Hi Jack

Shuuuu don't say hijack this close to the airport! :58:

I've just had an African Grey thrust into my life. I'm not real happy about it. Well at first. Now that he (Jack Sparrow) has settled down a bit we are beginning to communicate. What an odd creature. He defiantly wins the award for replicating common household sounds. Glasses clinking together, phone conversations (I mean I peeped around the corner to see if the landlord walked in), water dripping (I went to the sink to shut it off), a knock like dropping something on a countertop. Yikes! I'm waiting for "hands in the air ya filthy swine" as I run out the back door.

I'm all about dogs. Ya know mans best friend. Birds are flying snapping turtles or pierce pilots. Hell divers with needle nose pliers in the nose cone. I had no idea how intelligent they are. I'm not worthy. I get the feeling he is rewarding me when I hand him the right treat or hit on a familiar routine. It's a very humbling experience.

I'm headed to the local market to buy things I rarely eat.

Right after he arrived I plugged in my George Forman grill and I swear he said birdie bread ten times. Then in that instant that voice in your head (doesn't everyone hear voices?) said "Danger Will Robinson!!! Warning that is teflon coated...isn't that a canary killer"? My human companion loves birds but I rarely pay attention to them. I only get to see them on my days off. I have picked up on a few important issues. "Honey where are all the teflon pans"?

I don't have the time or patience to learn how to save another creature. Especially one smarter than me. And messy....I call it sling feeding. Eat a bite sling 5 out the grate. Puppies are so much easier to deal with.

Ok so I'm kinda curious. I think we might, might figure out how to live in harmony for a bit. Not perfect harmony mind ya just get along harmony.

Nice to meet all of you this looks like the right place to get educated about alien species such as these.

Thank you for allowing us onboard.

I fly away.
I believe we have forgotten how to live outside the body.
I fly away.
I believe we have forgotten how to live inside the body.
I fly away.
I believe we have forgotten how to live.
by Opal Moore
John's Song

Welcome aboard, Skyrider and J. Sparrow! Sounds like a classic example of one lucky human being chosen by a parrot. Remember, parrots aren't concerned about the mundane, and human plans are all mundane from a parrot's POV! The way J. Sparrow sees it, you just won the lottery! Give him a chance, he'll train you well, he'll make you laugh every day, give you a reason to learn new things and challenge you in ways you can't imagine. Surrender, toss your Teflon, and enjoy the journey.

We are so happy you joined us! We want to hear more!

Alien species? Flying snapping turtle? Smarter than you?... Welcome to the wonderful world of parrots then You can live in harmony easily with Jack- just do as you are instructed by your new avian overlord.

They are small but crafty creatures capable of taking over an entire home and making the humans run circles for them. Jack will have you trained up and under his control in no time Resistance on our part as lowly humans is futile. Oh and you better get used to that feeling of being stupid by comparison. My parrot frequently makes me feel like a total idiot by solving his foraging puzzles and getting the treats out in mere seconds where it took me 10 minutes to figure out how to get the treats in them:32: Be sure to watch (and listen!) to Jack, as he will likely be trying to communicate with you. Talkers often speak in-context and mean what they say and even non-talkers use body language to try to communicate their needs and emotions. Parrots are truly unique companions and indeed highly intelligent (also not terribly inclined to please or obey humans as other pets are)!

Lol aww your writing is a gift! Please spoil us with more
Parrots can be useful with all of their gass bagging....my IRN's flirt with my husband so I don't have to

Hello and welcome to you and Jack Sparrow! It sounds like he is training you well so far
Laughing out loud at the sounds he makes, after we got Justice, our CAG, he quickly learned our phone ring. I would run, pick it up, and then was sure someone was prank calling me. I didn't realize until I was in the room with him and there was no phone.
I agree, your writing is wonderful and I can't wait to read more.
Oh, and yeah, they never allow us to feel worthy, it's part of their charm
So happy you joined us!

So funny and so true! Welcome!

Hi Jack, or shall we call you D.B. Cooper?

Cheers for an extraordinary introduction. African Greys are a fascinating character study in the realm of parrots. Whomever thrust Jack Sparrow upon you gave an incredible gift!

Hello, and welcome to the Parrot Forums family!

Judging from your hilarious introduction, I get the feeling you and Jack Sparrow are going to fit right in around here.

Yeah, their sound-mimicry can be insane. Maya has had me thinking my wife was home and running all through the house calling out to her and wondering why the heck she wasn't answering me when she was clearly home! Of course, turns out she was still out shopping. And apparently, Jolly has managed the same trick on my mother by mimicking my voice! (Though I have yet to hear that one. Lol!)

You have quite the journey ahead of you with Jack, and I promise the joy and laughter he brings will far outweigh the extra work and any frustration that a parrot's inherent stubbornness may bring.

So, all that said... bring on the pics!

I read all your replys to Capt Jack while he sat on his throne looking at me like I was the village idiot. Jester to the king I am.

You're right resistance is futile. I have been assimilated. I AM THE BIRD...borg...

DON'T PANIC!

Yep yesterday I was about ready to jump out a plane myself. I worry about him while I'm at work. I kept thinking craziness like iPhone baby cams and monitors....jeeezzzz get a grip.

I'm much better now ��

Thank you all so very much for the welcome aboard pass. I will try my best to do this right.

No burden is so heavy for a man to bear as a succession of happy days.
Max Planck

Skyrider said:

... I kept thinking craziness like iPhone baby cams and monitors....jeeezzzz get a grip. ...

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Not crazy, some of us have them. They are downright entertaining and informational, and good peace of mind.

If you haven't already, look videos about Alex the African Grey and Dr. Pepperberg to see what your new overlord is capable of.

Skyrider said:

Yep yesterday I was about ready to jump out a plane myself.

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Make sure your parachute is properly packed. Enlist a Cockatoo for best safety, the Greys have a warped sense of humor, ie. "Look guys, human in freefall, no wings!"

Theres a recipe here somewhere for birdie bread.