Elvenking

Thank you for caring, I really need bird fanatics that can relate to the constant excitement and wonder I get everyday for living with this beautiful creature. Okay...I can't help it...just tonight he was doing it again....we sat on the couch and he litterally leans his head up against my cheek...listens to me talk...and makes an attempt to say something after I talk. It is by far...the sweetest interaction I have ever had with a bird, or any animal for that matter. He goes from trying to form high pitches to lower ones...trying to draw them out. I am pretty sure he thinks he is meant to talk. I love it!! <br><br>Post edited by: Elvenking, at: 2010/02/13 04:00

For some reason that made my eyes well up just a bit. I suppose that if my Issac ever says that....I am gonna just gush. LOL...I do tell him 'I love you' a lot...but he is 13 weeks yet. However, the other night...He was trying to speak inches from my face...it was the most adoreable thing...and I have video. I will have to get it up. Very cute video of Emma.

Goodness...I hope I can get in on this...I cannot keep enough toys in one piece for my baby, Issac.

That is awesome. I would have been cracking up and chiming in, "You heard him...fix that thing!"

By the way....where do I get Pine Nuts....are these only at bird specialty stores?

Thank you for all the responses. Firstly, regarding his size....he is flat out the biggest Grey I have ever seen. It is really beautiful and amazing to me every time I see him. @danmcq: Thank you for your comment. Yes, I have always had a special way with animals in general, but mostly birds...I love them and I am sure they can tell. I am quite sure that this little guy has come along and has really made my life new. I am such a more happy person these days. Issac and I pretty much hang out and I talk to him like I would talk to a child growing and learning. What ever is higher than 'love' is what I have for this bird. @luvparrots: Yes, he is certainly starting to gnaw on his veggies and fruits. One of his favorite nightime activities when he is on his T-stand is to crack seeds and pellets. He was not digging the pellets too much at first but I think he is giving them a shot now because I see them in pieces on the floor when i come home. Jeez, when i came home for lunch today....looks like there was a bird party. Carrots, broccoli and seeds all over the place. It is hard to tell exactly how much he is actually ingesting though. Thank you for the insight on his behavior during feeding. He was kind of confusing me with the normal chirp he gives when I feed him, and following it up with a 'whack' to the syringe tip. LOL....cute little thing. One mroe picture of my beauty. <br><br>Post edited by: Elvenking, at: 2010/02/12 22:32

They want the craziest things! I find my Issac wants things that are made for only me. Came home with a subway sandwich last night, he was not going to let me eat that thing alone. LOL. Cute picture!

Had a great night and morning with Issac. Last night we played 'peek-a-boo' on the floor and he seemed to like this game. He was making all kinds of sounds and crawling under to join me. Super cute. We played with his toys some as well. What was really, really cool is that later when we were hanging out on the couch, he came up to my face and i started talking to him...saying thing like i always say..."Hello, Issac", "Pretty Bird", and "Who's a good boy". And he came over by my ear and for the next 10 or 15 minutes...he was garbling and mumbling as if to try to say some of these things. So I praised him for giving it his best. I am pretty sure this guy is gonna talk one day. He was sure making a very good effort at 13 weeks. I love him. This morning I brought him in the shower and let some of the water hit his back, he didn;t seem to mind too much but he didn't want to stay under the shower for very long so i just got hima little wet. Baby steps. Anyway, question of the day....When I feed him his formula, at some point...he continues to purse his mouth open and make the feeding noise...and i will bring the syringe to his beak...but he will quickly make a slight turn and flick the end of the syringe with his wing. And he will consitantly repeat that action. Whaddup with that? Does this mean 'no more daddy'? Is my little boy growing up? This morning he did it after about 35cc's. Let me know your thoughts. I don;t want to force him when he is telling me no...but I also don't want to stop short on him. Thanks. PS: Here is a new picture of my baby from just an hour ago.

Here here. Just a little over a week ago I came to the forums asking opinions on clipping...and i am so glad I decided against it. He is so happy now flying all around. He started at just the tender age of 10 weeks, then he got better at landing and I was thinking, "He is just too hapy flying". So I decided not to do it. He is now almost 13 weeks and a beautiful, happy bird. Glad to see you got him with full flight. Cheers.

I have padded the bottom of my 12-week-old CAG, Issac. He gets excited that way sometimes to and I will see him occasionally try to make leaps across the cage like that. I try not to make a fuss over it because I don't want him to associate that with attention. I just hope he learns that it is not fun to go flying across the cage. He's been okay so far. Glad your Grey is okay.

What an exciting time. I brought my Congo, Issac, home three weeks ago today and my life has not been the same since. We are both very happy, and it looks like you are in the same boat. Have fun with your new birdie!!

Yep...I was playing Peek-a-boo with him yesterday on the floor for a while. He was getting somewhat curious and checking me out a bit. And he will run after things when i drag them on the floor. Sometimes he will rase up, flap his wings and make this "Raawwawawawkk" sound which is totally cute. I haven't had a single reason to 'towel' him up yet. This bird has not bit me once....knock on wood. But He seems pretty comfortable around towels for the moment. I also do peek-a-bo while he is on the counter and I am in the shower. He seems to like that. That game is a good idea. I will also try to wrap a treat up for him so he can work to get it. The tough part at this point since he is so young, is finding his favorite treat. (Which is mainly his formula right now) I will figure that out though. I keep working with him...and it's fun. And yes...I have to try some of those homemade toys in the 'Toys' section. I liked the one with cut up cupcake wrapers and straws...that looks like one he would like. Just yesterday, he made quick work of a toy I got him a day earlier. It was in pieces pretty quick. Thank you for suggestions and keep em coming if you can. I really enjoy hearing how others interact and socialize with their birds. Trying to take the collective wisdom of this forum, and create the greatest experience for Issac....he certainly thanks you all for it.<br><br>Post edited by: Elvenking, at: 2010/02/11 22:20

Go Spock!!!

This morning, I played with him on the floor, rooling toys around with my nose, shaking them in my teeth. Dragging things by him to get him to play, and he engages a bit. Does anyone have some playtime activities they do that really engages their feathered friend? After we played a little bit, I bring him into the bathroom while I shower, and for some reason...this is the time he starts getting creative with the noises he is making, and i think he tries to talk. Everytime I hear something that sounds like an attempt to speak, I try to let him know that is good. So, any playtime activities or observations that you have made while raising your baby Grey would be cool. I find that I can never seem to have enough toys for him, and toys can get expensive. Looking for any ideas. Thank you all for any advice. Here is a picture of my lil baby when he was 8 weeks and still at the breeders home...

Last night, my little baby crawled up on my chest as in the picture above, but this time he laid his head against my chin and slept there for a bit. But my phone was not close to me this time and I missed the photo oppertunity. He has me wrapped around his little claw for sure.

I read part of your book about your lil Grey and i think it is so sweet how you put yourself in your birds shoes. That, my dear, is true love and it just doesn't get more beautiful than that. Thanks for sharing.

Yeah, that picture is the wallpaper on my phone. Anytime during the day that I want to smile....I look at that. He is so precious.

Yep...I will watch the video. I am being very careful to do right by him so no worries there.

Thank you for the replies. At the moment, I just give him all the food and love he needs and constantly assure him that his environment is safe and...well....that I just can't get enough of him. It's amazing to have the trust of a bird that normally flies around in Africa. rbpittman....I pretty much do what you say...except for the running to the cage as soon as I get home. LOL....I have not been too good about waiting a bit. Mostly because I can't wait to see the little guy. But I see what you mean. Thank you for the advice. danmcq.....I will read your journal...should be interesting.

Okay...so i sit here with my little love of my life. It's crazy how much I love this bird. And he seems to return the love just as enthusiastically.....I never thought I would care for anything so much. So here we go..some questions. I am fanatical over my bird and his well being..so I ask these things because of this. If anyone can remember the 12-16 weeks with their bird..I especially speak to you. So...i have my litle boy and he seems pretty happy...but I just want to know what others have observed in the early days of their lil friend. I almost wish I could watch a video of someone bringing up their lil birdie so I could know what to expect. I am sorry for asking silly questions but I am serious about loving my little Grey. I want to do absolutely no wrong for him. I feel in debt to him to make his life as cozy and fun as possible. Things I think about and what I want to know is how you played with your bird as a youngling..and how he reacted to introductions to differnt things. I know I am asking a lot...but I want bird baby experience stories. I actually think it would make a good sticky. The story of you and how your bird came to grow is just an amazingly sweet thing to hear. And me....I would love to hear it...so if you will...please. Thank you. I love my baby Grey! Post edited by: Elvenking, at: 2010/02/10 07:01<br><br>Post edited by: Elvenking, at: 2010/02/10 22:19

I just ordered an Aviator Harness so me and my birdie can go on little outdoor walks and short trips together. Crossing fingers that he takes to the harness.

Reading about other peoples birds from people whole love these birds. Parrot care is really sadly an underestimated task. Most just think you get them...throw em some seed and they will just sit there and be beautiful for you and talk. I find it more to be like raising a child set to 'easy' mode. (Which doesn't mean it's easy, just way easier than a human child) Anyway, it is nice to spend lunch reading about the behavior of these amazingly wonderful creatures. Thank goodness for the Internet and this forum.

I bought my Issac a playstand at around 11 weeks. He totally hated it, I could see him not liking it, so i took him off right away and cuddled him. He was cool. It took him a couple days to even give it the time of day. My first mistake was having it away from a wall. I wanted to put it right next to my computer desk so he could hang out while I do things there. But...I neglected to place the stand close to at least one wall. I imagine they don't like having all four sides open. So i moved it close to a wall on the othher side of my computer chair. He still didn't wanna stay...he wanted to come to me...so i put it to rest thinking he may never take to it...but maybe someday. Then I just let him play directly on my desk. He eventually climbed on the stand himself and checked it out. Now, he likes it, or is at least comfortable chewing some seeds and playing on it. And he can be next to me where he feels safe. They say if the stand is there already when you bring him home, he is more likely to take to it right off. Otherwise...just let him take his time, he will surely realize the benefits of kicking back on it. That's just my inexperienced observation of how my birdie took to it.

I am not sure of the whole history regarding Spock, but there is evidently a lot of concern. I can only imagine how I would be sick in my heart if my little Issac were in his position. I have my best hopes that he gets better and I really think he will eventually do just fine. Get well Spock, my Grey and I love you and hope you live long, and prosper.

Okay, I shall get him one of those things that suction to the wall. Yeah....I don't want him to fall. You'd be suprised how agile the little fellow is though. In his cage, he doesn't fall too much through his playing. But I am still going to pad the bottom for him.