I have a new TAG and I'm so glad I found this board

[Michele WithOneL]

I have been a member of this board for just a few weeks. I posted a question once right after I got my new bird but mostly I've just been enjoying reading everybody's posts and learning more. I got my TAG about two weeks ago. Bringing him (I say him but I don't really know) home was somewhat unexpected. I had been researching my bird choice for a while. I love Greys but had decided that I would not get a bird that large for a lot of logical reasons...bigger bird would cost more....bigger bird would need a bigger cage....bigger bird bigger noise...bigger bird bigger beak so bigger messes and bigger "owwws"....bigger bird bigger toy budget....I think some vets even charge based on size just like they do with the dogs so it could mean bigger vet bills. So there was lots of good reasons to stick with one of the smaller birds like a conure or maybe one of the Poicephalus. I've had birds before so I had a good idea of what would be involved in their care but since I had not had a bird for a while the logical thing seemed to be to start small. This was my logic when I went to the bird fair two weeks ago.

So I went to the bird fair and walked around looking at the birds there but just didn't seem to connect with anything. It was a little disappointing but I had told myself to remember I didn't have to get a bird that day. There was time to keep looking. I paused at a table with two young Timnehs in a cage together. I leaned down and spoke to them and noticed one of the birds seemed interested in what I was saying. I wasn't going to get a Grey but I figured it didn't hurt to ask about these two...right? The couple selling the birds told me they were four months old and had been weaned for about three weeks. They pulled the two of them out of the cage and set them on top. I noticed the one that had responded to me the most seemed to be very people oriented. He was immediately trying to fly from the cage top to the breeders. The man picked them both up and handled them for a few minutes while we talked and then said, "this one is the most gentle of the two." He was referring to that same one who had seemed to notice me the most. He picked him up and put him in my hands. I held him up against me and rubbed his head and he cuddled up close, half closed his eyes and started making little baby bird noises. I guess I'm easy because that's all it took for all my good logical reasons to go out the window and I came home with that baby. Of course, not until I had spent a lot a money on food, a big cage and many toys.

It's been almost two weeks since I brought him home and so far everything is going well. I was afraid getting him to eat fresh food was going to be a real problem but he is coming around. He loves his pellets and seeds and eats them really well but he wasn't too sure about this other stuff I was giving him. First I tried some scrambled egg and he wasn't interested. Then I tried oatmeal but he wouldn't go near it. Next I tried some mixed vegetables but he wouldn't even look at them. Then I tried banana and he liked that...well he liked it enough to smear it everywhere and sling it to the floor. I counted that as an improvement. I gave him some apple and he really did like that. So I made more oatmeal and put bits of apple in it. I fixed me a bowl and took it in his room and made a big show of eating it in front of him. I smacked and slurped and talked about how good it was. Then I asked him if he wanted some. I opened the door of his cage and put a couple of spoon fulls into his dish. He couldn't get down there fast enough and ate every bit of it. Ever since then he's been willing to check out what I put in the dish and will at least try some of it. I bought the stuff to make birdie bread and a kitchen sink recipe just haven't had a chance to fix it for him yet. I can't wait to try them on him.

So he pretty much spends every day eating and playing and eating and did I say eating? But in the afternoon I get him out and we cuddle for a while then we work on step ups (which he knows now but sometimes chooses to ignore me) and he lays on his back in my hand for me and I rub his tummy and tickle his toes. Then he lets me put the bird harness on him because he likes to go out on the front porch with me. He doesn't mind me putting the harness on him but once it's on he doesn't seem to find it very comfortable. Has anyone tried the flight suits? They look like they would fit better and be more comfortable for the bird.

Anyway, this was very long and I just wanted to say that even though I originally decided not to get a TAG, I'm really happy this little guy changed my mind. I think everything is going very well so far and I have to give a lot of credit to the people online who are willing to take the time to answer questions and share their experiences. When I had birds before I did not have online access so I got most of my information from the library. I did my best. I went in and checked out every book they had on pet birds...all four of them. I'm pretty sure they were all written in the '50s. I'm already so much better prepared and, here, I can even ask questions when problems arise. So in case I forget to say it later, thanks guys.

Michele

[The Outlaw]

Once again, a totally happy person who let a bird CHOOSE them. It makes a big difference. I have never come home with the bird I thought I would. And I have 10 parrots! I also have a TAG. She was my first grey parrot. She's still a great little companion. In my house, she's the second smallest bird (LOL). I guess all things are relevant. I still think that the Timneh African grey is the most over-looked, best bargain on the market today. You just can't go wrong.

[Dallas]

Congrats on your new TAG. What a neat life story. Keep up the great work and keep exposing him to many different things. My friend is getting his first bird on Monday and it is a TAG. TAG are great birds!!! Post some pics if you can.

[radiogirl995]

Yes! We MUST see pictures!
Congratulations on your new little baby...and may you have a wonderful life together!
Oh, and welcome to BirdBoard!

[Lisa B]

Welcome!
not only did that little guy change your mind ...but he will also change your life! they are wonderful companions....congrats!

[Machelle]

Welcome to BB and congratulations on your new member of the family! You are in for the ride of your life!!!!

[bekfreak]

I also didn't think a grey was going to share living space with me, but after learning what little gems Timneh's are...They are the most underrated bird out there today. And just wait until you find out how smart they are! I'm looking foward to the conversations that will come as Bella gets older. :)

[Darlie]

oooohhh, I just love babies. Congrats!