- Joined
- 4/21/16
- Messages
- 42
I just purchased an 18 month old (seller unsure of exact age and rumor has it that this shop owner told another customer this bird was 4 years old) Gray Headed Cape yesterday (rehome from a pet shop). I went to the Parrot Store to look a another bird, but noticed the beauty and gentleness of this guy and had to have him. He was so friendly to me the moment we met, stepping up and allowing me to pet him. The owner said that his is one of the friendliest parrots he has ever had. This is a not a medium sized bird as some describe it in my opinion. He is medium/large. His nails are clipped and he mildly scratches up my hands/wrists every time I hold him due to his weight. Powerful talons! I had thoughts of those falconers with the long gloves, lol. That being said, after 24 hours he is more used to me so doesn't grip as hard. He is so gentle that it almost seems like he is moving in slow motion. He doesnt try to chew this wood perch he is on at all. He doesn't appear to be nippy or bite-- if he wants me to stop petting him, he will nudge me away using that huge beak. He has nibbled on my finger--not sure if that is a sign of affection or what but I try to ignore and discourage. Last evening when he was alone in a room I overheard him talking. Unbelievable. He said "How are you?" and said some other stuff I couldn't decipher. He won't talk in front of me. So far, he has made only one sound on the loud side in 24 hours but has been extremely quiet. He sits on this perch for hours, grabbing some seeds or broccoli/grapes now and then. This is a truly beautiful and impressive creature. I hope he keeps these habits and this personality. Any advice on how to figure out his age (he is banded) and keep up this great personality would be great. This is a photo I took yesterday.