JeffNOK

When I first starting researching parrots with the idea of purchasing one, the things I read scared me away from Amazons. Ray is right when he mentions how often aggression is talked about. Males in particular were characterized as being untouchable after the hormones kicked in at 5 or 6. I suspect that many articles are intentionally written to discourage parrot ownership. The horror stories about phobic plucking greys were also numerous. This forum has been a wonderful eye opener for me in terms of life with Amazons. I now would welcome the opportunity to live with an Amazon if the stars aligned just right. I have come to the opinion that horror stories happen when people are unprepared for life with a parrot. When the proper education, dedication, and love are present life with any species of parrot can be a joy for all involved. Cricket, Nilah, Louie, Kiki and others have been wonderful ambassadors and educators.

Greycie has very developed empathy. Greys seem to be known for this and your little girl seems true to her species. It warms the heart , doesn't it? Hope you and the wife are doing better.

Nancy, is there less danger to exposure to disease at a bird trimmer's? Is it that a vet's office is more likely to have sick birds than a trimmer's? I too worry about disease, but I also worry about taking Gracie to a vet after she shows symptoms because often that is too late. I want to only do what is in her best interest, but it is hard to know. Maybe I should ask if my avian vet could do house calls. It is like people who go into the hospital for a routine procedure and die of infections they acquire there. A Catch-22.

I am glad your story ended well. My CAG is flighted, so I try to be extra diligent whenever a door opens. But the unexpected can happen. Once when I was driving with Gracie, she somehow opened the door of her travel cage and attempted to fly to my shoulder. Had a window been open she might have been gone. Despite our best efforts, accidents can and do happen.

The breeder misted Gracie from the start. I have to admit that I was not that regular with baths until she started picking her tummy feathers a few weeks back. Now I bathe her twice a day with water and aloe and she loves it. In fact she asks for baths now. Twice a day at 8 am and 6pm she says "Wanna Bath". I love to see her close her eyes and bask in the mist. I wish I had been better about it before. She used to scratch herself a lot, but since the water and aloe--she rarely scratches or seems uncomfortable.

Time will tell. You are at a very fun stage with Poet. I spent months trying to decipher what Gracie might be saying. I even posted videos of Gracie in the forum to get members to comment on what they thought she might be trying to say. They go through a "babble stage" where they make sounds that are clearly not natural bird sounds but are attempts to imitate human language. If what you heard sounded like words, it is very likely that Poet is listening and processing language and will soon come out with words that are clear and understandable. Gracie said her first clear words at 8 months, but it wasn't until 14 months that she started blossoming linguistically. It seemed to happen overnight, but really it comes as a result of months of listening, processing, calibrating, and practicing.

Well you never know. Is the phrase "I don't want to", something she has heard said in a context where the meaning is clear? In general five months is early for a CAG to speak (less so for TAGs), but you could have a genius on your hands. When Gracie first stared talking at 8 months, I wasn't sure if I heard her correctly. I was still in guessing mode. But what I found is that what I thought I heard became clear and understandable to all within a few weeks. My guess is that if Poet said "I don't want to", you will hear it again soon more and more clearly.

That is a good question. My CAG tends to do a lot of preening after a bath. I doubt it is anything to worry about that your grey prefers "drip dry". I would be curious to know how other greys behave after a bath. Speaking of baths, I was a bit remiss in bathing Gracie before her recent feather picking episode. I only bathed her once every 10 days or so. After the feather picking, I started bathing her twice a day with water and Aloe/Vera. Now she asks for baths every morning before I go to work and every evening after her dinner. She goes to a corner on top of her cage and says "Wanna Bath." She asks for baths now as much as fresh water and food. At first she tries to attack the spray nozzle on the mister, but after a few seconds she closes her eyes and seems to enjoy the spray.

I am the same as you. Even when Gracie is "rude" I get a laugh out of it. Sometimes I go to her, and she looks at me with irritation and says, "What do YOU want?". She also gets great pleasure out of saying, "Gracie bite Daddy. Ouchie! Gracie like bite." Her sweet words melt my heart, but her naughtiness make me roll with laughter. I wouldn't trade one for the other. Thankfully, Gracie never actually bites me at home (frequent bluffs but no contact), She does bite me when I take her visit my parents. I would laugh less if Gracie really bit Daddy regularly.

I share your pain. A few weeks ago Gracie had a feather picking episode (which she has stopped thank God), and I took her to the vet for a health check and blood work. Gracie does not like to be handled even by me, and they had to towel her to examine her and take her blood. It was excruciating to watch her struggle. At one point she was so distressed that the vet stopped to let her cool off and calm down. She was scared and panting--out of breath. Thankfully, after a break the vet was able to get her blood sample quickly and everything was ok. It was so hard to watch. I stayed in the examination room with her, and Gracie didn't seem to blame me for the ordeal, but these experiences can be trying for our greys. I wish I could communicate that it was all done out of love and concern.

I tend to think that the capability resides in all greys. It may or may not come out, and it may come out unexpectedly. You might be surprised with Alfie. That fact that he is mimicking in context with understanding suggests that the sky is really the limit.

Poor Gracie is a sweet little lady, but sadly she has my voice as a model....so unfortunately she sounds less than feminine.

Good question. Do u sing death metal or Euro Pop?

I'm going to start singing this song to Gracie--but I'll never admit it to anyone! I'm 6ft4 and 210 lbs--not a manly anthem by any means. Thanks for sharing Ann Murray--what a sweet voice.

"Teddy Bears' Picnic" --I have to start singing that! What a perfect song! When I was a kid that song mesmerized me--it almost seemed scary--lol. I have no doubt Gracie will love it.

Our greys never miss anything. Sometimes I am just thinking about something and Gracie makes a comment about my thoughts. Maybe my body language in a subtle way gives my intentions away. Your little guy knows that your nose is the "kiss" spot. You never taught that to him, but he is an amazing sentient intelligent feathered being. He knows so much--more that we can even explain. This morning my Gracie was acting out of sorts. I had been off work the previous week for school break (I am a teacher). I was home all day with her for the past week and gave her extra attention. Well today was my first day back on my normal schedule. Somehow Gracie knew. I don't know how. But from the moment I woke up to feed her she started saying "Daddy go to work." "Daddy go bye bye in car." "Stay home with Gracie." "Bye Bye I'll be back" over and over. She even kept flying to me and landing on my head. She only does this when she thinks I am leaving. How our greys know what is going on--I don't know. But they KNOW. I couldn't fool her if I tried. Your little guy knows the score and your nose=kiss. Aren't they just fantastic?

You may be right. I tried to respond to one of his posts and when I read his other posts it seemed obvious that his comments were completely unrelated to anything. Now I feel stupid trying to offer him advice.

I absolutely think singing is an amazing way to connect with our greys. When I was visiting Gracie at the breeders when she was a baby-before I brought her home, she often seemed disinterested in me and distracted by things around her. One day I asked her to step up and started to sing to her. She was transfixed. The melody--even my bad melody---amazed her. She sat with me for 30 minutes as I gave her my rendition of numerous old songs. It was a bonding moment that I will never forget. Greys are not known for their singing--usually we see Amazons belting out opera, but over the three years I have had Gracie--singing is one of our favorite past times together. Keep belting out those tunes. I truly believe they touch the soul of greys. Gracie and I even make up songs together. She just does a mash up of various words she knows in strange melodies, but it IS MUSIC--to my ears and hers.

I posted this video of Gracie before, but I will share it again because she begins the video with four animal sounds---dog, cat, chicken, and monkey. She also responds to the question, "Gracie whatcha doing?" She responds in various ways depending on what she is doing. She will say "Gracie on cage", "Gracie on perch", or "Gracie like toys" (if she is chewing or playing with a toy). She doesn't respond all the time but I would say 70% of the time she gives a correct response.

Wow! You and Luvparrots are putting us all to shame with your 5-star aviaries. I don't dare let Grace see the luxury digs your fids will be enjoying soon. Good luck with finishing the construction. It looks great so far.

It is recommended that you get a wellness check at least once a year for your African Grey. In Orange County there are surely many avian certified veterinarians to choose from. I just took Gracie my CAG for a wellness check. The Vet weighed her, listened to her heart and lungs, looked at her eyes, beak, and nares (nostrils) and took a blood sample for testing. She didn't take a fecal sample. I'm not sure if that is routine or not. Maybe I should request it next time. The cost isn't cheap. I paid about $150 for the check up. That is Oklahoma prices. I would guess Orange County might be twice that cost.

Thank you for sharing those pictures and your life with Zoe. Zoe was a beautiful girl and you have a beautiful family. You remain in my prayers and when the time is right I know you will be able to share about Zoe with your daughter in a meaningful way that she can understand and accept.

I know that greyforums.net has extensive info about home hazards including food poisons, but sometimes new members may not find that info in time. There is so much to read and sift through. Because of this tragedy, every time a new member joins and we welcome them in the introductions room, I am committing myself to intentionally direct them to those links and make specific mention of avocados and Teflon. Breeders and pet stores may fail to provide this information, but a simple mention when new members join (especially new grey parronts) may save a life.

My CAG Gracie went on many trips as a baby. I am a teacher and took her to school with me a couple of times until building security told me she wasn't allowed. She enjoyed it and wasn't fearful or uncomfortable. Early socialization is key. Just read her body language and respect her wishes, but if she is fine with it, I say go for it.

I am so very sorry.