JeffNOK

Welcome! I can't wait to hear more about your new addiction...er..... addition--oops (I accidentally wrote "addiction" first and was about to edit it when I realized that Greys do become a sort of addiction! Freudian slip I guess). I don't know if this is your first grey, or if you have experience with them, but all I can say is that it is a wild, wonderful and unexpected ride. I can't even begin to imagine my life without my little CAG Gracie. It is just the absolute best!

Any possible candidates?

I haven't been on the forum as much lately, so I missed this post when you lost Sunny. I just want to say how sorry I am and that I know the emotions are raw, especially since it coincided with Zoey's death last year. In spite of the loss, I know the life and love shared was genuine and eternal.

Definite "awwww" moment. Elephants are completely magical. There are depths there we have no idea about.

Nancy, grief can come like a flood and surprise us even after a year. It is only a testament to the love and connection you had with Zoey. I can still get teary over the loss of beloved companions many years gone. Allow your heart to heal at its pace. Know that we really do understand how you feel and support you in this time.

Feather picking is still a bit of a mystery. My CAG Gracie never touched a feather until she was 3 years old and then she had a little plucking episode. I was shocked at it's sudden onset. One day perfect plumage and in three days she had extensive damage. I felt guilty. I was sure i was to blame despite my best efforts to give her the best life possible. I also took her to the vet and got a clean bill of health. I started misting her with aloe vera and increased her access to sunlight. She improved within a month. Then in January, it happened again. The fluff and bare patches emerged again. It was so upsetting. This week, her feathers are back in good order with no sign of plucking. I don't know what caused it or how it ended. Frequent baths and lots of sunlight will hopefully help, but sometimes we just don't know why they do this. Don't beat yourself up.

In spite of the logistical issues about going back in the cage, it seems Nilah is super happy and welcoming the spring. I can relate! Enjoy her zest for life and joy of existence. My CAG Gracie seems to be reveling in the change of seasons, too. Yesterday she spent an hour singing at the top of her lungs, "Happy Happy Happy--Gracie is a HAPPY bird!" over and over. She is only 3 and a half--so no mating hormones yet. The positive energy is infectious. I couldn't be in a bad mood if I tried.

LOL! This thread makes me laugh. I thank my lucky stars every day that Gracie my CAG only does an occasional cough.

I am no expert. But when I first started visiting my CAG at the breeders before she was weaned, I interacted with baby birds. It seems that babies are actually quite trusting. With time, many greys become more reserved and wary of the unknown, but the babies appear to be open, docile, and trusting at a young age. I think your baby is a very normal little bird.

Welcome to the forum. Six weeks is pretty young. How is the hand feeding going? I know there are lots of people here who can help if you have questions. Have you had parrots before? You are in for an amazing adventure! I can't imagine my life without my grey. They are the absolute best! Good luck and keep us posted. Pictures are very much appreciated, too.

I love the pumpkin pic!

I am always amazed at the empathy and understanding our greys can show. Sophie knew how tired you were, but wanted to be close. My Gracie always knows my moods and does her best to respect them. Last weekend I was also really tired and after waking to feed her, I took a nap on the couch. Gracie was as quiet as a mouse as the hours ticked away. The minute she saw my eyes open she said "Good morning Daddy. Daddy take nap!" It was almost noon.

Welcome! I look forward to hearing more from you.

Good luck to you and Rio. Definitely focus on positive reinforcement, choices, space, calm, and as much love "good vibes" as possible. Grey time is slow, but you can and will build trust if you keep at it and move according to his timetable. It took several months for my grey to bond to me, but it did happen and we are very very close now. Don't get discouraged, and feel free to come here and vent.

Thanks for posting. You have quite a feathered crew there. Never a dull moment I'm sure.

Glad to hear things are progressing. Would love to see some pics of your rescues.

Hope the hatchday was great for Corky, and you too Ray.

That's a beautiful Christmas picture! Thanks for posting.

Prayers and good wishes to you and your continued good health.

Very cool documentary. Nature on PBS does some fascinating stuff. Thanks for sharing.

Sure. That is completely normal. Do you have a Timneh or a Congo? The Timneh often say their first words around six months, but Congos usually start talking at around one year. Of course all Greys are different and some may not talk, but at six months few will be saying much if anything. My CAG Gracie said her first words at about 8 months but didn't really start talking a lot until 14 months.

Has anyone tried the live catch "humane traps?" I want to work my way from 1) talking to it (obvious fail), 2) live catch (might work?), 3)Rest In Peace....

Hi all, I have seen a mouse in my condo. I don't know if he is alone, or has a family. But I need to find a way to get rid of him/them. What advice do you have for rodent elimination in a home with a parrot? Obviously any sprayed poison is out. Are d-con pellets ok if they are kept in a place Gracie can't get to them? Traps? I don't want to do the sticky traos--too cruel. Help--this stressing me out! The first few days I just tried talking to the mouse and asking him to leave....didn't work...lol Jeff

My CAG Gracie makes up "words" to songs. When I teach her new songs, she always learns the tune faster than the lyrics, so she fills in the gaps with words of her own invention that fit the rhythm of the song. One of the funniest examples is when I taught her the song "I Wanna Be Like You" from The Jungle Book. She added her own original scat jazz riff of "Doo doo dee doo..woo woo dooby doo". It was a hoot.

Yes, a character indeed.