African Grey Congo

Question
Hello, I have just purchased an African Grey and he is seven months old.  He is very friendly and affectionate.  He only make little whining noises and I am wondering if that is normal for his age.  I am also concerned about his feathers someone clipped his wings and they are all jaggered and look horrible on the ends.  Will they ever grow back normal?  Should I let them grow out or bring him to my vet and have them do something with him.  I had a cockatoo and somone butched his wings and they were never the same so I am concerned.  Thanks you so much for your time

Answer
Hi Christina,

Congratulations on your new baby.  I too, have a young Grey, nearly 10 months old who makes all kinds of noises!  I have other birds as well and she has already learned to mimic each of their calls, screams and chirps.  In regard to your baby - remember that despite their reputation - some Greys will never utter a word or make very many sounds.  Having said that - it can take up to 2 years for them to start mimicking and talking.  Each individual is different.  Your bird is still relatively young and I'm assuming he was handfed - so he's probably still making a lot of his "baby cooing" sounds.  So I would not be concerned at his lack of vocalization.  The more you talk to him and expose him to different sounds, the more likely he will pick them up.  They also tend to respond to high pitched voices.  :-)  

I know all too well about bad clips.  Surprisingly, even well meaning vets can completely butcher flight feathers - which I will never understand!  African Greys only need a few (4 - 5) of their primary flight feathers clipped as they are stocky and clumsy birds to begin with.  Despite my girl having 5 primaries clipped, if she spooks and try to fly, she drops to the ground like a rock.  I get worried because she squeaks when she hits the floor and I worry that she'll get severely injured on her keel bone.  

Yes, your baby will get her feathers back - however it will take some time... likely up to or a little over a year.  Birds molt their feathers (shed old feathers and grow in new ones) on a regular basis - mostly once or twice a year and usually sporadically.  You'll start to notice he drops these feathers over the course of time and new ones will grow in.  When they first come out of the follicle over the skin and until they mature, they are known as a "blood feather" and are very sensitive.  Your bird will preen those feathers as they mature - but just be mindful if he spooks and hits a blood feather on something... it could break and you'll need to stop the bleeding.  Also, these new blood feathers should NOT be cut until they mature.

Baby birds feathers are sometimes a little more rough until their first molt.  This is ok.  But with a good diet (pellet/seed, fresh fruits & veggies), proper lighting, regular bathing/showering and lots of love and attention - he'll be fine!  

I would recommend a book called "For the Love of African Greys" by Bobbi Brinker.  It's thee African Grey bible.  :-)  Also, I belong to a great parrot forum (www.theperch.net my username there is WonderMomma) where you can interact, share stories and seek advice on anything you can imagine about your Grey; and all from very nice fellow "parronts" with lots of combine experience and knowledge to share.  It's the best bird board out there.  

Good luck with your new baby, let me know if you have any other concerns and if you do decide to visit the board above, send me a pm and say hi!

Take care!