JeffNOK

Gracie really started going at about 14 months. She said her first word at 8-9 months. By a year she had about 10 words. Then at 14 months she just took off. Jasper may be developing in a similar fashion.

Gracie still loves when I ocassionally feed her warm formula. She is 18 months old today. I'm not sure if she will outgrow it.

Very glad you have found the forum. Welcome to you and Mickey. We all look forward to hearing more abiout your life with your grey.

Welcome! I have a female CAG about the same age (hatched July 2011). They sure are great aren't they? Glad you are here. Keep us updated on life with Penny.

It's very important that we have a good idea of what we are getting into when we make the decision to get a parrot. Yes, when you look at a list like the one provided above, it can be daunting. I spent a long time "counting the cost" before I took the plunge and got Gracie. Life with Gracie has proven that everything you wrote is true. At the same time, however, it is totally OK. I think education helped me prepare mentally and materially for what I would encounter with a parrot. Yes there is mess and noise and bites and expense and destruction and modifications to my life that have been made for Gracie's well-being. But one can get used to anything when it becomes the norm in your life. The rewards are worth it. Parrots are definately not for everyone, however. I hope all visitors to this forum take the time to read this sticky and then investigate further in the process of making a decision about whether or not a parrot fits into their lives.

She does four animal sounds--monkey, cat, chicken and dog. The only "authentic" sound is the dog. The others are imitations of my imitations. The things I find cute that Gracie says are: Gracie is a stinker Gracie is a smartypants Gracie looooves TOY! (said while attacking toy) Stretchy Stretchy (said while stretching legs or wings) Gracie wanna kiss--no bite! (the no bite was added about a month ago after she bit me. Now she says it to assure me of her good intentions.) Daddy is a good boy! (flattery will get her whatever she wants!) I''ve kept a list of her expressions, and so far she says about 55 phrases (with well over 100 words). She will be 18 months old tomorrow. Time really flies.

Yes Dan, although Gracie has allowed me to film her "in person" in recent weeks--I still tend to set up the cam and leave the room when I film her. My friends were amused that she called for the monkey when I left the room--as if she thinks of me as a fur challenged simian.

First, I would like to say that you coming here and asking a question right away is not selfish at all--far from it. You are thinking about the well-being of a precious animal near and dear to all of our hearts here on this forum. It does concern me that getting rid of air fresheners, fabreeze, teflon and certain cleaning products is being met with resistance. For me it was a very small sacrifice to make for the benefit of my parrot. As mentioned earlier a little vinegar and water does great for cleaning. Stainless steel cooks as well as teflon and there are non-stick parrot safe products made now as well. Life with an African Grey is not really a great option for those who are looking to do things on the cheap. Healthy food, toys (I buy new toys every few weeks--greys get bored) , vet visits (avian vets), and a quality cage are all essentials--not something that are luxuries or "options". Most Greys talk--some don't. No guarantees. Do you live with your father? If so, will you be taking part in its care? If not, do you think your father is really fully informed and ready to take on this responsibility? When I got my grey I did a lot of research and soul seraching. I knew that i had to be absolutely ready to make sacrifices and put my parrot's needs and wants before my comfort, convenience or amusement. My Grey didn't choose to live with me. I chose her destiny when I brought her into my life and she deserves my best. All greys deserve our very best. I wish to strongly urge you to encourage your father to put the breaks on any decisions concerning getting a grey until he is fully informed and fully prepared to do what is necessary to provide a good life for a bird. Read as much as you can here in this forum and ask your father to do the same. I am glad you have come here. I don't mean to seem critical of your father, but I have such a love and respect for African Greys (all birds in fact) that I need to speak honestly and frankly before any damage is done. I wish you luck and keep us posted.

Very nice video. The Too is great. I also love to see your daughter so involved and so seemingly comfortable with your parrots.

My CAG Gracie went through a phase from about 6-8 months where she tested boundaries. It sounds very similar to what you are experiencing with Dali. She does still have her moods, but they occur less often. She is now a year and a half. One thing I would suggest is that you choose your battles. Tossing food out of the dish is a losing battle. Greys throw food. I think this is a natural behavior. If the food mess is a problem, I recommend that you restrict feeding to inside the cage or put newspaper down on the floor around his playstand. I would try to focus on the non-negotiables to enforce and let Dali have freedom in other aspects of his life. In my case--I more or less let Gracie do what she wants as long as it is safe for her. I enforce the step up only when I need to put her in her cage when I leave for work and bedtime or when we travel somewhere. I also enforce the step up when she flies somewhere dangerous for her or when she lands on something she wants to destroy, and I would rather she didn't. Those are my non-negotiables. Think about what yours are and focus there. I think Dali will start to chill when he knows the rules and also feels free to make choices within the boundaries you set for him.

They are all so different and interesting.

In a seaprate post I mentioned that when it comes to talking sometimes Gracie speaks very cognitively and meaningfully and at other times she likes to repeat sounds she likes ad nauseum. Well a few weeks ago she was on a kick with "Where's the monkey? Ooh Ooh Ohh Ahh Ahh Ahh:. Here is a small sample of what sometimes went on for 15-20 minutes. One thing you will notice at the beginning of the video is her saying "Step Up" while raising her foot. So I guess this video represents both words with meaning and words simply for the way they sound.

I love Luna's enthusiasm!

Lol cute pic. She shares my sentiments about tickets. I don't think the court will accept the "My bird ate my ticket" excuse however.

My CAG Gracie has never liked being scratched or petted. She is now a year and a half and she will allow beak kisses and she will touch my hand or cheek with her beak. She may allow more touching later, or she may not. It used to bother me that she didn't seem to like hands or touch--but we are so bonded now i don't care that much. Be pateint and see what happens.

Caiques are a hoot! Can't wait to hear more. Nice pic of the two birds together. Neytiri looks like a drill sergeant inspecting the new recruit!

I have to disagree with the theory that whistling impedes speech. Like what luvparrots shared about Stirling Gris--Gracie and I whistled together before any words were spoken. Now that she speaks, she whistles much less often. When she was 5 and 6 months old Gracie would imitate my whistles. I think that began our communication. When she developed to where speech was possible, words naturally followed. I say whistle away!

If she's anything like Gracie my CAG, Neytiri may well go from zero to sixty before you can blink. At one year-old Gracie said about 10 words. Then all of a sudden she just started throwing new words out evey few days. She is almost a year and a half and has well over 100 words in her active vocabulary. Keep us posted on Neytiri. It can be very interesting and funny to hear what they come up with and when they choose to use their "speech." Of course grey speech can be a mixed blessing. Gracie once spent about 30 minutes just repeating "Where's the monkey?--Ooh Ooh Ooh Ahh Ahh Ahh!". When they like the sound of something, they can get OCD about it. On the other hand, Gracie often speaks intelligently in context and we have "conversations" of sorts that narrate our daily lives. It has brought us closer to be able to communicate meaningfully.

It's great how close your birds have become. I worry if I got a second fid Gracie would be very displeased.

I know it's probably no big deal, but in the last couple of days Gracie has started to regurgitate when I am close to her. The first time she did it, I didn't know what she was doing at all. Today it was very clear and she seemed very intent on trying to feed me. I just stepped away and gave her some space. Isn't Gracie a bit young for this? She will be 18 months old next week. I know this is normal behavior, so I'm not worried. But, as you may know, Gracie is not a cuddle bird. I don't pet her, so I'm not sure what I am doing to cause this.

It's always good to get back to the normal routine. I think the holidays were good for Gracie. She went out visiting a lot and seemed to connect with new people. We may keep up the social schedule a bit now just to keep the gains we have made.

Happy anniversary of sorts.

Sorry you got bitten Nancy. The feelings do get hurt more than the actual physical pain. Hopefully you will go at least another ten years before Kiki bites you again. I had gone about three months without a bite when Gracie got me several weeks ago. We had "talk" about that and now one of Gracie's favorite phrases is "No Bite"--and she hasn't (knock wood).

That's wonderful news. It just goes to show that even if a long time passes, greys can still surprise us and acquire new skills. Glad Sophie is enjoying her wings.

This bonding issue with greys is such a difficult thing to understand. I'm single and live alone, so my CAG Gracie never had a choice. Whether the primary bond changes or not, I do pray that you can have a great relationship with your grey.