african greys?

[pandora's lily]

hey my grandmother has been living alone for several years now, about 12 probably, and she's finally decided that she wants to get a parrot. however, she doesn't have all that much money to spend...enough to give whatever bird she gets a good life but not to go stir crazy.
now the ? does anyone have experience with parrots particularly african greys? and does anyone know of a website or a store in CT that sells bird cages for a "reasonable" price? i don't care if i have to order it for her, but i don't want to have a whole pile of money spent on everything.
advice on the birds of any kind would be very much appreciated, and btw, my grandma has had birds before so she wouldn't be a newbie, but info is still good...

 

[Raki]

I had an African Gray for years before it died two summers ago We believe that it was Westnile that took our Pascal it is prevalent in this area in the summer.
I do suggest that you get her a hand raised, as young as possible, If she has the time and patients one that it still being hand fed would be best because the bird will see her as a "mother" You can easily spot a hand reared Parrot by the flat ring around his foot as opposed to a rounded one used to mark "wild caught" birds. If she doesn't have any other pets she could get away with a small (cheeper) cage as long as she let the parrot out for exorcise and as long as the parrot has room to spread it's wings it will be comfortable in the cage IME.
Good luck to your Grandmother and whoever she's going to "will" the parrot to since the can live up to 80 years.

 

[cichlidmommy]

If you are looking for information for places in CT, pick up the latest issue of Bird Talk magazine. It has listings for every state that will give you breeders, and places that carry supplies.

I would try looking in the want ads for a cage. They are so expensive in the pet store, expecially one that size. A used one is fine as long as you clean and sanitize it before use.

Africans are wonderful birds. She should be very happy with one of those.