Male vs. Female CAG's, any opinions??

[bgenie]

I also wanted to say Mollymarie, that I wish I had suggestions for you in regards to Bindi, it seems like you are making more progress than the last family, and hopefully your families bond with Bindi, and Bindi's bond and trust in you guys will continue to grow. One thing that may help that we have used is target training with our birds, I am sure you could look it up online, but it is basically where you treat the bird for touching a target. We used a small wooden dowel with blue painters tape on the end, and the birds get a treat whenever they touch the blue end (We cue or bridge with a clicker and then treat with a small shelled sunflower seed). The key word here is touch...not bite and chew on but touch with their beak...The result of this is that you could possibly work with Bindi and move her to other areas, like perhaps outside of her cage without having to physically handle her, she moves to the target wherever you have placed it. I'm not the huge behavior person in my family, but my husband really enjoys that stuff, and I am sure if you had more specific questions about it he would be more than happy to chat with you about it via email. Look at me, I just joined and now I am offering my husbands help already...oops :-)!!!

~Melissa

[Nazir's]

I have a female CAG and I've been advised that I am going to be in for the ride of my life.
I've not ever been owned my a male, so I have not a way of honestly sharing my opinions of one vs. the other.

[Deb Serafin]

I have a female African Grey (Pepper) that we purchased as a baby, she's 15 yrs old now. I also agree that socialization is the key. At first everyone played with her and she was good about going to everyone. But as the novelty wore off I was the only one that was consistant in handling her every day. Now she is "my bird" and not only won't go to anyone else but can be quite mean (when the mood strikes) with the rest of the household.

We also have a B&G and he is a love sponge and will go to everybody. I believe greys tend to be one person birds if you aren't careful (everyone should handel her daily).

[Lisa B]

Originally Posted by Nazir's

I have a female CAG and I've been advised that I am going to be in for the ride of my life.
.

[Beaks]

Both of my congos are 26, know who daddy is and loves him to death.
i have never had a problem with it because they are a pair, know they are birds and know that i am their friend not their mate.

[carolmilton]

We have a male CAG who has bonded with me, but he still is tame to and loves my husband. My husband is home during the day and takes special time playing with and speaking to our boy. But it is me he flys to and my shoulder he wants. Funny thing is that he will bite me but not my husband. Sometimes he just flys up to me and bites my ear with no provocation. I think its just his way to saying "You're so cute." If you both handle the bird and both train it with treats it will be tame to both of you, even if it prefers one over the other.

[Parrotpeople]

Thanks Lisa for that interesting article. I'm glad my Poppy will hopefully never drop me!
I have only been owned by TAGs. Paris (weren't sure of "her" sex) prefered my husband, but tolerated me.
Poppy is a male and most definately prefers me, but gets along well with his daddy. Though he has demonstrated that he will not bite me, he has no problem going after dad & his human sister he is not mean at all mind you, he just plays much rougher with them or he may not want them to invade his space at that particular moment.

[Amie]

Originally Posted by gilliegirl

Please dont, with all that number of birds your grey will not be able to bond with you or for that matter you with it, they require undivided and give undivided loyalty.

Not true, not true! My mother had a special needs Grey, 4 children, an ekkie, a foster U2 and several cockatiels under her care at one time, and her Grey was VERY well socialized and very well adjusted. He also bonded very strongly to her and the older girls, and was still accepting of everyone else in the house. Greys can coexist with other animals if taken care of properly.

[Parrotpeople]

Originally Posted by amiestgermain

Not true, not true! My mother had a special needs Grey, 4 children, an ekkie, a foster U2 and several cockatiels under her care at one time, and her Grey was VERY well socialized and very well adjusted. He also bonded very strongly to her and the older girls, and was still accepting of everyone else in the house. Greys can coexist with other animals if taken care of properly.

Again, talking TAGs here, but both of ours have gotten along well with everyone too ... kids, cats, and other birds.

[Nazir's]

My CAG was well socialized initially. When I first brought her home the weather was nice, so we would go on quite a few outings. However, we haven't been out much this winter. I resided alone and don't have much company in and out. This sort of concerned me because the timing and weather didn't allow for as much socialization as I would have liked to offer. Now, anytime anyone enters the house, they must speak to the birds and I always introduce my birds to company. Despite the min. socialization that was provided, my CAG has not changed any from beginning to end. She has not shown much fear to anything, any other pets of mines, or anyone that I can recall but it is certainly known that she prefers her momma. That has not ever changed. She will show interest in others and does just fine with her brother ekkie. I didn’t ever provide her with an overwhelming amount of attention because I knew that wouldn't last long if I did initially. She does well interacting alone, with her brother ekkie, or me. I'd say that she's very stable and typical of a well rounded CAG. Now, although my eclectus can submissively be handed off to anyone else... I still went wrong somewhere but we are working on it.
I wouldn't trade either of them for the world.