Too bad you didn't have someone out there to capture the moment on film.

Penny

Michele, they are bold little birds--like chihuahuas, they think they are mighty mighty. I would love to see some pictures here. I'll bet Alex is a real hoot. What fun to have an intelligent bird companion like that.

that is incredible! how long did they usually stay? do you think they recognized alex as a fellow bird and felt comfortable being around him? I always thought that their speed made hummers more brave and apt to get closer to you, knowing they could outrun their predators better than most. you should really try to get some photos this year, or better yet- a video.

Speaking of Alex the Grey, he just climbed up my chair and perched on my right hand (mouse hand). He refuses to sit on my left hand for some reason. Yes, I will have to get my husband to take photos of Alex and me swinging with the hummers perched on the back of the swing! Someone asked how long they sat with us. I'd say about ten mintes, maybe more. They are utterly unafraid.

I read that they do not fear humans because humans are not and never were their predators, which makes sense. They are too small even for a snack.

You have no idea how bird nuts we are around here! Alex is sitting on my mouse hand. Homer, male Umbrella Cockatoo, is preening on the top of his cage. Misti, female Umbrella cockatoo, is sitting on the very top perch of their large king cage, bird watching. And last but not least is our newly (1 week) adopted Blue and Gold Macaw is perched on his playstand chewing a purple wood block. Now he is eating a peanut.

I glaced out the birdroom window to see what Misti was looking at so intently - right outside the window a flock of cedar waxwings is perched in the trees. They are swooping down to get blue leatherleaf mahonia berries.

I am happiest when I am with my flock!!!

michele, what a picture you just painted!! that is so cool. are these all yours or do you do fostering?

We bought the Umbrella Cockatoo pair about ten years ago. We adopted the Congo African Grey over a year ago, and just recently adopted a beautiful Blue and Gold Macaw. The Grey and the Macaw are real talkers!! Macaws don't usually talk, but this one talks quite a bit and readily learns new words, very smart!

Congo African Greys are the real talkers of the parrot world, having vocabularies of hundreds and hundreds of words. Alex learns new phrases daily!

For those who think these big birds cannot think and use language creatively... I left the feed bowl "door" open and my female cockatoo climbed through it. She does that all the time. And I said to Alex, "Where's Misti?!" He said, "She went out the back door!" I've never said that before or even thought of the food bowl "door" as the "back door" until Alex said it.

They are truly beautiful and amazing! Gives me a whole new perspective on this world, being a part of this flock!

Michele

Michele, more, more, more! I have three little lovebirds and wish so much I'd gotten the parrot bug when I was much younger. I love the CAG's and all of the larger parrots....would love to have one that talks, too! My bird room (formerly a screened in back porch that we made a year-round bird room) looks out into the back yard and I can open 4 large windows, screened, on nice days. My lovies are just nuts for the back yard birds and one of the hummer feeders is right next to their room, out on the back deck. I'm not sure if my lovies notice the tiny little hummers but I'm sure the hummers are very aware of the lovebirds when they are all chirping together. Like you, I am happiest with my flock! I don't doubt at all that Alex answered you with a phrase he'd never heard. After all, you did ask the question and he did know the answer and is smart enough to say it! LOL! Even my lovies are smart but not in comparison to most of the larger parrots. I'd love to see photos of your kids! Janie

Too funny, Michelle!
...and I agree with ya...they're WAY smarter than some people think.
I have a male AG...Carey, and a female Yellow-Crown, Griffie.
They're a hoot!
Carey hates Grif...and she fears him!, but still...they interact.
She asks: "Can you dance?"
He bobs up and down while she hums the tune from Jeopardy.
Too funny!
One day I was in my bathroom getting ready for work.
My little cat, Emmie was sitting beside me.
Carey wandered in and said: "Oh! Emmie! Hi!!!"
THAT'S a SENTENCE! LMBO!

Lellie!!!! You have parrots, too???? I should have known you were also a pet bird person (addict as my hubby calls me!). :D I have only three tiny little lovies and he thinks I'm a hoarder! LOL!

Yes, please, more parrot stories! I never had a bird but I'm captivated by them. Especially the story of N'kisi... and I'm sure there are countless others like him, they just aren't famous.

We've had congo and timna AG's, macaws, amazons and many others and though the congo AG was a fantastic talker, the timna was bonded to me which was very cool. I could do anything I wanted with her and if I tapped her beak she'd try to feed me. Needless to say, regurgitated bird food splattered over the walls and me wasn't fun to clean up so I didn't try to get her to feed me often. Her favorite game was I called "gimme that" and she called it "no you can't have it unless you give me moneeeey". She was a wild caught import but after bonding would let me hold her in my hand on her back...very trusting! We'd often play football where she was the ball. Fun times!

You AG lovers who haven't seen Einstein will get a kick out of this video link.

Here is a link that might be useful: Einstein the AG

What a great story about your TAG, "mnktx"......Parrots are the coolest pets! I've seen Einstein on Animal Planet and recently read that his home is at the Knoxville Zoo (TN) and I go through K'ville a few times a year. I think he performs a few times a day and I'd love to meet him in person someday.

Just took a look at Einstein and It certainly brought a smile to my face.

Michele yes you need to post pic of your clan on the swing

I'll try to get pics, but my husband will have to take them through the patio glass door. Otherwise he would scare them away.

happy birding!

Michelle,

Last spring my DH and I were in the Jacuzzi on our deck late in the day and our 2 Red throated's from last year came right up to our face and buzzed us.
I guess they were just saying "Hello again, now get out of the tub and get us some food pronto."

Of course I did as I was told!!! LOL

Not here yet, but I am prepared this year!!

Pam

p.s. Janie, stop aching for a REAL (;)) bird and get an adopted parrot, there are plenty of them out looking for homes. I'm gonna start emailing you ones that I find right away!!!