Timneh at a bird store, a couple of questions

[TheZooCrew]

For weeks now I have been doing research on Grey's and other birds. I saw a 4 month old Timneh bird at a bird store this weekend and was amazed at how small they are. I read somewhere that they reach most of their size when they are 3 months old. Is that true?

He was very scared of everything, even shook when I picked him up, but got over it in a few minutes. All he did was chew on my coat and my hand (left a good bruise too) LOL I tried putting him down, but he did not want to go. Instead, he was trying to climb up my coat. I had to give him back to the store owner in order to go back to his area. He even puffed up, started scratching himself, made a couple of little noises and spread his wings out for me while he was on my finger. He was the cutest thing. How can you tell if a bird has been socialized well? I got the feeling he was not socialized well, but then again, he did not bite me when he stepped up. They guy said there that he is teething like a baby, which is why he is chewing on everything, including my hand/fingers. I always said that if I ever got a bird, I would want it to pick me and do not think he picked me.

How difficult would it be to socialize a baby Grey that has not been socialized very well? I just cannot get him off my mind, I have been thinking about him all the time. ::Sigh::

[Lisa B]

I'll be back on this one tomorrow. Have to get dinner going....Happy Thanksgiving.

[harrins]

Timnehs are a lot smaller than Congos. At 4 months he is pretty much at his full size so yes that's true!

I am wondering why you say you dont feel he picked you? It sounds to me like he was quite comfortable with you considering he doesnt know you at all. If he was genuinely scared of you most likely he would have bitten you, as that is a greys main defence mechanism. The fact that he stepped up for you and tried to climb up you rather than step down again suggests that he is very comfortable with people. A grey is a nervous bird for the most part unless they are very familiar with you and their surroundings. I think he did very well!

The guy in the store was correct, his chewing on everything is very typical of a grey, but not just while they are babies. Mine still manage to destroy the zips in all my clothes, remove my buttons with a click of a beak and gnaw holes in anything they can wrap their beaks around! A good tip is to have birdy clothes and normal clothes!

Let us know what you do wont you?

[SDavid]

"I got the feeling he was not socialized well.. "

He's only four months old. His main concern now is weaning, eating, playing and learning that he's a bird. To say he wasn't socialized properly is wrong in my opinion as he's not old enough for "lack of socialization" to be a issue or worry. From what you post he's acting normal and (if you go with him) you have all the time in the world to socialize and become great companions. No time has been lost if that's what youre worrying about.

"He was very scared of everything, even shook when I picked him up"

""I tried putting him down, but he did not want to go"

Exactly the way mine acted at the same age and countless other baby grey's (Congos and TAG's) I've seen, this is absolutely normal. He's a baby so he's scared. If youre not sure simply arrange to meet more greys and interact with and handle them. I can honestly say that I picked my Timneh and not the other way around. She was one of three and something drew me to her over the other two. She was acting exactly the way youre describing. More than two years later she means the world to me, loves to be with me, and is pretty much another person in the house (not a pet). Life with her is filled with constant discoveries and new things she does to entertain and amuse me and my wife. I simply can't say enough so I'll just wish you luck with your decision.

[plunke]

Keep visiting Him. You'll notice a difference each time you visit. TAG are very loving. He will recognize you and be glad to see you.

[TheZooCrew]

Originally Posted by Lisa B

I'll be back on this one tomorrow. Have to get dinner going....Happy Thanksgiving.

No Problem, I understand Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

[TheZooCrew]

Originally Posted by harrins

Timnehs are a lot smaller than Congos. At 4 months he is pretty much at his full size so yes that's true!

I am wondering why you say you dont feel he picked you?

Let us know what you do wont you?

Hmmm, Timnehs are alot smaller than I thought. I thought for sure they would be bigger.

Don't really know why I think that. Well, on another forum someone said that all birds like to be on people, so basically the fact that he did not want me to put him down means nothing. So, I guess I took what that person had to say seriously and thought that he would of liked to be on anyone.

I guess I am just confused on what to do. I cannot get him out of my mind and my heart says to go get him, but I am sooo nervous and scared at the same time.

Thanks for the response

[TheZooCrew]

Originally Posted by SDavid

"I got the feeling he was not socialized well.. "

He's only four months old. His main concern now is weaning, eating, playing and learning that he's a bird. To say he wasn't socialized properly is wrong in my opinion as he's not old enough for "lack of socialization" to be a issue or worry. From what you post he's acting normal and (if you go with him) you have all the time in the world to socialize and become great companions. No time has been lost if that's what youre worrying about.

"He was very scared of everything, even shook when I picked him up"

""I tried putting him down, but he did not want to go"

Exactly the way mine acted at the same age and countless other baby grey's (Congos and TAG's) I've seen, this is absolutely normal. He's a baby so he's scared. If youre not sure simply arrange to meet more greys and interact with and handle them. I can honestly say that I picked my Timneh and not the other way around. She was one of three and something drew me to her over the other two. She was acting exactly the way youre describing. More than two years later she means the world to me, loves to be with me, and is pretty much another person in the house (not a pet). Life with her is filled with constant discoveries and new things she does to entertain and amuse me and my wife. I simply can't say enough so I'll just wish you luck with your decision.

I really do not know what it is like to be around a baby bird. My past two birds I had, a Senegal and Pionus, were bought from a pet store and were already adults. Both of them took to me the first day, no biting or anything. I guess I just got lucky at that point in time.

I figured he was shaking because he did not know me, but he got over it pretty quickly. Having a baby bird will be a new experience for me, so I guess I really did not know what to expect.

Thanks for the response

[TheZooCrew]

Originally Posted by plunke

Keep visiting Him. You'll notice a difference each time you visit. TAG are very loving. He will recognize you and be glad to see you.

I am going to try to visit him this weekend. I will let everyone know how it goes.

Thanks!

[Tom Lawless]

I agree with the others but I truly appreciate your question. It is a big decision and you want to make sure you make it an educated one. Having said that, he is a young bird so there will be a lot of time to bond. Not all birds go to all people, even babies, so the fact this little one enjoyed hanging out with you is a good sign. I brought my Bing home at four months and probably visited him at the store for five weeks before that. He caught on pretty quick that he wasn't allowed to chew on me or my clothes. He may still test the limits but I have yet to lose a button on a shirt from him. That day will come but the behavior can be curbed so don't let that bother you. The beaking is normal but you can teach him what is acceptable and what is too rough. If the store you are at is a good one they should be able to guide you in a lot of this stuff too.

LisaB's advice will be worth waiting for.