JeffNOK

Great pictures! Sweet looking grey.

Dave makes a good point about how the situation with cetaceans (whales and dolphins) in marine parks is quite different from those animals that live in zoos with "habitats" more natural to them.

So glad things are going well so far. Welcome to grey parronthood. The ride is just beginning....In fact you are probably on that stage of the roller coaster where you are still climbing up....click, click, click...raise both hands and get ready...

To be honest, I don't know if I recommend it to you personally. It is certainly not an "entertaining" film. It is well-done and fact driven as far as I can see with an amazing amount of first-hand footage of events as they happened. It is emotional and unrelenting in it's message and hopefully is reaching those less-informed than yourself. Watching the film made me really sad and angry. I wouldn't want you to watch the film and feel the way I felt, although for some this wake-up call is necessary. I think for me, I am glad I saw it simply to make me more aware and open to share with others.

I just watched the CNN documentary "Blackfish" about captive Orcas and in particular the life of one orca, Tilikum. I must say that I was extremely moved by the film and can't seem to get it out of my mind. The more we understand the amazing intelligence and social nature of many animals, serious efforts must be made to change how we interact with and exploit them. Have any of you seen this film? Any thoughts?

From what can see from the FB page, it looks like a nice center.

Welcome. Let us know how things go the first few days.

We are looking forward to hearing how everything goes today!

Dan,,,,lol You know, I didn't even know what a "cracker" was until a few years ago when an African American student of mine explained it to me. Race is such a taboo subject in our modern world. Everyone walks on eggshells. I'm glad we can have a laugh about it.

OMG you should hear her now (if she will let me film I will). She sings "R-E-S-P-E-C-T Find out what it means to me. R-E-S-P-E-C-T--Respect just a little bit--hey baby just a little bit."--It is her absolute favorite song. She struts and pushes her chest out with great flourish. In a way I'm glad she has chosen this as her anthem. I believe the key to life with a grey really is...respect.

Nancy, I appreciate your words. You know, Gracie was the bird nobody wanted at the breeder's. There were several other grey babies the same age as Gracie for sale. They were docile, affectionate, and interested in people. Gracie was independent and cared little for humans. People called her the "grumpy one". For some reason, I knew she was supposed to be mine. I call it a "God Moment." I knew she was mine even though she didn't seem very interested in me. Now I share my life with the most wonderful, sweet, intelligent girl. I remember those days when I doubted my choice, and wondered if I should have chosen one of the cuddly birds. Now I know in the depth of my heart that I made the right choice. Both for me and for her. I believe I needed a bird like her, and she needed a Daddy like me. We fit.

I love your videos. Such happy times! I can't help but feel an affinity for Greycie since I have a "Gracie" myself. They look so much alike, too (I know people say all greys look alike). Greycie seems very confident. Nothing seems to spook her. That is so wonderful. My CAG is more cautious and less of a clown. Toby is a sweet looking little Caique. How do they get along? You still looking to get a Jardines?

I agree with the posts above. 13 weeks is still young. My CAG Gracie wasn't fully weaned until about 18 weeks. There is no rush. They will wean eventually. Nothing to worry about at all.

Lol!! What fun! Your grey has such a joy of life! My CAG is so different. She does the occasional dinosaur screech when playing with toys--but it is rare. I think I compared her to a school librarian in another post. Thank you so much for sharing. Such fun to watch.

Thanks so much. I remember so vividly my early days on greyforums.net and those first months with Gracie. I wanted to be so prepared and do everything "perfectly". I soon realized that no one formula worked, and I needed to just slow down and learn from Gracie with trial and error and mistakes and forgiveness. There were days when I worried we would never really bond. Looking back, I am so grateful and happy that Gracie and I have grown into a family. It wasn't always easy, but the best things in life rarely are.

I decided to make a short movie of some of Gracie's language use. She is now two years old and has a vocabulary of about 200+ words. I decided to edit together a series of her utterances. This is just the tip of the iceberg, but she is camera shy now, and it is hard to get her to talk when a camera is in view. Most of these clips were shot months ago, but I think it gives a great sampling of what our greys can do. I hope you enjoy.

When greys are new to a home, they often observe their surroundings and are more docile with everyone. In time, they almost always pick a favorite. That doesn't mean they can't have good relations with many people, but they generally have a "beloved one". This is completely normal and no indication you did anything wrong or that something bad happened. It just means that everyone has to find their own relationship with the bird. Dan, who has responded above, is not the "favorite" with his grey Dayo--his lovely wife has that privilege. Dan has often discussed the "sucker-punch" where Dayo bends his head for a scratch and then bites. This doesn't mean that anything is wrong or that Dayo doesn't love his daddy--in his own way. It is just a part of living with a grey. We have to accept things as they are and make the best of it. Reading body language, respecting boundaries, giving choices, and keeping realistic expectations is key. As far as getting a second bird, I agree with Dan's advice. If you get another bird, it should be because you desire that bird for yourself--not as a means to get your grey to open up. It is unlikely to change your greys behavior.

My CAG does that occasionally too. I don't think it a sign of any inclination to over-preen, feather pick, or pluck. Unless you start to see bare patches, I wouldn't worry.

You are the right person for her. I know you will give her a wonderful life. It will likely take time, but I believe you are in for a rich rewarding relationship.

Gracie sleeps in her regular cage, but it is basically the only time she is in there unless she wants "private time". Our nightly routine does not include bedtime stories, though I may try that. Instead Gracie asks to go to bed and then steps up nicely to be placed in her cage. Then when I start to close the door, she gets feisty and says "Gracie bite!" and she lunges at the cage door near my fingers and strikes the bars. Then she says, "I'm sorry." With that I cover her cage and she goes to sleep. I'm not sure why she likes this habit, but it makes me laugh. She makes out like she is such a "big bad bird", but she never hurts me at all. It's just a big game.

I have a CAG and live in an apartment surrounded by neighbors. Gracie is chatty but not loud. Greys are indeed among the quietest parrots of their size.

The first words are exciting. As grey parronts I think we all wonder when or if the words will ever come. Glad to hear your bird is starting his linguistic journey. It is a fascinating road.

I also really like your cage. I thought it was missing a door! It makes my heart sick that Poly was held for ransom. I'd like to thump those jerks in the head. I would pay anything I had to get Gracie (My CAG) back if something like that happened to her. I am glad it ended well, but I'm secretly praying that those kidnappers acquire an embarrassing skin disease in their "private area".

I wish I could be more help. I know you really want a good relationship with your grey and you want him to be happy. I wish you the very best and hope you keep us posted on how things progress.

Jeff, it is the sweetest thing for Gracie to call you daddy. It really melts my heart when I leave the room and Gracie sings "Bring Back, Bring back, Bring back my Daddy to me to me" (sung to My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean".) Or when she says, "Daddy is here." or "Daddy stay home with Gracie." It isn't so great, however, when she says, "Gracie Bite Daddy. Ouchie!" with devilish intent in her eyes.