Frequently Asked Questions

Why do you ask so many questions before allowing me to buy a bird from you? 

We want to make sure that your home life and commitment is condusive to the well being of a bird.  We will discuss cages, food, toys, mental stimulation, companionship and basic bird psychology.  We do not insist that everyone be stay-at-home bird behaviorists to provide a good home, but if we know your lifestyle and current knowledge, we are better able to advise you.  African Greys can make good first birds - - if you are willing to do plenty of research and ask lots of questions.  We are happy to answer any questions pre- and post-purchase.

Are there any books you recommend?

I recommend The Companion Parrot Handbook by Sally Blanchard, For the Love of Greys by Bobbi Brinker and The Complete Pet Bird Owner's Handbook by Gary A. Gallerstein, DVM.  Please refer to my "Supplies" page as I stock Bobbi Brinker's book, and provide links to publishers who carry the other two. 

Can you tell me how you raise your babies?

I raise only a few clutches a year, and the babies are raised in our home
with my husband, two children (11 and 7) and myself.  The babies get
accustomed to normal household sounds such as the telephone, washing machine,
vacuum cleaner and the general ruckus my children often create.  They also
get used to hearing and seeing other pets such as dogs and cats.  In fact,
the last baby I sold had learned to "bark" like one of my German Shepherds!

I offer the babies pellets and soft veggies as soon as they start to nibble
their toes and the bedding - which can be as early as 6 weeks.  However,
they don't actually ingest much at this point, but they do enjoy playing
with it.  After they are comfortable eating pellets and veggies, I will add
some of my custom seed/nut/dried fruit and pasta mix.  The babies wean when
they are ready, but since I offer foods at an early age, I find they wean
rather quickly - usually around 12-13 weeks.  The babies are also weaned
onto a Lixit water bottle.

The babies are allowed to fully fledge before being clipped.  If they are
weaned and ready to go before they have fully fledged, I will instruct you
on how to gradually clip their feathers so that you can do it once your baby
is a confident flyer.

I want a bird that talks?  Can you guarantee that my bird will talk?

If you want to guarantee to get a bird who talks, buy an older one who already does. 

Yes, African Greys can be excellent talkers, but no breeder can guarantee that your baby will talk, or will say anything beyond "Hello" in its lifetime.  However, that being said, I have had a few babies that begin mumbling their first words before they are even weaned and, I believe that all of the Greys I've sold (whose owners keep in touch) all say at least a few words.  And yes, there are several gifted talkers among those that I have sold.  But again, there is no guarantee on how each individual bird will turn out.

How much is the deposit to reserve a bird?