Talon

Yes, she has gone to visit her son. She will be back Sunday night everyone. Yes, it sure is quiet with out her.

{Feel-good-0002006E}

Okay guys, back to the topic..... I have another story that I wanted to share with you all. This happened yesterday. I had an actual conversation with Talon! :cheer: Talon said, "Peek-a-boo!" I said, "Good Bird!" Talon said, "Thank-you!" I said, "Your Welcome!" It happened so fast, that I didn't realize what we had done until after, as I was busy working and wasn't really paying attention. It was so cute and so much fun! :woohoo:

I was under the understanding from our avian vet, that they can't catch colds and virus's from us. Are you guys telling me otherwise? I have 4 kids, and someone always seems to have a cold, Talon has never gotten sick from one of us.

Atlas, What an unbelievable story you shared about your birds flying free like that outside. That scares the you-know-what out of me! :ohmy: That is something I WOULD NEVER do with any bird. Way too many risks involved for my piece of mind. {Feel-bad-0002009F}

Such tragic news was heard by all in the Grey World today, Friday, September 7, 2007. We were dealt a tremendous blow when we found out that Alex, the worlds smartest African Grey, past away with no warning. At just 30 years old, our beloved Alex is gone. Purchased from a pet shop, Irene took Alex through an education process that would soon stun the world. Who would have thought that a BIRD would excel at so many complicated tasks such as counting, understanding greater than and less then, and countless other abilities usually only found in human children. He has taught the Grey world so much about the intelligence of this species, and others as well. Alex through the training and care of Dr. Irene Pepperburg excelled to levels of intelligence never before seen in any animal. The death of Alex is one of those events that will never be forgotten. Let it be known that the words "just a bird" are forever tossed away. For Alex was more than "just a bird." Alex proved to the world that animals are more than just life forms. They are beings, with feelings and intelligence far beyond what might be considered. As parrot lovers, we all cry for Alex. But in crying, we also realize that these wonderful birds are a gift from God, to love, cherish, and teach for as long as God allows before he calls his creature home. Thank you Alex. Thank you for showing everyone just how smart a mere bird can be. Anyone who has ever owned an African Grey knows of Alex & loves him. He was an inspiration to every Grey owner. He has influenced others by his intelligence, his ability to communicate and his love for Dr. Irene Pepperburg and the staff that cared for him. We all mourn the loss of Alex, and our thoughts and prayers go out to Dr. Irene Pepperburg and her staff at this difficult time. One that will never be forgotten. Alex, we all love and miss you. You will forever live on in our hearts, our minds, and in every African Grey in this entire world. Dr. Pepperberg purchased Alex from a Chicago pet store in June, 1977. He can label seven colors, is learning the alphabet and can count up to six objects. Alex is also working on identifying objects from photographs. Alex likes cardboard boxes, keychains, and corks. Memorial Donations if you so desire, can be made here: http://www.alexfoundation.org/index_%20new.htm All our love, Penny, Melissa & Frank Post edited by: CeasarsDad, at: 2007/09/08 13:58<br><br>Post edited by: Talon, at: 2007/09/11 02:15

OMG! I'm so, so, sad for Irene and those that worked and loved him. What a sad horrible time it is for them and all of us grey owners that loved him just because. My heart breaks for Irene. {Feel-bad-0002006A}

Makena, that was pretty as a picture! Nice job!

Try it! Talon loves ice cold things! {Feel-good-000200BB}

That was great! Thanks for the good laugh!! {Feel-good-0002006E}

Hi & Welcome to our family. I look forward to hearing more and seeing pictures!

Very nice Joe! I'd love one for Talon. Could you make a smaller one for parakeets? Or would this one work? :dry:

Now wait a minute here Talonsis! YOU send ME the pm's. But I will admit to the phone call.....:pinch: :whistle: :blink: B)

Tari, what a fun place to work! Thank you for sharing them with us. You've made some of us very jealous!!

Hi Ronda, I got Talon the same way as you are doing with your baby, except that Talon was 8 1/2 weeks old. I had her shipped from Florida to Massachusetts. I had no way of knowing anything about her other than what the breeder told me. I have never for a minute regretted my decision. It all worked out perfectly, and I say "GO FOR IT!" :cheer:

Okay, YES! I would love to see MrSpock write his article in the Health Section as well. It was beautifully articulated, and makes perfect sense by my way of thinking. David, I totally agree with what you have written regarding NOT clipping a bird's wings. I have always felt the same way. We have a very busy household with 4 kids (at the time of getting Talon, 2 years ago) ages 6-16. My children have always been taught the importance of closing doors for her safety. Talon is out of her cage for the entire time most days. I too, work from home for the most part. I am the DOOR police, and I always yell and remind them to make sure the door is closed when they leave or come in. We also have 2 offices in our home, and people are in and out all day long, 6 days a week. I always say, "close the door" when someone enters, or I make sure it is closed. We have storm/screen doors on all 3 of our doors, so it's easier that way. Most birds are frightened by the outdoors, and are not apt to try and dash outside as soon as someone enters. When my kids have friends over, the same thing goes, my kids know that they need to make sure the doors stays closed. Talon is never left unattended, I keep a very close watch on her. It really isn't that hard to ensure that your bird doesn't "escape", they can still fly even when their wings are clipped. After all, they want to be with you, not away from you. I think people who clip their birds wings, don't really understand, that a bird who has not been clipped, doesn't just FLY all over the place at will. It has been my experience that they prefer to be picked up and carried from one place to another. So there you have another opinion!

Exactly David! B)

Talon does the same thing. She loves to hold an ice cube and chew it up. She also prefers her juice with ice in the glass so it's nice & cold. :blink: Spoiled Brat! :silly:

Welcome David to our family! I'm glad you decided to post and join us. I look forward to hearing more about you and your grey!

Yay! African Grey for me! Looks like Talonsis & I have the right bird!! And if it wasn't for our Grey, I wouldn't have met so many wonderful people here! :cheer:

These are horrible stories! :ohmy: Very sad indeed, it breaks my heart that people who acquire a grey for whatever reason don't love it unconditionally. We don't give our children away because they swear, and they will whether or not we teach them. I hate people that get a bird that lives as long as they do, without making that important commitment to keeping it for life regardless of their behavior!

Good for you Judy! I know you so deserve it! Me on the other hand, well that's a whole different story, one for a pm.

VACATION.......What's that?

Our vet strongly advises against our practice of sharing with our bird, but we do it anyways and try to be careful about it. B) And no wet kisses in this house to our bird!:pinch:

Talon always shares whatever we are eating as long as it's something she is allowed to have. And she loves stealing the straws out of my kids juice boxes and chewing on them.