JeffNOK

What fun you must be having! How long will you be babysitting that beautiful Hyacinth? Does it belong to a friend? Enjoy!

Great photo of Fifi. Welcome to you both!

I agree with Talon and Luvparrots.

Your tribute made me smile through a few tears. Thank you for being a vital member of this forum and for caring so much for the fids that God entrusted to you.

Welcome! It is good to see so many newcomers on the forum. I have had my CAG Gracie for 2 1/2 years and it still seems like just yesterday when I met her for the first time at the breeders. Life with a grey is challenging at times, but it has been hugely rewarding and exciting. It is also ever changing and evolving. You won't get bored. That's for sure. Thank you for sharing the pics. I can't wait to hear more and take the journey with you.

My CAG Gracie tends to have a quivering chest when she is excited and happy. She tends to flatten her feathers when she is scared.

What a fun video! I like her spunky determined nature.

Ray, I am in absolute shock and so very very sad. Please know that you are in my and many other's thoughts and prayers.

I've been away from the forum for several weeks and was so shocked and saddened to hear this news. My heart goes out to Ray and everyone here who is mourning Cricket's passing.

Hi all. I have been away for a while, but I wanted to share some recent developments with my CAG Gracie. Last week we were chatting. She was asking, "Where's Daddy, What you doing?'' I answered her and then asked, "Where is Gracie. Go find Gracie." She walked to the mirror that hangs on the wall behind her cage. She tapped the mirror with her beak and then said. "That's Gracie. Gracie is gorgeous!"

I would call an avian vet and get advice from an expert.

Wow..you have a wonderful intent, but make sure you equip yourself with as much information as you can. I have read about release programs, and many work well, but you want to be sure that released birds have a flock to join that will accept them and their lives will be fulfilling.

This is the best place for questions. I had so many questions when I first welcomed my grey home. I look forward to hearing more.

Welcome! Such a handsome grey. I can't wait to hear more about your life together.

I have read that parrots are the third most popular pet after dogs and cats. I have always wondered how that 11 million number was broken down by species. How many Amazons? How many Greys or Macaws or Caiques or Budgies. It would be interesting to know. I guess we don't register our fids like owners do, but I'm curious.

I don't have a re-homed grey, but Gracie has surprised me with things she experienced before she started using words. Gracie met my parents' Labrador Retriever Bailey during her first 9 months with me. Bailey went to the Rainbow Bridge mid-summer before Gracie was talking. Several months later, Gracie looked at me and said, "Where's Bailey?" Just the other day, Gracie and I were at the park and a Lab walked by. Again, she said, "Where's Bailey?" They don't forget a thing.

My CAG Gracie makes up words when she is learning a new song. She seems to learn the tune faster than the words, so when she gets to a part in the melody that she doesn't know the words to, she mumbles things that fit in the gaps. I think it is the same for us when we sing along with the radio and we don't remember the words. Sometimes she uses words she knows and sometimes it is just nonsense.

A great story. Thanks for sharing it.

Rio was a very handsome bird. I am glad you were there to comfort and love on when he passed. I am so sad for you, and can't imagine your grief. You are in my prayers. Your experience and warning to others may encourage some owners to get their birds checked out, and lives may be saved. My CAG is not yet three, but she hasn't had full blood work--just general health checks. Maybe it's time for us to make an appointment. Thank you for your post, and I hope to see more of you here under happier circumstances.

Emma is gorgeous! She has such a silver hue to her feathers. She seems happy with that rope!

I agree our fids know spring is here. Gracie has been asking to go to the park daily. It's crazy since she hasn't been since November and hasn't mentioned it--but suddenly it is "park time". The only bad part about spring in Oklahoma is "tornado season". Tonight we are under a tornado watch--ugh--first of the season. My parents have installed a tornado safe room--so Gracie and I will be visiting that room at least 5 or 6 times before the end of June. Regardless--Gracie and I love spring!

Yes, I have to agree with the others. Classic contact calling. She loves you, wants you in her line of sight, is asking for attention. Nothing abnormal--welcome to life with a grey.

Prayers for you and Toby. You are a wonderful parront, and you did the right thing taking him to the vet. I am sure he will be fine. He is a lucky boy to have someone that doesn't take any chances. Our birds are precious family members--always better safe than sorry.

I love reading your updates. I can feel your excitement and that you are having a great time with your new bird. You may not believe it--but it gets better! This is just the beginning, and you are in for the ride of your life.

So glad you are growing in your relationship with Escher. A year certainly flies, by doesn't it? My CAG will be three in July and her eyes are also changing. Still some hints of gray hue, but getting lighter every day. When I see pics of black-eyed babies, I get a bit misty that she is growing up--but we are closer now than ever and have come so far. It seems like you are experiencing that ever deepening relationship with your grey as well. I'm glad to hear that Escher loves both you and your husband. They do pick one "beloved" but it sounds like Escher loves daddy as well. The "terrible twos" haven't been too bad for Gracie and I, although she has tested me. I am glad Escher is still as sweet as ever, but if he has a mood once in a while, know it is just part of the growing up process. I wasn't the most lovable teenager, and I don't expect any different from my bird. As far as the talking...that's great that he is more chatty. I know that the amount of talking is not paramount, but I believe it can be a means of bonding and I hope he keeps growing linguistically. Keep posting and let us know how Escher is growing and changing.