JillyBeanz

Your photos are lovely Susan - Nala looks a bundle of fun! Thanks for sharing these.

What great pictures! They are just too cute together! Thanks for sharing them - they look fab!

Oh I love that one of Salsa being polite using the fork - then gets stuck right in with the finger food! Come on Amazonians - let us see your pictures!!!!

Ah, bless him - what great news! He doesn't look like he's lost that fighting spirit! Hail King Spock!

Ah - Happy hatchday sunshine!!! Greenies or not! Have a lovely day xxx

Lyn - I saw one in my local pet shop for the first time on Saturday - I have never seen them in a shop before. She was beautiful. She loved me. I held her, cuddled her and kissed her. I was told no too!!! Now, I can't get the little thing out of my head! Note to David: SWINE!

It's been a funny old 10 days. I had this parrot who bit for fun! He wouldn't move from positions he didn't want to without biting, wouldn't go in his cage without biting, wouldn't do anything without biting, but all of a sudden I come home and find that this monster has been replaced with a really sweet, loving African Grey Parrot! It is scary how lovely he is being ALL OF THE TIME - he's turned into the biggest cuddle muffin EVER! I'm sitting here typing and he is sitting on my shoulder, just resting his beak on my cheek! It is so bizarre!! So, we have had cuddles, kisses, TALKING (oh yes, he isn't mute after all), animal noises (ducks and pigs on command) AND THE AVIATOR! All in the space of 10 days so: Message to the Robbers: Keep the one you stole - I'm quite happy with this one Oh, and also - he's even letting my husband stroke him!!!!

I don't have any other pets other than Harvey - I couldn't cope! You will find over the next few months how clingy your grey becomes. I owned a cockatiel for 17 years before i purchased Harvey and foolishly probably thought it was about the same level of care and commitment involved. Delusional!!! I never even gave Spiky a second thought when I went away for the weekend - he went to my parents, I didn't give him a second thought when I went away on holiday for 2 - 3 weeks - he went to my parents. The difference being the characteristics of a grey compared to other birds. Now, knowing how clingy Harvey is to me (I'm his personal slave) I was absolutely worried sick about going away on holiday last year. He (like Spiky before him) was going to my parents. Luckily last year they could get him in and out of his cage - he is used to being out when we are home, and I was really happy, receiving photo messages as proof of the fun he was having - but boy, on my return he stuck to me like glue. He had missed me terribly (even though he'd relished in the attention of my parents). Now, this only happens once a year - I just think once a month is too much of a strain on a grey's very sensitive disposition. It really means that you will be leaving him for three months in an annual cycle if you have that week away every month - and I really don't think that Bear will accept this very well. People have multiple parrots for their own sake - their own enjoyment. There are plenty of people who have multiple birds who can't allow them out together as they don't get along - so, there is no guarantee that another bird would help - anyway, it would just be another one to leave. It's done now, you have Bear, so you're just going to have to see what happens. Good Luck!

I find it easiest to have Harvey facing away from me and then I slip the harness over her wings first, the head strap next. Hopefully once you get to that point Abby will accept it - because the "best bite point" is when you are tightening it at her front! That's when they are able to definitely get stuck in if they want! Good luck - I can't impress upon you enough how great they are!

I let Harvey on my shoulder, but I know him inside out and I know when not to let him (like when he's had his mad half hour and being doing laps of the house). You need to know your grey's body language implicitly to trust them to be in such a position. To be honest, he doesn't sit there long anyway and sharp gets bored!

The only visual we have on this volcanic dust is at sunset and sunrise. It is absolutely beautiful - here's a link to the sort of thing we are getting (not today though - it's raining)!!

Oh they are so sweet, with lovely colouring. I always say it - but I couldn't manage more than Harvey - he's got me run ragged all the time anyway! I can't imagine bringing another one in - I would have grey hair in a matter of months! Thanks for sharing these, they are beautiful.

This is one of Harvey advertising healthy eating - I have posted it before - but long ago....!

Hi Greymatter - welcome to our family! I can guarantee that you will learn a thing or two here - I surprise myself into learning something new each day. I look forward to hearing about you and your family.

Great pictures of the family! Freddy loves that spray - such a show off! They are absolutely beautiful x

After reading on here about the greys who say lots and lots of things I decided to start writing down what words Harvey learned. It's not too hard to remember at the moment - because he only says three things!! I've also got his first red tail feather in a little box and I too have photographs in chronological order on my computer - so a little disjointed, but I nearly have one!

Oh Spock, I accept your leadership with open arms - if this means that Harvey settles down and accepts you as the Terrible Twos leader I am all for it! These kids are far too advanced! They've just turned 1 and are embracing the terrible twos! And I must say - you are looking mighty fine in those photos! Lots of love, your loyal UK servants xxx

Dawn, I'm not pretending it's easy! It took me no time to get it on last year (he was just a baby) but this year - nope, he was having none of it - until all of a sudden he turned over a new leaf and decided it would probably be better if he weren't left inside whilst we were outside! Take it easy, take it slowly - it isn't a job for the faint hearted (but then again, neither is owning an African Grey)!!!

The Aviator is much better Brittany - the feather tether has a million clips, which I think weigh them down and also dig in. They are a right pain to try and put on - too many pieces. The Aviator is all in one, over the wings, over the head. I'm not going to pretend it's an easy mission - it takes time, effort and patience - but there is an extremely helpful DVD which you get with it which teaches you the right approach. Go for it!

I love the name "Amazona Amazonica" - what a beautiful bird. The colours are astounding! Thanks for this - I've learned a little more about the Amazon world x

You aren't being paranoid Sheila - the fallout is fine glass dust. It has started falling here - and yesterday my mam's car had a fine film on in. I think because I live next to the coast and it's a bit windier it isn't settling as badly here - but my mam's a bit more inland. I can't believe that on Thursday they were telling us that it could have no effect on your health. HOW - it has to come down somewhere - it's not going to float around forever!

Oh easy as pie! Definitely never remarry - whoops - I said that far too quickly!!! Nah - I would probably live in sin and not tell my new love about my money - after all "what's his is mine and what's mine is mine"!! You are off out for your first day at your dream job. You get on the bus and realise you have forgotten to wear any underwear. Turning back will make you late, do you: 1. Throw caution to the wind and go commando, keep quiet, nobody needs to know. 2. Go home and get some underwear - you couldn't go all day knowing you could catch your death of cold. 3. Throw caution to the wind and go commando, but tell your new work colleagues - there has to be an ice breaker in some part of the day.

Ha Ha! Absolutely hilarious! Hope he got out okay!!!

Fresh aloe from the plant is a great natural antiseptic ~ great post Dave - thanks very much (and even the non-greenest fingered person every will find it hard to kill an aloe)!

Look at the coats on those beautiful horses! Absolutely beautiful! She is having a fantastic roll about in that sand. OMG your notebook! Was that really Talon! What a nightmare!!!!