Congo Greys eventually may become a one person
bird. There are
exceptions. Some with constant
work will tolerate other people usually with some reluctance. Some absolutely do not want to
be handled by others and definitely not strangers. 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.
