Trance Music

Bravo is now 1 year old. Has been talking up a storm in sentences for months now. Started around 5 to 6 months old if I remember correctly. Bravo has been sweet, so far (To me, I have not taken a bite that really hurts yet)r. I've noticed that when I try to touch Bravo's tail he would turn around and want nothing to do with it. I think she has finally settled down and now I can pet her all the way down (Full hand) from back to tail, gently close my hand around the tail, give it a slight shake and let go. Big step for us... Is dropping some down feathers and a few wing feathers, nothing real bad, mostly down feathers. I guess for now, that is all. I'll miss Bravo being so young, I hope I have a calm terrible 2's, not counting on it.

I feel like I should do a Myth Busters on this! I'm sure we all heard this at one time or another and the example is some sort of HOT pepper that humans can't eat but birds will like it's an icecream sandwich! I'm not a bird person as most of you are, I have my Grey and that's as far as it goes. However, I refuse to be blinded by what I am told and what I see and know about nature. I'm leaving this up for debate and will chime in more later but let me point out Vultures, ducks, and humming birds. Vultures, they can smell death from miles away including dead animals hidden under brush so sight doesn't play here. Ducks/Goose, I can throw breed in my front yard and the geese from the pond in the neighborhood will find it. Humming Bird, you don't need to color sugar water RED for these birds to find sweet smelling sugar water! Color might help but... I know people "experts" like to say dogs are color blind, birds can't taste etc... I know tests for this or that have been doing (the rat learned to push the red button to get food)... blah blah blah. This is a world where (humans don't really apply much in this logic as anyone can breed these days) the strongest and most adaptable survive. I'd like to hear others thoughts on if birds can smell and taste. I leave you with the HOT pepper thought. Just because we eat it doesn't mean another animal can't. How many foods do Humans eat that would kill or harm other types of animals? Each animal was built to survive in its own way! I can give Bravo a carrot and while I try something else and he wont even give it a sniff.

First, thanks for all the feedback guys. Jeff, I'm not really sure if it helps that I sleep on the couch 10 feet away from Bravos cage or not but... I think AG is my bird, I've spent the past few days reading about other birds... I realized, why am I looking for another bird when Bravo has been great. ANother AG it is.

Name was the hardest part. No one in the family could agree, I finally took charge and said Bravo and that was the end of that. ;-)

Jay, what kind of bird is slasa and do you have any coments about that type of bird you would like to share?

awesome, I love old houses! I can't really help with your problem besides saying, keep an eye on your bird if you allow him to roam around.

Wow, that's crazy! Good thing i passed on them, Bravo's garage door sound is bad enough lol!

Ok, good to know, thanks! Not closing this to more comments as I enjoy the knowledge but thanking those who have chimed in and I want to ask another question. I notice many here have other kinds of birds, something I am open to as well however my personality has to fit the bird. For example, I have a Rottie. Not because I walk him down the street with my chest pumped out and a look at me attitude but because he is smart, very smart in fact. He also serves a purpose for the house; he lets people know this isn't a house you want to break into. Sure I still have an alarm but extra protection, that is his job. (Rotties like having jobs and being a part of the family). SO yes, it's what the breed does is the reason he is in our family, it took me many tries to find the right dog breed for me. African Grey, Bravo has been great for the most part. I just jumped in with 2 feet and it took time for me to understand him but now we are golden. He picked up the garage door annoying sound as it opens, after some trial and error it's under control (It helped that I put WD40 on the garage door), now all I have to do is say, "No one wants to hear that Beep" and he honestly changes his tune and thankfully he doesn't repeat that, so far. However Bravo is also a very smart bird. He turns one year old next month and he knows many words/sentences. He is told just a few times and he usually will pick it up. I just taught him, "I love you" and in a day or so he had it. Now I do not sit there and say I love you all day, not at all! I probably said it 10 to 15 times. This is just one example; he picks words and tunes up quickly. Bravo's job, to be cute as heck and to talk and chirp at me. He also knows when I lay down on the couch that I am taking a nap and never, ever had to be told to be quiet, he just stops! We are like a perfect fit. So I guess I like "Smart family members", good or bad that's just the way it is. I've seen some pictures of some cool looking birds in people’s sigs. I probably came across the wrong way by saying all this but I am who I am, I love my animals and that's what matters. Plus I know what works for me and that is better than guessing and then not being happy and another rescue pet... I've thought of a Macaw (Forget the name at the moment, Blue with yellow circles around the eyes) but after researching, too big and loud. I'm open to feedback on what type of birds might fit in my home.

Curious I am about PET Vs. Breeder African Greys. I would like some info on this topic. Why can't a Grey be a Pet and a Breeder? Not that I don't accept this fact but more so curious of this behavior that we don't normally see in our pet companion (Dogs, Cats, Hampsters, etc...) As I said, not doubting it, just want to learn.

It's a great feeling. Bravo picks up words really fast now. I mean it is like little effort. I tell him a few times a day for JUST a couple days and it's on! I just taught him (I LOVE YOU), now he says it more than my wife haha!

I know what you mean about the PW, Usually I can figure it out. Not sure what I did...lol Ok, so should I get 2 of the same sex or boy/girl. I'm thinking boy girl just to avoid the ALpha issue and am guessing birds go through this as well. I also understand Alpha goes on with same sex but I guess my point is, boy and girl would be less stressful when comparing 2 boys, 2 girls or boy and girl. I wanted to find a bird in Bravos first year ish, I've read that the first 2 or so years is best when trying to get Greys to get along but I understand it also depends on each bird. With Bravo, there was no other bird and bravo has taken to me, should I keep the new bird away from Bravo most of the time so the new birds bond gets established with me first? I checked in a few months ago, I'll be around. I am in no way an expert to really voice my experiances with Greys on this forum yet. Now if you want to talk snakes, Venomous or Non Venomous I will gladly tell other what they should do lol! Seriously, I am reading asking and learning about Greys and I hope in a few years I'll have something to stand on when I voice my opionion to someone on here. ;-) When it comes to Greys, this is the forum of choice for me! Thanks for the feedback so far, it really helps me understand reading your stories.

I'm not new here, I just can't remember my email/pw or something... I kept fighting with the log in Nazi! Kept telling me the verification words I entered were not correct and all... My last screen name was kingsnake if anyone remembers me, my Grey is BRAVO. As some know Bravo has been with me about 9 to 10 months now. Been through are ups and downs the first part of being together but I think we have worked out things and we both are very close. I'm thinking of adding another Grey to the family. Not right now but August ish. Please give me some feedback good and bad. I plan on gettin bravo sexed and the new bird to avoid the whole Alpha thing. At this point I don't plan on breeding but you never know. I would like to put them in the same cage, maybe not at first. I plan on having 2 cages, one in the dining room and one in the Den (I guess young kids call it a Mans cave). I am attaching pictures to get feedback if sharing a cage would be ok. I usually leave the door open so Bravo can go up top etc... Just looking at this as an idea, asking before I just do it...