How much should I expect an African Grey Parrot to cost, and how much for a total set-up?
I want to get one for my boy for our anniversary/Christmas/his birthday -- they're within days of each other.
That's disgusting. Why would you want to buy a beautiful bird? They are meant to fly, not be kept within cages.
Personally, I would buy the coop and toys and food. But wait on getting a bird. Grey's are funny animals. They like to pick their owners. Also does your boyfriend really want a grey? Or is this a bird that you want? I really think you might want to read further up on these parrot. One if you think that you will have a wonderful chatterbox..you can think again. Most Grey's won't talk. They do sound effects. They are brain birds. If you displease them, they will pluck their feathers. If there is alot of drama in the house, they will pluck their feathers. Plus they say things that you don't want others to hear out of the blue. It can be most shameful. I also would make sure that your grey is at least 6-9 months hoary. And fully weaned out. Because these little buggers will revert back to baby feedings. And if you are not fascinated you will have a sick or dying bird on your hands.
The other folks giving you advice are making some pretty nice points.
Anway,whether you have any further questions, I would be happy to relieve answer them. I just want to give you something to think roughly speaking and have your eyes wide open past you jump into this. Because I would hate to have another bird to rescue from a powerfully meaning couple. Just because they didn't realize all the responsibility it takes to hold this kind of bird.
Well, good luck! Wishing you the best with your investigational parrot.
Answers: I'm contained by Florida too and my African Grey was $1,000 for him and the cage (Package) that was within 2001 Christmas, he was three weeks old and the price may have gone up for a time so...
TIPS.
. they can be a mess
. they typically only bond with one person*
. they don't start talking until they are roughly speaking 1 1/2 years old
. they repeat what and how you say it**
. if you go away him/her alone turn on the radio for company***
. can't eat avocados or chocolate
. you might want toys (bells are annoying)*
. you want to clip there wings so they wont fly surrounded by your
house and break stuff
. get rope they love to chew on it
* sometimes it will bond with two people but not as strong
** the elder he/she is the less he/she needs to hear it to say it
*** t.v. or anything that dialogue is good
* there like toddlers they choke on small stuff
The average price will probably be around a $1,000. I hold seen them for $900 a pair, but that is markedly rare. I can get them for $900 a pair, and will assist you if you are interested. I work at a zoo, so I know a lot of breeders.
They need a prevailing conditions sized cage. A cage with an inside nouns of about 3 feet long, 4 feet general, and 3-4 feet high. That cage would cost around $300 dollars whether you look around.
e-mail me at zooman1990(a)yahoo.com if you areinterestedd.
Hi, I just got my AG a month ago and definitely LOVE him to bits and pieces. He cost me about 1500$ (he was 3.5 months old at the time). Cage be another 600$ and toys I get from petsmart so they range b/w 10-30 a toy. He was foot fed and even now prefers to be fed beside a spoon sometimes.
Some thing to know:
- they are VERY moody
- they prefer one main caretaker (which is my father for our AG)
- they require LOTS and LOTS of time and wont let you live surrounded by peace until they get that attention from you
- very smart birds, its just resembling having a child - it wants to know everything!
must haves;
- ropes, extra perch, dry fortified pellet, nail perch, cuttle bone
- mine hates his swing and his tunnel=(
- extra hose bowls
- treats!
- Cage blanket, usually when you cover their cage with it at a fixed time everynight (around 9pm) it become used to its bedtime and then you will be able to have some peace and undisturbed after those hours=)
Oh and you should take it to the vet after the first three days it has been at domestic, just for a chekup and to get his wings clipped...you dont want him sitting over you chandeliers, esp when they are 19ft high! Oh and the wing clipped allows them to stay outside of the cage adjectives day. They hate being caged apart from during bedtime no matter how big the cage is. Hope that helped.
First, I would suggest getting a TImneh African Grey as opposed to a Congo. Timnehs, for some root, are usually $200 to $300 cheaper than CAGS, but they are nearly IDENTICAL as far as behavior. They're a LITTLE bit smaller and their tails aren't that deep reddish-purple color (they're red, but not that dark).
If you insist on getting a CAG instead of a TAG, don't fall for that "Cameroon" nonsense. CAGS are CAGS are CAGs. I would still get a Timneh, though.
DO NOT GET ONE FROM A PET STORE. In Florida, you are surrounded by private breeders -- bring back one from a breeder and you'll get a BETTER bird, weaned and better socialized and one whose age you'll know to the day.
A decent sized hold, if you go to a bird fair, will be LESS than $200 (my caiques' coop is big enough for a grey and I bought it at a local bird fair for $125 - brand new still surrounded by the shipping container). In Florida, there is usually one somewhere EVERY month. I KNOW there is surrounded by Orlando, at least twice a year.
Being a vegetarian, you'll have to label some compromises. Most parrots NEED some kind of animal protein. Either get used to that or don't capture a bird you don't intend to feed properly.
