Doug

Definitely on her way! "Let's boogie, boogie!"

I feed Ellie Pretty Bird African pellets with extra calcium. This is what my breeder used to wean her. Plus, my breeder sold me a big bag of it... Ellie eats the heck out of it and no-one said anything bad about it, so I continue to feed it to her...

One of my favorite clips of a grey talking is Einstein practicing his phrases. Ellie and I just listened to it again this morning. I love it and so look forward to when she is talking more... Edit: is it possible to embed a youtube video in a post?

I don't know how often they typically nap, but Ellie wants to do this every day around 10 a.m. She'll nap at other times, in her cage or on her playstand.

Demanding little buggers, but it's not really that different from when my shih-poo, Nala, lays on my lap while I'm trying to work... Not that I would change anything...

It's cute, but a real pain in the butt trying to type with on hand. (She's sleeping like this as I type. Making little growling complaints because I am moving too much when I type...)

As always, I am envious of your skills with the camera! I love the lovie pix!

Ask the breeder what he/she stocks so you know the options if, like Dave mentions, your baby doesn't take to your first choice.

Kim is in Portland, OR. Should be able to get anything there!

When Ellie doesn't want to be touched (or picked up), she leans away and goes, "Woooo". Not upset or nipping at me. I interpret that as, "I love you, but don't do that." If I need to pick her up, I will persist. Otherwise I'll give her beak a little grab and let her have her space.

Ellie has a bit above her tail and on her thighs. I hope it stays after the first molt. (Especially since she has a nearly gray tail so the red factor is her only coloring...)

If he's not enthusiastic, then he will probably not interact with your bird nearly as often as you will. As such, it seems unlikely that the bird will bond with him over you. Of course, once he sees the real thing, he may change his evil (indifferent) ways...

I travel frequently for my job and my wife, Kelleigh, looks after Ellie. Ellie tolerates Kel, but that is about it. When I go to our local bird club meeting next week, I am going to ask about bird boarding. We will take a family vacation in June and I don't know what to do with Ellie. Until Christmas, we had Kel's brother and his family living in our house, so we always had someone to look after the critters when we went on vacation. Now it is the four of us (me, my wife, and our two children) for the first time in over eight years...

It is my understanding that they molt ALL feathers. 100% of them. Depending on environmental conditions, it can happen at different intervals and have different durations/intensities.

Well, there was a time when I had Ellie on my shoulder and, for no apparent reason, she bit my ear. Startled, I loudly exclaimed, "Dam* it, Ellie!" Kel, in a different room, yelled back, "What? What did I do now??" But I think I'd get in REAL trouble if I was caught saying, "I love you, Ellie." more often than "I love you, Kelleigh."

Ellie was the only grey that my breeder had available, so I "chose" her without any interaction. Doesn't matter, she's my sweet little cuddle baby... Ellie's nap time! by shyzaboy, on Flickr

Looks like a lot of fun places to play! Thanks for sharing. (I love seeing pictures of greys. LOVE IT!)

When I picked the name Elegua (based on a complicated desire for a cool backstory), I didn't even think that the logical nickname (Ellie) was almost exactly the same as my wife's name (Kelleigh). Which makes things a bit complicated, but it's too late... When do you bring your baby home?

Welcome, Dawn! I've only had a grey for a few months. I read a few books, and spent a lot of time reading through this forum, before getting Ellie. A lot of it didn't really sink in or make sense until I actually had my own feathered baby, and I am still learning so much. It's a challenge, but OH SO WORTH IT!

Which ingredients concern you? I only have the gels, so I don't have the other type against which to compare. I bought these food colors based on a recommendation here on the forum. I keep trying to do the right thing and then finding out that I'm not... Water High fructose corn syrup Glycerine FD&C color Sugar Modified food starch Sodium benzoate Potassium sorbate Carrageenan gum Xanthan gum Citric acid

Dan, I may have to steal Dayo's line next time the phone rings...

I will take away the stuff that I have that is already wrapped in sisal from the craft store, just in case. Why would gel food coloring be a problem?

Even the sisal from the craft stores is treated? That's what I was told to purchase by others on this forum... (I don't have any other examples with which to compare the aroma, but I don't detect anything "chemical-like". And I have a better than average sense of smell...)

According to this website, "This molt starts at about eight months and consists of the downy feathers all over the floor. "

Okay, toy-making soon to commence! I placed orders at both California Bird Nerds and My Safe Bird Store! Now to go to the hardware store to get some wood and I'll have all kinds of materials. Just need to find somewhere to get some "kick in the butt" to actually do it all...