Frederick Kicks Back
This sweet bird is endlessly fascinating to all of us. Unlike a dog or a cat, his take on things is constantly changing and evolving. New words, new behaviors, new experiments: he's always surprising us.
Last week I thought I would try to train him to lay down in my hand. Believe me when I say that having an African gray nestle on his back in your palm is a *good* feeling! It only took three or four sessions before he was consistently obeying my command. "Grab on." (He's hanging from my finger by one claw). "Lie down." (He's kicking back in my other hand). "Have a nut." (Self-explanatory).
Have you seen anything sillier?
20 comments:
That is hilarious!
He looks like the sweetest thing ever! My brother and his wife are bird owners (among others, an African Gray named Maggie) and I was surprised to find what distinct personalities each of the birds have. It's easy to see how a person could fall in love with a bird...I'm happy he was blessed to find such a caring home.:)
What a talented bird! And so funnyl!
adorable!
How beautifully you co-ordinate too!
My friend does that with her bird, Toby. Obviously, he's happy and he trusts you!
That Frederick is a hoot!
African Greys are so creative. Ours hangs upside down from the grates at the top of his cage, and sometimes takes to "plucking" the metal bars like guitar strings. I should get a picture one day...
He is adorable!
I just loved this, I had no idea birds were so trainable. :)
Reminds me of Tasha Tudor, who trained her parrot to lie down just like so on a platter, playing dead and played such trickery on unsuspecting guests.
She was a fiesty woman at that, but to hear her giggle as she explained the story, I couldn't help but giggle myself. I can imagine I would have made quite a scene had I been the guest!
Would a barking cat be sillier? Because I happen to have one of those!
Of course, you can't blame the poor dear: his mother died when he was little and he's had no one else to follow since!
LOVE it i still have to train my quaker bird not to bite yet. parrots are so much fun
What a funny bird! It's amazing how animals can have so much personality.
That is sooo funny!! I love it!! :)
What a silly bird, and I love how he came to you :)
I think you should start a youtube channel for him! :D it would be so watchable ... video the process of training him and his life stuf :D
I think you should start a youtube channel for him! :D it would be so watchable ... video the process of training him and his life stuf :D
eg look at Alex another Grey Parrot
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6KvPN_Wt8I
I am so fond of birds! Owning a bird, especially a parrot, wouldn't work out in our little home, so I content myself with the feeder outside my dining room window. I'm hoping next year to raise quail. Perhaps someday I'll enjoy my own bird. I grew up with birds and I miss their company.
I really enjoy your blog. What a wonderful home you're making for your family. I look forward to each new post.
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