Continued from page 4One cannot take for granted that their sweet baby Grey will always clamor for attentions from all family members. Bonding and mate selection is probable with almost any companion parrot. Those that maintain and set guidelines for the family parrot, in my opinion, will likely be selected as the mate. On the other hand, family members who play with the bird, back off when bluffed or bitten, are seen more by the parrot as a sibling, and perhaps later a rival for the affections of the "flock member" chosen as their mate.
If a human-parrot-human love/hate triangle is forming in a household, the person on the receiving end of a Grey's displeasure can sweeten what may be becoming a sour relationship by spoon-feeding warm mashes, being the only individual to offer the favorite treats, allowing the bird out for playtime, etc. This way the bird associates the disfavored human with pleasurable actions.
If the entire family is involved in some manner, of maintaining the socialization of their Timneh Grey, or any Grey sub-species for that matter, fewer Greys will appear in the classified ads because "It hate my spouse".
The Timneh into maturity
A Timneh Grey will reach sexual maturity at approximately three to four years of age. If they have been raised properly with nurturing guidelines, non-stringent routines, continuous handling and loving care, these birds should remain wonderful companions for the entire family. As I said earlier, it is likely that they will favor one person, but if socialization is a continuous practice, each family member should be able to interact with the Timneh Grey at some level.
The calls of an African Grey have meaning, and I urge owners to pay attention to the noises made by their Grey, and in what situation they are used. They have a call for alarm, distress, warning, contentment. Observations of your Timneh's actions and corresponding sounds can help you understand their behavior and moods.
The Timneh Grey is a gentle bird, and more often than not will simply push your finger away if you offer a head scratch and they are not in the mood to accept. Now, this is a nice, fair warning, and if you do not heed such an unmistakable signal-it's your pain! Seriously though, it is important that children learn the behaviors of their pet Timneh also. A head lowered for a scratch is an invitation for petting, a "cluck" of the beak accompanied by a push "away" is a signal that the Grey wants some private time. We all have these moments, so why not a Grey?
No Longer Overshadowed
If you can locate a breeder raising Timneh Greys, be sure to have your name placed on a waiting list - as they are WELL WORTH the wait! Since Timnehs are usually not prolific breeders, it may take longer to obtain a Timneh than it would if you were to choose a Congo Grey, but patience will reward you. Even though Timnehs may cost $100s less than a Congo-the scarcity and difficulty in raising these birds should in reality make them worth more than a Congo Grey. I am aware that there are some breeders who are receiving equal amounts for their African Grey babies, whether destined to sport a bright red tail or a rich maroon tail. Generally, the laws of demand will always prevail, and many think that "bigger is better". Those of us lucky enough to have encountered a hand-fed Timneh know the truth, that being that "the best things come in small packages"!
When considering the purchase of an African Grey, why not consider the equally intelligent Timneh? Their smaller size is often advantageous since their human family may find the smaller sized bird less intimidating and if space is limited, a Timneh can dwell in a smaller sized cage than a Congo Grey. Baby Timnehs exhibit their extroverted personalities early on. At an age where Congo Grey babies demonstrate caution or mild interest towards their hand-feeder, Timneh chicks are scrambling over one another in their efforts to be the first one to "mama". These early behavior differences really do seem to justify the statement that Timnehs are more easy going.
Clearly the Timneh Grey is stepping out of the shadow of it's larger, red-tailed cousin. Maybe one day, the Timneh Grey will cast it's own shadow over the Congo, as the popularity of this smaller African Grey continues to grow.
Rita Shimniok About Rita Shimniok
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