JeffNOK

You have gotten some great feedback on your question. I only have a CAG, but before I decided on my Gracie, I was in the same position as you. I had read a lot about TAGs being less fearful, more social, and less likely to feather pluck. When it came to talking ability, most websites said that there was no difference, but I ran across several sources that seemed to favor CAGs in the talking department. Having been a member here and reading posts from both CAG and TAG owners, I have come to the conclusion that the differences are pretty small overall. There is probably much more variation within each group than between them. I really don't think you can go wrong with either. Having said that, I will answer your questions regarding my experience with my CAG. I live alone, but even so Gracie is not a one person bird. She loves many people once she has gotten to know them. She is not demanding in terms of my attention. She wants me around and enjoys my company, but she enjoys her independence. As far as affection, Gracie is not very physically affectionate. She like to caress me with her beak, but she doesn't like a lot of touching. As far as activity level, Gracie loves her toys and loves flying around and exploring, but she also likes her quiet time. She is not a handful in terms of mischief--she basically knows the house rules and abides by them. As far as mimicking ability--Gracie is really amazing in my opinion. She started talking at about 10 months and has a vocabulary in the hundreds of words. She is only 2 and a half, and I quit counting her vocabulary after about 250 words. She uses her words meaningfully and creatively, and she has a wicked sense of humor. She is not loud. I live in a condo, and she has never bothered my neighbors. Her voice is no louder than mine. I don't notice much of a dust problem. I bathe her regularly and do normal house cleaning and all is well. She doesn't pluck, is not a biter, and is cautious of new things and people, but not phobic in any way. She just likes to observe and make sure things are safe before exploring. It doesn't take long. That describes my life with Gracie. As I said though, I don't think you can go wrong with either a TAG or CAG.

I'm so sorry you have experienced such a sad and traumatic time. You and your family (including Pearl) are in my prayers. May 2014 be a wonderful year for you all.

Fun video Dan. Great for a smile in the morning!

Happy Hatchday Marco! Grcacie is just five months ahead, so we are going through similar experiences no doubt. So far so good-fingers crossed. They are really precious. I'm really glad you two have such a wonderful close relationship.

Very talented bunch! Thanks Dan,

Nice video! Thanks for sharing it.

It is difficult for me to give an opinion on the cage by the photo. What are it's dimensions/size?

I am going to be getting one in the next couple of weeks. I will report on my findings as I get closer to choosing one and installing it.

Can you describe what you mean by head shaking? Is it like a shiver or tremble (small subtle vibrations like when you are cold or very nervous)? Or is it more pronounced like side to side head shaking? Does you bird do it non-stop when with you? I'm just trying to understand what you are seeing.

Welcome! I hope you continue to enjoy life with a grey. It is lots of fun and very rewarding. I look forward to more posts from you letting up know how all is going.

Happy Hatchday! Has Cricket registered to vote yet?

Glad to hear progress is being made!

I'm glad Radar is conversing and enjoying the family. As others have said--this is just the beginning!

Lamya, I am glad you are here. You will learn a lot and all of us are happy to answer any questions you have. Greys are fantastic friends and companions, and I am blessed to share my life with one. I do admit that your post contained some information that caused me a little concern similar to that expressed by Judygram. You introduced yourself as a cat lady who regards the cats as your babies, yet you want to give them away to "better" homes. I'm wondering why you think another home would be better? If you can't provide the optimum home for cats, why do you believe you can provide the best home for a grey? A grey requires much more time and attention than a cat. The second thing you mentioned is that this is your first year of college. You are quite young, and your life will undergo many changes in the next few years. Marriage and family will likely be down the road in the next 5-8 years or so. Will your grey still be a priority then? Grey parrots are complex, highly bonded companions. Think long and hard before making any decisions. The purchase of a grey should be made with a lifelong commitment in mind. Are you truly ready to do that at your stage in life?

For Gracie it is an imitation of the most grating, high-pitched cough imaginable. She learned it from me last winter during a bout with the flu and uses it anytime she is irritated or trying to get my attention. All her other sounds are sweet and easy on the ears. This cough is.....hellish. I am going to send a recording of it to interrogators at Guantanamo Bay to use on terror suspects in lieu of waterboarding. I guarantee they will crack and give away all their secrets!

I am 6ft4 and Gracie is rarely higher than me unless we visit my parents house, and she flies to the top of the blinds. When I go to get her she steps up gently. I don't think height factors into her psychology.

My CAG Gracie likes many people besides me. I am her partner in life since we live alone together, but she has made several friends who she greets by name and allows to handle her. She was socialized early, and while she is cautious with new people, once she knows you and she decides she likes you--you are in. This rule applies to people and dogs, but not cats. She tends to be anti-feline.

This is an interesting topic. I've read much about greys being "closet talkers". This may just be a personality thing, but I believe if the grey begins to see vocalizing as a means to an end, he/she may start talking more publically. For my CAG Gracie, she knows that by using words, she gets me to do stuff. She asks for food and water, to come out of the cage, to go to bed at night, to get me to come to her, etc. She uses words to get attention and reactions from people. She talks a lot when I am out of the room, but her vocalizations are intended as contact calls--louder and awaiting my response. I don't know if she talks when alone at home, but I am getting a webcam for Christmas to monitor her while I am away, and I am curious what I will discover. Like Inara, I tend to respond to her whenever she says something. The more interactive and meaningful the better.

Shelby is a smart little girl. I haven't tried to teach my CAG colors, but you have inspired me. Gracie is good at identifying food--peas, corn, carrots, etc. Just curious, where are you from? I noticed "green" was (excuse me if I am misspelling) "verda". I am trying to guess. It is obviously a Romance language, but I can't place it. Just wondering. Thanks for sharing.

Oh wow. Why do our greys get such perverse pleasure out of dumping their food bowls? This food dumping is My CAG Gracie's favorite activity. She will go to any length to toss the bowl as far as possible. Then she announces, "Gracie dump food bowl. Gracie is a stinker!" She especially loves to do this when we visit my parents and she can dump the bowl to be devoured by the dog. She calls, "Barkleah, come here!" Then she dumps the bowl on the floor and watches while the greedy terrier consumes the food. Needless to say--the dog thinks Gracie is "the bomb".

I left my grey for 3 days once. She stayed with my parents, who she likes very much. Even so, I called several times a day to check on her. When I got home I expected Gracie to greet me with the exuberance of a Labrador, but instead I got the cold shoulder-er--cold wing. She fell in love with my father in my absence. I was crushed.

Wow, what a coincidence this post is. Just tonight I had a mirror experience with Gracie. Gracie's cage is right next to a mirror and she often climbs on it and looks at herself and pecks the mirror. Well, Gracie and I have a routine where I say "Gracie want a touch?" and she comes over and presses her beak against my hand or shoulder. Well tonight I decided to try an experiment. I said, "Gracie want a touch?" and she came over to touch me. Then I said, "Touch Gracie". She cocked her head--and immediately went to the mirror and touched it "beak to beak". I was amazed. Just to test it, I tried it again three of four times, and each time she went to the mirror and "touched Gracie". I know the jury is out whether Greys recognize themselves in the mirror, but I was absolutely convinced she knew that image in the mirror was indeed herself. I didn't coax or motion to the mirror--she figured it out on her own.

My CAG Gracie fully fledged, but even so she had many mishaps in the early days. I remember shortly after bringing her home I opened the cage door and she flew straight into the fireplace bricks at high speed and crashed to the floor. I was terrified she might have seriously injured herself, but she wandered over to me and raised her talon for a step up and gave me a look like, "Let us never discuss this."

I feel very remiss in not teaching Gracie numbers. Maybe it is because I always hated math. You have inspired me.

Gracie doesn't like leafy greens either. She likes peas, corn, carrots, cauliflower, different beans (navy/kidney), and potato and sweet potato. You might try some of those. Good luck.