danmcq

Welcome Gerhard, it's GreYt having you here! What a beatiful baby grey. Thanks for posting this photo. I see you have him in some type of container. Are you keeping him in a brooder? I would love to see more photos and looking forward to hearing more from you.

Everyone has made such good comments. Your grey, is well, a baby. They are reliant on others for help in learning their way around the jungle, what to eat, where to find it and how to socialize using proper etiquette with the flock dynamics. You are now the one your grey will look to and learn all the necessities for a long, healthy and enjoyable life. They remain in this stage until approximately 2 years of age. There will certainly be changes in attitude as your grey passes through this maturing process. At around 6 to 12 months of age, he will start trying to make some decisions on his own and let you know when he does not wish to do something by perhaps running, flying away or biting. This will become more predominant over the months and most at 2 years of age go through the "Terrible Twos" some are almost demonic (just kidding) and others seemingly breeze right through it and some are some where in the middle of the two. Be careful what you teach and how you interact, it will stay with your grey the rest of it's very long life in some form or fashion. Enjoy these precious times when they are so reliant and pliable.

Indeed! You can see the intense interest and wheels turning when you are describing events like this. There is no doubt that Marcus processed everything you said, related it to what he could and then responded with a short and sweet correct question indicating he understood the context of what you described. Thanks for sharing this.

" I have to say, I am looking forward to when he can fly and maybe he will even manage to sneak in one of the neck pinches, Dayo style. LOL." Oh, you won't be after the first time Gilbert makes your eyes water.

Thanks for the update. I always look forward to reading them. You know, you mention the tweets, chirps and sounds when being greeted upon arrival home, leaving, birds outside etc. This seems very natural and normal for a grey or any other bird for that matter. Even birds with large vocabularies seem to have the most endearing chirps, variable pitch whistles and other sounds I cannot even describe that says a TON in terms of meaning. I suppose their natural parrotese kicks in when they wish to convey somethings like a "SOOooo Happy your Home", "Uh Oh, where you going?" or a "Thats not what I wanted or asked for!". You come to know each of those distinct parrotese sounds and it tells you instantly, without words, exactly what they think or want.

Awww, too cute! It brings back any fond memories of our visits to dayo from 6 weeks old onward. Thanks for sharing this.

Thanks for the part2. Such close relationships across species are always touching. It is also good to see a human that cares enough to continue with such responsibility for that birds mental and physical health and well being. We and all species on this planet, are connected more closely than most people believe or understand.

I know this is not about a grey, but this is just too unique not to share it. I wanted to ensure all would see this video. I hope you find this enjoyable :

There is a limit of behind view, it depends on the angle of the head. As the diagram illustrates the binocular field width as a function of elevation in the median-sagittal plane. Thus, if their head is up in the normal position, they have full front, sides. above and rear fields of view. The only "Blind" areas at this position would be directly underneath from their beak down and there Tail feathers tip down. As the head moves down or back, that FOV moves respectively

LOL! I do too and I keep hearing over and over now.

It is wonderful to hear of the relationship and dynamics going on that is shaping it. Your thoughts on Gilberts actions and body language are spot on. They are lightening fast, aren't they? You can can nailed and be bleeding before the electrical impulse has time to travel up the nerve system and be processed by your brain. You are and will continue to learn those very small and sometimes almost imperceptible signs that is saying very loudly "Back Off!". I still miss them at times and get nailed, in fact I would probably be accurate in saying I get a nip just about daily. Of course I am a rather brazen person and like interacting with Dayo at a play level that equals rough housing which he loves and sometimes gets over excited during those sessions.

My Grey is a CAG, 4 years old and my wife has been his cuddle muffin since he came home at 15 weeks old. He does interact well with me, but not at the same intimate level such as laying on his back with his feet sticking up in the air for my wife and receiving scratches for hours from her if we are watching a movie for example. He does allow me to give scratches at times as well. We both share cage, feeding etc. duties and Dayo accepts it well from either of us. He also loves people and will fly and perch on their shoulder for a welcome to our home when they come in. He is a very social bird. A lot has to do with how well a bird is socialized when young.

Wow how time fly's. Happy belated hatchday Josey!

I found this study interesting. I always wondered why they dangle and grope with their talons below them trying to find IF something is in there they can grasp. I never realized they actually could not see that area. This explains a lot! http://www.physorg.com/news/2011-04-parrots.html#share

I just wanted to make clear, since a good friend here asked it I meant the "Lil Wayne" song, which I didn't know existed as I don't listen top that garbage, that the lollipop song I was referring to was this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-DuC0tE7V4&feature=player_embedded#at=24 I guess this kind of dates me.

Cute name, now I have the Lolly Pop song going round and round in my mind.

Congrats on the first words!

GreYt news! Looking forward to seeing photos once you have some.

I have that same feeling and desire to understand how and what they are thinking and perhaps body language they are showing us that our mental processes are not aware of.

Nice story with a happy ending. Thanks for sharing this.

Don't get me started on Birdtricks and "Chet" again. As Judy said, save your money.

Greywings is right. Birds tend to damage themselves with minor scrapes at times as you described when startled. Sometimes they will even do so playing aggressively with a toy like a large bell, especially around the facial area of nares and above the eyes. Of course, all of us worry and fuss over them each times it happens to make certain they are ok. Your a GreYt Parront!

Very good article! It is wonderful to see scientists actually studying the intelligence of greys in a controlled environment that produces quantifiable data that cannot be scoffed at. The most important item to me noted, are the individual personality characteristics each grey maintains. Shango - The lone wolf and Leo + Zoe as a team. I wonder if Shango found a female he considered as "Mate" material, if he would display team work as well? Thanks for sharing this!

That is wonderful Dee! He knows those wings are for something and found the right use. Thanks for sharing this millisecond of your daily lives together.

It sounds like trust was lost somehow. The toweling added to the issue a now and it is going take a little coaxing and doing things a little differently to regain that trust. At 4 he is starting to mature, has his preferences and is starting to become more independent and will wanted to just chill by himself more and more. To get him back in the cage without toweling, at night turn the lights off and have him step up with a sweet coaxing voice. If it's daylight, try using his favorite treat to get a step-up and hold it in front of him as you walk to the cage and place him in it or place the treat in the cage and perhaps he will go in after it. At htis point it is most important to give him space, avoid any situation that you know will perhaps result in a bite and watch his body language closely. It may be hard to see sometimes, because at 4 they are the masters of disguising their body language and can bite before you realize you've been nailed.