Azzie

Wow Ziva, that is incredible. If I hadn't been a member of this forum and learnt so much about greys and their intelligence, I don't think I would have believed it. That was like having a conversation with a young human! And she asked WHEN she could come out! Does she understand the concept of tonight or later?

Another heart warming little story for you all to enjoy... http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/30779216#30779216

That last article was wonderful. Very well written and so informative. Thank you for sharing.

Judy you are so right when you say they are like kids and want what you are having. Cleo initially refused a lot of foods, until she saw me eating them. That was the motivation she needed and tried to steal the food right from my plate or hands. Also taxi, maybe try steaming some vegetables? I know Cleo detests raw carrot but when cooked she will wolf them down.

There is no shame in deciding a grey is not for you. If you, for whatever reason, are not able to give the bird the time and input it needs, that's ok. It doesn't make you a bad person. I read you have a dog. Same thing if you ask me. Some people can't have dogs because of special needs for exercise, allergy reason or simply there is no room for a dog. And if your lifestyle does not allow you to have a grey, then that's the reality and that's what you need to work with. If you do decide a grey isn't for you, then the fairest and kindest thing to all parties (human and animal)is to find the bird a home that CAN meet the demands of a grey. It will stop you from worry and guilt, and you won't be driven up the wall by the screaming. Putting the bird outside all day is not the best option I think. You will still be able to hear him, as will the neighbours, and the bird probably won't be happy at being left alone. Also, what would you do if it the weather turned cold? These birds live for a very long time, and may start to display other behaviours such as feather plucking if he's not happy. Greys need their flocks (you and your family in this case). As suggested, if you do look at rehoming your bird, please make sure he doesn't get bounced around from home to home. It's not good for the bird. And if worse comes to worst, cut your losses and give him to a rescue. At least you know he'll be looked after there so you won't have to worry or feel guilty. As for the cage and accessories, you can always sell those separately. In my opinion though, for the sake of your health and that of the bird, please act soon.

Lovely photos. I really enjoyed looking over them several times. Oh I'd love to take all three of them home!

Lovely photos. I really enjoyed looking over them several times. Oh I'd love to take all three of them home!

Miss Cleo was sitting on top of a shelf, checking out a large plastic bottle of very yummy body lotion. I figured it would be ok since the bottle was quite heavy. Wrong! I watched her pick it up with her beak ever so daintily, move it so it was dangling, and then she let go. The bottle smashed with an almighty noise and lotion splattered everywhere. Madam was not fazed. She sat there with her head cocked sideways, surveying the damage. I swear she had a satisfied gleam in her eyes....

I looked at the recipe for parrot soup, but it doesn't list parrot as an ingredient. I feel a bit ripped off... Seriously though, what an amazing array of wonderful food ideas! Cleo is going to be very happy. Thank you for linking this.

Maybe call the manufacturer of your coffee machine and ask if they use that teflon stuff in your model?

Cleo doesn't seem to like any nuts. I have a cupboard full of little packets of almonds, peanuts, walnuts etc. Guess I can use them for baking lol.

Gah... Cleo poops everywhere, preferably on me. It seems she holds on until I take her out of the cage. She produces some amazing volumes, probably because she is such a little piggy and eats non-stop. It does make me laugh though because they make a little sploosh sound as it comes out. Like a little bird fart. The worst that has happened is when one of the lorikeets got me, right in the face. Because they are nectar eaters and their diet is liquid, their poos are liquid also. One of them was hanging on the side of the cage smooching with me, when liquid poo just squirted out and got me right on the mouth.

Wow Cleo seems very tame in comparison here. She's chewed her wooden toys, and tore some strips of my computer chair, which is old and tatty anyway, so I just let her do that. Cleo just prefers to sit quietly and observe the world go by. I don't know if that's because she is so young still?

Lol I can't wait for Cleo to start talking! I *think* she's trying to find her speaking voice. She will whistle and then her voice changes. It's not quite a speaking voice, but neither is it her whistling sound.

Thanks for the advice guys. Like most of the people on this forum, I would do anything to keep my baby happy and healthy.

If you've found the nest outside, pour methylated spirits in it and on it and set fire to it. My father used to do that when I was a kid and I thought it was all rather exciting!

Yeah you guys are right. I didn't think of bacteria. So, since they eat bugs in the wild, should I go catch some? Or get some worms or whatever?

Hah that language barrier! Cotton wool...cotton puff...cotton ball....white soft fluffy things you take makeup off with...the stuff you put in your ears when they are sore. :laugh:

I grew sprouts for Cleo in any old plastic container lined with those cotton wool puffs. Wet 'em down good, sprinkle the soaked seeds on it, cover with cling wrap or whatever you guys call it there, and keep warm! Cleo wasn't fussed on eating them so I abandoned that venture, but the sprouts grew within 3 days.

Cleo looooves meat, especially raw beef. She is a bit weary about sitting with my fiance, but last night when he was cooking dinner, she noticed he had beef strips there. She landed on him, scuttled down his arm and stole a strip of beef which she then wolfed down. My question there is, do wild greys supplement their diet with meat of any sort? Bugs or grubs maybe, or worms?

Having read these posts, I am going to send another email to Cleo's breeder and thank him for the awesome job he did on weaning her. Before I got her, he told me she wasn't quite ready to go yet, though she was fully weaned, she was not foraging for food, and he wanted to make sure that she was able to before letting her out of his care. It took another 10 days before he was satisfied she was ready to be rehomed.

I wanted a grey after surfing youtube for videos on lorikeets, and ended up looking at ones on greys. What clinched it for me was Alex and Dr Pepperberg. I was amazed at their intelligence (admit it, "birdbrain" IS an insult), and the companionship they provided. Admittedly the ability to talk and mimic was also appealing, but I did a lot of research before committing myself to getting a CAG. Neither of my lorikeets talk, and Cleo is far too young to tell. Regardless, all my flock are here to stay, whether they talk or not. I love chilling out with Cleo in the evenings when we both watch tv. I can't read when she is out though 'coz she is hellbent on destroying the book!

Dave, a few weeks ago you suggested I feed Cleo the apple and cinnamon oatmeal. You weren't wrong about how she would enjoy it! Great big beakfulls are scooped up, and accompanied by little ah ah ah noises. I love the way your house looks by the way, with all those parrots. Got room for one more human, a CAG, a dog and 2 lorikeets?

My 'keets and CAG both play with toilet rolls and the longer kitchen towel ones. They all love them. One of the 'keets likes to wear them on his head, run around blindly crashing into things, and when he falls over he laughs. I was thinking about giving Cleo an egg carton as well for foraging.

Hahaha what a little grub he is! I'm totally amazed at how much personality your babies have even at such a young age. About time you posted some more pics of the twins Thank you!