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Post by avinet on Aug 24, 2008 20:45:29 GMT 10
how much experiance would that be? It is not so much how long you have had birds but perhaps how good you are at reading body language, as Mary said. Naturally that ability improves and is learnt with time and exposure to different birds. However some have it instinctively while others never learn it. Experience with a variety of species is useful, but even an understanding of "just" cockatiels may be plenty of experience for an understanding owner. However nothing quite prepares you for Greys - they are different! Having said that I don't believe they need treating especially different from other birds. My ideas about them is constantly evolving but I think that many of the problems they have arises when they are treated as special and given too much attention. - spoilt if you like. I think the biggest problem comes when they are treated as little children and not birds, and develop an identity crisis as a result. At home my two get the same treatment and attention as the cockatiels. Our cockatiels - all of which are over 12 years old now - are just as important to me as my Greys and I make sure they don't suffer because of the "stars" of the collection. The Greys get the same out of cage time as the rest of the birds and in fact those of the cockatiels that want shoulder time get much more of it than the Greys. The special treatment they do get is going into the shop with me but even then they spend much of the day in the bird nursery area with other birds, and probably don't get more than an hour out with me through the day. Of course having a pair is a big help in avoiding the temptation in spoiling them since they have each other for companionship and play - and do spend quite a bit of time playing with each other - I hope to get more video of this sort of activity in the next couple of weeks when I shall be home for a while. I tend to look at "experience" with birds as compartmentalized to some extent. I am experience with Cockatiels, Budgies, Rosellas, Neophemas, finches and many other groups, but don't have a clue about Amazons or Caiques, have never kept Black cockatoos or Eclectus, and would definately consider myself a beginner with those birds. And there is a difference between knowledgeable and experienced - I know a lot about Black Cockatoos from reading and talking to owners, but I've never kept them so do not consider myself experienced with them. And so it was with Greys - I knew a lot about them from reading and talking to American friends with them but I wasn't experienced with living with a Grey, so when I got Ernie I was very much a beginner with a steep learnig curve. That curve is mad easier to climb the more one has been exposed to parrots, but is is there no matter what the prior experience one has had. The complete beginner with an ability to learn, and some natural empathy with animals can climb it successfully, but will have a harder time than someone who has kept cockatiels for a few years, who will in turn find it harder than someone who has kept cockatiels, galahs, rosellas etc. And I suspect from my inexperienced viewpoint that someone who understands Eclectus body language will have an easier time still!!! I've rambled on a bit here so will have to finish since I have much to do this evening - no doubt this will be a continuing subject for discussion, cheers, Mike |
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Post by Jane on Aug 24, 2008 21:41:01 GMT 10
Thank-you Mary and Thank-you Mike for your replies  I am along way off affording a Grey but it's great to learn all this anyway  Thanks for the explanation because it hard to know just from reading books And has anyone bought this DVD? It it worth the $ ? "Birdkeeping the South African Way Part 4 The African Grey" |
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Post by abby on Aug 25, 2008 9:01:50 GMT 10
Did you guys get your african greys at that huge price?  I did and don't regret a cent of it. Would I have been able to do it at 17 when I first saw a grey and wanted one, no. Not financially and not emotionally either. Mike and I are both "older" and fairly established in our lives. Mike you didn't ramble, you explained it perfectly. Arthur is a bit of a brat because he has been "spoiled". This has really come out since Bogey (amazon) came on the scene. Every bird is very different too. Arthur is quite extroverted for a grey, Bogey is much more of a shy gentle soul compared to what I hear normally about zons. I haven't got the DVD yet Jane, it's one on the list of references to get though. |
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Post by bickitrainer on Aug 25, 2008 17:31:40 GMT 10
Wow lol, if you think those birds are really worth that amount, they must be absolutely excellent birds. |
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Post by abby on Aug 25, 2008 18:58:29 GMT 10
the price of birds is basic economics, supply and demand. When there is a limited number of birds of a certain species or mutation and people want them then the price is high. When there are a larger number of them and less demand then price comes down. The demand can be set by a number of things such as trends, new mutations and tv/movies/publicity. There aren't a huge number of African greys for example in Australia but they are still a desirable bird so hence the price is reasonably high.
It may just be me but I've moved past being surprised at what birds are priced at. It could also be the circles I move in in regard to breeding. If a pair of birds is $30k then that's what they are. I know full well why they are "worth" that much. Would I pay that, well no because I have a few other things to do atm with my finances. Not a personal priority for me at this stage, however that may change in my birding life. Would Joe Blow? Apparently yes because they do get sold with minimal difficulty.
Mike working in the pet industry would probably be able to explain the financial aspect better then myself too.
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Post by bickitrainer on Aug 25, 2008 20:56:12 GMT 10
I think you've explained it well enough, thanks abby. |
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Post by vankarhi on Aug 26, 2008 17:07:29 GMT 10
I understand you perfectly too Mary ;D I remember when I bought Skye she only cost me $800 but OMG that was the hardest $800 I have ever had to part with. Now.......pffft lol (joking guys) ;D but I know if I want something.........I will pay for it. I have to say the temptation to buy a macaw or a grey when i finish work...........especially a macaw since finding out about a guy who sells his for what I would consider a reasonably cheap price. I have plenty of time to think about it for now and save if I so desire ;D and to check this guy out too  |
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Post by Jane on Aug 31, 2008 18:32:22 GMT 10
I haven't got the DVD yet Jane, it's one on the list of references to get though. Ohhhh I get the "List" now  Read a certain mag ;D Thanks Mary Anyway I ordered the DVD hopefully it'll be in tomorrows post  Otherwise I already bought and read A Guide To Grey etc and we're going to the Companion Parrot workshop in September. |
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Post by farseeker on Aug 31, 2008 18:34:36 GMT 10
I got a copy of that mag today too. Good article - well worth reading, and I loved the pictures.
I enjoyed reading through the magazine as a whole too - I'll probably pick up the next one and if I like it look into subscribing.
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rajasmom
Newbie
Tyco My sweet Cag
Posts: 49
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Post by rajasmom on Sept 11, 2008 8:34:36 GMT 10
I couldn't imagine paying 4000 or 5000 dollars for a Grey I live in Canada and I paid 700. dollars for mine thats cheep here but she's a 5 yr old rescue most go for 1000. to 1500 depending on weather its a Timnah or a Congo mines a congo
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Post by angelicvampyre on Sept 11, 2008 12:46:47 GMT 10
Ok so I am going to move to Canada!
First off want to thank everyone for their info and input.
Second I thought I would give you an update. I finally got a address off the lady it was about a 3 hour drive from Melbourne I was going to organise for myself and a friend to go up and see these birds when I just started to get an uneasy feeling about it. So I spoke to my friend who is a cop and asked him what I should do. He did some digging and found out that a breeding pair and three chicks where stolen a few days before I got the inital e-mail closer to Melbourne. I gave all the details to him and as I had never spoken to the lady on the phone I assume they sent someone else posing as me.
Yes they where stolen, they had removed the leg rings and replaced them but did not know that all 5 birds had micro chips so caught out. What was really nice was the cops must have told the owners what I had done and I got invited to come and see the babies and meet the parents. These people have a great set up and all the birds where really friendly. They sell their hand raised AG for $5500 a bird and they come microchipped and DNA sexed and a stack of paperwork. They where really happy to get the little guys back as all three had been sold, one of the new owners was there to check out her boy and she gave me a big hug and she was already attached to him.
The Breeder did say that if I wanted one then she would be happy to bump me to the top of the list and we could work out a cheaper price but by then I had already agreed to take on my King Parrot but said I would keep her in mind. They are now moving and going to set up somewhere else with better security and I don't blame them.
Thanks guys I knew something was not right and you helped me confirm that.
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Post by farseeker on Sept 11, 2008 13:55:41 GMT 10
Very glad to hear that - nice to know they got busted, I'm sure your actions were very much appreciated by the owners.
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rajasmom
Newbie
Tyco My sweet Cag
Posts: 49
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Post by rajasmom on Sept 11, 2008 18:50:19 GMT 10
Oh my I'm so glad that they got busted. People like that should be locked up for a very long time. to steal some ones bird is like kidnapping someone child. I would just be a mess if any of my birds got stolen. They are everything to I love them like they were my children I would want to kill anyone that layed a hand on them for wrong purposes. Karma to you for reporting this to the police. May God bless you.
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Post by Jane on Sept 11, 2008 20:57:38 GMT 10
Well done ;D Those people must be overjoyed to have their birds back and I hope the thieves are in lots of trouble. You did a great thing |
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Post by avinet on Sept 11, 2008 21:10:21 GMT 10
Fantastic - that's great. Hopefully they will get more than a slap on the wrist by the magistrate. Keep us informed of any court case please.
cheers,
Mike
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Post by rainbowfeathers77 on Sept 12, 2008 0:28:36 GMT 10
As Pat said - Karma to you!!! That is great !!! Good on you!Excellent stuff!!!!!!!!! 10/10 Those rotten stupid beings. I hope they get the very worst, life has to offer!!! AAAAARGH...  |
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Post by vankarhi on Sept 12, 2008 20:07:24 GMT 10
ah but you would also pay a small fortune for your cockatoo type birds. We pay a lot less depending on the breeds. A white sulpher crested can cost around $500 for a hanraised baby. A black 'too can cost around $2000 or more depending on subspecies.
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Post by junior on Jan 24, 2009 13:25:41 GMT 10
SCAM SCAM SCAM!!!! They are happening all the time lately. You see them on petlink all the time recently, African Greys, even Hyacinths for god sake. I was offered Hyacinths for $3500... there is apparently only around 22 in the country. There is no birds, it's a total scam. The offers are often a rediculously cheap price or free adoption as long as you pay the shipping.... Think about it, who'd offer free or really cheap exotic birds to a total stranger without meeting or knowing them first?? There are some tell tail signs of the scams. Firstly it is too good to be true , they have an untraceable email address, no phone number, no chance of visiting so they always want to ship the birds, they often have a sob story (eg, going to work in an orphanage in Cameroon) so have to rehome the birds urgently. Usually the scam plan is to get you to pay the shipping which is to a fake shipping company. They make you feel safe by offering you to pay C.O.D as long as you pay the shipping, but you never get the birds. They are quite organised but really, use your common sense and look for the signs and you won't be bluffed. Most bird breeders are reasonable and if they keep putting up road blocks to you seeing the birds then play it safe, don't pay a cent for anything until you have them in your hands. Cheers |
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Post by junior on Jan 24, 2009 13:33:02 GMT 10
By the way, I realise as i read the posts that this situation was not a scam as much as just straight out stolen birds and that was a great result for the birds, the breeders, new owners and you. Good for you!!! As i said in my post above, there are plenty of scams out there too so take heed folks... |
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Post by vankarhi on Jan 24, 2009 15:50:17 GMT 10
Well Well Well, just shows I should read everything in a thread well done Angel for uncovering stolen birds ....... I was almost in tears for the person who gave you a hug when they saw their baby safe and sound. Yes the prospective owners do attached......I know I loved Takoda before I bought him home and I know that Ben and Megan love BB and would be devastated if something happened to him now. Well done Angel. ;D |
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Read a certain mag ;D Thanks Mary
