JeffNOK

It is interesting. When Gracie bites, it is not a fast sharp bite. It is a very calculated pinch. I've never been sliced. Blood has come in tiny amounts, but only after she has clamped down and given it a good long pinch. Those bites are pretty rare. What Gracie has been doing lately is kind of popping me with her beak and saying "Ah Ah". She doesn't take any skin in her beak. Do any of your greys do a kind of "beak slap".

Cosmos_Friend. Thanks for sharing your experience. I'm glad you and your grey are close and doing well together. I'm not familiar with the products you mentioned, but Gracie does just fine with a spray down of water. I don't think she gets cold or sick. Their natural habitat is a rainforest after all. They have been created to accept water on their bodies with frequency. Does your Cosmo like vegetables? I try to feed Gracie a mix of many veggies, limited seed, nuts, beans, pasta, rice, potato, sweet potato, egg whites, lean chicken, and selected fruits. She won't eat her pellets anymore.

Gracie here: Whoo Hoo! Looks like fun. My Daddy has one of those, but it is his bedroom. Not sure what use it is in there since he is too humongous to ride it. He would probably be a killjoy and take me off of it just when I got going. He's been very irritating lately removing me from all the fun stuff. No wonder I have to bite him sometimes. How long does it take for these humans to get the message? Nilah, I noticed that you are green! What is that about? Too many veggies? I've been suspicious of the broccoli and green beans for some time. I hope your dignified color comes back. You must be quite embarrassed.

Thank you for posting this video. I am a teacher for teens and young adults who come from different countries to the US to learn English. They often experience loneliness, confusion, and culture shock. Sometimes they don't have any support system in the US. I pray every morning before I enter the classroom that I can be the face of love and understanding for them. I remind myself that people don't care about what you know or what you teach until they know that you really care about them as individuals. As a teacher I will never have riches reflected in my bank account, but my heart is full. I thank God every day that I dropped out of law school and chose to become a teacher.

I wish you the best with Tyson's beak. I have no experience with this, but hopefully the vet will know what to do. He is really a cute little guy!

Loved the pics. What kind of bird is that little one with the blue head and green wings with the colored beads on his leg?

I enjoyed this video on many levels. The little boy was adorable and very mature. What a great way for a parent to educate their child. Also, I love Cape Parrots. They are on my list if I ever come down with MBS! Of course, the technique itself is good and shows that with patience, love. and positivity--much can be accomplished. Thanks for posting!

I'm glad they are adjusting well. Very nice photos. Keep us posted.

It is indeed interesting experiencing the development of our greys. Gracie truly amazes me. I love her to bits which is why it hurts my feelings a bit when she is being a grump. On a light note, Gracie was a real ham on the fourth of July. We had a little BBQ with friends and family, and Gracie wanted to be in the middle of everything. She constantly tried to get our attention by talking or singing. She kept flying around the table just inches above everyone's heads making sure to fly over each guest. Whenever we would laugh, she would laugh as well...just to be part of the flock.

Thanks all. Yesterday Gracie was and absolute gem the whole day. She went to bed happily and there was no attitude. We will see how today goes. Fingers crossed.

Talon, I am doing the four-inch away kiss now myself. It's not the same, but better safe than sorry.

The tricky thing in all this is that greys are such individuals. What works for one, fails for another. What works for a while, fails later. What fails for a while, works later. It's an ever evolving dance. It keeps me on my toes! This morning she has been the sweetest girl in the world. She has been sitting on her perch, saying "Gracie's happy happy happy." "Gracie loves Daddy", and "Gracie's a good bird!", also singing her own versions of several songs I have taught her. If I didn't have a swollen red mark on my arm to remind me, I could easily forget her feisty side.

Thank you for your response, Dan. As frustrating as it can be, its fun to learn as Gracie changes. It challenges me. On a positive note, her vocabulary continues to grow, and she makes me laugh all the time.

Gracie my CAG will be two this month and she is asserting herself in challenging ways. It is no longer safe to give her beak "nose kisses". About 2 months ago she would occasionally nip, but now I just can't trust her. She is even devious about it. She calls me over, "Gracie want a kiss". Then she stretches her neck out and makes the sweetest kissing sound. She even says "No bite Daddy." I get close and BAM she takes a swipe at me. No pinning...no clue...pure deception. I have always managed to pull back before contact, but I am not risking it anymore. She will still nicely touch her beak to my hand or shoulder, though. I have to be very careful when opening her cage in the morning and changing her water and food. She can't bite me, but she often lunges and knocks the cage with her beak and scolds "Ah! Ah!" (imitating me when I admonish her for bad behavior). When I put her to bed at night, she steps up nicely but often "pops" me with her beak and says "Ah Ah" as I put her in her cage. It isn't a bite, but more of a beak slap. Sometimes when I see she is about to do that, I say "No No" and she usually stops before making contact. When we stay at my parents house for a day or two, however, she actually bites me. Tonight when I put her to bed she bit me and kept her beak dug into my skin with a hard pinch. It broke the skin slightly. I've been saying "No bite" and giving her "the look", but she just throws my words back at me. She is definitely worse at my parents' house. Much more acting up. The odd thing is that when I put her bed, she actually wants to go to sleep. She always asks for bed several times before I have her step up. She won't just put herself to bed. I have encouraged that and waited, but she won't just go in on her own. Sometimes I wonder if simply not reacting at all might work better than saying "Ah Ah no bite!". Time out doesn't work because this only happens when I put her to bed. I know this sort of behavior is not uncommon at her age, but I want to minimize it and nip it in the bud. I worry when she reaches sexual maturity it might become a more serious problem.

I like all the names. You mentioned "Ronan". That made me think of "Ronin" . I used to live in Japan and a "ronin" is a renegade samurai whose leader has been killed. The Ronin then live the rest of their days to avenge their master's death. It's kinda cool in my mind. Sometimes a grey's beak can strike like a samurai sword!

Cinnyminis: So are you still considering the orange wing and/or grey, or are you leaning more toward eclectus now? I think all three are great. I'm sure you are aware that much is made of the differences between male and female eclectus' personality. I haven't had any experience, so I only know what is written and said about them. It seems that females can be the boss and must be handled very carefully when hormonal. I hate to say it, but females sort of get a bad rap. I doubt it is deserved, but they may require special care and understanding upon reaching sexual maturity. Of course the word on males is just the opposite, lovable chaps who seem to enjoy the whole family. Again, as we all know, each parrot is different and generalities should be taken with a grain of salt. Can't wait to hear what you decide.

I love the way Amazon parrots sing. They are truly talented! Greys are not the best singers...at least my Gracie isn't. She sings a lot, bless her, but she is tone deaf.

What was he eating before he came to you? You might start with that and slowly introduce new things one by one. Greys don't like sudden change. As far as touch and petting, don't rush that. He is not a baby anymore and will likely only accept touch when he really knows and trusts you. That will take weeks or months or may never happen at all. My Congo doesn't like much touch from me and I have had her since she was a baby. She shows love in other ways, and I am fine with that. Slow and steady wins the race my friend. Welcome to the forum and keep us updated on Rio!

Thank you for sharing your wonderful day with Alfie with us. Made me smile.

Glad things are starting well. Great photos.

Gracie likes to hear herself too. She starts to repeat after herself when she hears a recording of her voice.

Gracie's first word/phrase was "step up". Then "Hi baby". From 10-13 months she just said a few words here and there, and then at 14 months she started adding new words and phrases daily. They are all on their own timetable. It is fun as they learn and communication takes place.

Gracie is a little monkey/bat too! She also likes to screech when she is hanging upside down. All very normal.

They sure know what they want!

Looking forward to hearing updates.--and seeing pics.