annmarie

Carolandfamily, you are killing me with cuteness overload.. What a darling baby.. I am it is so hard waiting for him to come home…how much longer of a wait? Sue09 Awh, I am sorry about losing your ekkie . He was well loved and I am sure he had a wonderful loving life with you! Mrs.B.. that is wonderful! How did it go??? Details please J This is a great place , I am also grateful that those of us are non grey people are welcome here. Judy gram..the main thing is we are all bird lovers. Even if we do not share the same species, we all have something in common and that is the nice part. Sugarbeth you are smart for doing your research. You are doing the best that fits you. In the end you and your new bird will be happy… We thought of a Hahns..they are precious little macaws! Keep us posted, can’t wait to here when you bring home your new baby. Danmcq.. now , now..lets face it, you guys tricked us..LOL! I do like greys very much, I think they are incredible birds. I do know each one is different. The only reason I felt it’s not the right match is due to my kids. They are the ones who have been waiting for a larger bird the past few years. we need a bird who is known for being fond of more than one person … or there will be hurt feelings with them . Ok… here’s what has been going on…. We brought an ekkie home. He was 6 months old. The first day and a half everything was wonderful. He went to all of us and seemed very comfortable here. I bought tons of fresh veggies and fruits (they are one bird who needs a fresh food diet) I also cooked a big pot of brown rice mixed with all fresh veggies and froze individual servings for each morning for his warm meal… Poof! This bird decided he did not like me..bit the S*** out of me with everything he had. Many wounds. I never showed him a reaction. I always held in my scream and very calmly said “No, That was not nice” and walked away… day after day he went after me. He liked my son and husband, never bit them. I got to a point where I did not let my daughter near him.. I was thinking he may not like females . I was also nervous if he would bit my son as hard as he did me. A week of this went by. I talked to a few eclectus enthusiasts and I was told they normally do not bite and felt once he did this he always would and it may be really hard to break him of it. So I took him back. My son was up set , on the other hand he was ok with it because it really up set him when I got bit, he did not want to see me hurt (how sweet is that) The owner suggested a cockatoo. I decided against it in the past because of things I have read and it scared me Talking with the owner, he said ekkies can be a one or two person bird as well, that is why he felt a too was better for us mainly because I wanted a family bird. With that, he took me to a tank with a baby eleanora . Very young, 4 weeks old, still not fully feathered and adorable. ( we have considered an eleanora back when) He said this was the bird for us…it’s so young and it will bond with all of us..to visit as much as possible and help with hand feeding (he will teach us) he also suggested to bring him home when a little older and hand feed ourselves. This is not because he wants to push a bird out and a quick jingle in his pocket as he has older ones ready to go now…he knows how important it is to want a ‘family’ bird. After what happened with the ekkie he wants to make sure we have a nice bird. He stressed as long as we follow what he tells us, we will have a great bird. (not to spoil, don’t hold him all day. Let him learn to play with toys and entertain themselves etc….) The eleanora is not as needy as other too’s and are not know to be screamers or pluckers.. I know I must sound nuts at this point, I sure do feel it, but I also feel a bird is a life long commitment who will be with us a life time and then some. Some feel I am putting way to much into it and taking the fun out of getting a bird, but this is a decision I guess I do not take lightly… I am definitely considering the baby eleanora…anyone have suggestions?? Thanks! Ann Marie

good morning Caroline Thanks for sharing..wow, all three favor you! My kids would be very up set if that happened here. That is exactly why I decided not to get a grey...but I do think they are great birds..I have only met two in my life and they are attached to their owner..you can't go near them. I first thought because they were each raised by one person. I realized this could very well happen living with a family, just like what happened with you and your three . My kids have wanted a parrot for a few years already. Now that the time has come I had to be very careful in my decision and what would be a good family bird..so with us it was the eclectus. I am driving my self crazy in which sub species, not easy when there are a few choices..wish it was more cut and dry like a grey. Have a good day! Ann Marie

CarolandFamily wrote: CarolandFamily Oh you are killing me..look at that baby!! so precious!! You did it again..hehe Ann Marie

Thank you PekingeseMama! It will be great to chat with all of you! Ralph Thanks for sharing... that was the only reason we dicided on an eclectus. Having kids who really want a larger bird, we need more of a people bird. It would of been unpleasant if this bird only liked one of them, or none of them. I have heard about females, so thats why we decided on a male . There are some who have very lovable females, like yours. They are absolutely beautiful..( but I don't want to take a chance..lol! ) nice meeting you Ralph..who knows. maybe someday you will have a male ekkie! Ann Marie

Thanks Fairy..you do the same... we have a cockatiel,"Freddie" the kids love him.. I happen to like canary's, my mother always had them while growing up, I love their song, very pretty. Puts a smile on my face when I hear of them Have a good day! Ann Marie

awh, thank you so much to each and everyone of you...you are all wonderful... I am trying to figure out what sub species. I like them more slender than stocky..the Vos seems to be more slender and a little longer. I'll see...??? Fairy I know exactly what you mean and I think you are very smart and doing the right thing..you never know, down the road may work out so much better for you. Keep us posted!! Raposa awh, how sad! What sub species was your ekkie?? I am happy you have a wonderful grey,,they are amazing birds. Ranaz..wow!! Lucky you!! That is amazing! If I can only have a guarantee for a grey like yours, I wouldn't have a question mark at all..I am happy for you!! Thanks again everyone! Ann Marie

Raposa & Sallas Thanks so much for your support..everyone here is so understanding and still welcomes me here.. it's incredibly nice! As everyone knows, a bird is a life long commitment , and even though with any species, there is no guarantee the bird will be happy with everyone. Researching both breeds, we have a better chance with an ekkie. The greys are known for liking one or two people..what happens if I am not one of them?? Thats what really made me change my mind and for no other reason. It was not easy . Happy I am hearing good reviews on Ekkies! after much reading and talking to breeders who raise them, I thought this might be a better bird for us... they are beautiful, male & female. I have heard the male would be a better pet... some have females and love them to pieces..I happen to love the males candy corn beak Thanks again for your kind words, means a lot that everyone is so understanding and supportive.. Raposa ..what happened to your Ekkie??? And how loud was he??? lol!

Acappella That was so sweet, thank you for your kind words Fairy, yes, it is possible to love and want something we really can't have.. That is what happened to us. I give you credit for thinking it out, looking at the big picture. Your day will come when the time is right for you!

It wasn’t an easy decision at all… we did have a deposit on a baby grey that we were so excited about. What changed my mind was, my son wanted it to be “his” bird. I knew the bird would have to like me to..there was no guarantee in who the bird would bond to…there will also come a time in the near future (5 years) when my son will be leaving for college.. I can not predict if the bird would like him and not me kind of thing, or visa-versa. so this was a concern. That’s when I knew we needed more of a family bird who hopefully will like everyone.. It will be best for all of us, including the bird. The grey will always be one of my favorites, their intelligence has always fascinated me. It’s good to know I can get my fix here

Thanks so much!! you guys are great carolandfamily omg! look at that sweet baby face.. wow, beautiful!! Love that little face. talk about tugging on heart strings! I love him/her, precious!! Ann Marie

awh, thanks so much... actually we would like a male. We know someone who has two little babies, 3 weeks old. He does not know the sexes yet, it will be another week. Our fingers are crossed. The good part is, we are not far...we can watch the baby grow and bond with him... we will be able to do some hand feedings with the owner to...the bird will really get to know us before he comes home..can't get better than that for us :cheer: We will see what happens next week! Thanks again for being so understanding and supportive! ann marie

oh! I didn't realize there was "the other bird room" I will have to check it out...ok..I'm back..and glad there is still a place for me here ann marie

First I want to say, all of you have been so nice on the welcome page..thank you so much! You are a great group of people. It's sad to say, but we've had a change in heart. We have decided not to get a grey. Don't get me wrong, we love them, but deep down I feel we need more of a family bird..one that will go to all of us. It took a lot out of me to make this decision, but I guess it's for all the right reasons, for us and the bird. I am not 100% yet, but I am giving great consideration to a SI eclectus. From what i have read about them they sound to be a better fit. I am sorry I will not have the chance to really get to know all of you, but I wanted to say thank you for your warm welcome and welcoming me to the 'family' Ann Marie

Thank you to all of you..what a nice bunch you are! I am looking forward to learning and sharing with all of you. I do have a lot to read, glad I have another two months have a great day! Ann Marie

thanks so much to all of you! glad I found this forum! caitb2007 congratulations!! I am so excited for you!! Can't waitto hear all about him! What is his name? How old is he?? This baby was hatched 1/24/09. He can come home at the end of May. He will be dna sexed soon. The breeder 'thinks' he is a male due to his size, but can not be sure...so he just might be. We will see??? We do not have names picked out yet. Actually he will be more of my sons bird, but he has to like me too looking forward to chatting! Have a great day! Ann Marie

Thanks Dan & Baxters mom..nice to meet you! I know I will enjoy it here Wanting a parrot started four years ago starting with my son. I was not going out and just buying a parrot. I bought the kids a baby budgie. I felt this was a good bird to start off with. I wanted to see if they keep an interest in the bird, play with her, feed her etc. They passed with flying colors, they loved her. Last fall we went to a local bird show, but we weren't ready to make a decision. Well..our little budgie passed last Friday and the kids were beyond upset. I knew it was time for that long awaited parrot. My son always wanted a grey. I almost made a huge mistake by buying a Too. I think they are beautiful amd lovable, but there were many reasons why I changed my mind. I started researching greys and I knew this would be our next bird. I still had a slight question mark.. When I met our breeder I was very impressed. We talked for a long time and I felt at ease and excited..I knew this was the right bird and breeder. I sent a deposit. We have two kids, 10 & 13. I do know the grey will take to one or two of us, but we will all be a part of his life and hopefully he will like us all. I do have friends who have greys and my brother as well, so I feel I will have support near by. ( and you guys as well) I am new to all of this, but I will get there. yes, waiting until the end of May will feel like forever I am sure. It's good in a way so we can have everything set up and ready for home coming The breeder is about three hours away and we will try to get there over spring break. I wanted to post a picture of this baby, but couldn't get it to post..?? I will have to figure it out.. Ann Marie (the nice one) lol

ooops.. picture was too big..I will try again

Thank you Luvparrots & SchroedersJen I am glad to be here and looking forward to meeting everyone. I see this site has ton's of info. which is great.. we are going to try to visit over spring break. The breeder is about 3 hours from here..I will keep you posted! here is one of the pictures she sent me last night..isn't he/she gorgeous? Thanks!! Ann Marie

thank you so much for your time and writing. I appreciate is so much! Oh geez...I hope people do not think I am the other Ann Marie, may I should change my user name.. My brother has a grey for 12 years. He is not very friendly, only to my brother who has raised him. I didn't want to go by the one bird I know, or I would not get one..lol! I did find a baby from a wonderful breeder, I couldn't of asked for more. He/she will be home at the end of May. Thank you once again!! Ann Marie

Hi again..I guess I asked too many questions in my first post..:unsure: I have been researching the greys for a while,I thought it would be best hear all I could from the people who own them and I am glad to be here. drum roll...I put a deposit on a baby CAG! He will be able to come home at the end of May. He is just gorgeous! I found a wonderful breeder who truley impressed me, thats all it took to make me feel I made a great choice.. looking forward to meeting all of you! Ann Marie

congratulations! He is beautiful!

Hello everyone! I just found this forum and glad I did. We have been thinking of a CAG for a while. I am still undecided. I would like to hear about them. These are some of my questions (please don’t hate me ) How is their personality, how many members in your family.. how many does the bird actually like. Are they very nippy? How many hours a day to you have them out , how are they when you are out for the day, does their sex have differences? I am sorry for the over load of questions, but I really want to make a final decision . I have read about them , but you can read ten articles, and have ten different view points. I feel listening to owners is the best way to get a full picture. We almost bought a eleanora too…as much as I like them, I am glad we didn’t for many different reasons.. Any guidance will be appreciated! ann marie ps,, two kids (10 & 13)