Continued from page 1Often Timneh Greys are reported to be "broncos", and difficult to tame. I would like to see the use of this old generalization regarding imported Timnehs stopped. There are many people who have wild-caught Timneh Greys as pets which have tamed readily with patience and understanding. Several years ago a couple who are members of the local cage bird club purchased a wild-caught Timneh Grey at the bird fair. A short time later they came to the meeting telling of their wonderful Timneh, and how easy he was to tame. In three days time, no one could have guessed that their bird wasn't a hand-fed domestic. Donna Hefton, the Showerbird lady from A Fledgling Company, has an imported Timneh who begs to be spoon fed his warm oatmeal each evening! How easily a bird will tame, in my opinion, depends upon the person handling the bird.
People with both pet Timnehs and Congo Greys seem to agree that their Timnehs seem more laid back in personality. Often, when entertaining guests, the Timneh will ham it up in front of strangers, whereas the Congo Grey may present a reserved nature. It seems that this would have more to do with the fact that Congo Greys are being raised in vast numbers compared to the Timnehs, and commercial breeders focus on raising the bird in high demand - the Congo Grey. This poses several questions regarding personalities of the African Grey. Does the amount of handling a baby Grey received while young determine whether the baby will turn out to be a well-rounded, secure adult? Is it primarily smaller breeders that "waste their time" raising the Timnehs, therefore they have more time to handle the babies regularly? Are parent birds being selectively chosen for breeding stock, considering temperament as a quality to breed into the offspring? If a feather plucked Grey is placed into a breeding situation, might not their offspring also inherit that same high-strung, nervous personality of the parent bird(s)? How interesting a study on such questions regarding African Grey husbandry would be!
I am not saying that only Congo Greys have nervous energy, or that Timneh Greys do not pluck. However, from the many Grey owners I have conversed with, I do see there is a much greater percentage of Congo's with feather-plucking behavioral problems than there are Timneh Greys. Of course there are also a great many more Congo Greys gracing our homes as pets than there are Timnehs.
Perhaps one day this will change. I am seeing a trend towards more people becoming interested in the Timneh Grey as a pet as information about them is made known. Many prefer the smaller size, and are less intimidated by the Timnehs smaller beak. Timnehs are very playful and gentle birds. When a family with children is interested in adopting a Grey, I always recommend the Timneh over the Congo.
The only negative comment I have regarding the Timneh African Grey, is that they are typically a more difficult bird to raise than their more prolific cousin - the Congo. For this reason, if one is attempting to find a Timneh Grey they often have a hard time. Because Timnehs do not so readily produce, you would think that they would command a price at least equal to that of the much more abundant Congo Grey. However, demand always plays an important role in pricing any product, and many people are programmed to think that bigger is better.
If they only knew what they were missing! The Timneh African Grey, beautiful in their many shades of gray with distinguished maroon tail, are charming, entertaining, intelligent creatures. If you are considering an African Grey for a pet, I suggest you rate them high on your list.
Rita Shimniok About Rita Shimniok
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