JeffNOK

Tile sure flies doesn't it? Happy Happy Hatchday Jake!

I am all for anything that solidifies a bond between grey and parront. I must admit I haven't done any trick training with my CAG Gracie. I think she would just look at me like "Are we being serious here?" Either that or she would start using the clicker training on me! Good luck and keep us posted.

Jayd--You were very clear. I just started writing my post before I saw your post

I wish you the best. I don't have any experience with this issue but I just want to encourage you. There are lots of people who have dealt with this issue and they will surely reply soon. Just try not to lose heart, know you are not alone, and understand that this is something that can be dealt with. Nancy has given some good advice and more will follow.

These are indeed tough questions. Gracie pretty much did everything but the a proper bath from the start. We still don't shower, but she gets a good soaking from a spray bottle and enjoys it. She doesn't allow much touch, but will give kisses. She is 20 months old, and I would say her eyes are not yellow yet. They are a kind of a silvery/yellow blend. Your little grey is likely over a year old. But I believe all things happen for a reason, and God has seen to it that Miranda made her way to you. In any case, the mantra here is patience--give your grey choices, never force anything unless safety is involved, and just love from your heart as much as you can. It will all be ok. A nice close pic of your greys eyes will help us narrow age down a bit. After age 5 it's pretty hard if not impossible to tell by the eyes.

"O-O-O-Klahoma where the wind comes sweeping down the plain!"--More tornadoes per square mile than any place on earth! We are also home to the International Cow Chip Throwing Contest and the birthplace of Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Carrie Underwood and Brad Pitt. We used to lay claim to the world's largest parairie dog, but Kansas stole that title!

Greys aren't known for being particularly loud. They are vocal and chatty and occassionally do the "Kill the toy pterodactyl screech" but this is not very often. I live in a condo with shared walls with three sets of neighbors and no one even knows I have a parrot.

Well--I just won't be inviting my father to move in with me--LOL Frasier Crane I am not, and my mom would be sorely put out. I agree you can't choose who your grey "picks"--but I am really her only choice in this matter. It would be horrible for everyone if she chose someone she only sees a couple times a month. I know this sounds horrible, but if I had a girlfriend that "stole" Gracie's affection from me, I would dump her immediately . Any future romantic interests must be despised by Gracie! I mean love fades but a grey lasts a lifetime.

Well I returned from three days away from Gracie. I called every day and got good reports. When I got home Gracie seemed neither overjoyed to see me nor miffed at me. She appeared generally okay although I was hoping for a warmer reception. The one thing that changed while I was gone was her relationship with my father. Before the trip she liked him, but was not overly attached. Now she seems very bonded to him. When he starts to leave the room she flies after him. She tries to get his attention by chatting to him and making kissing sounds, In short she is acting towards him like she usually acts towards me. Now, she wasn't exactly uninterested in me. She paid me attention and sought my notice and affection, but she was really drawn to my father. Should this worry me? Obviously I live on my own with Gracie and she won't be seeing my dad on a daily basis, but I fear if we all shared a home she would be tempted to switch bonds. I admit I was more than a little hurt. She likes lots of people, but this was different. It was "my territory", and I didn't like it. Any thoughts?

You know I noticed you were in the Dallas area and would love to meet your flock. I feel I know you and many of your fids already.

Ray I'm really sorry to read this. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I know it was a shock. The pics are very nice--she looks absolutely lovely. I know you would have done anything for her if you had known she needed your help. When we open our hearts we risk the pain--but I know it is worth it. My condolences.

Yep--Trance posted the beloved boing. It's a great perch and moves in a way that they can play and swing and attack their toys. In my opinion the boing is a must when you have a parrot. My CAG loves hers. You can hang them anywhere and the birds just love 'em.

Nice video. Tango has such a sweet voice. I feel sorry for my Gracie--a small female CAG--who sounds like me--a 6ft4 man. Her voice lacks the elegance that yours has!

Well the time has finally arrived. I am going to a conference in Dallas for three days and I have to leave Gracie. She will be staying with my parents. The good thing is that she knows them and likes them. The bad part is that she will not step up on them or let them handle her unless she is in trouble after a crash landing. We have converted a small office into a bird room and have made it "bird safe". She will have her cage door open to go in and out as she pleases. Both my parents are retired and will be home most of the day. They have said they will hang out with her and be with her several hours a day. I think it will work out, but Gracie has become kind of needy over the last couple of months. She hates to be away from me. Every morning when I get ready to leave for work, she starts pulling on the heart strings. She says "Daddy go bye bye in car. Daddy go to work. Gracie want Daddy. " She often lands on my head and grabs on to my hair to keep me from going. Please tell she me she will be ok. I know you have been there. She won't start plucking or hate me when I return will she?

Gracie appears to understand gender. At first Gracie learned the phrase "Gracie is a good girl." Then she started saying "Daddy is a good girl", so I would correct her and say "No, Daddy is a good boy." After a while she started saying various friends were good boys and girls. Now she is dead on accurate with her gender specification. Daddy, Bill, and Barkleah the dog are always good boys. Gracie. Mommy, Pam, and Marie are good girls. I never taught her this. I didn't ever say Bill is a boy and Mommy is a girl. She gets it right almost every time without fail. I'm still trying to figure out how she is able to do it--especially with non-avians like humans and at least one dog. How does she know? I assure you, we all dress very modestly--well not the dog.....and he has short hair so it can be kind of "in your face"--lol

Lol...was that MBS Maggie?

Welcome to the forum. Glad you're here and I am excited for you and your new addition. I couldn't find the dimensions for the cage, but it looks OK for a TAG provided your bird has a lot of out of cage time. It looks about the same size as the one I use for my CAG when we visit my parents house. She is really only in there sleep and it works fine. If your TAG is going to be in the cage for many hours at a time aside from sleeping, you might consider something somewhat bigger.

I am counting my blessings that Gracie doesn't do the shrill, ear splitting contact calling (yet anyway). She mainly does a lot of talking...On occassion she does an irritatiing cough she knows I hate. If all else fails she announces that she will dump her food bowl--which she knows will get me running back. I have allowed myself to become putty in her talons.

Lol...well the 70s countertops went with the 70s musical soundtrack. Very harmonius! Dayo is really beautiful and I love the little pixie-like "hello:". It warms the heart. When Gracie talks she sounds more like Satan in "The Exorcist" (another 70s reference). That is especially disconcerting when she sings "Jesus Loves Me".

I agree with the analogy of someone flipping a switch. It seems to happen so suddenly. It is pretty cool and it's just the beginning.

Lol...I can sympathize with your sister. I was new to parrots just a short time ago and I would have been easily intimidated with a large parrot on my shoulder making demands. I'm sure Kiki meant no harm, but your sister doesn't live in "our world" yet and was likely fearful.

Thanks for keeping us updated on everything. You seem to have very good attitude and approach to life with your flock. Sassy sounds like a challenge--but an entertaining one. Hopefully the bites will soon diminish significantly.

The reason we are asking if your male is a pet or a breeder is because it can be potentially disastrous to put a pet with a breeder. They are not compatible and it can be dangerous.

Is your male grey a breeder or companion bird?

Lol glad you and Sophie are enjoying your time/