JeffNOK

Steve, thanks for understanding. I think I'm still in the awe stage.

Please forgive me if I feel the need to brag on my little girl too much. She is just coming into her own these days and amazes me with her mind and language. I want to share two stories. 1. Last week a friend of mine, Pam, came over for pizza and a movie. Gracie knows Pam, but is unsure of her. She is much more familiar with another friend of mine, Marie, who comes over every Thursday and dotes on Gracie. Well Pam came over and went to greet Gracie. She said, "Pam is here!". Gracie eyed her for a minute, backed away and said "Gracie wanna see Marie!". It didn't end there. For the next four hours Pam tried to engage Gracie. Every time she talked to Gracie, Gracie said "Gracie wanna see MARIE! Marie come see Gracie." She actually emphasized the name Marie" as if to say=="You are not the one I wish to see. I want to see Marie." 2. Today I had to have a new sink installed in my condo. There was a chance that some chemical sealers would be used, so I had Gracie stay at my parents for the day. I went to my parents for dinner and afterwards started to pack up for the journey home. Gracie reads all the signs and knows what is going on. As she saw me getting my jacket and keys, she said "Gracie go bye bye in car. Step up. Back in cage. Go to Gracie's house. Bye bye!" When I tell people these things, I worry they think I'm making this up. My parents and Pam know better. I mean, Gracie is almost 20 months old--would a 20 month old human behave differently? In all fairness I have to confess that when I started reading this thread, I thought, "surely these people are exaggerating. Is this really true?" I'm a believer now.

Very nice. Love that your birds get to enjoy the great outdoors so often. I'm looking forward to spring and getting Gracie out to the park.

Welcome. Glad you are here. Love the pic.

Gracie certainly calls me by name, as well as about 4 other people and the dog. Dolphins are pretty darn cool though. Their communication goes way beyond names. I watched a documentary once where trained dolphins were told to surprise their trainers with a series of "tricks" (behaviors) that they could choose and sort of "improv" without a human trainer dirrecting them. Four dolphins went underwater and seemed to "converse" for a few seconds, and then perfectly executed a series of flips and dives and dorsal and tail-fin poses in unison with Radio City Music Hall Rockette precision. Every time they were asked to do this, they kind of huddled together first, nose to nose, and then did something different each time. There was no human intervention. Amazing if you ask me.

I am not an expert, but from what I have seen and read, the eye of a mature grey is a straw color--not yellow exactly. My CAG is 20 months old and her eyes are changing for sure, but not yet a straw color. In the picture of Sassy the color looks more "straw-like" than my Grey's. So I am guessing she is older than 2. Whether she is five or not I couldn't say. Who told you she was 5? I'm sure others will be more helpful. http://www.pamperedpeeps.com/eye.htm The above link has some eye color comparissons.

Wonderful update Greycie seems to be very happy and getting used to her environment.

I don't have multiple birds, but I would have separate out of cage time for now until you begin to see what kind of dynamic exists. After that, very carefully supervised out of cage time would be necessary. With birds of such different sizes you can't be too careful.

Great news! I'm sorry you were worried. Nilah is a character. Glad she is feeling ok.

sassy is very inquisitive.

sassy really seems to enjoy those scritches! Thanks for posting.

birdhouse, I enjoyed the posted video. It made me smile. I'm sad things went down hill in this thread so quickly. Jayd, I personally didn't see anything wrong with your "rule reminder". I see similar reminders from time to time from all the moderators. Both of you contribute so much, and I hope something like this will not lessen either of your involvment here. I know I step on toes from time to time, and I have also felt hurt by an occassional response from another forum member. For the most part, I believe these are unintentional. In any case, the one thing I have learned in this forum is the mantra of "patience" and not taking it personally when we get bitten. I think these things apply to our relationship with our fids as well as to each other. Please don't make any rash decisions. Sleep on it. Let the emotions settle. Allow peace to return, and then come back here and be the wonderful people you are.

Jayd--your comments were very insightful and came from experience. I certainly didn't take it in any bad way. I want to stay very active in this forum in order to learn from you all who have spent time with greys as they develop over the years.

When I referred to surprises I certainly meant those we may not like as well. I am enjoying the strides we have made and am trying to prepare for the full-on terrible twos and the hormonal insanity that may await. The bond we are establishing now will hopefully see us through.

One thing I have learned as I have been a grey companion is that the relationship evolves and deepens with time. I have had my CAG Gracie about 14 months. Things moved slowly at first and I figured "well this is how things will be with us." I have been so surprised to see growth and connection in consistent steps forward for the duration. It makes me realise that the sky is the limit with time patience and love. I'm glad jellybean is happy and giving you love. He will continually surprise you.

Recently Gracie has been putting more phrases together and using words creatively with combinations she has never heard. This weekend I went to my parents home for the weekend to celebrate my birthday. She has names for many people. She calls my mother "mommy" and my dad "BIll". Well, I went out to meet a friend, and after I left Gracie flew over near where my mother was sitting and said< "Daddy go bye bye in car. Gracie stay home with Mommy." Now the first phrase, "Daddy go bye bye car", Gracie has heard many times. However, she has never heard "Gracie stay home with mommy." Often Gracie will ask me "Daddy go bye bye in car?" If I am not going anywhere, I just say "No, Daddy stay home with Gracie". Gracie swtiched the names in order to describe the current situation. My mom was dumbfounded and couldn't wait to tell me when I got home.

Lol I can relate to the great volumes of writing we do about our fids. I could probably just take my posts here and use them as several chapters of a book.

Alfie is pretty daring. You were right to jump in and intervene quickly.

Gracie has only laughed one time and that was right after I first got her and she was imitating a friend. Maybe I don't laugh enough when I'm with her. There is such joy in laughter. I would love to hear that more.

You are wise to set normal expectations for Pearl. She needs to get used to your work schedule and absence. I would continue to give her extra attention in small doses, and then return her to deal with a degree of independence. What strikes me most about your post is how different all of our birds are, and how we face unique challenges with them. When I first got Gracie I would have given anything for your problem. My grey was never a cuddler. I have yet to touch her head or neck. After a year with me she finally perched on my shoulder for a few minutes this past Christmas. I was so excited I had a picture taken and posted it here. I would pay serious money to have one cuddle with Gracie. It may never happen. On the other hand, she loves her toys, is very self confident, never bites, talks up a storm and shows her love in many non-tactile ways. She isn't fearful and accepts new people and situations. Just like humans, we have to accept our greys as they are and be thankful for what they bring to our lives. As a young bird Pearl is at her most cuddly. She may remain that way, but odds are she will gradually become more "her own person" as she matures. Enjoy that (With her best interest in mind) while you can.

I was wondering about you too Nancy. Glad you are better. I have heard rib fractures are really tough.Glad u are on the mend.

Gracie loves my parents' Toy Fox Terrier. She loves to call him over and dump her food bowl to the floor for him to eat. Cats on the other hand are a different story. She is terrified of my nephew's cat (my nephew is living with my parents temorarily). When my father brought the cat over for an introduction, Gracie screamed and thrashed about. Now the cat is shut away during visits even when Gracie is in her cage.

As a typical grey, Gracie is very aware of her surroundings and can be spooked. This seems to be much rarer as she grows and becomes more confident. Flying is definately a plus for her. She knows she can get away from things that make her uncomfortable. Also, she does what I call "positve self talk". Sometimes if there is loud noise or if she gets bumped riding in the car, she will often say..."It's okay. Don't be scared" to herself. She almost never says that otherwise. I think she is reassuring herself and doesn't get freaked out. When she says this I also agree with her and repeat this assurance back to her. New toys and objects generally aren't a problem although she will eye them suspiciously for a few minutes before approaching.

Congrats to you and Alfie! It is really exciting when then they start talking. For me it has added a positive dimension to my relationship with Gracie. I would have been just fine if she had never uttered a word, but it can really be fun and when they use their words to express their desires and feelings. It can opens doors to understanding. Gracie still hasn't said "hello". She says "Hi", "hiya" and "hey there". Sometimes it can be a mixed blessing, though. Gracie often gets certain phrases in her mind and repeats them over and over. Other times it sounds like the stream of consciousness of "Rain Man" with such randomness that I have no idea what is going on in her brain.

Gracie was and still is a jibber jabber girl. It's fun to try to work out what they are trying to say.