07/30/11

Taggers has been stubborn lately, i switched diets on him per Lance at the Columbus Zoo,
(love you so much Lance) and he is not having it. Picky bird!!!! Its not hamburgers or bacon and eggs and he is not having it!!! Plus, he is pissed at me working 60 hours a week. anyways...Things have been so hectic around here, with work and all the new responsibilities its been crazy but much FUN!!!! Tag got his grant, so i have not been blogging as much as i should. My college is now paid for thanks to him ( I think, TAG) and Nat for helping me with all the necessary bird calls and with questions. I have one class left ( Thank you!!) and then i graduate in the fall. With work, it has been a challenge, but i am going to graduate with an AS in natural and social sciences, but i am restructuring my BS. I have recently taken on a manager position at my new company and it is demanding, but I love it!! I am busy all day long and i have 10 people under me, so; long story short, i might be reconstructing my degree to fit in at work. I have a trip lined up in Cleveland Aug 15, 16, 17 that the company is going to pay me to go to, this is to obtain my state coordinator degree for New York, Wisconsin's and Florida. I will take some time off after i graduate to really determine what i want/need out of life. I would really like to continue into orthintology, but i feel that right now, i need to slow down, enjoy life, and slowly make my way to that degree, because right now, i am needed in my job and it is demanding (no complaints here, I love it so much) but it does take time. Stay tuned people, I want to keep this blog up and running but I'm not sure what it will be about. Thanks to Mike Kraut, Nat bug, Laura, Katalin, and all the rest of my followers for supporting this book, mission and most of all my love for the Avian world. love you all!!!!

June 2, 2011 (WE DID IT)

Well, there you have it! Taggers and I had two years to do it, and we did it in 1 year, 1 month and 2 days. He even got more words then he needed and did it in less time! Man I have such a smart bird!
GOTTA GO TO WORK
WANT SOME WATER
GOOD BOY
HELLO

And,for some reason the video will not load!! UGG will try tomorrow!

May 24th 2011

When I say Tag is taking off in his talking abilities, boy I sure mean it! Tags progress seems to be taking off so fast, that every day he has picked up something new. I was able to video tape him secretly again, as it seems every time there is a camera in his face, he just stares at it blankly. I tell him every day when I leave to go some where that I "gotta go to work", I figure its easier than tiring to explain where I'm actually going at times. He has started asking me this question when I put him back into his cage. "good boy" is something else he has masted over the last few days. As someone who wants to learn everything about orthintology, I asked myself these few questions on what may have caused the recent jump in speaking ability.

1. Age- Tag has just turned a year old May 1st and this could possibly have had an impact on this, but many greys don't start talking till the age of 2. Tag is a Temneh, and this type of species matures more faster than greys, not because they are smarter than Africans.

2. Space-I wonder about the space that Tag has now, about 7 times more than normal, which in turn means 7 times more things to look at and get into. The outside aviary is another possibility with the freedom to be able to be left outside alone for short periods of time perhaps builds confidence.

3. Sound-The room Tag is in echos quite a bit, having the sounds echo off the walls, may give him a sense of paraellel refection on his words.

4. Presley-The dog. Now, I have seen them two sit for 20 minutes whining and barking at each other and watch inquisitively on their actions and motions. Having a dog around was never part of the experiment but it seems to be helping tag learn to mimic sounds, as he now sounds like a small yappy poodle barking at the big black dog.

Whatever the reasons are for this change, I am getting more and more confident in his abilities to speak many words by the time he is two, and I will be starting color and shape training soon. I have such a wonderful, smart and talented little buddy!

May 20th, 2011

The new aviary arrived on John's truck today at 10:00A.M. We were worried we might have to walk it down the street 5 houses, but he was able to get it in the truck! Having a party with the girls later, to help make some bird toys, I put together few things today, but decorating and customising will take some time! Here are a few pictures I took this morning!

May 19th 2011

Me inside Tags aviary, a sense of size

side of aviary

top of aviary

side of aviay, ready to be fitted with chicken wire

Door to aviary

Entire aviary in all its happy glory!

So many new things to report with Tag, since moving in here. Tag has taken off this last week as far as speaking abilities. He is now barking like a dog, and tiring VERY hard to spit words out, like "Good boy" "love you" and getting better at "hello".Brittney even came downstairs because she thought someone was in the house talking. I have included a video of his talking below. Its been truley amazing this last week, its like he finally found his voice and wants everyone to know about it.

Another exciting thing that I am happy to report is the aviary for the backyard is being built. Now that I have room, John has constructed Tag his own Aviary for the backyard. Above are some photos of it being built yesterday. He should have it completely done by Saturday. It has most of the piping/framing done and just needs glued and the chicken wire installed. Now comes the hard part, filling it with toys toys toys! That will be more expensive then the actually aviary it's self. The aviary stands 103" wide 47" deep and 54" tall. A huge thanks to John for building it for me.

may 12th 2011

I was sitting on the back patio this morning with Tag and Presley and just thought I would share some photos. They seem to being adjusting well, it has become a norm in the mornings for us to sit out there. So nice and quite, and birds all around. I saw my first hummingbird this morning of the season, time to mix up the sugar water and hang the feeder, the neighbor beat me to it!

May 10th 2011

Taggers is getting more and more pin feathers these days. I wet him down really good today to see how much he has been plucking. A lot, it looks to me. If could be his time to molt, or he could be a little stressed out from the move, I'm not sure. He has not went through a molt ever, so I am hoping that its just that. We sat on the porch all day yesterday and today soaking up the sun! I have enclosed a few pictures of Tag during his bath outside today some videos of him and Presley! They seem to have developed a language that only they can understand, and Tag eggs him on! Constantly! enjoy the photos and video!