Don't Get An African Grey Parrot Before Asking Yourself These 10 Questions!!

Here are the 10 questions I believe everyone should ask themselves before getting an African Grey Parrot!
If I missed an important question, please share your thoughts in the comments below.

[@OffGridAlaska]

Im so glad you created this channel. Ive seen so many who think they want an AG because they talk so well but the reality is it depends on the bird and yes they are high maintenance and expensive.

[@Africangreyjournal]

Thank you so much for your comment. I wholeheartedly agree! They definitely aren't for everyone.

[@35cheeky]

OMG! You gave some great questions to ask yourself and I can say without a doubt all of them are valid. I have a male eclectus (Aristotle) and I want to stress that birds are very messy and they can throw food on your walls. Yes, you have to clean a minimum of twice a day but this can vary depending on the number of birds you have (I have 3). Diet is very important. My birds eat organic fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, and pellets. They eat better than me. The cost of ownership is quite expensive. I would recommend a stainless steel cage if you can afford it (these cages are non-toxic, rust free, and easy to maintain). The cost of a large cage is about $2500. Plan carefully when you consider getting a bird. If you are contemplating getting a bird, please don't start with a large bird (large birds require more time, money, and are very noisy).

[@Africangreyjournal]

Thank you so much!! You made some fantastic points! Parrot keeping is not easy by any means. I absolutely agree. My next project is to buy a stainless steel flight cage. I want a cage that is ALOT wider than the one I have now.

[@e46mblue]

I am replying to this comment specifically because I also have a male Eclectus (Ecko - almost two years old). NOT BORING as many have labeled these AMAZING birds. He is very curious, and full of personality and a crack up to be around. Like your bird, Ecko eats better than anyone I know. Fresh fruits, vegetables, limited nuts and pellets. My best to you and Aristotle

[@adindossa2576]

I love this guy’s videos. Very informative and worth while

[@Africangreyjournal]

Thank you so much. That really means a lot to me. I'll be sure to keep the videos coming!

[@Africangreyjournal]

DIsclaimer: I keep three toys in my bird's cage at all times that get rotated every 2-3 weeks depending on how much they damage the toys. I understand that many believe in filling their cage with toys but that is not my current philosophy. I believe my birds enjoy making progress with reducing their toys to dust!!!

[@Firefox14958]

Can I tel you the story's of all my birds? It's been quite a journey for all of my birds😁

[@Africangreyjournal]

@@Firefox14958I’d love to hear!

[@Firefox14958]

​@@Africangreyjournal ok so, let's begin with my budgie, Crypto, he is 2 and a half now, when i got my budgie Crypto, we already had Cosmo my red throated conure. Cosmo and Crypto were the bestes of friends. Cosmo was VERY loud. One day i accidentally left the window open, and Crypto flew out!!!!!! But because Cosmo and Crypto were such good friends, Crypto already knows Cosmo's loud voice, i cryed for 2 hours, we put'ed Cosmo in his carrier cage and took him outside so that Crypto hears his loud voice, so Crypto stayed near the house, and it was night time, i thought my Crypto was long gone by nou, but the next morning at 5 am we heard a budgie sound, i jumped up, put Cosmo in his carrier cage and took him outside, and there was Crypto, he landed on Cosmo's carrier cage, Crypto looked awful, he hadn't eaten, drinking, and all of the other birds chased him away, so he was a bit hurt, but he was ok, we brought him back in to the house, and right now he is sitting next to me while I'm telling his story, I've got more stories, i have 8 birds 😂

[@Firefox14958]

I just put up a whole comment on my other bird but YYYYYYTTTTTT won't allow the comment, where can i share my bird storys to you? ❤

[@Firefox14958]

And oh boy, it was a loooonnngg comment 😁

[@jareevinson]

Wow, this is a really great video!! So many great points, especially the one about us being in their presence vs them being ours

[@Africangreyjournal]

Thank you so much! These birds teach me something new everyday!

[@trueheartintent]

You’re very informed and detail-oriented. Parrots love that! Great video.

[@Africangreyjournal]

Thank you so much! These birds teach me something new each day! I appreciate your support 🦜

[@Firefox14958]

Hi, i had a red throated conure, he was so, so sweet, we got him from people who gave him yogurt and cheese which is not good for them, so we took him in and had him for 2 years and then he started getting sick, we didn't give him any yogurt or cheese, but after 2 years, we gave him to a vet who loves conures, she took him in and gave him a new home, we had to move to a place where there are no pets allowed, but we are still in touch with him, he is doing so well there, and i miss you Cosmo ( my conure's name ) Anyways i enjoyed the video and you make a great point, can't wait for the next vid!! ❤

[@Africangreyjournal]

Thank you for sharing! I am so glad that Cosmo is now doing well. I cant believe he was fed cheese! Thank you so much for your support!

[@rickybobby76]

My conure craves cheese more than anything. But only gets a little nibble now and then. Also it loves to be 30. Who cares if it eats a little cheese

[@Africangreyjournal]

@@rickybobby76 The fat and lactose can be difficult for parrots to digest but its your call. Everyone has a different approach .

[@notsosilentmajority1]

Thanks for another thorough video. I'm really looking forward to the realistic, in depth cost of obtaining and maintaining an African Grey or a pair of African Grey parrots. It seems like this is a very costly pet/hobby and even if you spread out the cost of the bird(s) over the many years of the life of the bird(s), it will still be a serious long term investment, even for the maintenance alone. Hope 🤞you will be revealing your name choices soon. This was another great video, thank you. 👍

[@Africangreyjournal]

You’re very welcome! Im glad you enjoyed the video. Yes, my next video will cover the initial costs of owning an African Grey and the monthly reoccurring expenses. I will be as transparent as possible. I’ll be sure to reveal their names in that video!! I appreciate your support 🙌

[@notsosilentmajority1]

@@Africangreyjournal Can't wait for the next video!! 👍

[@WonderfulDeath]

holy sh... what a huge responsibility

[@Africangreyjournal]

Yes indeed!!

[@SeymoreJohnson]

When I was a teen my friends dad had an African grey. We smoked so much fuckin weed around that parrot. Seemed to enjoy it. He’d follow the blunt around from person to person

[@IslandTiger2]

You can use a washable shower curtain on the wall behind the cage . Helps with splatters , and can help provide more visual interest. Parrots have excellent color vision, I would love to see them have more visual enrichment. Toys , I try for five , a foot toy, a moveable puzzle like toy, , a noise making one, easy to destroy, and difficult to destroy. I love the natural foraging Matts of seagrass, with all kinds of textures natural materials attached . Stainless steel veggie cage forager. I like to provide a sturdy large ceramic bowl with a couple of inches of water for self choice baths a couple of times a week, I also use it as an enrichment and float toys in it as well

[@Africangreyjournal]

Thank you for the suggestions!! I really appreciate it.

[@crash2476]

Very good information delivered nice and clear.

[@Africangreyjournal]

Thank you so much. Im glad you enjoyed the video!

[@nellymontanez1325]

I'm wondering if the daily mists baths I saw on your previous video will help with the dust/powder they produce to lower chances of developing an allergy down the road. Could you make a video on CAG dust, please?

[@Africangreyjournal]

It certainly does! I'll be sure to make a video on this topic. Thank you for the suggestion.

[@jackthelope8869]

Why no non-stick pans? I love the videos btw!

[@Africangreyjournal]

Hi! Thank you so much!! Most nonstick pans contain Teflon, which releases an odorless chemical when heated to 400° that can/will kill all birds within the home. Bird safe pans that can be used are stainless steel, ceramic, and cast-iron.

[@Johnny-oc9ub]

Waited all video for him to open the cage 😭😭😭😭😭

[@Africangreyjournal]

Hahaha they are usually out of the cage but I cant keep an eye on them while recording. He wanted out for sure 🤣🤣🤣

[@Firefox14958]

Do your beautiful parrots have names yet? ❤❤

[@Africangreyjournal]

They do! I’ll be revealing their names in my next video titled “The Cost of Owning an African Grey Parrot”. Thank you for your support!!

[@Useruytrw]

THE best

[@Africangreyjournal]

Thank you!!

[@mayratorres7733]

Great video! I recently got a double yellow Amazon and I’m struggling with her being aggressive. I know she needs time to adjust. But not sure if I can take her bites!

[@Africangreyjournal]

Thank you so much! I definitely agree, it will take some time for you to build trust with her. How old is she and how long have you had her?

[@mayratorres7733]

@@Africangreyjournal she is 3 yrs old. I had her only 2 months.

[@thirstonhowellthebird]

@@mayratorres7733 just be very careful never to yell at your baby because once the trust is broken it’s pretty much over. They all bite. There’s no such thing as a parrot that doesn’t bite. They are sweet and loving, but remember you’re living in their world, so don’t expect them to live in your world with your rules.

[@mayratorres7733]

@@thirstonhowellthebird yes I’m starting to see that. Doing more and more research.

[@theauklet]

You just have to be patient and not push - parrots take a long time to build trust.

[@arzuylmaz1682]

Thank you for your video. I learnt a lot. At what age should we start training greys? Mine is 4 months old.

[@Africangreyjournal]

Im so glad you enjoyed the video! You should start working with your grey as soon as possible. Once you have given your bird time to adjust to its new surroundings, you should get right to it. Early exposure is very important for Greys because they are prone to developing phobias.

[@OffGridAlaska]

You are so right about AGs getting phobias. My bird was 18 mo when I got him. He had been in at least 4 different homes. He is afraid of being moved so doesn't like being handled. As far as bites go, it's going to happen but pulling away worse thing you can do, I push back gently and he releases.

[@mel98]

Birdsvwho eat chop. Can hold foot toys or nuts fruits or treats or pellets. My birds toys do not last 2wks. Maybe two days lol. He's a caique tho. I feel 2hrs not enough attention should be like 5. My birds out most of the day. He can scream alot but ot don't bother me. I do clean daily

[@Africangreyjournal]

Agreed they can definitely hold other food items/toys. I guess it comes down to preference for the bird keeper. Hahaha, I love Caiques. They are a ball of pure energy. Im really enjoying the videos on your channel.

[@mel98]

@Africangreyjournal zorro perfers chop. He would just eat bell peppers n peas if I didn't make it into chop. He gets to help. He will steal bell peppers n squash. But he wouldn't eat greens n beans he's a snob. He mostly gets chop but I do make him 2 kinds chop. For dinner he just gets one in the food processor. For breakfast I take that. Add peas bird st bistro krinkle carrots n bell peppers chunks. So it has stuff he can hold and bird st bistro has 7 diff flavor so it's not all the same boring meal. Plus fruit in morning. Sometimes sprouts . Thnx 4 watching my videos. I adore zorro.

[@liathnoy7169]

Hi, I see you keep the parrots in a while room. Don't they need some more color stimuli? Their natural habitat is much more colorful.

[@Africangreyjournal]

That's a great suggestion! I would assume they'd eventually grow accustomed to whatever color I paint the walls though. I try to rotate the toys every two weeks to switch things up. I also play music!

[@positivelynegative9149]

"absolutely obliterated" [Holds up two intact toys.] 🤦‍♂️

[@Africangreyjournal]

🤣🤣🤣