Well, it's been almost a year since we took Tiko into our house, and he's still doing great!!

He's been fully flighted for about 4 months (or so) now and doesn't do much with those wings. If I leave the room too fast, he'll fly after me, but sometimes he gets off track and will end up in a completely different place then what he intended. At one time, it was hanging off the wood frame on my bedroom door At this point, I'm not going to clip him, but if he starts getting to be a better flier, then I may have to

He's always been a great eater. Ron switched him onto a pelleted diet with fresh foods, and Tiko is on the same diet here. There isn't many foods that he'll turn his beak up at and it shows. He's up to 437 grams Which is a pretty good weight for him, as he's not a large CAG.

We still spend every night cuddling on the couch. Me rubbing his head and him soaking it all up. That's my Tiko time and we both love it. Hands down, he's my most cuddly bird.

He likes to move back and forth between his cage and playstand and goes on a supervised walk-about around the inside of the house a few times a day. He also usually spends most mornings hanging out on my bed while I get ready for work. His favorite thing (besides cuddling) is tearing up the newspaper at the bottom of the cage. I've been tossing over the idea of giving him a small box to shred, but I'm kinda worried about nesting behavior.

We went through a bit of a tough phase where he was constantly pulling his water dish out of the holder and dumping it all over the cage floor. I've since switched him over to a water bottle. I'm not crazy about that, as I know he enjoys dunking his food, but until I can find a way to keep him from dumping the water (and for us to still be able to access the water dish from outside the cage) then he'll have to be on a water bottle. He doesn't really seem to mind it though.

He doesn't say any more words (just "Ruby"), but sure makes lots of pops and whistles. We're trying to teach him a few new songs to whistle, but Max seems to be picking them up quicker

Now for the photos...

Chris giving Tiko some banana:



Banana beak:



After a misting:



Midshake:



Ron knows this one!!:



So all in all, he's doing fantastic. Still a huge joy to have around. Having Tiko makes me realize how much I truly love Greys. To me, they are like no other bird.

Carrie Anne, Tiko is beautiful. Can't believe it has been a year already since you got him. Greys are such neat birds, I got to hold one once at a store that had many of their birds out on a table play area and he wanted to step up and interact with me. I would love to have one but I do not think I am experienced enough. Are they very aggressive or extra loud in general? Anyway I have learned a lot this past year as a new member from reading your posts. Thanks for all you expertise. Also thanks for sharing your pictures they are great shots of Tiko. Julie

glad to hear tiko is settled in so well. that must be a huge relief to you and ron.

we have had our CAG about 8 months now, and he is fully integrated into our family. most of the time a complete joy, though the other part of the time he can be stubborn . and he is our cuddly one too. he amazes me every day with how quickly he learns and can show us how smart he is. when he sees a dog walking by, he says "woof woof" to them

thanks for the pics too. tiko is beautiful

kris

Thank you Carrie.

I can't tell you how much that means to me to see the old flappy chicken in all his glory. It sure has been a while since I've seen him in person.

Yes, I know that pose exactly. It was followed imediately by a "Whoop" whistle.

He just looks so happy and healthy. His weight has certainly increased. He was always quite the lightweight, but you've fattened him up a bit.

I always knew he'd thrive with you.

Holy crap! Chris looks huge! You haven't posted a picture of him in a while. He's a young man now, not a kid.

Good luck with that mom.

Tiko is such a pretty guy. THanks for the update and thanks for sharing the pics of Tiko!!

Hi everybody!!!

Is great to read about Tiko...I am sooo excited....I am getting a Timneh soon.....!!!!

Wanted one for a long time..but I'm the kind that has to read ALL there is to.....and then make the decision....

So I did last week...the baby is 5 weeks...so I have couple of months of waiting...(it does kind of feel when I was pregnant) many years ago..ha..ha

Anticipation, exciting, nervousnes....happiness...OMG !!!

If anybody has advice......of ANY type..my ears are open!! Also, Carrie Ann, do you belong to a Grey forum?? Would you recomend one?
Starting next week I will be able to visit and get to know him/her.

I can't wait!!! I hope Wubbie deosnt get jealous!!! Cause I love him so much!!!

Thanks
Sandra

But your so right Carrie GREYS are the best birds in the whole world and thank you for sharing Tiko with us. I love to here how his doing!!


HIS A GORGEOUS HANDSOME BIRD!!!

Thank you for your kind words, Julie

I think it really depends on the Grey. I wouldn't generalize any bird as being aggressive. It all has to do with how they are raised. Tiko isn't aggressive to me at all, and will tolerate my older son, but he isn't crazy about my youngest son and wouldn't hesitate to bite him. Loudness depends on the individual bird too. I'm not sur e if this makes sense, but Tiko is one of my quietest birds, but he's also one of my most vocal. He doesn't have a bird call of his own. He just uses his whistles and pops to vocalize. Some of his noises can be high pitched though



Try www.anafricangrey.ca That's Dee's forum. I'm a member there, but don't post very often. Guess I'm just a Quaker girl at heart

Thanks for all your comments you guys.

And yes, Ron, Chris is getting big. Every time I look at him, I'm shocked to see a man in my house. I swear, the kid spends more time in the bathroom in the morning then I do!

Wow, has it been a year already? Amazing how time flies. Tiko looks wonderful and it sounds like he is doing just great! Thanks for sharing the photos ... he is adorable.

Tiko is beautiful. You've done a wonderful job with him and it's so nice to hear he's doing a wondeful job with you too!

Wow, I too can't believe it's been a year already! Tiko looks fabulous! It sounds like he definitely fit into your family perfectly! Thanks for the update!

Tiko is beautiful. How is he around your quaker. I think they are o beautiful. How much would a Grey cost?

Carrie Tiko looks great. He obviously is happy there. Our Zuri is a sweetheart, but absolutely is in love with my husband. If she could she would crawl up his nose, or into his ear, she wants to get so close. She does her step ups for me, and allows me to remove her from her cage without biting, but she is just being polite. She very rarely lately allows me to scratch the back her head. She used to lure me in by dropping her head, but when I went to pet her she would nip me. Luckily one of my Grey books warned of this maneuver. So I make a fist of a sort, well tuck my fingers in and rub her head with the side of my hand, that way she can't get a hold of a finger. That seemed to take all the fun out of it for her, so she just stopped biting, allows me now. She is very small though, only 340gms. The vet said it was because she is less than a year old, and probably is a female. She is not DNA'd, but I would bet my bottom dollar that she is female. I loved meeting your birds when you watched Tiki, and he still hasn't lost the call he picked up from one of your conures. But his and Zuri's most annoying sounds are the crow calls they learned from being outside. AAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! I hate crow sounds!!!!!!!!

How rewarding to have such a well-adapted bird into your family! Great job to you and your boys!!! (I have to say - yep, he's a beaut!)

"or into his ear, she wants to get so close."



Hehehe...like this? This our Lucy in my hubby's ear.....LOL
Click to view attachmentClick to view attachment

This is a video of her and Daddy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBpSVQ8Q1GM

CONGRATS Carrie, time sure does fly

awwww Tiko looks fantastic! What a great job your doing keeping him happy and content! Looks like a wonderful part of your family

Yup that is just like Zuri. Is your grey as affectionate with you?


I was very impressed with Carrie's boys. Tiki is not a great fan of people of the male persuasion, but he took to her youngest very well. Tiki was a happy and well adjusted boy when we picked him up after a 10 day vacation away. It made our vacation so much more enjoyable because we knew our baby was being cared for well.

Wow a year sure has flown by. He's such a handsome guy and looks great. Thanks for sharing the update.

Carrie, he's doing wonderfully! What a sweet boy you have. I'm so glad not only that you get to have a grey in your life, but THIS one


And I just have to say again... WHOA at a Chris! I keep thinking that you have "little" boys... but I guess not!