Ozzy

Yep, I'm really a lucky person to be owned by such a smart bird. I forgot one of his little sayings that I just love. He says, "You're okay!" I guess I've said that to him so many times over the months that it has just become second nature. It is one of those things we all say to our kids and fids to reassure them when they're fearful. Pretty cute to hear him say it back! I love to hear from others on this board about what their babies have learned. It is such a great experience to share things with like minded folks.

Ozzy is 9 mos old but he started talking really early. His first word was spoken at 4 mos old. He said "What" From there he added words very, very quickly. Here is his list thus far (in the order he learned them): What? Step Up JoJo (name of one of my Senegals) What are you doin'? Hello birdie Lolly (name of one of my Senegals) Little birdie Be nice Be quiet Come here Get over here At 3 mos old he was whistling. He learned the "wolf whistle" first, then the "you who" followed by the first stanza of the Colnel Boogie from Bridge over the River Kwai. He is such a joy and a really smart bird too. It has been a delightful surprise. I wasn't expecting him to talk until he was a year old, if he ever talked at all. In fact, I didn't get him because I thought he would talk. I just got him because I loved him so much.

Yes, I think I do. I repeat them back to him. I even try to get him to say the ones he seems to have rejected in favor of his new ones, but a couple of them seem lost. This may be a silly question, but how else can I reward him for those old words? I thought just by conversing with him using the old words that was enough. Maybe it isn't. Suggestions?

Ozzy is 8 mos old and has been talking for several months. I have noticed that when he learns a new word or phrase he says it over and over and over. I know this is normal. What I am curious about is why he seems to use the old words and phrases he has learned less and less. Is this just because he is so fascinated by the new words? Will the old words become less and less interesting to him? Several times a day he will throw in a few of the old words and phrases, but not so much when he's on to something new. Just curious about his behavior. This is my first Grey, so I'm not sure about their learning behaviors.

My baby is 8 mos old and very smart. He began talking at 4 months old. He has quite a large vocabulary for his age. But, lately, he has picked up this incredibly loud scream that is enough to shatter glass! :ohmy: I've tried to ignore it and I've tried telling him no :naughty: Neither work. I have tried to talk softly to him and whisper to him "shhh quiet" which he now repeats back to me. But it hasn't stopped him from the screaming. I even have to admit that I yelled at him once or twice to get his attention. Of course, that hasn't worked, and I should know better. :blush: Does anyone have any good suggestions for me. I'd really like to get this thing under control before he drives me insane! I am at the end of my rope and have tried everything that I know and all the "expert" suggestions, but I am not getting anywhere. Please, please if anyone has some advice - we are open to hearing what has worked for you. Also, he has developed somewhat of an attitude. He doesn't like to cooperate much anymore and even nips a bit, which he has never done before. I don't know if this stuff is all related, but I just thought I'd throw that out there too. I am home all day with him and my other two birds, so it isn't like he is asking for attention. I couldn't possibly give him any more than that. The only time he's caged is for sleeping and for a couple hours in the afternoon so I can get some errands run. I hope this information helps all of you to help us. Thanks in advance.

Although having a flighted bird can be fun and exciting for the bird, I don't think it is a good idea at all. I have had too many friends who have lost their beloved parrots by seeing them fly off into the distance. Yes, even the trained ones. I have also seen many found parrots who never have been reunited with their owners. Where you ask have I had this type of experience. Well, I am a volunteer for a bird rescue and these stories are REAL. I have three dogs and six cats which all live comfortably with my three parrots who are all clipped. I have a wonderful avian vet that knows how to clip them so that only the first five flight feathers are done. This way if they need to fly off for any reason they are afforded the ability to do so without too much height or lift. At the same time if they fall or slip off a perch they have the ability to gracefully land instead of crashing only a few feet from where they started. Please carefully consider clipping the wings of your beloved pet. It only takes one mishap when your flighted parrot is perched on your shoulder to become a lost pet in the sky. Just a simple task like letting the dogs out or answering the door for a delivery while he/she is on your shoulder and he/she is gone - possibly forever.

Although having a flighted bird can be fun and exciting for the bird, I don't think it is a good idea at all. I have had too many friends who have lost their beloved parrots by seeing them fly off into the distance. Yes, even the trained ones. I have also seen many found parrots who never have been reunited with their owners. Where you ask have I had this type of experience. Well, I am a volunteer for a bird rescue and these stories are REAL. I have three dogs and six cats which all live comfortably with my three parrots who are all clipped. I have a wonderful avian vet that knows how to clip them so that only the first five flight feathers are done. This way if they need to fly off for any reason they are afforded the ability to do so without too much height or lift. At the same time if they fall or slip off a perch they have the ability to gracefully land instead of crashing only a few feet from where they started. Please carefully consider clipping the wings of your beloved pet. It only takes one mishap when your flighted parrot is perched on your shoulder to become a lost pet in the sky. Just a simple task like letting the dogs out or answering the door for a delivery while he/she is on your shoulder and he/she is gone - possibly forever.

Ozzy is his/her name. Don't know the sex, but doesn't matter to me. I have two other parrots (Senegals) one is a DNA'd boy, the other unkown, but both are referred to as boys. So to make it easy for us we named our CAG Ozzy. That way we don't have to remember to say "Good Girl" or "Good Boy". :silly:

Present! :silly:

Here is a picture of a Muscovy Drake that I received as a rescue this past fall. He has Angel Wing which is a deformity of the joint in the wing that renders him unable to fly. He was fondly named DD (devil duck) :evil: because he would chase you around and nip your feet and legs. He thought this to be a fun game, but it hurt! Anyway, I am a foster home for wayward ducks of all kinds and volunteer for a group in Phoenix called East Valley Wildlife. I have a lot of ducks, that being my specialty, that come in and out of my home while on their way to a forever home (for domestics) or safe release (for wild ducks). With Spring just around the corner I'll be plenty busy with orphans of all kinds. Ducks are fun and challenging. BTW, DD found a great home last month. I took him to live with another group of Muscovy ducks. He is really happy there. I do miss him, but not his game! <br><br>Post edited by: Ozzy, at: 2008/03/01 07:06

Yes, Ozzy has two other birds to entertain him. Both are Senegals. He also has six cats and three dogs to contend with so we do have a full house. And we also have three donkeys outside. I am hoping that Ozzy will learn how to bray by listening to them. I don't think there are many other CAGs that can bray, are there? I'll keep you posted on his progress.

Hi all, I've just joined your wonderful forum and look forward to having some new friends with CAGs too. My little baby is now 4 months old and his name is Ozzy. He has just learned two whistles last week, within one day of each other, and now he thinks he's pretty hot stuff. I think he is too! I am looking forward to learning from all of you about CAGs since Ozzy is my first. Thanks, Ginger and Ozzy