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Usually when I get home from work, I open Sophie's bird room for her to come out, while scrambling to get Ollie's leash on to go out. Sophie will tell Ollie " go out and pee." Today she didn't come out, waited until I came back with Ollie, and started her favorite game. Contact call. She will start a whistle, I return the same. I do a different whistle, she does the same.She derives immense pleasure from this game and thinks its a riot! How many other parents have greys that do this? I have always found it fascinating that she loves to do this. Nancy

Judy certainly did! She forgot to add that we are all crazy! LOL.... People at work LOVE to hear about my girl. They can't imagine the dedication it takes Nancy

Dave had a great point that a new baby will let you know, when they are ready to interact. However... you need to encourage that interaction! Open the door, read books in front of cage. Play games as well as a family in front of cage I did all my training off the door.I can't say that I have ever put my fingers in the cage.Its their domain, and I just never felt it was necessary to invade their home! I am also a firm believer of wrist status only. A true pain in the butt... but very important. You can go on my shoulder,when we are buddies, but understand, I rule, and you dont make the rules! We have always followed the " pack" mentality. Several different species of bird and dogs...Sophie was always a leader from the start and we quickly learned she was empathetic and loved all the birds and dogs. Nancy

I do think Sophie won't choose one over the other this year. Just a feeling! Ryan bringing home his dog that will need to be kenneled when Sophie out and about. Nancy

Sophie has open cage concept, but poops on her plastic under cage, or on towel under her gate dividing kitchen and family room. She is very good about pooping on designated areas. Nancy

I am okay with " trimming"... not a believer in the word " clipping". Now,is NOT the time, and certainly most vets suggest clipping. Your bird needs to develop wing strength, and the ability to fly. If you don't develop their wing strength as a baby, it may take more than a decade for them to be able to fly. I know. I did it! Let your baby learn to fly and develop wing strength. Practice flight from one to send off, one to receive. Put decals in the windows, as they don't have the capability in " perception", in where the window begins or ends. Once your baby is two, a trim may be advised. ( we did this when entering terrible twos!) My trimmer was so awesome, they didn't even notice! Nancy

Sean and Sophie have developed a very close relationship since Ryan moved to North Carolina. Ryan and Sophie skype, he talks to her when I am on the phone with him, and now, once again, Ryan coming home for Christmas. I am feeling sorry for Sean, as Sophie and he are very close. He builds her gyms, welds her original jungle gym together that is hanging by a thread, and only he can fix it, brings her home cherry wood for her to destroy, when he is hunting.Now Ryan, is coming home. He is the " bird whisperer". Sean has been patient for years, that " Ryan rules!" I don't think this Christmas, is going to be with Sean " taking a back seat."I have decreased the amount of time Ryan and Sophie interract, and have increased the amount of time Sean and Sophie interract. I know I have no control of whom Sophie chooses over the holiday, but I DO know, if Sophie chooses Ryan, it will break Seans heart! Nancy

What a beautiful baby and perfect age for coming home! Nancy

aww...let her have the fan! I have 14 windowsills... Sophie has destroyed four, I am going to replace two, and let her continue to destroy two of her favorites. The ones I replace... plastic will go up to protect. Let her have the fun and not let her go after any other fan. She is having too much fun! Nancy

How adorable! LOVED the pic Nancy

I just found this site! I have just lost 24 pounds thru weight watchers. My exercise is chasing my bird, walking my dog! Nancy

Greytness... LOL! LOVED it! Elvenking...doesn't everyones garbage bags look like this? Mine do! Sophie's motto " Seek and destroy!" Just a happy bird, doing what they do best... now add the aluminum foil etc... you get it! NOT a nesting issue, but a grey that LOVES to destroy which is very normal and expected Nancy

Alfie LOVES neoow! Well he should! I am not sensing any sexual aggression, but maybe just adjusting to his new time table. Sophie can sense a half hour difference in any changes in our life. Maybe just the time away, new schedule, is bothering Alfie. I know he will adjust quite well. Try to add another half hour in the morning and see if that helps. I know from the video, you are very loved and that goes a long way in my book Nancy

I think they all love to do it! Sophie also likes to go in the bathroom to be alone. I just have to make sure the toilet seat is down. Nancy

Too darn cute! As you are aware of the danger, a ceiling fan can have, and you had it on low... this will eliminate any posts regarding the danger. You are a GREAT daddy! Sophie would LOVE anything that goes round and round too. Nancy

Sophie a little bit older... still does the regurg thing, especially when she has had alot of fun! Not sexual at all for us. I know she thinks its a " gift!" She will regurg into my hand after working hard to give it to me. I always say " thank You", and she is pleased. She does this maybe once a week. Even as they get older, they do something new...just when you think life is easy! I suspect your bird missed you very much, while you were away.I also believe it is " mentally healthy" for them to have parents leave and come back and see that you will ALWAYS come back. Nancy

Sophie LOVES Sean. He is home from college for 24 hours. He wanted a haircut! Of course, he told Sophie he missed her and needed to see her. She was very pleased! ( He DOES miss her though!) He was thinking of taking her back to college for a week to introduce her to his three roommates. I think NOT! I don't need her exposed to college drinking, parties. I know Sean would be responsible,but that's NOT going to happen... she would LOVE beer pong in a minute! Nancy

Natural curiosity! A GOOD thing! Nancy

I couldn't get the volume! Dang! Even without volume, I saw no concern. Sophie DID learn to launch as a youngster, and their were times I had to be late to work. I eventually learned I had to get up earlier as goodbyes took more time. Looks to me baby is just loving you Nancy

Great suggestion by Acappella! Its also important, to see if your bird likes to play and interact AWAY from the cage, as Sophie did. Some greys are very territorial! Also, Greys tend to love one owner, which was always a big NO NO for me. Once she was comfortable, it was my expectation for her to meet other friends and family members. ( Always to her comfort level, and under my supervision!). I learned with Sophie, that she was more than happy to meet and greet other people, but she tended to like people, that had " something to offer!" She LOVED Ryan, for his singing and dancing, she LOVED Sean because he was the best at playing hide N seek and had awesome CROCS ( she LOVES his shoes!). It doesn't take much for a Grey to love you for the most silliest of reasons! She likes her friend Sean who visits because he will take her in the family room and play games with her. She is easily entertained... and LOVES human contact. Nancy

Mistyparrot,,, Does that " steam bath" count as a shower? LOL! Sophie would say it does! ( from the girl that has every excuse in the book, NOT to take a shower!) Nancy

Greywings... I hope your son has recovered too! Nancy

PLEASE... I would obscess when Sophie had a feather, that needed to go! She would walk around with that feather, and she knew it drove me crazy! She actually started to limp! Ryan, my bird whisperer finally made her pay attention, told her to take care of it, and she did. He held up the feather and she clipped it. No big deal! I wish I could do that. Nancy

Mold totally KILLS Me! When we bought our house, it was the dryness on the basement that sold me. I can smell it. Dust, also affects me . Not Sophie for some reason. I wear a mask when dusting and seriously cleaning. I had Sean clean his room before going back to school. ACHOO! Dust is bad for him as well. I gave him a mask! ( still needed to clean his room!) LOL Nancy

Introduce Nathan to Lola. Sophie has a friend, Sean, who also is autistic. They are great friends. Sean is 21 now. He has known her for years, but he can't take care of her without supervision. Thats ok....he does alot of yard work for me, and always wants to see Sophie Nancy