CHAPTER ONE: The Ups and Downs of Dustys Tail
Congo African Grey Parrots have bright red tails. (Timneh African Grey Parrots have darker, maroon colored tails)This is the top of Dusty's tail at 10.5 weeks old.
Here's a LOVELY picture of the Underside of Dusty's Tail.
"Shake your Tail Feathers": Parrots shake or "wag" their tails when they are happy and excited. It's not a long, drawn out thing like a dog, however. A quick shake, some feather ruffling, and the parrot's done. 
At just 10 1/2 weeks, Dusty is all feathers, no fuzz. The down is gone, replaced with sleak, beautiful feathers rolled out of their sheaths. So young, but already almost the same size as an adult.
Dusty's verbalizing skills are growing miraculously. Not only can Dusty imitate the number of syllables in his favorite words or phrases, but also the cadence of my voice. "I love you" becomes "er ER er". "Hello" is "er ER".
On average, most African Grey Parrots begin to speak at about one year old. Yes, in case you're wondering, I am shamelessly insinuating that MY baby parrot is beginning to demonstrate "gifted" behavior. No, in case you're wondering, I do not have facts to base this on - yet I remain convinced. |
