neoow

I'm really sorry, I can't help because Alfie won't touch the stuff! I have seen others who use it in different ways though- some put it on toast, some mix it in with their birds usual food. Some just put a little dollop on top.

Oh she's so precious! You're making me parrot broody!!! 😂 Are you keeping her or are you looking to set yourself up as a breeder? (Sorry if you've already answered that)

I can't speak for all grey's, but Alfie tends to pick and choose what words and phrases he wants to learn and also picks and chooses what words and phrases he will forget and never use again. He used to say "oi! put the kettle on!" and "nag nag nag!" (courtesy of my dad) but he doesn't use those any more and despite my dad's best efforts whenever he sees him, Alfie doesn't seem to want to relearn them. Alfie always favours noises and sounds over words. He is still picking up odd words from time to time but he will learn sounds a lot quicker and will repeat them with gusto. He does mumble from time to time (when he thinks I can't hear him) so it sounds like he is trying to practice and learn other words. But it takes him a long time to actually learn words. He is 17 years old. It might be worth looking up some videos about how others train their birds to talk to see if they have any tips and tricks. There are probably certain ways you can encourage a grey to talk... but you also need to bear in mind that some are just not big talkers.

Lovely photos! I would love to walk around with Alfie on my shoulder but I just can't trust him up there. He's always tried to get to my ears and now I have short hair, they are easily accessible. I also worry about my eyes. I always admire parrots who are well behaved and will be content to sit on a shoulder for hours without acting up!

Wow. it's amazing how quickly they change. Loving all the progress pics/vids!

😍😍😍😍 So cute! I think I already answered on your other post- but I think this is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about.

Oh look at your precious baby! So adorable! Pin feathers are where new feathers are coming through- so he is either moulting or still having some feathers come through. Perfectly normal. They might be a bit itchy at times so the extra bathing and misting will definitely help.

How fascinating. I'll have a proper look later, I had a quick scroll through the posts and comments but I'm supposed to be working right now, so will check it our properly later!

Hello! Welcome to the forums! How exciting about Ella. It's not a challenge I would be prepared to take on myself! Would love to know more about Ella and your other birds!

These are great! What is it about birds and toes? Alfie loves to go after mine too!

Ouch, that's rough. Alfie is a "no shoulder bird" for that very reason. He has bitten ears in the past and I'm always worried about eyes. I envy anyone who has a parrot that will sit nicely and calmly on their shoulder. Alfie gets bored and starts seeking out ears quite quickly!

Haha perfect! They always learn how to get more attention! Alfie caught me out in a similar way a couple of years back. My dad had been visiting the house a lot to renovate the back garden. He would come through the house to use the bathroom or make a cup of tea etc. If he wanted me for something he would stick his head round the door and call my name and I would come downstairs to see what he wanted. One day my dad decided to pack up and head home and told me he was leaving. I heard him drive off. About a half hour later I heard him yell my name from downstairs. I assumed he must have forgotten something so went downstairs to see what he wanted... he wasn't there. The car wasn't there... it was Alfie. 😄 For a good few weeks after Alfie would yell my name in my dad's voice. It was absolutely spot on and when my dad was visiting to continue working in the garden I often had difficulties figuring out who was actually calling me. He used to yell my name when he was younger because we lived with my parents at the time. My mum would yell up the stairs and I, being a grumpy teenager at the time, would yell "what" in quite a grumpy tone. Alfie learned to yell my name in my mum's voice and also responded with my grumpy sounding 'what'. It did make us laugh, but also made me realise that I probably needed to respond in a nicer way when called!

I would love to learn more about Cricket and it's good that you feel ready to talk about her. I don't really know much about Amazons as I've never done much research into them. I've seen lots of videos where they are talking up a storm or singing etc. They do seem like the class clown of the parrot species. I also understand that they can be quite intense- I don't want to say difficult to handle but if they get cranky about something- watch out! 😂 Mind you- the same could be said for most parrots!!

Yeah I've heard of a few birds that do this. Some like their food softer so will dunk it in water before eating.

Haha! Alfie already has enough attitude as it is!

Oh she is absolutely adorable. That face cold get away with ANYTHING!! 😆

What a lovely name! I'm so excited for you! Please keep us updated when you get baby Tiki home. And feel free to ask any questions- the forums contains LOADS of useful information already but there's always people willing to help where they can. Do you know roughly how long you've got to wait until you bring your baby home? I would recommend putting the perches quite low in the cage at the start and maybe lining the bottom with something soft like some old towels or linen to begin with. They can be a bit wobbly when they're that young and may sometimes topple off a perch. Once Tiki starts getting more confident in his cage and with perchng securely you can then start to offer some higher places to perch.

I wouldn't worry too much unless you start seeing feather or skin damage or irritated skin. If she seems to be focusing on a certain spot and making it sore/bald then it may be worth stepping in and maybe getting an avian vet appointment booked in. But otherwise, they do normally create a LOT of dust and dander. I'd love to see some photos of your baby grey. What's her name?

Hello and welcome to the forums! I'm afraid I don't have much advice for you as my grey, Alfie, hasn't laid any eggs before. Seeing the vet is probably a good move just o have a general health check. If you put food near her eggs/nest does she eat it? Have you tried offering her favourite treats? If I remember rightly their calcium levels can take a hit when lying eggs so if you can offer bird safe foods that are high in calcium that may help her out. I'm hoping someone else with more knowledge will come along soon and might be able to offer a bit more guidance.

Hi Steve, Is she constantly/continuously scratching or is it just occasional? African Grey's are notoriously dusty. They produce lots of dander and dust. when Alfie shakes or scratches you can see little puffs of dust flying off him sometimes. This is normal- the dust helps keep their feathers in good condition and helps repel water.

Oh how exciting! I still remember meeting Alfie for the first time and then bringing him home. That was 17 years ago! Would love to hear more about your baby bird!

Flight would be my normal go to but as a backup option I think I'd like to be able to breathe underwater and swim well, just so I can see what's hidden beneath the depths!

Poor Huey, it must be tough for him (and you as well of course!) Alfie always eats whatever he regurgitates. He hasn't done it for the last couple of years though as I'm out of favour. He never regurgitated for my housemate either, just me.

Interesting! Probably wondering what the heck we're doing half the time... and where their next meal is!

Now there's an answer I haven't heard before- I like that one!