JeffNOK

Beautiful pics. Brandi is a charmer! Such a bright red tail for such a young bird.

Congratulations on your new baby boy! Good luck with the B&G and keep us posted. Any and all pictures or videos are appreciated!

Welcome! Can't wait to hear more about her! When I saw your first pic I thought she might be a female. I love her light silvery feathering. Just gorgeous.

Kudos to Willie for his old age vigor. I enjoyed your post--well except for the chick eating part ;(

90% of the time Gracie puts herself to bed between 8:45 and 9 PM every night. One night I forgot to cover her cage and she started squawking with the sunrise. That's not bad in winter, but now the sun is up at around 6AM and I don't get Gracie up until 6:45. Those last 45 min sleep are treasured!

Thanks for posting. Beautiful little TAG!

Lol--Gracie sometimes seems to like her baths and other times just tolerates them.Before I spray her I say.."Gracie want a bath?" She immediately stops whatever she is doing and walks to the back of her cage top as if awaiting the inevitable. I have made up a little bathtime song whenever I spray her, and sometimes she flaps her wings and chirps along with the tune. Other times she just hunkers down and gives me the evil eye. Regardless, after the bath I can tell she feels good. She always sings and preens happily after bathtime.

I'm amazed at my grey's internal clock. I always know it's 8:45 pm because Gracie goes into her cage to settle for the night. 7AM morning squawk. 7PM evening squawk. They are creatures of habit.

Best wishes for you and your new baby.

Intelligent and African Grey go hand in hand. Of course DJ is a brilliant little guy. I don't think he is trying to find a replacement for you, but it is good he is open to different people. That is what we want for our fids. Sounds like things are progessing according to plan.

Joe, I feel for you. Gracie is just beginning to molt a bit and whenever I see a feather looking bedraggled I sort of internally panic (is she plucking!?!). Hopefully it is just mites, but even if there is some real plucking going on, there are steps you can take. Regardless, your grey is wonderful fully feathered or not.

I agree with judygram--real communication is always best. I find myself just talking to myself--and my grey Gracie-- as I go about my life at home. "I'm cooking dinner now." "I'm working at my computer". "Cleaning time!". "Gracie is playing with her toy". "Gracie is eating food--yum!" "Gracie is climbing her rope net". "Gracie-fly fly fly--whoo hoo!". I just narrate our lives together. Hopefully that will work. Gracie is just 10 months old and only says "Step Up!" and "Barkleah" (the name of a family dog). But I think when words are associated with meaningful actions then comprehension takes place. A CD doesn't provide context.

Fantastic video. Beautiful day--beautiful bird, and great music. I've been to the Netherlands several times--but only the airport! I hope to properly visit your country someday.

I have the same issues with cleaning. Especially that EVIL vacuum cleaner that Gracie loves to hate. I also let her out as much as possible, but when it's cleaning time, Gracie does better attacking a few toys in her cage.

I'm really happy for you. Gracie hates my hands. I can rub her beak with my nose and give her a kiss, but that's it. Once my hands appear--she backs off. I had a dream the other night that Gracie let me pet and scritch her. Then I woke up--; (. Enjoy your progress. I take heart from your statement about doing things on their terms. That is what I am learning every day. Keep the updates coming.

Katana--Gracie is a lot of fun! She makes me laugh and smile every day. As a new parront without much experience with birds, I really had no idea what life with a grey would be like. Her newest thing is when she flies. Whenever she takes off, I say "fly fly fly--whoo-hoooo!" Now when she flies, she says "Whoo-hooo!" I really want to get a video of that. It is so cute!

This a video of Gracie just after her bath. She is barking exactly like my parents' toy fox terrier. Forgive her bedraggled appearrance. She is wet and also starting to molt a bit. She will be 11 months in a couple of weeks. http://s1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee371/JeffNOK/?action=view&current=picture006.mp4

Welcome and congrats. Keep us all posted on developments.

When my CAG is playing with a toy, I give her space. She doesn't want to be bothered. Is your fid standoffish generally or just when playing?

Decisions decisions! Great pics--so cute. I wish I had met Gracie at that age, but she wasn't pulled from her parents until 9 weeks. Keep us posted.

Yay Marco. He obvioulsy loves to be with you. Gracie will only do that for a piece of cheese--greedy little thing!

Thank you for sharing that very personal story. Beauty, peace, and tragedy all mixed into a few lines.

Thanks luvparrots! The eclectus are one of my favorites. My heart still warms when I think about your eclectus that was rehomed with a neighbor friend. I'm so glad he is happy and loved. If I ever get another fid, the eclectus is on my short list.

Gracie my CAG was intially wary of vegetables as well, but one day she tasted a bit of corn and her eyes lit up. Then she tried the peas and green beans and carrots. She now loves her veggies. Broccoli, cauliflower, sweet potato etc. It will come in time.

Great observation Shay. My grey also is very wary of fast moving hands. Hopefully with some subtle adjustments you boyfriend and Jager will get along well.