kins2321@yahoo.com

You guys are all awesome! Rom said she was giving me a " fair warning", I was getting a shower tomorrow! ( not sure what fair warning means, but I'm getting a shower tomorrow!) YIKES! I don't want a shower. Can I come over to anyone's house for a sleepover till Sunday? We can pretend to sleep, make some popcorn, and throw it everywhere once your parents are asleep. We have to watch a " G" movie, as that is all I am allowed to watch! I'll leave Rom a note that I will be back on Sunday. She is busy Sunday with Sean's graduation from school. He has gone to school along time. He is trying to get smart! Rom says I am naturally smart, so I don't need to go to school. Sure took Sean a long time to get smart! He should hang with me. It takes these kids along time to get smart. Once they get a little smart, they go to college to get more smart. I don't get it. I don't have to go to school, and I am really smart. Rom tells me everyday, how smart I am. Anyway... can you guys help me? I REALLY don't want a shower! Sophie

I have water bowls all over the place, in two cages, they all still continue too poop iin them. Clean out the bowls, whenever you notice it. The water bowls are separated. Its just what they do, I don't worry about it. change the water a few times a day. Nancy

I'm going to try this weekend. Kids have to help me, as I don't know how. Sophie is definitely a Congo grey, but I would love for you all to see my guys. Kids are resistent to help. I(f they continue to refuse to help, can you all help me? I understand their refusal, as they feel " what goes on in our family, is between us", and they have no interest. We have GREAT birds, and I think it would be nice to share their pictures with others. Nancy

I would LOVE to have a stinky pellet bird, as Sophie thinks a shower will melt her! LOL Nancy

lisachristine... I have watched your interaction with Rosie. Not that I have any professional experience, but after owning a grey for past twelve years who is absolutely amazing, I suspect, you have a bird that is also going to be amazing! You have the patience, which is the most important thing, and the desire, to have your bird be part of your family. You are going to be great! Nancy

TWIX... keep it up. Your bird is struggling with giving the control to you. Its also offering 100% trust as well. They think of it as control, while we are just trying to guide them and keep them safe. Once DJ understands this, control is not an issue. I rely heavily on Sophie to help me with the animal kingdom. It doesn't mean she controls them, but helps to make decisions for the safety of the flock. Once she understood this, she understood it wasn't about control, but what worked to make us a family. Nancy

Slavedriver! LOL LOVED the pictures! Sophie will help you, if you need additional assistance! Nancy

He'soving his daddy! Nancy

Yes, they are! They should be able to make choices, be outside of the cage as much as possible.If a bird makes a decision, and other bird is okay with it, support their decision, and be there to support and guide them.All of my birds have made their choices together. I am here as their mom, to support their choices, occassionally " keep the peace!" Nancy

Sophie here! I've been watching Rom type on this thing. I'm pecking with my beak. I want to talk to all birds, see how life is going. Tell me what you do to get in trouble! The more you chew, the better the story! Make sure you are careful, don't pull off computer keys, or they will know we are talking! I'll start! I really like Rom's new kitchen! I found a spot I really like to chew! She keeps putting up this pan, in my favorite spot. Does she really think that will stop me? LOl Sophie

Talon, I hear I am wrong to allow any of my birds to regurg. I will never change my beliefs, since the birds have always regurg into my hand. They all love each other. No behavior issues, no sexuaL agression. Nilah is loving the new baby. Let her and baby work it out. Of course, intervene if baby is scared. Humans should never intervene, unless they are needed. Even though we have domesticated birds, they should be encouraged, to make as many decisions as they can. THATS what makes them happy! Nancy

incOgnito... Our thoughts and prayers are with you, during this difficult time. Nancy, Ryan and Sean

Most greys really take off after the age of two. Many talk before, but I always compared Sophie to a human child, and talked around the same time. They love rhymes, catchy phases . Sophies favorite... kootchiekootchiekoo! She say's it all day long! She loves to sing " take me out to the ballgame", messes up all the time, she starts over. Past six months, she has become fascinated with " Doe a Deer", from the sound of music. It takes her a long time to learn a new song, but she is persistent. When her eyes dialate and constrict, I know she is interested, and learning.( eye dialation and constricting, is also a warning). You need to decide which it is! Sophie hasn't warned us, for a decade. Its all about learning something she is interested in. Nancy

Jayd... yes, we have to do what feels right for our bird. Of course, I can't reject Sophie's once a week regurg. It is important to her, and no sexual aggression has ever been displayed. After 12 years of doing this, it would be a true form of rejection. Nancy

He's loving you and bonding. Enjoy! Nancy

lisachristine LOL! Rosie is a smartypants for sure! Sophie tells Ollie and Zoey... " outside now!" She does this certain cluck, they run for the door!( I don't even say that!) I always say " thanks Sophie, they were just out!" Once in awhile, they escape into the birdroom ( they all get along just fine.) Ollie will pee on her plastic under her cage. She yells " NO OLLIE! NO PEE! Nancy

Everyone has excellent input. I too, have three birds of different species. African Grey, Amazon and sunconure. I also have open door policy, and they all get along just fine.( Definitely have some bickering, but no attacking each other.) Amazon and Sunconure are bonded.( don't ask me!) Sophie the grey rules, but the other birds hold their own against her when she is teasing. Kiki the Amazon, HATES when Sophie repeats her and yells at Sophie. Sophie doesn't molt, but Kiki does become a crazy woman at times! Even Sophie knows to give her space. LOL! They all work it out. Nancy

Jayd... I get what you are saying. Makes sense. BUT... we established our behavior along time ago. NOT sexual aggression, to receive Sophie's regurg. We didn't know! Even though we didn't understand, her regurg is truly a form of " love and acceptance!" Who makes these decisions about " sexual aggression?" nANCY

Jayd... take the Xanax. Get some sleep. I have no reason to be depressed, so when I met a councelor for the first time, she identified, I take care of the kids, I take care of the birds and dogs, I have minimal help from my ex. I give and give. I refused her thought that I get nothing in return, because I do. I am very social, have lots of friends, but can't keep up with my friends expectations.( due to the depression). I have learned, I don't need too! I need to commit, when I can really commit. When I feel good. I don't always have to be the life of the party. I have commited to a party on July 3rd. I will follow thru. I also have a party on the fourth. Not committing! Nancy

Kim So happy Xandir got home okay! A vet visit, is always a good idea. Please don't feel guilty. We all have lost a bird. Kiki flew up my neighbors tree and sat there for four hours. Eventually, got her down. Your a great mama! Nancy

Kiki my Amazon, always comes out to see what I have, before I go to work. I drink a glass of orange juice, before I go to work. She always takes a sip. ( of course then shakes her beak!) Nancy

So lets discuss this " sexual aggression." Be kind all. We are all just discussing and learning. Noone is right or wrong. I truly am curious! Sophie is 12 now, you would never know she was a girl, except she was DNA sexed. She never has laid an egg, has never become aggressive. No molts, no nothing! Weird? When she regurgs, we taught her to do it in our hand, since it isn't healthy to be in our mouths where bacteria thrives. She is pleased that we accept her regurg, and think of it as a gift. She regurgs to all of us, and watches us all closely, that we accept it. ( we pretend to eat it, she thinks we did!) The only sexual aggression I have ever seen, is Sophie does a mating dance with Ryan's feet, when he sleeps in the livingroom.( rare). I am truly interested in her behavior! Any ideas? Nancy

JeffNOK... just to let you know, Sophie was not a real cuddler for a few years. They have their own timetable. As she got older, she snuggled more. Keep doing what you are doing. I'm sure Gracie will surprise you oneday. Nancy

Sophie imitates us all so well, on top of being deaf in my right ear, I can't always tell where sound is coming from. When I yell DINNER up the stairs, I here " coming!" I think it is from upstairs, so I get annoyed when they don't show up. Apparently, Sophie has been yelling " coming!" She duplicates both boys voices so well, I think one responded. LOL! Nancy