Hatch Date 1996

Sam is a ~25yo male Congo African Grey. Sam is slow to warm up, as he has been through many homes in a short period of time.  When he gets to know you, he is a gentle and interactive bird, who enjoys hanging out with his family as much as possible.
He enjoys attention from his foster mom and seems to prefer women over men.

He's generally quiet, but does have a repertoire of ear-splitting whistles, he sometimes uses to try and get attention--if ignored he settles down quickly and switches to more pleasant alternatives. He has a very good vocabulary-- Good morning, good night, good bird, Sam, Good Boy, Wanna go out? (clearly from a home with dogs) Come here, hello, and whistles the start of the Andy Griffith theme song and some other lovely tunes that he may be making up himself, and other assorted sound effects.  Like a true Grey, all his words/phrases are in the exact voice of the person he learned them from.  
 

He can be a little phobic of new things and may peck/lunge at something he doesn't like, such as a piece of watermelon.  He does give very clear signals, and will let you know by pushing your hand away, that he would rather not be touched just then. If you miss his signals, he may bite you, but not hard by Grey standards.

When you've won his trust, Sam is polite to hands, likes beak rubs, and accepts kisses and snuggles. He also nuzzles his foster mom's face, fixes her hair, and whispers sweet nothings when he's feeling affectionate.

 

Sam doesn't like to step up from his cage, but will when he trusts you.  And he almost always step up off the floor or another surface, if he spooks and flies off. He is also amenable to stepping up on a perch from a playstand. He flies well, but prefers to walk.  He tends to climb down off his cage and wander around the room, so he requires constant supervision.  

 

Sam loves his pellets and will also try different fresh foods. Grapes are an absolute favorite, with apple slices a close second, but they have to come from your hand and not his bowl.  

Sam is still learning to play with toys. He  loves music and dancing, and the sillier you are (his foster family slips his name into the lyrics of every song :) the more animated he becomes. 

Sam is being fostered Howell, NJ  and will only be adopted to a home within driving distance; we do not ship our adoptable birds.
For the Love of Birds is a network of dedicated foster home throughout NJ and Eastern PA, we have no central location.
As our adoptable birds are living in volunteer homes, we only allow approved applicants to meet our birds.
If interested in meeting Sam please review our adoption policies and complete an adoption application on our website ftlob.rescuegroups.org.

 

Educating potential adopters and the public is essential to reducing the problem of unwanted birds being kept in captivity and providing those birds living in homes with the best lives possible.