Conference 7.286::pet_birds

    ...and yes, I'm Dick Kirschbaum's son.
    
    :-)
    
     /\
    /--\ndy

    
    um, Andy, nobody owns a grey...
    
    
    
    but I'm sure the new baby will be delighted to own you!
    
    
    (Good luck, and congratulations, greys are terrific!  Your life will
    never be the same again!)
    
    					/Rita
    					(formerly owned by a timneh)
    

    
    	Oh - you will have such fun watching the "baby" grow up. We are
    	owned by a 6 month old - who is just a joy. Everyday it is
    	something new. He is a lot like a cat - they want attention
    	only when THEY want attention. Althoght Winston will let me 
    	do almost anything to him - the rest of the family is at HIS
    	becon call!
    
    	Good luck and Have FUN!
    
    		Dora

    Andy, you just KNEW that I would reply to this.  'Bout time you 
    got with the program.
    
    How old is the little bugger.  I have baby pictures of Bubba from when
    he was just two weeks old.  Then I have them from week to week.  I
    watched him grow.
    
    Bubba has now learned to make all the noises of car alarms squeeking on
    and off in the parking lot of the apartment.  
    
    When do you take him home.  What's his name?  Where did you get him?
    
    
    By the way, Dick and I will have you owning a B&G in no time.
    
    Is there a column in this?
    
    I'm excited for you.  Isn't motherhood wonderful?
    
    Pat

    I think the little bugger (nice safe, non-gender specific term that)
    is about 4 months old, but I could be off.
    
    The pet store that's weaning (insert pronoun here) has monthly pictures
    and I've taken about a thousand pictures so far. 
    
    Yes, motherhood is fun!
    
    My baby comes home August 19th.
    
    The name is still up in the air, but I am leaning towards Gandalf.
    
     /\
    /--\ndy

    What is a Gandalf?  (*pardon my ignorance*)
    
    Little bugger fits nicely.  
    
    By the way, my Mom's birthday is August 19.  
    
    Good luck, I know you'll be a good mom.
    
    Pat

    Gandalf is A) A main character in the novels of J.R.R. Tolkein
    		  The character's full name is Gandalf the Gray
    
    	       B) An ancient Norse name translating to Wizard Elf
    
    	       C) Kinda cool sounding.
    
    But for now I think I will stick with Little Bugger :-)
    
     /\
    /--\ndy :-)

    Perhaps the feathered legions of this note can be of some help here...
    
    The pet store that is weaning my bird, bought *two* grays from the
    aviary.  Now they are offering me a choice of which bird I want to
    take home.
    
    The two grays are *very* different.
    
    One, which I shall designate Adventure Bird, is just that, very out
    going and friendly.  He likes to wrestle.  He makes a loud (not macaw
    loud, but loud) squawk when I do something he doesn't like...like
    leave.  Adventure Bird is also a little bit of a walker which concerns
    me slightly.  One day on my way out of the store, he followed me almost
    to the door.  If the owner hadn't seen him waddling along behind me...
    
    The other, designated Cuddle Bird, is much more shy.  I have to spend
    a few minutes talking to him before he'll climb up on my arm.  Cuddle
    Bird loves to snuggle up against my chest and be petted or scratched.
    Cuddle Bird makes quiet, cute little chirping noises and has never
    squawked in my presence.  Cuddle Bird seems a little afraid of the
    people I bring by to introduce.
    
    So...Thoughts?  Advice?  Expericences?
    
     /\
    /--\ndy

    Greys are shy enough without finding one "born to be shy."  I'd go
    for Adventure Bird in a heartbeat.
    
    Bubba was a walker when he was a baby.  He grew out of it fast.  Birds
    really don't like walking on the floor once they realize they are a
    bird (now, I know there are exceptions).
    
    AB for me.
    
    Pat

    
    	Tough choice !! It depends what you want out of the bird. I would
    	probibly go for cuddle bird - but their personalities realy change
    	when they get to a different eviornment. If you want independence -
    	go for Adventure - if you want loving - go for cuddle.
    
    	Good Luck!
    
    	I have a 7 month old Gray - who is a little of both - although
    	more cuddle than anything. He is such a sweetie - he is starting
    	to whistle songs now.

	I stopped by at New England Tropical Pet, and
	played with both birds...they are both outgoing,
	friendly and REAL sweethearts!

	Both are a great choice, especially since the
	shop is selling them at breeder prices.

	Also last nite, CB was doing the walk...so
	either one may end up as Adventure Bird!

	Wait for the rest of the month, and then
	choose....

	This is nice, `cause which ever one you pick
	I get to play with....

	-d

    Andy, may I have your permission to use AB and CB in my November
    column........
    
    Please?
    
    Pat

    Of course, Pat!
    
    Why would I mind?
    
     /\
    /--\ndy

Well I've decided, after listening to all this, that definitely my next bird
will be an African Grey.  I just have to find out when breeding season is (I
imagine since you are purchasing a baby now it must be around late spring) and
plan my purchase around that.  Probably next spring.

I like your choice of a name if you go with it, it really fits.  That kind of
bird really needs a special name.  Keep us posted - it's really like waiting
for a new member of the family to arrive!

-Peggy

    Guess what?
    
    My baby is coming home!
    
    For those interested, I have decided on Cuddle Bird, and since he
    has weaned ahead of schedule, I am taking him home tonight!
    
    I am *very* excited.
    
     /\
    /--\ndy

    CONGRATULATIONS, Dad!
    
    And the name is . . . . . . 
    
    Did AE come through for you?
    
    Pat

    The name is Gandalf, Pat.
    
    AE is operating as expected...the cage is late :-)
    
    New England Tropical Pet is loaning me a cage until mine arrives.
    
    Such nice boys! :-)
    
     /\
    /--\ndy

    
    Many congratulations!!! I realy love my Grey - Winston - He is such
    fun to play with and teach. He looks so attentive when we are working
    on a new word or new whistle. He is learining "Popeye The Sailor" - and
    doing quite well!
    
    Much fun!!!
    
    		Dora

    Boy is parenthood (parrothood?) fun!
    
    Little Gandalf (or the amazing feathered poop-machine, as I like to
    call him) is a real handfull!  As soon as I come home and open the
    cage, he leaps for the door...sometimes he misses.  Such a clutz!
    
    Then he does an amazing banzai-bird flap to the floor.  Gandalf has
    waddled around my whole apartment, poking his little beak into
    everything and everyone.
    
    Yesterday, Gandalf discovered his lungs...PEEP!  Right in my ear,
    ouch...other than that, he's making all sorts of weird beeps and
    whirps.  Its like having the bridge on Star Trek in my living room.
    
    I just wanted to share all the fun I'm having with my fellow bird-folk.
    
     /\
    /--\ndy

    
    Andy, that is SOOOO neat!  Congrats!  Greys are really different from
    other birds in the ways they typically learn to talk, too...
    
    He may do nothing other than that "peep" for a while...and then if you
    listen REALLY closely, you may hear him doing something that sounds
    like muttering to himself or grumbling under his breath...he'll be
    practicing new sounds to himself!  And just when you've decided that he
    isn't going to learn a THING that you've tried to teach him to say,
    he'll all at once start yelling whole phrases at you!  And he'll be
    proud as a peacock!  Greys are utterly wonderful :-)  Let us know when
    it happens, ok?
    
    And give a hug to little Gandalf for me!
    
    						/Rita
    

Andy,
      Since Gandalf is young & impressionable at the moment, are you going to 
      try & potty-train him ?

      I've been trying (50% success) to train our 'poop-machine' (Basil), who
      is about 8/9 years. Since I am having some success, you should have little
      problem with such a young bird. You'll be amazed how quickly he understandss 
      what you're trying to tell him. Whether he will obey is another matter !

 
Jim

    
    I wondered what that muttering was. Winston does it all the time! I
    must say that he has become my favorite - He is so funny and VERY
    expressive! And what a clutz!
    
    Andy - you are in for some really fun times! It really is like having
    a child 'cause everyday is something new!
    
    
    			Dora

    	I have a Sun Conure, Squiggy, and he has pooped on me only once in
    	the four years I have had him.  He will sit on my shoulder for
    	about 1/2 hour and I will pick him up on my finger and throw him
    	towards his cage.  He'll land, raise his butt, and presto....all
    	done!!

    Gandalf poops about every fifteen minutes, seemingly regardless of
    whether he's eaten or not.  In addition, when he does poop, he poops
    several times in a row.  So I never know when its "safe".
    
    Jim, how are you training Basil?  I've been waiting til I think its
    "time", scooping Gandalf up and dropping him on or in his cage, and
    loudly announcing 'bathroom!'.  Usually he poops on my hand :-)
    
    Gandalf made yet another new sound yesterday.  He goes boopboopboop.
    
    I'm sure you're all fascinated. :-)
    
     /\
    /--\ndy

    
    > I'm sure you're all fascinated. :-)
    
    Andy, of COURSE we are!  It's your non-bird-owning relatives, friends,
    and coworkers who will think you've flipped and will roll their eyes
    when you tell yet-another-cute-bird-story or show them the latest set
    of baby pictures!
    
    						/Rita
    
    
    

    Yup, that's right!  The tests are back and I am the proud parent
    of a little girl grey.  Neat!
    
    Gandalf (or Gandy as many call her) is still pooping wildly, she's
    making more sounds than I can easily catalogue or repeat, including
    (drum roll please...) "Hi"!
    
    I was so proud if her the other day, she managed to climb from the
    ground all the way up to my shoulder without any help at all!  To
    celebrate she promptly pooped down my back.
    
    Other bits of potential interest, when dining together, Gandalf very
    much prefers her own plate, and she really "gets into" her meal, if you
    know what I mean.  I'm never sure how much she's eaten and how much
    she's absorbed directly through her feathers...
    
    The messier the meal, the more she likes it.  Sauces are very popular.
    
    Also, AE purports to have shipped her cage on Friday, so I should have
    it...soon.
    
     /\
    /--\ndy