Carmela passed away early March 2023. After only 2 weeks in her new home.

Hatch Date: 2013

Carmela is 10 y/o, DNA-sexed female, Congo African Grey. She is very affectionate to her mom but has not been handled by others and “picks her people.” Don't most birds?

Carmela is very talkative with an expansive vocabulary and musical repertoire. She will delight you with well-timed laughter, catchphrases, Spanish songs and the occasional curse word (and will need help cleaning up her vocabulary if that bothers you.) She is very smart and will say the appropriate response in a situation. Interestingly, she copies exactly dad’s voice, but is a momma's girl.

As is typical of her species, she is bright and intelligent and thrives on stimulation and enrichment. She has many toys but gets bored easily and thus you should always rotate out her variety and engage her in games and such. Much like toddlers, a cardboard box is still her favorite gift.

She will call out for attention and likes to be around her flock. She exhibits separation anxiety and prefers to be physically with you throughout the home rather than outside her cage on a perch during the day (she will walk like a little T-Rex to follow you to the action.)

She has no history of other behavior problems such as feather plucking. She is a beauty, as you can see. Despite her cautiousness around strangers, she has been boarded and had her wings trimmed without issue in the past, so she is OK with experienced handlers.

Currently, she is on a seed and fruit diet and should be transitioned to healthier pellets. She has a strict bedtime routine and does best in a separate sleeping room where it is quiet and dark. She enjoys car trips but does not like showers, although she has a mister and humidifier. 

We think an ideal home for her would be a calm one or two-person home, where she would enjoy being the center of attention / “forever baby.” She is ok with cats (and enjoys just sitting quietly next to them) but has no experience around other pets or children.

Carmela has been with her current family since she was weaned. Sadly, her dad has developed a lung condition and Carmela's powder down aggravates it. She is beloved and a very special girl, thus video updates or photos in the future would be appreciated!

Carmela is located in Howell, NJ. She will only be adopted to a forever home within driving distance.  We will NOT ship our birds.

For the Love of Birds is a group of dedicated foster homes throughout NJ and Eastern PA. We do not have a central location.  This bird is living in a volunteer's or owner's private home; we only allow approved applicants to make visits.

If interested in adopting Carmela, please visit our website ftlob.rescuegroups.org to read our adoption policies & procedures and to complete an adoption application.