JeffNOK

The name "Pearl" makes me think of the Biblical parable of the "Pearl of Great Price" where the owner sold all he had to obtain it. Greys are precious like that.

I named my grey Gracie wthout even thinking about the "Grey" in Gracie. I just liked the sound of it. Gracie loves her name--It's her favorite word.

WELCOME HOME!!!! Sorry for the rough time. I know the probable diagnosis isn't what you were expecting. Our hearts are with you.

I certainly don't think you are being selfish. Socializing our greys is important so that they don't fear people and can be handled in veterinary situations or if you marry and start a family etc. We want them to be OK with people. However, for now I would just have her around people but have them keep a respectful distance until she shows that she is relaxed. There is no rushing a grey.

I feel it happens in steps and just grows with time. I knew she owned my heart months ago (I've had her for a year)--but she seems to own more and more of me as time goes on. I am having a play I wrote performed in a city a couple of hours from my home. They have all these wonderful events planned for me and have invited me to stay the weekend all expenses paid. I had to write and say that I would drive in for the performance and then head back home because of my parrot. I was almost embarassed to decline the invitation because of a bird--but that's just how it is. I have not yet left her overnight with anyone and I didn't want to do it unless necessary. It was a no brainer decision for me that many might find odd.

I just want to add that from your description of your relationship with Edo, she seems to be a very happy girl and loves you to death. The trust she has in you indicates that she is content and comfortable in her life with you. She doesn't need to love or even like strangers. In reality you are all she requires. Of course you don't want her to feel deathly afraid when others are near, but with time she will likely learn that strangers don't mean harm. I would suggest that you just ask visitors to keep their distance. In a perfect world it might be nice if she accepted treats from outsiders or allowed more contact, but I don't see this as a necessary to her mental or emotional health. You are her world. You are enough.

I have the same travel cage that judygram mentioned. It has worked great. We use it all the time for outings and visits. If he is going to be with you at work all day, you might consider a permanent larger cage that you can keep there. I don't know your situation, but if your workplace allows it, it might work better than the travel cage. I'm really glad you are taking your grey to work so that his life will be enriched. I was planning on taking my grey to work as well, but building security stopped that plan (my employer was fine with it--but the rules of the building forbid animals). Thankfully I am only away from 8:30-2:00 most days, so Gracie and I have lots of time together.

I find that really precious.

I will put you and Winston on my prayer list. Keep us posted.

well done!

Dan I'm sure you provided him a wonderful life. There is just nothing like a loyal dog. They don't stay with us long enough, but they sure pack a ton of love and life into the years God grants them. I pray he is resting in a shady spot near the Rainbow Bridge.

dhorje--You photos are all just fantastic. They are so calming and peaceful. Great to look at in the evening after work.

It seems you have done a great job of exposing your grey to new people and situations. Keep that up. As luvparrots mentioned, some greys really are uncomfortable with strangers while others are less so. It seems to be a common issue. My CAG does not particularly want "up close and personal" interaction with strangers, although she seems pretty chill as long as they keep a respectful distance. She allows my mother and father (who we visit regularly) to give her beak kisses and offer treats. She will also step up on them with some hesitation. As for most other people--if they get too close she will fly off. Thankfully she doesn't growl or seem stressed--she just decides to "relocate". I'm curious, is your grey flighted? I read a quote from Barbara Heidenreich that said that greys in particular seem to be less phobic when they are flighted because they know if they don't like something, they can fly away from it. Having said that, flighted or not many greys just prefer a very small circle of friends. This isn't a bad thing as long as your bird isn't overly stressed by the presence of others.

Hi Iffkica. If you go to the Welcome and Introduction room the very first thread posted at the top is entitled "How To Post Pictures". That thread will give the instructions you need. I look forward to seeing Puki.

Many people have a separate sleep cage for their parrots. This cage can often be much smaller than their daily use cage and can be kept in a darker quieter place. I don't personally have a sleep cage for Gracie my CAG however.

Best wishes for you and Gracie. I have a CAG named Gracie! Bless you for giving her a loving home.

All sorts of things will start coming out of Jasper's mouth--especially words associated with your daily routine like "work". One you thing you might also notice is that he might say something he heard a long time ago. Last week Gracie started saying "Where's Bailey?". Bailey was my parents lab that sadly was put down in June. She wasn't even talking then, yet somehow that word must have stuck. What worries me is that a few months ago I let a four letter word slip out. I only said it once and Gracie never copied it. But now I feel I can never really be sure it won't come out. Gracie may have filed it away for use at a later date.

I have to say I almost didnt say anything---but in my heart of hearts I want to encourage you to try to do whatever you can to be able to keep ur bird. Regular baths aloe vera vacuuming whatever it takes.

I usually keep three toys in the rotation--i add and remove toys weekly.

I guess my feeling is that it doesn't matter so much what exact word or expression we use as long as it is consistent and associated with our emotions. Greys are fantastic at reading us and will get our meaning. I feel for LovelySydney. It must be very tough trying to figure out what caused this reaction. It's my biggest fear with Gracie. Everything is peachy keen and smooth sailing now(better than when she was a baby--I never got that cuddly compliant fid that many did) , but I pray every day I will be ready for the terrible twos. Gracie is a year and a half now. I hear the clock tick tick ticking....

Rocky is a handsome Zon. His name suits him. I do have to ask which bird was...how shall I say it..."vocalizing" in the background. Was it the Quaker? It didn't sound like it could be a grey. I've never heard my CAG sound that loud.

Great to hear of your progress. Sounds like you are doing everything right.

Such losses are tough. It's amazing how quickly we can let these little feathered guys into our hearts. Keep us posted on Lilly 2. Glad her presence has eased the pain a bit.

It's not uncommon for greys to be closet talkers. What is the history on your bird? How long have you had him? How old is he?

Hope he had a special day! Oliver is looking really good.