off until you 'll have time to devote to one.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com As for working at a zoo, if there is one near you now, go ahead and see if you can get a job there now, or at least do some volunteer work there to get started. You don't have to wait on that, and you'd get some good experience.
If you already have one than I guess you should wait till you finish your senior year and start college, and see how does it feel! If you got time for another bird then you can get one! If not then you have to wait.
Birds are great pets to have, also they need a lot of attention and a lot of time to spend with them! Put that on your mind when you are going to take your decision.
I would wait until you are out of college ... these birds need a lot of attention like all large parrots. Get a parakeet/budgie ($ 5 - $ 100), cockatiel ($ 50 - $ 100) or white dove ($ 20 - $ 40) (not a parrot). They can be just as loving, smart (or smarter), and fun as their bigger cousins. Parakeets/Budgies can learn up to 1,000 words, they are like mini African greys talking wise. They mimic their owners voice, but it's a little scratchy, and they take longer to learn to talk. They are also very easy to care for. Cockatiels can learn some words, but they are more like macaws talking wise. They are not as easy to care for as parakeets/budgies, but they are overall easy to care for. Doves are very soothing to listen to cooing, and they can be hand tamed. They love to cuddle. They are great birds.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com
The African grey will pay the price of not getting as much attention when you are in college, which then they will start to pluck feathers, scream, bite etc.
Please go with one of my options!
I am in middle school and getting a baby blue & gold macaw, but I am home schooled, will be living with my parents in college, then be an Avien Vet or work with zoo birds & reptiles, so it can come to work with me, unless I become a stay-at-home-mom when I'm older ...:)
Edit-
I never said you know nothing about birds. You said you've had a Grey, so I know you have experience with birds. But, I'm saying, it depends where you will be living in college ... will you be living with your parents/sibling/friend that will be home all day? - then it's fine to get a Grey. If you will be living in a dorm or apartment-then you should get a smaller, less needy bird, who can cope almost all day without seeing you. Sorry if I sounded like a jerk.
Edit-
Also when I listed prices & behaviors, I just always do that, because I don't know if you know how some other birds act ...
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com Good luck!
- Stacy
