Decisions, decisions! Congo Vs. Timneh

[Amie]

Well, we started off on the eclectus board to see if we should get a friend for our Vos ekkie since she started plucking right after our CAG died several years ago. We're getting her prettier, and she's all healthy, so we were looking for another buddy for our girl. My fiance wanted a male ekkie, but after careful consideration regarding the sexual frustration we'd be inducing on a poor little guy by introducing him to our eternal bachelorette, he's changed his mind and decided that maybe I was right about the African Grey.

We're going to start looking towards the end of the month, most probably at rehomes because we don't "need" the excitement of getting a newly weaned baby as we've both been around parrots since we were young children. And even older birds need love.

My question is CAG vs. TAG. If you own both, what are the pros and cons? I've only ever had Congos because the one Timneh I know is a sneaky, evil little old man He's probably over 20 now, and he's still just as evil as when I met him 10 or 15 years ago! I'm leaning towards the Congo again, but I wanted to make sure I wasn't just making the decision based on "habit" and the Congo is really the best fit for us.

Thanks already!!!

[janczako]

I recommend this article: Bird Times Magazine
I own a Timneh and I'm so happy!!!
Good Luck!

[Tobysmom]

i owned by a tag and most of my friends have congos...i dont see the difference in mine than theirs besides their appearance...mine is 1 years old and he is a love bug still at times he dont like new toys as long as they arent as big then him,,,my next dream bird is the congo and thats because i love greys

[Amie]

Thank you very much for that article! It's weird. . .but our Congos never had any of the "shortcomings" the article suggests. Of course, we worked with them to make sure they didn't.

I think I might be leaning towards the Congo for size reasons, too. Our Vos is as big as a Congo, and I want a guy that can stand his ground so that, if she ends up being territorial with the new bird (which she shouldn't since she's used to other birds, but you never know!) she won't decide she can pick on him based on his smaller size.

Also, we're looking to rehome, and the Congos are much more available here.

But I really do want to keep my mind open in case that perfect bird for us ends up being a Timneh.

[Matt]

I have had a Congo before and I think much depends on how you raise and deal with your bird. I have heard Timneh's are better accepting change, variety,etc. but if you think size will be a issue then I say go with Congo's. You have experience with them and probably can give them the structure/ socialization they need to be a great bird.

[Sashagirl]

Hi Amie

I have all that you have mentioned (Vos,TAG's,CAG's) mostly rehomes or rescues.They all came from different situations.I used to prefer the CAG's over the TAG's but they can both have their quirks.My Greys hangout with all my Eclectus's.I only have issues with one of my Eclectus and that's only because Rosie is a BRAT and runs things around here.For the most part they all stand their ground size does not matter.

[Amie]

Good, I didn't want size to be a factor (hey, bigger isn't always better!) I just wanted to make sure that if we did end up rehoming a Timneh that he/she would have enough. . ..attitude?. . . to make up for the difference in size between he and Scarlett.

I think my man has his heart set on a Congo, but that's my fault. Our fathers have been friends since we were in elementary school, and the very first parrot he ever handled was my mom's CAG Quasi. Quasi is what got he and his family started on parrots!

I'm going to keep my mind and heart open. I just want to make sure that not all Timnehs are evil little jerks like the one I know. He really gives TAGs a bad name. . . but then, if I was the smallest and oldest guy in a house full of macaws, I might have an attitude problem, too.