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paraguppie Elite user Forsyth Montana! 411 Posts |
Hi,
Does anyone here work with an African Grey Parrot? We are looking at adding one to our family (and if it works out, to our show) and would like to see what everyone else has to say about them. I have read about everything I can on the net and feel fairly well educated about them now. Fascinating birds! Keith
Check me out at www.magickeith.com
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Bob Sanders Grammar Supervisor Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts |
Keith
In your part of the country, wouldn't the weather be tough on him? Bob |
paraguppie Elite user Forsyth Montana! 411 Posts |
He would live inside of course and we wouldn't use him in poor climate shows. They say not to have the below 70 degrees or above 90. I think we could accomdate him for that.
It is easier with the doves. They just don't seem to mind any weather at all. They live inside also though. My birds are spoiled. Keith
Check me out at www.magickeith.com
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Daniel Faith Inner circle Neenah, Wisconsin 1526 Posts |
African Greys are fantastic talkers. I've even heard the best of all the parrots.
Only a minah bird talks better. That could possibly be a handicap when doing magic.
Daniel Faith
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marc pearl New user Sarasota Florida 17 Posts |
I own two african greys. I don't use them for magic acts. They are extremely smart, and therefore very neurotic. Although they enjoy a family room situation, they don't like crowds for the most part and keep their territory to themselves.
If you have the cash and lots of time to spend with an african grey, buy one for sure. They are lots of fun, like little kids with feathers. But for an act, if you want to use a parrot, choose a green one instead.... marc |
bwarren3 Special user 518 Posts |
Hi Keith,
I own an African Gray and a Blue & Gold Macaw. The Gray is the talker but very seldom does she like to be held, Cuddling is out of the question. SHe'll step up when she wants to. On the other hand, Merlin my Blue & Gold steps up on command, loves the interaction, wrestles, loves to be picked up, upside down and swung. Goes riding in the Jeep anytime. ALready does 3 tricks, great crowd gatherer. Steps up to all females wearing red and then all the other females. I'm working on building a sketch pad large enough to produce him but it's got some sticky points. A Cockatoo would be perfect except I don't have 22 hours a day to give him. Puck has a great Cockatoo that performs flawlessly. I'm going to stick with Merlin. |
paraguppie Elite user Forsyth Montana! 411 Posts |
Hi guys,
Thanks for the info. We are going to visit him again tonight. Warren and Marc, thanks for the posts. I have been reading everything I can get my hands on about these birds. The one that we have our eye on is okay with cuddling, handleling and seems to be pretty outgoing, at least for a grey. He steps up without question and seems to have a very good disposition about him. As far as the show, that will come second. We love the bird and hope it works out, but we are looking at him as a pet, not a prop. I am hoping to get him into the show, but if it doesn't happen no big deal. Daniel, I have thought about that being a handicap (the talking) and it may. So I am working on ways to use that to my advantage. I don't think he'll work well for a production just due to the talking. We may use him in other ways though. Thanks for the posts guys! Keith
Check me out at www.magickeith.com
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Johnnie Blaze Loyal user 204 Posts |
Keith , although it is not impossible grey's are not the best choice for an act, the bird may be cuddly now but don't worry time will probably stop that . grey's are great talkers but yet an extensive vocabulary and the teaching of these words are some what of a novelty to most and the novelty does wear off . I sure hope all works best in whatever you decide and please keep us posted with your progress maybe you will be on to something here and can lead the rest of us who love the grey's
John |
JustinDavid Veteran user 370 Posts |
Happy New Year.
I work for Petsmart and one of my main jobs is training the incoming parrots (and other birds) to be hand tame. A lot of these birds come in rotten from other stores mishandling, and I have to deal with the temper tantrums. With that said, The African Grey IS indeed the best speaker of all parrots. A close runner up would be the Yellow Nape Amazon. The are, in my opinion, not great showbirds. They don't show up well on stage and under the lights, and they are NOT ones for harnesses. They are easily (I use that word loosely) trained to speak at certain times, although nothing is guaranteed. They like to be handled when they like to be handled, no ways around that. You can train as much as physically possible, but when they feel like hauling off and laying into your hand, they don't think twice about it. Of course there are the diamonds in the rough, but reality wise, they workout better in the family room, as previously stated. Best of luck! Justin |
paraguppie Elite user Forsyth Montana! 411 Posts |
Thanks for your posts guys,
We brought him home. His name is Hollywood and so far so good. I want to stress that he is a pet before a prop. If he doesn't work into the show, that's fine. I would love it if he did, but if not, he's family. So far he will step up at anytime which is good. He handles being handled well so far. It's only been a couple of days so he is still getting used to the new house and everything that goes with it. We hope to bring him to a show in Feb. just so we can see how he does in front of people. Baby steps! We plan on just sitting him on a perch and seeing how he does and of course explaining to the audience that he is new to showbiz. I'll keep everyone posted. His picture should be on my website in the next few days. Keith
Check me out at www.magickeith.com
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JustinDavid Veteran user 370 Posts |
Hollywood - Very Cool.
I have Echo, Jersey, Flash, and Kramer (stage name "Poof") Best of luck, you just adopted a child. |
paraguppie Elite user Forsyth Montana! 411 Posts |
I can't agree more Justin, we did adopt. He's a full time job right now and I expect he will continue to be.
Last night he learned how to make a kissing noise and rub his beak on my cheek. Pretty darn cute! Keith PS I really like your bird names too!
Check me out at www.magickeith.com
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JustinDavid Veteran user 370 Posts |
Well thank ya.
The kissing thing is a sign that he/she is starting to learn its own voice. It's kind of like a clearing your throat type thing. Be prepared to be amazed and annoyed. It sounds harsh right now but there will be times where you will feel like your head is going to explode. All the best. Happy New Year. |
KC Cameron Inner circle Raleigh, North Carolina 1944 Posts |
Paraguppie
How are things with your gray? I have a Greenwing, Umbrella & Gray, and Griffin would not work well in any act. Too small, too dark, and not interested in enclosed spaces or being handled much. The Umbrella & Greenwing are hams. If I was going to get another for my act, it would definitely be a macaw. The Cockatoos are nice, and they want to please, but are VERY dusty, while Macaws use oil to keep their feathers in shape instead of dust. |
Lou Hilario Inner circle 2235 Posts |
I have an African Grey named "Merlin" and I don't use him in my shows. He stays at home and sings every song and phrase I taught him. It normally takes a week for him to start singing or saying the phrase I teach him.
I have thought of using him in my shows but he does not reply on cue. He is also not as attractive as my other birds. He looks like a pigeon with a red tail on stage. Merlin is clicker trained and can perform a lot of the basic behaviors like waving, nodding, big eagle, kiss, turn around, shake hands, etc. When I bring him outdoors, he easily adjusts to the environment and does not spook easily compared to my macaws and cockatoos. He bites men and will only tolerate women. I occasionally get a nip from her. Anyway, he is the only bird that makes me laugh when I hear him at home. His voice sounds exactly like mine. A talking parrot is truly a treasure.
Magic, Illusions, Juggling, Puppet & Parrot Show ^0^
http://www.louhilario.net |
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