ZoesDad

I'm just sitting here reading everyone's posts while Zoe, in another room, is engaged in her exorcist monologues. She tries to say something in a very evil sounding voice (it's actually scary sounding, like in the Exorcist movies)and then tops it off with these cheerful sounding whistles and chipmunk sounds. The combination is just hilarious! I wish I could record it. Unfortunately, she still can't say anything and she only tries to speak when she's alone--little bugger! Has anyone else experienced this sort of thing (especially the shyness associated with speech practise)?

Take a look at Transcript 2 where MJ counts to 4 for a carrot--really funny stuff.

Hi Jimmy, Have a look at this video. They have no problem with the letter P.

Hi HS, Have a look at this link which shows the physical difference between two adult TAGs http://homesteadshatchery.homestead.com/5timnehs.html Pretty hard to tell them apart unless you already know who's who isn't it? I agree with the other posts re. DNA sexing.

My trick to getting undesired food (green peppers) into Zoe is to incorporate it into something that she really likes. Sometimes I slice it up into tiny bits and add it to her omelet, other times, I coat it with cooked, soft sweet potato or squash. She will usually just wolf it down when she first starts to eat. As she gets full, however, she will eat only the desired item and spit out the green pepper! The little smarty pants! That always makes me laugh.

Hi Wendy, Here's a list of Zoe's foods: apple, banana, watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, strawberries, grapes, mango, squash, sweet potatoe, yam, carrot, brocolli, green pepper, egg plant, peas, tomato, eggs (hard boiled or fried), chicken, tuna, salmon, bits of cheese, peanuts (in moderation), almonds, whole wheat pasta (with tomato sauce), vegetable soup. On occasion I'll also give her a bit of cookie,cake or pizza. Generally, I've found that the warmer and softer the food, the more she seems to enjoy it. She will, however, enthusiastically eat any of the above except for green peppers. She is also on a diet of Zupreem pellets.

Welcome spookyhurst. Great to meet another TAG servant!

Hi xxbeccyxx, I hope you enjoy it here.

Hi CD, I started playing with my camera as per you suggestions and came up with a pretty good picture of my dog Sophie. (She stays still quite well.) http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x265/zoesdad_2007/sophielight.jpg I should have probably used a higher exposure comp. to deal with the low light conditions but it still came out OK. (It's actually one of the best pics I've yet taken using el cheapo.) Thanks for your help. I'm still hunting for that million dollar shot of Zoe. I'll post it just as soon as I bag it!

Hey CD Sadly, I can only go to Hawaii when I Google the word! Oh well, I hope you have fun though!

Wow CD, thanks for all the info. I certainly have some homework to do. The photo you mention as being good isn't actually one of mine but I'll try your suggestions to see if I can improve on my camera's performance.

She already climbs up there and preens the few hairs on my bald head! (Ouch! Those nails do hurt!)

It's only fair that we get you thinking of accessories now that your pics have got us thinking/obsessing about new cameras!

Hi Karla, From everything I've read about the subject, the raising of unweaned birds should be left to those with a lot of experience. It requires special equipment and isn't really the sort of thing that you can simply read about and successfully do. Check this link for some basic idea of what you need to know: http://www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww34eiii.htm I've read some very sad strories of baby birds that died of such conditions as crop burn and impaction. (Both the result of having been sold too young to inexperienced owners). I think you'd do best to contact a local breeder of Greys and ask him/her if they would be willing to raise the bird for you (for a fee) at least until it reached 12 weeks of age. Please consider this seriously. Take care and let us know how it goes.

It's a Kodak Easyshare CX7300.When I get some money together I'm thinking of getting either the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT 8MP or a Nikon D40 6.1MP. I'm not sure which way I'll go as yet but after looking at some of the pics in this string, what can I say, I've been inspired to get one or the other!

Hi again CeasarsDad, I still find it hard to believe that I can get pics of the same quality as your Bon Jovi shots with my cheap camera. Would you please have a look at my profile pics and give me your opinion as to what I'm doing wrong? I have a fixed 28mm focal length and seem to always need the flash. In order to center the composition on Zoe, and reduce background, I tend to get about 2 feet from her when shooting. This results in blurry images. When I stand 5 feet from her, the picture quality is much improved but she accounts for only a small fraction of the field of view. My solution, crop her out of the composition with Photoshop which leads to reduced sharpness. Any thoughts?

Thanks Talon, That's what I was hoping you'd say!

Hi Talon, Zoe (TAG) weighs in at 269g. She is 4 months, 3 weeks old. How much did Talon weigh at her age? Did she gain weight since weaning?

Hey Talon, She's 4 months, 3 weeks old.

I just need to replace the carbon filter every few months. This consists of peeling away the previous sheet of carbon and rolling on a new one (very easy). As for the HEPA filter, I'm supposed to vacuum it every few months. Actually, the unit that I bought has indicator lights to let me know exactly when to do this easy maintenance work. I also like to spend time in the cage room because of the way the air smells in there and will be buying another similar air cleaner for Zoe's playroom.

I, also, have found many articles both for and against clipping on the net. Like Caspersmum, my own position is to try and avoid clipping unless unacceptable behaviours or circumstances warrant the practise. I will not be clipping Zoe when her new flight feathers come in and I'm just as eager to see her fly as I am to see her talk (if she does).

Hi Talon, I use a Honeywell portable room filter (No ionizer). I read somewhere that ionizers can produce ozone which isn't good for birds. The system that I have consists of a carbon pre-filter and a HEPA permanent filter. It works just fine.

Hi Julia, Not sure what Greys prefer either but I have noticed that Zoe can get enthralled by the harpsichord preludes/fugues of J.S. Bach. (She sits motionless and appears to be listening very intently). I hardly ever get the same reaction (except on occasion when she's perched on my shoulder and I'm speaking to her). She seems to have little interest in the voices on tv but I have read somewhere that Sesame Street (children's tv program)can keep parrots entertained.

Hi Gypsy, I am in the process of getting my 2-year-old Abyssinian cat used to my new TAG Zoe. Being very cautious, Abby's are very intelligent and active cats, I have only just begun allowing them in the same room after about 6 weeks of strictly visual contact. So far, it looks as though Aziz (the cat) is losing interest in Zoe, particularly when she just pirches and quacks. Flapping, however, remains a real attention grabber for him. As far as Zoe's relationship with my dog Sophie goes, they pretty well ignore each other and have been allowed to be together in the same room for over 5 weeks. All this said, though, I would NEVER allow Zoe to be unattended with either my dog or cat for an instant! Re. your dilemma, I think that if you're willing to do some careful planning and supervising, you'd be just fine in adopting a cat.

Sorry CeasarsDad, I didn't see the posting where you discussed aperture. I wrote my last message to you just as soon as I finished admiring your pics.