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Congo African Grey

The ultimate of the talking birds.  Not only capable of mimicking words and sounds but able to speak in any language and many voices.  And even more remarkable will use appropriate words and phrases at the appropriate time and in context. 

Congo African Greys, also referred to as CAG's, are medium sized parrots.   They are basically gray with a bright red tail, white skin around the eyes and a black beak.  They are beautiful, very sophisticated, intelligent creatures.

Is a Congo African Grey the right bird for you?

Congo Greys eventually become one person birds.  There are exceptions and some become one person birds sooner than others.  Some with constant work will tolerate other people usually reluctantly and others absolutely do not want to be handled by others and definitely not strangers.  It does take constant work to get them to tolerate others just to hold them without biting them and some birds will never allow strangers near them.  They prefer to just listen and observe strangers from a distance (distance is the key) and seldom talk in their presence although there are exceptions to even that. 

Congo Greys can be difficult to raise and wean so that they can go to a new home and bond with someone else.  There is a window in which they must go to the new home.  If you miss that window it can be very difficult for the bird to easily adjust.  It also takes a certain amount of understanding from the new owner. 

Congos are NOT Cockatoos or Macaws.  They are opinionated and highly intelligent.  They want attention when they want it and when they don't want it they DO NOT want it!  They are NOT a needy bird.  They are independent.  Great birds for the right situation and the right person.  Screening new owners is really important for placing a baby Congo. 

My Congo is MY Congo and doesn't like to be left out of the conversation when customers come to pick up babies.  He will do his pity party act to get attention.  He will say "Poor Cuddles" if customers do not acknowledge him when here.  Some people he will puff at and others he is intrigued by.  He judges everyone from a distance.

I find that a Congo or a Timneh is a great first parrot for the right person and the right situation.  Someone who needs company such as a widow or widower, an empty nest Mom, a mature couple with no children in the house, a mature, secure single person, etc.  Timnehs and Congos are similar but very different birds.

A Congo person is one who does not fall apart if rejected.  Someone with confidence and secure with themselves and their situation.  An insecure person will only make a Congo feel insecure and trigger plucking eventually.  A nervous person won't work for a Congo.

I prefer the new owner is mature, owns their own home,  has had children or experience with children,  can be single but mature, not a teen in college,  is a confident person, understands that a Grey will probably become a one person bird, understands that the first 2 years the Grey will be cuddly but can and will change and become very independent eventually and be willing to accept that.  They must be committed to a long relationship both good and bad.

If you are newly wed and plan on having children please consider having children before committing to a baby bird.  I prefer not to sell to young just married or young couples. Or young married couples who have no experience with raising children and may have a baby in the future. The baby comes, the baby gets all the attention and the bird gets blamed for every sneeze or for waking the baby or for being jealous and rightfully so, and eventually gets booted out of it's once happy home. It happens over and over and I make every attempt to keep my birds out of those situations.  I want as permanent a home as I can find for my birds.

Considering breeding and raising African Greys?
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Raising African Greys

Want to learn more?

Our Price - For availability go to our Available Birds Page

 $300 deposit is required to reserve a baby
Deposit is Non-refundable and will apply to purchase price
(If we cannot provide you with a baby your deposit will be returned)

Deposits are non-refundable and is applied toward the total 
purchase price including shipping.  We guarantee that all reservations
are filled or we will promptly refund all payments including deposits. 

Our reservations are fulfilled  on a first come first serve basis.  No exceptions. 

You must have the baby and shipping fees paid in full when baby 
is weaned and ready to ship or the baby will be offered to someone else.
We DO NOT force wean.
We DO NOT sell un-weaned babies

Birds available for sale may be seen in person by appointment ONLY 

Email: shirley@bignest.com

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