JeffNOK

Congrats on one year! Significant milestone.

The best stuff always eludes the camera. We'd probably all make a fortune if we could capture it.

So glad you and Poly have joined us here. Welcome!

If he is aggressive towards you, I would not try to pet him. Does he always reject your pets, or does he sometimes allow you to touch him? Where do you live, by the way? Was your bird wild caught or was he obtained from a breeder? Is he clipped or flighted? Was your bird always a pet or was he a breeder before? I know that Barbara Heidenreich has several books that deal with parrot problems like screaming and aggression. One is called Good Bird, and another is called The Parrot Problem Solver. They are available from Amazon.com. I don't have any personal experience with these problems, so my knowledge is not first hand, but there are many here who know a lot and I'm sure they will offer some good advice.

Gracie calls me "Daddy".

This is a very needed post. It may seem to focus on what many view as negative things, but it is all true and must be said. I started looking into getting a parrot back in 2007. As I started my research, I was confronted with numerous websites with information similar to what Dave posted. I was discouraged. It was like everything I read was a warning--almost telling me to "turn back now" or "proceed with extreme caution". Many times I said to myself, "I won't be up to this." Over time, as I learned more and did some soul searching, I began to get comfortable with the fact that in my heart, my DNA, I was destined to share life with an African Grey. I don't believe all people are destined to be a parront. Probably most would consider the responsibilities overwhelming, but if you are that sort of person, you will find that life with a parrot isn't so difficult. Research, knowledge and preparation are imperative, but once equipped with the tools, if you are meant have a parrot, it won't seem so daunting. I think it is a matter of personal disposition. If you are not a "parrot person", it will indeed be too much, but if you ARE-it will come naturally. I would just ask that anyone considering getting a parrot, that they do all the necessary research and then look deeply into their soul for the answer as to whether it is meant to be for them or not. I believe that the answer will come. If you have any doubts, I would wait, but if a peace comes, and you sense that you are that sort of person, I say to take the plunge. Yes, it can be hard at times, but it won't be beyond your resources to do it. Just know yourself. No impulse decisions. There is no shame in admitting you may not be the right person for the role. But if you know in your heart that you ARE that sort of person, don't be dissuaded. Jump in and experience the amazing things that come with living with a parrot. Just do your homework, check your motives, know your soul, and get connected with others with experience to offer support.

As a man living with one little grey girl, I watched your video with both amusement and horror. I still regret I wasn't able to visit you and your flock when I was in Dallas last March. I would have enjoyed it immensely--for a few hours. My CAG is like a school librarian compared to your fids. I loved watching the joy, exuberance, and mischief, but I don't know if my fragile sanity would withstand it day to day. You and your husband have been added to my morning prayer list! God bless you and your flock.

Rah, I think there are some positive things that can be done, but it will take time and patience. Please don't get discouraged if things don't improve right away. First, if you give him a treat when he screams, you are reinforcing the behavior and he will continue to do it. Second, covering the cage is not recommended. This is not healthy for them unless it is their sleep time. For your bird to be alone in a room most of the day is also very isolating. Greys are flock animals and need company. A TV can be a good idea when no one is around, many of us who work will leave the TV on for our birds, but it is not a substitute for human interaction. Your grey is likely very lonely. Is it possible to move his cage to an area where there is human activity? Maybe in a living area where he can see what people are doing? I'm not suggesting you try to handle him right away, but can he just be moved to where he can see people? If that isn't possible, could you or someone else take turns just spending time in his room with him? Read or watch TV with him? I know he may be noisy, but can you try to just be around him? Does he have toys to play with? Greys need things to chew and dismantle and destroy. He needs mental stimulation. Greys are such intelligent animals. His behavior may simply be a result of boredom. I would set the goal of at least four hours a day in the company of a person. You can take turns if necessary. I know you really want to help him. This would be a good first step. It may take time, but I believe you will see progress if you are committed and don't give up. If you don't feel your family can provide this, I would think long and hard about whether your home is the right environment for him.

As I read your post, I tend to think that your grey is actually really happy and normal. I will say first off that my CAG Gracie has never wanted scritches or cuddles. She is a hands-off bird for the most part. I used to feel something might be wrong, but I now know and accept the fact that this is simply her normal personality. With an adult bird like yours, I would not try to change him. Those grumpy moments may be coming because your grey may be feeling imposed upon. Try your best to read his body language and always ask if he wants affection before approaching. I used to think cuddly was important, but I no longer do.

Feather picking can happen with both clipped/trimmed and unclipped/untrimmed parrots. The issues are complex and no one thing is at the root. Nancy, I respect your position. As I said, I have only worked with Gracie and her terrible twos seemed to come and go over the course of a week. That isn't to say they couldn't return, however (fingers crossed). For Gracie, flight has only ever been a positive thing. But, there are some cases where trimming may help in the case of an out of control grey.

It would be good to know a little bit more about your bird's environment and how people to interact with him. Does he come out his cage often? Is he around people most of the time or alone in a separate room?

Lol...A face only a mother could love.

A few months ago Gracie started to exhibit some terrible-twos tendencies. I noticed that she would bite me after I had her step up to move her somewhere. She is fully flighted, but we had a routine of me moving her to her playstand, or back to her cage, or on to her travel cage where she ate etc. My mother gave me some advice. She said that when my brother and I were in our terrible twos, we would often throw fits when she would try to do things for us. We would say "I do by myself!". She told me that perhaps Gracie was expressing the same sentiment. So, I used a more hands-off approach. Unless necessary, I let her go where she wanted, when she wanted, and by her own means. This of course required flying. Even when she got herself into a jam (like landing on the floor, or perching somewhere she wasn't supposed to be), I tried to let her solve the problem herself unless she made it clear she wanted my help. Almost overnight her whole attitude changed. She seemed really happy and no longer gave me any attitude. She seems to have more confidence and independence. The issue with clipping/trimming, is that I'm afraid this would result in more dependence with a resulting loss of confidence. Gracie is open to new things and people because I think she knows she has the power to make choices and get away from situations she finds uncomfortable. Without full flight, that would not be the case. Of course I am only sharing my personal experience with one single grey, but I do believe that there is something about flight that is essential for the psychological health of an African Grey.

I have enjoyed re-reading this post and look forward to your continuation as time allows.

Such a whistle Dayo has! Living in a condo, I'm glad Gracie doesn't quite have those pipes.

lol priceless!

I don't have an Amazon, so I don't know their behavior or body language. But my first thought is just excitement.

It does seem a shame that fewer people breed Jardines. They seem to have a loyal following among those who have experience with them. I also think they are extremely beautiful. Keep us posted. I would love to hear more about life with a Jardines.

I'm not sure what the head bobbing means. It seems like when I've seen it the parrots are usually happy and trying to engage. Gracie my CAG never head bobs.

You do have quite a collection of diverse critters! Welcome! Hope to hear more and see pics of all your "flock".

It does appear to be normal beak flaking mainly. I'm not an expert by any means, but there don't appear to be any injuries. Otherwise your grey looks very healthy.

Oh I definitely think it is play and sense of humor. She is having fun for sure. I just am amazed how she processes the information.

Wow--Inara does seem very curious and intrepid. Those pics of her perched on and investigating that doll were great. My CAG Gracie would be far too suspicious to get within five feet of it let alone climb around on it. It took four days to get her to play with her latest toy.

I was recently reading about Dr Pepperberg's studies with Alex and the difficulty of getting good data because Alex often got bored and began to answer questions deliberately wrong. He would comply accurately for a few trials 90% of the time and then began to throw objects around and answer randomly, giving seemingly deliberately wrong answers. I have noticed the same tendency in Gracie. She knows the meaning of many words and generally communicates accurately based on her desires. However, when she thinks I am testing her or trying to get her to perform, she seems to intentionally switch the script, but in highly intelligent ways. I will give three examples. First, she knows the names of many of my friends and family. Usually when she sees someone she knows, she greets them by name. But, if they try to get her to say their name, she answers with someone else's name. For example when my friend Pam says "Say Pammy", she says. "Gracie wanna see Marie". Pam then says, "Marie?". And Gracie says, "Gracie wanna see Bill." She refuses to give the desired answer but replaces it with a name from the same class. The same is true with food. Gracie asks for the food she wants, but when I say "Gracie want corn?", she responds with "Gracie want peas," or "Gracie want cheese." Again, items from the same class--food. Finally, Gracie knows the animal sounds of dog, cat, chicken, and monkey. When she is just having fun and vocalizing, she says "Where's the chicken--cluck, cluck, cluck", or "where's the monkey?--ooh ooh ooh ahh ahh ahh". She definitely knows which sounds go with which animal. But If I ask her \..."Where's the monkey?"--she often says "cluck, cluck, cluck". If I say, "Where's the chicken?" She responds with "ooh ooh ohh aah aah", or "meow", or "woof woof!"--anything BUT the answer she knows I want. The thing is, she never mixes categories and she intentionally avoids the answer I'm looking for when she is being cheeky or perceives I am testing her or wanting her to show off in front of company. To be honest, this almost seems to show a higher level of intelligence than simply responding with the expected answer as if merely conditioned. She understands classes and groups, she knows what I WANT her to say, and she deliberately chooses answers within that class while avoiding the "desired" answer. Do any of you see this in your greys?

You have some nice stuff I think my CAG would enjoy. I will browse around and see what might work.