In November, we added a new family member to our already full household. Gabriel is a Timneh African Grey Parrot.  We brought him home at age 3 months, and as you can see from the first pictures, his red tail coloring is just coming in.

Gabriel was my birthday gift from Jonathan.  We originally agreed to an African Grey not realizing that there are two breeds.  At our local store bird store, Parrots Naturally (which we highly recommend) we walked into a cage full of mixed babies for sale. Gabriel came directly to the front of the cage and hung out with us the whole hour we were at the store, discussing breeds and Timnehs. We had not planned to take home a bird that day, but he chose us! Every time we came back to the cage, he would climb back up the front and want head rubs. So, after waiting another week and a half for him to complete weaning, he came home to join our menagerie. Within a few days, after biting both the dogs and the cats, he pretty much settled who was boss!

He has quite a personality already. He loves to sing to 80's music (go figure!), get head and neck rubs, and whistle like crazy. He knows how not to bite (except Trish!), gives kisses and loves to eat pasta.  He is also very head strong. When he wants to be with you, he will fly down from his perch, walk across the floor, climb the couch and step up on your hand.  Jonathan thinks that he looks like a little old man with his hands tied behind his back. We will try at some point to post some video.  The picture on top is Gabriel at 5 months.  Although he is mostly full grown, he will continue to fill out as he ages. His face will get whiter and his eyes will turn white as well.  We will keep pictures updated on the website as he grows, and hopefully add some talking samples once he starts.

Timnehs as a breed, are highly intelligent birds. Their cousins, Congo Grey's, are just as smart, but known to be slightly nuts. They will freak out over something as simple as a new toy. Timnehs, on the other hand, are much more laid back and mellow. Gabriel loves new toys, new foods, and new activities. We are very hopeful that he will be a good talker, due to the amount of vocalization he already experiments with. However, Timnehs usually don't start talking until after they are a year or so old.

Since 1977, Dr. Pepperberg has been working with Alex (NOT our Alex - LOL) and now works with 3 Congo African Grey Parrots.  Alex, the oldest, can count, identify objects, shapes, colors and materials, knows the concepts of same and different, and bosses around lab assistants in order to modify his environment! They have begun work with phonics and there is evidence to suggest that, someday, Alex may be able to read. Click here to learn more about Alex and his companions, and Dr. Pepperberg's work and books.

Well - that is all for now. Keep checking back for updates. We wish all of a you a very very happy new year :)

Heather & Family