danmcq

Yes, over time he will become a little more used to change and new items. He will become used to clothes he sees you wearing of various colors and patterns over time as well. Wait until you walk in with a hat or ball cap on, that will bring a reaction as well. I must tell you though, it can take months for them to become desensitized to some things. So, at this point in time to ensure your relationship maintains his trust of you. I would strongly recommend when you are going in his cage and interacting at close proximity, that you wear only clothes you know are not going to induce fear. They will associate that fear of items to you and you do not want that to happen. Introduce new things from a distance and over time, slowly closing the distance until you see he is becoming uncomfortable then back off.

LOL @ Ray, what a greeting that will bring out a laugh!! In regards using words in various combinations of words, they are doing two things as others mentioned, 1) Calibrating the word to perfection. 2) Using that new word along with others word and phrases they know to see how it can be properly used in a way that makes sense. Sometimes the phrases they come up with are hilarious. One thing to note as well, sometimes they combine two words that really do not make any sense to us. But, to them it truly means something they are trying to communicate. An example of this with our grey Dayo, would be the combination of "Chicken" along with other meats or meat containing dishes he likes. The he will say "Mmmmmm Chicken Meatloaf". I am still analyzing and trying to figure out what he means by that. He will say meatloaf by itself, but most times he will say chicken meatloaf as if it is giving it more emphasis.

You don't purchase another bird for the one you have, in my opinion. You purchase it because you want one. There is no guarantee that the two would ever like each other period. Also, just because you get a male and a female, does not mean they will become a pair and mate for life, as they do in the wild. Males do not fight for dominance. There is no alpha structure in a flock. The only time they "Correct" each other is if one gets out of line by perhaps encroaching upon their space, mate or baby.

It's not that he doesn't know you when you wear certain clothes. He does not like the color or pattern. Some Greys even react as you describe to a woman changing her finger nail color. They look at minuscule details of everything and if 1 inch of a person, place or thing is alarming to them, they will react as you describe. In regards biting when they are all fired up and excited playing with toys. When you are close and try to interact with them in that moment, you become an extension of the excitement and become a part of the play attack and have big fun they are enjoying. I've had that happen many times and just watch for it. At 8 months old, your grey certainly has emotions and jealousy is one of them. Thus what you see as aggression, is him getting your attention focused back on him through the correction he is doling out to you in the form and fashion you describe. Welcome to owning at young brat full of piss and vinegar.

What a wonderful update on Marcus. I always enjoy reading how he is opening up more and more each day, exposing his hidden thoughts and intelligence. Thanks for this latest update.

What a perfect example of the intelligence and cognition our greys have. This is a wonderful story. Thanks for sharing it.

I always enjoy videos of Biscotti. They are so entertaining. Thanks for sharing this.

I love this photo, it is one in a million to get a shot like that. Especially when they are line up in order from tallest to smallest. Thanks for sharing this.

Wonderful story, photos and updates. Thanks for keeping this updated.

Wow, this is a tough one if you have tried all the things listed and Zak has no interest in them. Obviously you cannot make them "Like" something as was pointed out. Since he seems to like doors, how about just a 1x1x24 piece of wood you can purchase at any hardware store (untreated) and cut it in various lengths, place on the bottom of the cage or play area and see if that will work as a wooden chew toys. It will look close to the same shape and size as the top of the door.

Dayo, 4 year old CAG 1. Does he/she get on well with more than one member in the family? - 4 2. Is he/she receptive to strangers?- 4 - Sure come on over if you'd like to have a CAG stuck to your shoulder. 3. Is he/she receptive to chance / new things? - 4 to change, 1 to new toys never seen before and some items. 4. Is he/she cuddly? - 2 with me, 4 with my wife 5. Is he/she aggressive? - 2 If you bug him, you'll get bit 6. Is he/she playful / energetic? - 4 A freaking maniac when he decides it's play time 7. Is he/she moody / grumpy? - 2 He likes to sit and just chill and preen many times through out the day 8. Does he/she speak? - 4 9. Is he/she loud, noisy? - 2 - sometimes he gets into sounds effects and whitsle mode and it can be VRY LOUD and go on for a good 20 or 30 minutes. 10. Does he/she damage household objects they shouldn't? - 4 if you let him.

This not not a grey, but falls under the "General Cognitive abilities" our birds and animals have. Some may like to think that they forget us when we are gone, but that is simply not true, even if they do well in a future home, there is still a big hole in their heart.

Yes I leave the room and camera rolling. It's the only way I can hear what he is calibrating and the various ways he uses new words in various sentences as he experiments with sentences it works in. He sometimes combines words of favorites and I still haven't figured out why, unless he wants both at the same time. Examples would be Chicken Meatloaf (HUH?) Ravioli Enchiladas etc. I may never figure it all out, but I hope to one day.

Congratulations! Can't wait to see those photos once you get settled in.

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!! Mystery Solved. Did your BF survive the beating you gave him?

As Dee (Katana) asked, how old is Max? The others all gave great advice. Max has been in your home such a small amount of time that you cannot tell anything yet. If possible, have your husband take part in feeding and cleaning the cage as well. Right now it seems you are the only one invading "His Space", namely the cage. That is his safety blanket right now in this strange new environment and new people etc. Only time, patience and love will expose the real personality of Max.

Those bowls are too close to each other. This must be a pretty small cage for that to be possible? If there is a bowl holder on the other side of the cage, place one of the bowls there, which will stop this issue. If a holder is not built into the cage on the other side, purchase one you can bolt on the other side.

Emotions are so hard to quantify in other creatures. There is no doubt as kingsnake said, that they miss the comfort of the environment they resided in for 12 to 20 weeks. But to what what level is the unanswerable question. We visited the clutches at the breeders from 6 weeks old onward. A few greys chose us and when we took dayo home at 15 weeks old, he was perfectly happy and content, as far as we could tell.But still, he had to miss to some extent the environment, creatures, people and routine in the hatching and weaning home of the breeders that treated them with tons of love. My question back to you is, why do you ask? Are you just pondering or are you experiencing some type of event with a grey that displays what may be perceived as separation anxiety?

LOL! I love it and yes they all do this sooner or later and some more than others. Thanks for sharing this.

Bless your heart for being there for a close friend when they truly need someone to "Lean On" for help and encouragement. I think you have the situation with Gilbert figured out and he will be just fine through this. The most important thing you have given him is a loving home with tons of encouragement and a stimulating stable environment for him to blossom in.

Oh, then it sounds like you have considered this and have a plan for your new grey in the future and maintaining a good relationship with it. Unless it is a "Singles" complex, their children will be louder than a grey.

Greys are considered the quietest of all parrots. I will say though, if we are in the house and our grey is still in the cage, he will contact call, talk making requests to get out of the cage etc. If you are not ready to commit to letting you grey out when you get home from work and are going to ignore the calls and whistles then maybe get mad due to them. I would recommend NOT getting any parrot. They need at least 4 hours of cage out time and interaction with those whom they consider their flock. Thats my opinion anyway. They are too intelligent just to let sit and rot away locked in a cage with no mental stimulation or love.

From your observances in the three scenarios, Marcus his been sitting, observing and listening very carefully to all that is taking place in his new flock and home. He obviously has a deep understanding of how things used to work compared to how they do in your home. He also (I suspect) has a good vocabulary and understanding of how to use the human language to describe what he wants or things about the real-time activities. They are very empathic and thus the comment on what he perceived to be an escalated and emotionally charged event taking place between you and hubby. I guess you could now call him your personal live-in Dr. Phil. Please keep these updates on his progress coming. They are a very good read and interesting from your perspective and writing style.

I've had birds of one type or another for 30 years and never thought of giving one away. They have personalities just like humans in many ways. They have bad, good and mediocre days. You love them the same unconditionally. Will you get pissed, tired, hurt feelings etc.? The answer is yes to all. But in the next instant they ether make you laugh or forget all about it in the next instant. Thats how birds live, they can fire a warning shot in one second, then be just fine the next. They are not like humans that hold grudges over petty things. They will however remember an abuser and hate or be fearful of them for the rest of their life.

Getting another Grey to be a companion for your existing grey may or may not work out. If you got a female, there is no guarantee they would like each other. Also, do not place them in the same cage, one could wind up dead. Always get a second cage to put your next bird in. After you let them observe each other from a distance, you can monitor closely how their interaction evolves over days, weeks and months. Your grey really does not need another grey for company. You are his "Flock" and whom the companionship is based upon. Two birds will start competing for your attention and many times become jealous and attack the other bird if within reach. It's great that you have asked this question before bringing home another bird and perhaps being disappointed.