GandalfTheGrey

Gandalf came from his breeder with a band, but eventually it had to be taken off because he would fuss with it to much and make it rub. Although it's just about as fail-safe as a leg band for recovering your bird, Gand is chipped (although he got that when he was over a year old so I don't know how it would affect a young one) and although he was a bit sore that day (unlike dogs and cats, chips have to be implanted in muscle with parrots) he didn't fuss with it at all and hasn't had any problems. Either way (or neither way) you go, it seems that neither will really help with an ID if someone doesn't want to use them, but one or the other may make more sense for your circumstances now or when your bird is older. Your vet may have ideas for your too (hopefully you have one that's not just making your spend)!

Always talk to your parrot; even when they are younglings they are absorbing that like a sponge. Most greys start talking at around 1 year if they are talkers. Gand was a 'sound' bird (oven beeps and kittens on TV) and didn't pick up words until much much later...but now he's very versitile and learning new things all the time. I have found though, that it is near impossible to 'teach' him to say anything. Despite my consistant use of the word 'food' whenever I refill his dish, he refuses to use it so far. He has, however, learned a number of things he's only heard once ("flavor flave!") and things that he enjoys using in context since they were always used in context (saying "good morning!" when he wants his cage uncovered). So, yes as others have said here already, make talking part of your together time. Talk about what you are doing when you're in another room so he can hear your voice. Even if they don't pick up on talking, it's a great way to keep them calm. :cheer:

Greyson is definitely a nice sounding/looking name in your list (I know Gandalf is a bit common but Gand is just so wizardly in his gaze and attitude that it works for him...plus I can't help my nerdness). In the end you want it to be one that's easy and comfortable for *you* to say since the more you say it, the more they'll understand it. Betty, I have noticed that Gand loves vowel sounds, probably because consonants are harder to vocalize for them. So anything with 'oo' or 'ee' in it is easier for him to pick up. That being said, they can make most any sound if they end up being a talky type and even if they don't say their own name, they way you say it will develop meaning for them (so don't worry too much about them being able to reproduce it). Post edited by: GandalfTheGrey, at: 2008/06/05 06:28<br><br>Post edited by: GandalfTheGrey, at: 2008/06/05 06:30

Hello, everyone. I'm offering a short intro to myself and my Grey before I start posting and confusing everyone with my mysterious appearance. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area in California and I've had Gandalf for about 3 years. I reserved his egg through a breeder and picked him up after he was weaned after years of wanting a grey parrot and doing a lot of reading. I can honestly say that even with my nerdy love of books you can't quite be prepared for the real thing. I tried to follow all the rules as he grew up and luckily that has made him well adjusted in many ways (new toys don't scare him, he'll try new food, he loves his vet, and he does well visiting new places in his travel cage). I even did well with curbing biting...until he turned two and (a few minor cuts later) I became, admittedly, a bit too scared of his beak for my own good. In his third year, Gandalf and I are having a renaissance. We are working to improve our bond and trust and I'm working to improve his environment and overall quality of life. Joining this forum is actually part of that quest; I'd like to ask questions and learn, as well as help others who are facing the confusing situations I've been through before. Expect me to be lurking through all the neat information and replying or posting anywhere I have questions (there will be many) or answers (hopefully I'll have a few).<br><br>Post edited by: GandalfTheGrey, at: 2008/06/05 06:14