JeffNOK

16 months is still young. I do think your reaction to his talking and him realizing that his words get results facilitate the process. My CAG Gracie knows that her words result in things she wants (food, water, toys, touch, going back in cage, coming out of cage, etc...). Once that connection is made... the words just flow forth.

It makes me smile to read your post. I'm so glad things are going well. Nala is a cutie! She is almost the spitting image of my grey Gracie at that age (she is 2 now). Can't wait to hear more about her.

In think the advice about replacement with similar sounding words is the way forward as well and ignoring the bad language. I know it is embarrassing and worrisome, but (duped or not), you are now sharing your life with a wonderful amazing new family member who will become a part of your heart. I look forward to hearing more about the other aspects of your grey soon.

I seriously considered getting a Jardines before I got my grey. Two well-recommended aviaries are Old World Aviaries in Texas and The African Queen Aviary in Florida. According to the African Queen Aviary they have Jardines "coming soon". You might consider contacting them. Good luck. Jardines are really wonderful, and I know you have a special place in your heart for them after your experience with Raven.

Sachi is having a great time! Beautiful bird. Pionus seem like very sweet fids.

Wow...a year goes by fast doesn't it? So much adventure still to come. It is never boring that's for sure. Best wishes to you both.

Your heart is in the right place. Lord knows I have made many missteps in my journey with my grey. But greys can and do read our hearts, and you guys will be fine.

We are glad u signed up too! This has been a life saver for me as a new grey parront. There is a lot of great info, but also a lot of great people and some laughs along the way. Welcome!

Kizzybird, I was thinking the little baby fid might be a Caique, but I noticed the yellow tail feathers, so now I suspect an Amazon like several others on this forum. As far as the multiple parrot question, the first year I had Gracie, I seriously thought about what other parrots I might add to my flock over time. But as I have grown in my relationship with Gracie, I have come to realize that she really needs all my attention. Our relationship has become so deep and complex. I don't think I am equipped to devote enough time to another bird. I also believe that the company of another parrot would not enrich her life to any great degree. I'm sure she would tolerate or even possibly "befriend" another feathered sibling, but if she had a vote, I think she would say "no". I can't read her mind, but she projects to me a sense that she needs to be the center of my world, and if I shared my devotion with another parrot, she might feel a loss. I don't want to risk that because we have come so far and she seems so happy and well-adjusted that I would never dream of taking any of that away from her.

Great questions. Gracie is just over two years old, so I'm not sure if she could be hormonal yet or not. I think she is still young for that. She tends to be possessive of things she considers to be hers. If I move a toy she struts over and says "AH Ah..!" Like ""Don't touch my stuff". But she never lunges or tries to bite. As far as time of day--that's a tough one. Basically Gracie is out of her cage all day. She only sleeps in her cage. So the only time she is in her cage is when she sleeps or first thing in the morning. I actually leave her out when I go to work. So, when I change her water bowl at other times, she is out playing on her play stand or elsewhere.

You know, sometimes I leave the TV on for Gracie, but so far she has never picked up one word or sound from TV. Her vocabulary is approaching 250 words--but everything she says she has heard from me. It's like all other sources are filtered out--even friends and family she sees regularly. Oh--one exception--she does bark like my parents' dog. But other than that--nothing. She loves her various toys, but she doesn't seem the least bit interested in TV or radio. I've heard Animal Planet is not a great choice because it often has scenes of predation which can stress a grey. Cartoons seem to be a favorite for many parrots.

It will be interesting to hear more about your life with a grey and caique. Such very different species. I've heard caiques don't really get on well with other species of birds, but here is hoping that they will become good friends in time.

My bird does this annoying cough whenever she wants my attention and I am busy with something. She also sneezes. It is just mimicking. I'm sure the same is the case with your grey.

She lets me put my hand in her cage to change toys or even have her step up sometimes without any bites. She just does this lunging biting thing when I change her water dish from outside the cage.

I took a vow of celibacy when I got my CAG Gracie just to avoid such embarrassment . If she comes up with it on her own like your grey did, I guess I will renounce that vow since it won't matter anymore. So far Gracie is decidedly G-rated.

I think when a friend request is accepted they will appear in your profile as a friend. So, you will see them as confirmed friends.

My morning routine with Gracie has always been to uncover her cage, say good morning, and then change her water. Over the last month, Gracie has seemingly become cage aggressive when I change her water. She lunges at my hands from inside the cage and says "Ah Ah bite daddy!". Well I concluded that maybe I was stressing her, so I decided to wait until she exited the cage and was eating her veggie breakfast at another location before changing her water. Well the first time I did that, Gracie refused to exit the cage. She kept saying, "Gracie want water" over and over. Then she started lunging at the cage bars saying, "Ah Ah bite Daddy", even though I was nowhere near the cage. She kept it up for about 20 minutes before reluctantly coming out for breakfast. It was almost like she was disappointed I didn't change her water so she could have a go at me (she never actually bites--all bluff---but very menacing). This has been repeated day after day. It's as if she really wants me to change her water while she is in her cage, so she can "attack" me. Do you think she is actually cage aggressive, or is this some game she is playing where she actually enjoys mock-attacking me as a morning routine? If she is having fun, I don't mind going back to the old way, but if my water changing really is a stress, I don't want to do it. Just for the record, she hasn't actually bitten me since July. She is mainly a sweetheart.

Tricks are fine, in my opinion, if your grey enjoys the challenge and interaction. My CAG Gracie is not a "trick" girl. Some parrots are amazing at tricks--but I rarely see greys online doing tricks like some other species. I would suggest just spending lots of time with your grey and talking with it and forging a relationship of mutual trust and respect. Greys will amaze you with their intelligence and ability to relate to you if given the chance. From my experience, if Gracie ever got the sense I was trying to teach her a trick--she would refuse to comply just on principle.

Lately she has been doing a mash up of "Respect" by Aretha Franklin, "My Bonny Lies Over the Ocean" and "Don't Worry Be Happy"....she's a nut!

The size is ok especially if your grey gets lots of out of cage time.

Thank you for sharing Raven with us. She was a beautiful girl, and I'm glad you and your wife had wonderful times with her. Of course your post broke my heart. I hate death and loss of any kind. But, it does remind me of the fragility yet precious nature of living, and it helps me value the present moments I share with so many people and animals.

Hi and welcome. Like others have said, it's great you are doing your research now. Also, I agree that a swap meet is likely a poor choice for finding your lifelong companion. Call an avian vet in your area or get involved with a local bird club. They will surely have information on reputable breeders. My only concern has to do with the idea of the "family bird" and ultimately your plans with your grey in the future. You are 19 and will be with your family a few more years, and then I assume you will move out and take your grey with you. Greys do tend to bond most strongly with one person, and they make the choice for reasons of their own no matter what the people involved do. What will you decide to do if your new grey bonds with a family member other than yourself? Would you leave the bird with its chosen "best friend" or take it with you? Are all your family members equally on board with the care of this new bird? I think things can work out, but try to consider how your bird will be affected by change when you are ready for independence and life on your own.

As you can see from the comments so far, our parrots seem to get the upper hand pretty quickly. My CAG spends a lot of time with my parents' Toy Fox Terrier when we visit...sometimes days at a time. I am always very vigilant, but the dog seems to know that Gracie is a part of the "pack" and no longer shows the slightest prey instinct towards her. In fact, he has ceased to chase birds in the yard as well. The only time he pays Gracie any attention at all is when she calls "Barkleah James! Come here!" and then dumps her food bowl on the floor for him to devour. Once he has eaten up her leftovers, he wanders off to the couch for other pursuits,

My CAG Gracie has been independent from the beginning. She never even allowed head rubs. I know all greys are different, so I can't predict how your baby will be. It seems most do become less clingy, but they will remain very concerned about your comings and goings and want to be with you. That is how my CAG is at 2 years old, and it is just the right balance for me. Keep us updated.

Several months ago I sang the song, "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean" to Gracie. I sang it because my Mom used to sing it to me as a child, and it was a sweet soothing song. I had no idea what it meant, however. All of a sudden--out of the blue--Gracie started singing it....but she changed the words. She sings: "Bring Back Bring Back, Bring back my Daddy to me, to me..." It is the most adorable, cutest, sweetest song she has ever sung. I never taught her "daddy" I sang the original version. She does it every day, and I want so much to capture it on film...but she shuts up the minute a camera is in view. I am so frustrated. I have attempted to film her about 20 times, but she clams up...the stinker. I have tried to acclimate her to the camera by letting her peck it and examine it, but when it is turned on she eyes it like some sort of predator. Are your greys camera shy, too? I will get this on film and post soon if it is the last thing I do!--It is just a matter of time--but I am at my wits end now. Why don't our greys want to please us like a faithful Golden Retriever? I already know the answer--I'm just wishing. I could make a fortune if she actually vocalized on command. The minute she thinks I want her to "perform" she shuts up. She has no idea how many cool new toys she could get if she would just cooperate.