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Sterling... I am soooo sorry for your loss. Nancy and Sophie

Perfect age to adopt a grey. Past terrible two's is always a good thing. How far would it be to meet baby's original owner? I think it would be great if new baby could visit his original owner. Involve him in educating you. None of us can teach you more than his daddy. If you can't meet with him, see if his dad can text with you. Let them skype etc. Sophie's dad did play an important role in her life, even after I adopted her. Age two. I encouraged it. Her adjustment was a piece of cake, since we were all on the same page and her daddy could visit anytime. The visits did get less and less as he was a professional racecar driver, but she never felt the " pain" of losing her daddy. Nancy

I am no expert, but not sure where this behavior is sexual? I'm more than willing to learn something new, but how is this sexual? I see a bird bonding. Nancy

Excellent post Dave! I have never had to change my birds names, as Sophie was the only one to come along with one. We LOVED it! Sunny our rescue sunconure had the name " icecream" for a month. That certainly got changed. It wasn't original, but kids named him. Nancy

Amazons are amazing eaters! I suggest to always offer formula, for extended periods, as well as offer fresh fruits and veggies.It may take several months until they are fully weined.It took Kiki close to a year to be fully weined. Nancy

You are doing just great! Weaning is a progress, that we as parents eventually figure out. As far as music, Amazons LOVE Opera. Try " Phantom of the Opera.". Kiki was always crazy with any Opera music. I always hated Opera, but miss it now that Kiki is not here. Nancy

I would suggest open the cage, let bird step on the door. Learn stepup off the door.Don;t be scared of your bird. They are more scared of you! Nancy

jeffNOK... you are feeding her, what is better for her! Nancy

Eventually, you will be able to introduce the rest of the animal kingdom. For now, they need to be removed, so you can work on welcoming baby safely. Your new baby is already interested in his enviroment. Remove other animals, open the door to the cage, let baby stepup and out. Develop the trust with you and other humans first. Eventually, you can work on the relationship between other animals. Sophie was the " last", to join our animal kingdom and now rules. Ollie (dog) leaves her a piece of chicken, she leaves him a peanut. Sophie tells Ollie and Zoey to " go out and pee"... they run for the door. LOL Nancy

Sophie is around 13. Boy... does she act like a teenager! Nancy

Cosmos_Friend LOL! I smoke too,outside. I will tell Sophie " Rom is going to be naughty", as kids taught her this. She will stepdown then I will wash my hands and go get her when I am done. She trusts me to come back so she will let me go. Sometimes she refuses, and I gently place her in front of her cage. She will stepdown, but I always come back to get her ( after washing), so she knows my " word" is real. Cosmo is doing just fine Nancy

Being a parrent, doesn't guarantee a " NO bite". Limiting wrist status only, routine " timeout", for unacceptable behavior, followed thru by other family members, once bird trusts all, can make all the difference. We were lucky we had family members available 24/7 when we got Sophie. Being on the same page together, it took us six months to " work out our differences", with Sophie. One day, she was sitting on my wrist. She started to " bite the air", saying " NO BITE SOPHIE!" She was biting the air. I KNEW she finally understood. I called the kids, I was so excited! I was doing a happy dance. Kids and Sophie thought I was crazy, but I KNEW she finally understood.She went to my shoulder that day, and has been there since. No bites. Nancy

I am shocked that your petstore lets the birds fly freely. Mine would NEVER allow birds to fly freely and bite the customers. They DO have a general gym, but the birds that are there are monitored closely with customers. Nancy

So happy she is home. nancy and Sophie

If your baby wants to be with you... encourage the interaction. Its only a " window of time", and if you ignore it, it won't become available again. Nancy

Cosmos_Friend Cosmo seems to have offered his complete trust and offer of friendship. Of coarse our time is limited and we gently have to step away. I always promise Sophie I will be back after work, and then we will play. I always keep my word.I have a different opinion about the regurg. Sophie's regurg as a teenager is given a couple of times a month after serious bonding and having a fun day. She will regurg in my hand, I always thank her for her offering, and she is pleased. It has never been sexual.I think sometimes the regurg, is not understood, and when you have a bird that is just trying to show affection, they get denied and shut down! Nancy

Be patient with your amazon. They can be the bird that truly rules in your home. Teaching other birds to appreciate fresh fruits and veggies.ALL my birds trusted Kiki's decision with fresh fruits and veggies, they wouldn't try it, until she gave approval. Now it has been over a month since she escaped, none of my birds will eat anything outside of pellet diet. A serious step backward. Nancy

eight months is nothing! NOT expensive! a teaspoon of oatmeal, egg, yogurt, is easy. Adjust to their needs and wants, you will find a bird that is amazing! Amazons can be amazing eaters, and will try most things. Nancy

I never notice! I mix harrisons seed mix with frozen veggies and fruits, then provide them with fresh veggies three parts to one fruit. They also love a 1/4 slice of toast butered every morning. I don't go crazy with their diet as I have experienced them throwing it away. I know what they like and have learned. Diet is never an issue for us. Nancy

murfchck... You are doing everything right. As far as the deformed leg, they eventually figure it out, and compensate. Nancy

LOVED the video! I didn't let Sophie watch this time, as she is falling in love with your bird! Nancy

I LOVED that Sophie was impressed with Emma... she is difficult to impress! Sophie is truly a princess, thinks she is one, and is treated like one. No behavior issues, but can be a snot! She LOVED the video of Emma. While she rules the animal kingdom, including the dogs, she is the kindest and most generous of all species I have ever known. When I noticed she was interested in Emma's video, I said " You like her don't you? She said Awwwww! ( she likes Emma) Nancy

Cotay, sounds like he has alot of common sense! LOL! Nancy

We will all be waiting patiently. Nancy

Ryan and Sean were 6 and 9 when Sophie came home. PERFECT ages! They were involved from the beginning in her care, and continue to be important to Sophie. Now age 19 and 22. Both at college. Ryan talks with her several times a week, and Sean sets up skyping when he is home. He is closer, so Sophie will see him twice a month.Sophie misses Ryan the most as she thinks he is the " greatest" thing since peanutbutter! ( one of her favorites!) Nancy