" question about my tag...

[Tricker66]

Hi again all!!!

 

I have 2 questions I wonde if anyone can answer?

 

1. My TAG is now 16 months old. I notised when I got her how warm her feetand beak was. A few days ago I notised how her feet and beak seems to go from varm to cold in just a few minutes. Is tis normal? Its not that she is varm after flyng around or cold coz sitting still. Sometimes she is VERY active and then suddenly she like withdraw and sit quiet and still, ofetn with one foot up and with "Fluffy" feathers. (sorry dont know the correct expresion in englidsh) But still she seems truly ok and are getting more and more confident by the day!

 

2. I read that a TAG/CAG normally starts to talk between 1 and 2 years. Is it the same when it comes to imitate whissles? Even tho her "Sounds" isnt right I can hear and are 100% sure she tries to imitate my wissles already coz the rythm or melody is correct. Is this early or what?

 

Jimmy

[Shaz]

Hi, not sure about 1. i'm sure other members could offer information on this.

 

2. My grey is 16 weeks old and is copying one of my whistles. I'm assuming its easier for greys to learn whistles as opposed to human vocabulary ?

[Caspersmum]

Hi Jimmy,

 

I've noticed the hot and cold foot thing with casper - which makes me think it's probably normal. As for the moving round alot then being fluffy seems normal to me - I think especially when they're young they tire themselves out. And when they're sitting on one foot ruffled up its a sign they're relaxed - they sleep like that too.

 

As for the whistling, like shaz said, they can pick it up really quickly. I'd heard that they wouldn't talk until they're at least a year old, but I was told by casper's previous owners that he was talking at 6 months. They often start by trying to speak, making sounds that have the same intonation as the words you use, but without the pronunciation - just like human babies. I was told that when they do this you should try to work out what they're saying (often easier said than done - I haven't got a clue what Casper's saying most of the time!), then pronounce the words properly for them to reinforce what they're tryng to say.

 

Sorry if this is a bit long winded, and hope it helps,,

 

Julia

[ZoesDad]

Hi Jimmy,

Regarding the hot/cold feet, my TAG is now 18 weeks old and I've encountered the same thing that you describe. I've noticed that her feet tend to warm up pretty quickly after playing with me, though, so I'm guessing that this peculiarity has something to do with the circulation of her blood (improves with movement)and lack of insulation on her feet.

I also regularly observe the behaviour after vigorous play that you describe, and from experience, know that it is simply a bird's way of taking a moment to relax after having some fun. (When they have one foot drawn up it's a good sign!)

Regarding the age at which AGs begin to talk, I also read that they often start at some point between 12-18 months but that this age varies between birds and between Timney's and Congos. (Timney's supposedly start to talk a little before one year according to an informal poll of owners that I read.)

It would be interesting to hear when TAG/CAG owners who use this forum first heard their birds speak.

Regarding the vocalizations of young TAGs, have a look at my blog.

Hope this helps,

Gus

[ZoesDad]

Hi again Jimmy,

Here is a link to that information I mentioned in my previous response concerning the age at which TAGs begin to speak.

http://www.africangreys.com/articles/greys/species.htm

It's a very interesting article

[Guest Monique]

That is a very interesting article. Thanks for sharing!

[ZoesDad]

My pleasure.

[estream]

Aloha Jimmy :-) Agreed, I think vocalization, whistles, and household imitations vary greatly with each individual bird and their environmental considerations. Chloe is a CAG, and began with "Hello" at roughly four months. It was most certainly a rough interpretation (uncontrolled and very funny) beginning with the rhythm of the word and progressing to diction and tone with practice :-) She is now almost six years old with a good four pages of vocabulary she uses with -and on occasion without - intent and focus. That said, I do work from home and as a result spend a great deal of time with her.

As far as the one-foot concern, I agree, it's my understanding that is a very good sign that a bird is relaxed and content :-) as far as temp goes, I seem to remember sharing this concern early on and consulting with my avian vet, who reassured me all was well and that this is a normal bird thing. That said, if this should ever be accompanied by troubling behavior changes, I encourage you to be safe and consult with your own avian specialist.

I'm happy to hear things are going so well for you :-)

Also, my thanks to zoesdad for the article link, which I will share with my mother who recently welcomed a TAG into her home :-) all a part of my evil plot to infect the masses with grey love :-)

[MARIR]

Hi! I too have experienced this with our CAG's feet warm and cold...and it seems like when Izzy's is cold Gabby's are warm...or viceversa....but I think as long as they aren't "panting" don't worry about over heating. Gabby will sit with her feathers ruffled perched on one foot, sleeping. I was worried about the ruffled feathers but the vet said not to worry with the CAG's unless they're not active..then she would need to be seen. I think the birds are WORSE than children, at least they can tell us when they're sick....:blink: