Hello from Karol...

[Karol]

Hi Everyone,

I stumbled across your board while researching adoptions of a African Grey.

What a cool place. I am hopeful to meet a lot of other Bird Lovers. I currently own a Cockatiel and I am getting ready to adopt a Congo African Grey.

This Grey is named Sedrick and has been with the same owner for 17 years so I am a little nervous about bonding with this Bird. The owner is giving me the bird because his job takes him out of the country too much and he is not spending quality time with him.

I just hope it works out. The owner said if it does not work out he will take the bird back but ideally that is not what I want.

I have read and researched about this and Grey's seem to bond to one person. I guess this is why I am nervous that the bird will NEVER bond with me.

Oh well, time will tell. In the meantime I am looking forward to meeting you all and getting some input from very smart Bird People.

I hope you all have a great Holiday.

[birdmom1]

Hi Karol,
I'm Carol It's going to take time and patients and lots of love but I'm sure this Grey will bond to you....someday. Since he is 17 this is going to be very hard on him.

Your are going to want to sit by his cage and talk softly to him, sing to him, read children's books (yes I did this for both of my Greys) Tell him about your day, ask him about his.

Ask the current owner to write down what his favorite foods are. Favorite songs, colors, TV shows. Ask if there are any health problem now or in the past. Find out what kind of toys he likes. Some Greys chew like a Macaw and others like shredder toys, some like preening toys. You need to find out EVERYTHING about this bird so the transition goes as smoothly as possible.

If he likes almonds and your trying to give him walnuts this may frustrate him and you. My Greys love pine nuts in the shell but don't like them shelled. Hawkeye loves Nutri berries. He would sell his soul for one, Belle can take them or leave them. They are all different. So you need to find out about THIS Grey.

Keep us posted and if you need help let us know.

[Machelle]

Welcome to BB! Congratulations on the impending adoption of your grey. Greys are wonderful birds. Its very possible that Sedrick could bond with you even after having been with his other human for so long. African greys have been adopted for a long time and they can adjust very well. The thing to remember about greys is they can take awhile to adjust. In general, it takes time to earn a birds trust. With African Greys it can take longer. They can be very timid and shy at first but you can definitely earn their trust. That is the key. Please remember that birds get rehomed all of the time and they do learn to adjust. Just to ease your concerns, I recommend going onto some bird rescue websites and read some of the successful adoption stories. They can be a wonderful read and I think they will help you to feel a little better. Good luck!!!

[Karol]

Thank you both for your post. I feel better already and I am more at ease.

This is a great forum. I think I am going to love it here.

I am sure I will learn alot too. More than I do reading "Bird Talk".

I hope you enjoy your holiday.

[birdmom1]

Karol,
I just noticed, you are from New Jersey. There are a bunch of us on this board who live in the Garden State. We had a get together last Saturday night in central Jersey. We had a great time! We're doing another one this summer. I hope you can come.

We all go to the greatest bird super store located in Burlington. It's called Bird Paradise. They have a web site www.birdparadise.biz but you really have to go there and see what a great store it is. No bird is allowed to go home unweaned and the new parronts totally educated about the care and feeding of a parrot. They have toys, cages, food, baby birds. I have spent hours in that store. They have fund raisers for different bird causes which gives us an excuse to get together! Check them out.

Happy Holidays to you and don't worry, we're here.

[Karol]

Carol,

I am from South Jersey and I am very familiar with Bird Paradise.

Wouldn't it be funny if I knew you.

Are you from South Jersey?

[birdmom1]

No, I'm from north Jersey. It takes us about 1 1/2 hours to get to Bird Paradise. I was there last Saturday hanging out with Don and his baby B&G Macaw Madison AKA Binky. I did my Christmas shopping and stock up shopping for my birds. I spent SOOOOO much money! But, what could I do? Santa has to come to our house too!

We won't have to go down until the middle of January, I'll let you know when.

[birdmom1]

No, I'm from north Jersey. It takes us about 1 1/2 hours to get to Bird Paradise. I was there last Saturday hanging out with Don and his baby B&G Macaw Madison AKA Binky. I did my Christmas shopping and stock up shopping for my birds. I spent SOOOOO much money! But, what could I do? Santa has to come to our house too!

We won't have to go down until the middle of January, I'll let you know when.

[birdmom1]

that was weird!!!! my post, posted twice

[Karol]

Great. Maybe we can meet if not next month than when all the New Jersey folks get together.

Thanks for your help and calming my fears. I appreciate it.