judygram

I don't think there has ever been any kind of study on what percentage of greys will actually speak the human language but most do even though Dave has 3 pet greys that only one of them speaks words but it is just the luck of the draw if you get one that doesn't ever utter a human word.

I would try this site for Barbara Heidenreich has helped many parrot owners thru her techniques and behavior modifications. http://www.goodbirdinc.com/

I love your novels as most people do not put many of their thoughts into words like you do and Eshe is one lucky fid to be with someone who appreciates her for the unique awesome creature she is, thanks and I look forward to the next chapter in the saga of Eshe and her new life.

Aristotle looks great from the pictures you so kindly shared with us and he is settling in but be prepared for a few set backs soon as the honeymoon phase is over and his true personality comes out but he seems like a wonderful bird. No one understands but us bird people and you are in good company here.

Shelia, this was such sad news to hear of Blue's plight but sometimes saying goodbye is the best thing you can do to end the suffering. I think we all know how much he meant to you and I know I always looked forward to the times he came to stay with you for we would hear all about him so it seemed we knew him thru you. I know he wasn't your bird but you came to love him as much as if he was part of your family and I am sure he always felt the same about you. He was so blessed to have you in his life and you have many memories to cherish as he flies free over the Rainbow Bridge.

I didn't have the choice for a baby was picked out by someone else for me and the dna test was done later but it didn't matter to me which it was as I would have been happy with either.

Josey talked at about one year of age and she is capable of lots of words and phrases now that she is 5 years old, she definitely has her chatty times.

I think all our hearts go out to Barbara right now on her loss of Neo and she will never forget him even though she had him for such a short time, it doesn't take long for them to get into our hearts. The situations with both birds makes us all want to give our fids an extra hug and kiss for we are thankful it wasn't one of them that was lost but it could happen to any of us at any time, thanks Ray for posting this for us.

Most of the birds that members here have lost were found by someone other than themselves, they did not return to their home and it was the kindness of others that they got their bird back, sometimes the owner when out looking for it spotted their bird but it took off out of sight before they could catch up with it. I have never lost a bird but I have found one.

What an adorable little baby grey and I just love those dark eyes, so sweet and innocent at this age but oh watch out, thanks for sharing the pic with us.

They don't refer to them as "velcro" birds for nothing!

Greys are lactose intolerant hence they should not have dairy products but I think the process of making yogurt removes the lactose so they can eat it, a little bit of cheddar cheese is also good for them but in moderation. You are right about the no mushrooms, no chocolate, no caffeine, no avocado and no carbonated drinks, you will find a list of forbidden foods in the bird food room along with vegetables and fruits they can have.

Don't allow him to go to high perches for if he jumps off he could hurt himself when he hits the floor, you can put down some blankets or something soft to cushion the area around his playstands or where he spends some time when out of his cage. Poor little dear sees Shelby fly and wants to join in the fun but it will take some time until those flights grow out so he can regain the ability to fly.

Dan is right, birds are wild animals and when they fly away they are only following their natural instinct which is to avoid predators and even though your bird may be bonded to you if they escape they are trying to elude the enemies, thats why you should never take your bird outside without being either on a harness or in some kind of enclosure like a travel cage.

We are not vets here but you need to get this bird to an avian vet ASAP or it will die, please do whatever you have to get help.

Yes that is one of the best moments in living with a grey when they trust you enough to close their eyes or fall asleep when you are touching them, a very special moment, thanks for sharing yours with us.

It is my understanding that if you allow your bird the ability to fly for now it will be a more confident bird, many are clipped as soon as they gain the ability to fly and they never master the art of landing and then in the future if they get their flights back then they never have the skill of a bird that was allowed to fly from the beginning. Of course it is your decision but if you do clip the wings be sure to just do a clip where they can glide down and not too short where they drop like a rock, that can damage the keel bone.

I work full time and so does my hubby and I have 3 birds and yes it is ok to be a parrot owner and full time worker. They spend the day inside their own cages with toys to keep them busy, they have each other for company and I leave a radio on so they will have background noise. You can put foraging type toys in their cage to keep them occupied and rotate toys out every couple of weeks so they don't tire of the same ones but for the grey do leave a big heavy bell in the cage all the time for you will find it will be one of their favorite things. My grey as well as many others here love to ring a bell and play fight with it, you will think they are trying to kill it but its just something that greys love to do. When I get home from work they come out of their cages usually for the rest of the evening and they are out extra on the weekends when I am home, this works for me and I imagine a similar situation in other households, you will find your fids are usually glad to see you when you get home and that is what makes it worth it.

At least she is honest and she didn't have to bite you to tell you that.

Have you thought of not clipping the wings and allow her to fly like they were intended to? A lot of us do not clip our birds wings and we allow them to fly around the house, of course this takes extra vigilence to make sure they don't go out an open door or window. We have some threads here that deal with that subject so why not read thru them before you clip her wings.

Either of those cages would do fine for a grey and since money is not an issue going with the stainless steel is the way to go as the powder coated can and does chip off eventually and you won't have that problem with the steel.

Hello Zen's Mom and welcome to our family, so glad you could join us and we look forward to hearing lots more about you and Zen. When you get him home be sure to take some pictures to share with us.

"Mr Pink Pants" will probably lose that color feathers when he goes thru his first molt and then again he may not, we call that the red factor and some people prize such greys so you have a special grey.

Hello and welcome to our family, so glad you could join us. Rose is an adorable little baby grey, they are so precious at this age and I bet she will be spoiled rotten in no time. Be sure to browse thru the many threads for lots of useful information and do ask questions you may have and we will help you in any way we can. Thanks for including a picture of Rose in your opening post.