Cheshire Cat

I'm out of work at the moment so I tend to spend probably around 6-8 hours per day with Tui. I usually take her downstairs in a morning where she sits with me and my parents for breakfast. Then on and off throughout the day she'll come out and come downstairs or I'll sit with her in my room and I let her have free roam.

Well, I start September 2013 (had no official date yet), but I need to get a training placement with an approved veterinary practice to go alongside my studies. If I don't get offered a placement by a surgery, I can't do the course. I've sent out CVs (or resumes) to quite a few, heard back off a couple and had rejections, but there are a lot I'm waiting on and about 10 I haven't applied to yet. I'm keeping my fingers crossed! I'd really like to get in with my dog's vet but there's also a surgery which specialises in exotics, too. So because I've got Tui, I'd more so opt for the surgery which specialises in exotics (although they do still see cats and dogs, too, but there are specially trained vets there). It's something I've always wanted to do and I did my degree mainly because I felt I wasn't good enough to be a vet (which was my dream job growing up), but now I've thought, "What the hell? I'm going to go for it! A vet nurse is the next best thing to the vet!" I just ask that you keep your fingers crossed for me that it goes well. I feel old though as at 25 I'm classed as a 'mature' student. Lol. Then I can learn from the best people about my own pets and really delve deeper.

Tui doesn't sing yet but she whistles The Great Escape.

I've always believed that animals understand far more than we give them credit for. Just because animals don't have a communication method like ours, doesn't mean they don't comprehend or understand. I remember when I was in university doing my Psychology degree and one assessment was one I really went to town on. It was basically asking the question, "Are animals conscious?" Of course they are! Humans seem to think that they're the superior species in every aspect - well, a lot of species of animals on this planet have been here longer than we have so I'm guessing they've had longer to master the ways of the world. Due to birds being able to mimic sounds, now they've picked up language. From all the studies done with Alex we can see that animals definitely understand what they're saying. There was a chimp called Washoe (again, one I studied in university) who mastered language through grunts and signing. Sadly, chimps and other apes don't have the ability to sound out words like parrots and other birds, like mynahs. But it's clear that animals do understand the concepts that we have always believed beyond them. Being a huge animal lover, I'm always ready to stand up for them. Maybe when I go into my Veterinary Nursing course September 2013, my degree will help me show people that animals aren't dumb! It would be very interesting to combine the Psychology and Vet Nursing to help with this area of science.

My bird does that, too. It's usually when she's playing and hanging from the top bars of her cage. I think it's a natural thing all Greys do.

I've had a problem with Tui plucking on and off now for about two years and I've had her about two and a half years. She goes through phases of plucking, stops, and then starts again. My only conclusion is that she wishes to be with me all the time as I've noticed her worst times of plucking have been when I've spent less time with her. Now that I'm out of work and at home, she seems to have stopped. Are you with your bird a lot during the day? It may not be because of the time you're with him, but it's something I've noticed with my bird. It might be something to consider....

I was woken up suddenly to hear Tui thrashing against the cage. I rushed out of bed and when I looked she was literally thrashing her wings up and down and rushing around the cage as if something was chasing her. I opened the cage and even then when she saw me she wouldn't calm down. I finally got her out the cage and she flew out of my hands and onto the floor. I picked her up and then held her against me for about 10 minutes trying to calm her as best I could. When I got back into bed I didn't put the cover back over her cage just in case she got scared again, and she could see me. Does anyone know what this might be? Sounds strange, but could it be a bird version of a night terror? Do birds dream? I was just so worried about her this morning, but thankfully since her behaviour has been completely normal. I did notice she seemed a little quieter than usual this morning, but she's certainly perked up and become her normal self again.

I feed Tui (in between fruit/veg and millet sprays - yes, she's addicted to millet sprays) a food called XtraVital. I'm in the UK so the foods are obviously going to be different. This food is specially formulated for Greys and Cockatoos, and strangely enough it smells like oranges. LOL.

I've noticed that since having Tui, I've become more 'mother-like' and maternal, but towards her. It's as though Tui is never far from my consideration when I do things, and she is so much like a child hence why I feel extremely maternal towards her. I do talk about her a lot, and some people who aren't bird owners seem to look at me strangely and some people have even mocked me, but I don't care. The last few years have been difficult for me for a number of reasons and Tui has also been a constant light in my life - whenever I look at her, I'm reminded that she's there and helps me even though she might not actively and consciously do anything. Just her being alive and in my life helps. I know I must sound ridiculous, but she really is that bright light which I needed and she continues to shine... She really came at a time when I needed her.

AnjskjakjkjdkjkljdkljdAKLJJDKKJ......*pecks keyboard and then realises claws are better* My apologies for that. This is the first time I've ever used a computer for myself; I've walked across it from time to time when Mommy is going about her business and trying to ignore me. *pout* Tui here, or as Mom calls me, Tui Bird. Yes, I know I'm a bird so why does she have to call me that? I just imitate it to seem cute. That's the way I like to play, act all cute and she seems to like that. She also likes to keep kissing and snuggling me which I get irritated with. But it's lovely to get the word out to other parrots like moi. How are you all? The closest I get to talking with a fellow bird is hearing magpies in a morning. *sigh* But Mom does her best to get me flying and even got me a harness. I hate that thing though! I've never liked things on my head and she seems determined I wear it. Do you think I should? Do all your parents make you wear those horrible things? I certainly hope not. I can hear footsteps so I'd better hop off this thing....

I've kept Tui's band on mainly because it's a good means of identification. It also doesn't bother her at all and has never been a problem so it's always been left alone.

People have mentioned their birds being vocal around other family members and friends. Tui isn't vocal around anyone but me...is that normal?

For a while I was starting to wonder if Tui would ever talk, and now at the age of just over 2, she's talking and babbling almost constantly. Just this afternoon I'm sure she said two new phrases, "Is that right?" and "You alright?" She says her name, calls my dad, says 'hello' (as most birds do), says "Tui Bird" and calls the dog. I may have been imagining it, but I also think she said "love you". Is this normal for birds to not talk and then suddenly start? I just think at the age of 2 she should have started before now. She's still not got the largest vocabulary, but her speech is coming on amazingly. I've also noticed that Tui will only speak when only I'm around - whenever anyone else is around she goes quiet. Again, is this normal?

I signed the petition to get this stopped, and it's amazed me that something hasn't been done! It's disgusting and cruel. African Greys, and indeed other parrots, are being bred in captivity, so why the need to trap them and export them? It makes my blood boil.

Strangely enough the only time that Tui has properly bitten me has been when my attention has been turned to someone else. One day about two months ago I was playing with her, she was really enjoying it and making sweet birdie noises. My dad then called to me and I answered...two seconds later Tui bit me hard on my thumb, drawing blood. I've never known an animal so jealous. LOL.