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Scooter-Pie (right) and Sammy (left), are the proud parents of the babies featured in this slide show. The two have just taken a misting bath and are drying out in their outdoor play area which is completely enclosed to protect them from predators.
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African Grey parrots are native to the Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Dahomey, Nigeria,Cameroon, Central African Republic, Zaire, Uganda, western Kenya, the Congo Republic, Equatorial Guinea, the islands of Principe and Fernando Po.
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They inhabit the densest jungle on the African continent.
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Equatorial birds, African Greys are used to a warm climate and abundant forests.
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Greys are believed to nest and produce eggs during rainy seasons. Eggs go through an incubation period of 28 to 30 days. The chicks in this picture are between 9 and 4 days.
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Nests are found in deep holes in tree trunks that are deep and hidden far from human dwellings. Parents use their beaks to enlarge existing, natural holes, and gnaw away at the wood until a comfortable sized nest is carved out. Only one pair will nest in any tree, and there they will lay three or maybe four eggs.
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February 19
In the wild these babies would be in almost complete darkness snuggled deep in the hollow carved out their parents
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February 23, 2006
Timnehs are similar in looks to the larger red-tailed, or Congo greys, but with some marked differences. Timnehs are much smaller, weighing in at 250-325 grams. Their basic build is usually more slender. The upper beak is bone-colored instead of black, and their feathering is much darker than a Congo's. Tail feathers are a deep lustrous maroon.
(Wally on left, Trixie in middle, Ditto on right.)
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February 23, 2006
This clutch of 3 in the album belong to Scooter-Pie and Sammy tame Timneh Gray Parrots.
(Wally in the middle.)
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February 26, 2006
Parrot parents work as a team in raising their young. The mother (hen) stays in the nest with the babies while the father forages for food to bring back to mommy.
(Wally)
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February 26, 2006.
When the father finds food, he eats it and then flys back to the nest and feeds the mother.
This is the oldest, Ditto. The babies are able to hold their heads up for longer periods now.
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February 28, 2006
The mother eats what daddy has given her and in turn feeds it to the babies.
The babies at this age try to find the warmest place. They pile on top of and under each other for warmth.
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February 28, 2006
Pictured at 16 days old these babies would be fed by their parents at least every 2 hours during daylight hours. According to the. Lexicon of Parrots these babies' diet would consist of seeds, nuts, fruits, berries, nectar and occasionally millet when daddy forages in millet fields. African Greys prefer fruit of oil palm (Elaeis guinensis).
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March 6, 2006
DNA sexed, the babies have been renamed.
This is Wally, DNA'd female (now known named Molly) the second to hatch.
The first to hatch is Ditto, DNA'd male.(renamed Rocket, now Pecos)
The third to hatch is Trixie, DNA'd female. She's still named Trixie.
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March 7, 2006
Left to right, is the youngest, Trixie, Ditto (now, named Pecos) the oldest and Wally the middle "Fid" (now, named Molly) on the right.
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4 to 5 weeks old now. Their personalities are really starting to show.
Feeding time is really getting fun. Each one has their own unique begging technique.
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4 and 5 weeks
Give me food!
Wally (now Molly) was recently banded with a temporary band.
Just to avoid confusion later on.
She's on the right with the pink band on her left ankle.
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4 and 5 weeks
Here you see Sammy (on right) and Scooter-Pie feeding their babies. What is unusual about this pair, is that they interacted with their humans and all, parrots and humans, shared in the care and feeding of these babies.
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March 11, 2006. (babies are about 5 weeks old here)
Family bonding time.
As the babies grew Sammy changed his role. He went from helping with the feedings to protecting and patrolling the area where they were.
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More Family activity, babies are about 5 weeks old. Mama Scooter-Pie is on the left.
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March 15, 2006, 6 weeks old.
Ain't I cute?
I think I ate to much.
(Trixie on the right, Wally left.)
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March 17, 2006
I'm bigger an' older so I'm da boss aroun' here.
So, are you hungry?
Molly is in the middle, Trixie is waiting for Molly to feed her. This happened alot between them.
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Pictured at 6 weeks, these babies are being weaned by their human parents. Cheerios seems to have made it on the yummy food list.
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Here the babies are trying out some pellets. In the wild, TAGS (timneh african greys) of course would not be eating cheerios or pellets since they do not grow on trees and are not found on the ground in their natural habitat.
Notice how much darker Ditto's face is? He turned out to be the only male.
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Wally, now named Molly posing for her portrait.
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March 15, 2006.
Trixie (right) trying to get her sister to wake up.
The babies get very sleepy after the morning weigh-ins and feedings.
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March 15, 2006.
Trixie is quite vocal now. She loves to play with her voice.
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March 19, 2006 (about 6 weeks old)
Trixie is learning to control her head feather reactions. She is often seen with them sticking straight up. So cute!
Ditto has his under control already.
We noticed if they are curious, frightened or excited the head feathers will rise.
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March 19, Wally and Gavin.
Wally loves to snuggle.
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March 22, 2006
One month and 20 days old, these rascals are feathering up quickly! This is a very painful stage for young parrots, as lots of pin feathers emerge through their skin.
When sleepy they all snuggle into a corner. Sometime it is hard to tell where one ends and the other one starts.
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March 22, 2006
Every baby parrot's buffet fantasy
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March 24, 2006
Ditto getting his share of beta-carotene via the almighty carrot! Parrots' requirement for beta-carotene is very, very high.
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March 24, 2006 Trixie Stealin Carrot
Excellent sources of beta-carotene are carrots, sweet potatoes, broccoli, mango, papaya, tomato, collard greens, kale, apricots; actually any dark leafy green veggie and orange to red pigmented fruits.
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March 24, 2006 Wally with a corn beak. Pretty sure she got to taste some of it.
If at all possible, foods fed to parrots should be organically grown. Studies have shown that chemical fertilizers and pesticides are rapidly endangering our and their lives.
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March 24, 2006 Wally & Ditto and THE pea!
For a list of the best and worst non-organically produce fruit and veggies, visit EWG
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March 25, 2006. Breakfast time!
After an hour of forraging they are syringe fed, bathed and off to slumber for a few hours.
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March 25, 2006
Sammy and Scooter-Pie preening (grooming) their babies' pin feathers.
At this point the babies know the syringe gets them the most food. They clamor toward any syringe empty or full.
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March 28, 2006. Hi, is it time to eat now?
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March 28, 2006. Wally after the corn agian.
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March 28, 2006, Trixie, looking sleepy.
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March 28, 2006
Ditto showing off his belly as he excercises in anticaption of his first flight!
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March 28, 2006
Can you see all the pinfeathers on Ditto? Notice too, the lavender hued groin feathers?
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March 29, 2006
Getting some cuddle time with Mamma Karen aka Grannie Handfeeder!
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March 29, 2006
First time Ditto tried napping on the perch. Notice how he's using his wings for balance?
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March 31, 2006
The day the babies were moved out of the nursery and introduced to their new cage.
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March 31, 2006
Hey! Let me outta here
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April 2, 2006
Can you come over to play?
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April 2, 2006
Sure Ditto, I'll be right over
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April 2, 2006
Me too! Wait for me!
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April 3, 2006
Play time!
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April 3, 2006.
Trixie telling that dog to go away!
Notice the lavendar hue on her tail coverts?
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April 3, 2006, the Family Picnic.
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April 3, 2006 Wally (Molly) is a bit larger then her Mama.
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April 5, 2006
This picture was for a size comparison for a friend of ours. Ditto was not quite sure of that this thing.
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April 5, 2006
I don't think that's a bird proof lighter! Stay away from that!
He tried be tuff and not be afriad. It wouldn't go away. So when it fell over he lept off the table (into Gavin's lap) to get away from it.
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April 5, 2006. They love their baths. Trixie likes to get in the "tub" and the scrathch with her feet. This flings water everywhere, she has a blast!
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April 5, 2006. Sisters sharing the "tub".
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April 5, 2006. Walking through food bowls isn't as easy as it looks.
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April 9, 2006
Momma and Daddy supervising play time
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April 11, 2006, YUM, fresh mango and peas!
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April 11, 2006
PIZZA!
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April 11, 2006
Formerly known as Wally, WallyAnna discovers Pizza!
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April 11, 2006
Smashed peas are more 'lishous dan smashed 'taters!
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April 14, 2006
Ditto says, "I love you Daddy".
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April 14, 2006
Daddy responds by giving his son some comfort food.
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April 18, 2006
Hatched February 6, the triplets appear to be all grown up! In the wild, these babies would stay with their parents for 2 years learning not only what foods to eat but where to go to find their meals. They would also be taught well about the dangers of predators!
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April 18, 2006
Forever playful and inquisitive, Rocket discovers....
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April 18, 2006
..... the Foreign Legion!
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April 18, 2006
Trixie wants to know why Grannie Handfeeder did not give her a 'hat' too!
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April 18, 2006
Wallea formerly known as Wally and then WallyAnna is quite content with her perching lesson.
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Easter and Spring of 2006
April 18, 2006 the Bappies send greetings to Lassje's Bird Board
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April 22, 2006
Although eating on their own, the triplets still expect some handfeeding formula. Forced weaning is extremely detrimental to the psyche of any bird.
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April 30, 2006
Bountiful or Abundance weaning is thought to be the best and most natural way to wean young parrots.
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April 30, 2006
The family enjoying the great outdoors in their beautiful and roomy aviary on the patio.
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May 3, 2006
Well practiced in flying, nothing is out of reach. Raiding the top of the fridge has become one of their favorite past times!
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May 3, 2006
Unaware of events unfolding, the kids are still into mischeif. Grannie Handfeeder is busy with the map, packing suitcases and getting travel cages ready. The triplets are going on an adventure which will take them from Arizona to Van Horn, Texas!
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May 14, 2006
After the first leg of their long trip from AZ to Van Horn, TX, Rocket is wanting his formula. Rocket asks his new Momma Karen Jo, "How dis fang work"??
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May 14, 2006
Rocket is wondering just how much training his human mommy needs as he tells her, "Not my head! My beak"!
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May 14, 2006
Rocket says to Momma KarenJo, "Dats it! Now FEED ME"
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May 14, 2006 Mine, awl mine
Which one if the triplets is laying claim to the container of formula? If you thought Trixie, you were right.
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May 14, 2006
Attack of the bappies. Whenever there is any new activity they have to be right in the thick of it
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May 15, 2006 in El Paso, on the way to Van Horn.
Only two babies went for the long drive. Molly (name change again) went to her new forever home in Tuscon.
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May 15, 2006
El Paso, TX. The babies schemeing a way to get to the swimming pool outside.
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El Paso, dig Trixie, DIG!
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May 15, 2006
El Paso. Caught and looking innocent, of course.
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May 15, 2006
Their last night in El Paso the babies are discussing their failed escape for a swim. The next morning they will be travelling to Van Horn, Texas to visit with Rockets new Mom, Rocky Roads, Buzzy and their Mom.
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Here is hansome Rocky Roads the Congo African Grey, with the best seat in the room. In front of the patio door. He's ready to welcome his little cousins.
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Look at Buzzy perching so nicely on Granpa all ready to give his a nice hello smoochie.
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Here are the humans of the travelling group. They are all members of Lassje's Bird Board and since trips like this don't occur but once in a lifetime they decided to get the Texan group and partay. Hi, from the middle of nowhere!!
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Left right:
Debbie mother to Buzzy and Rocky Roads the CAGS.
Karen is breeder and Granny Handfeeder to the triplets.
Karen Jo is mother to Mattie Jo a CAG and (drum roll please) new muddah to triplet Pecos!
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Looks like Debbie, Rockey's momma, has found herself a new hat in the motel.
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Rocky's comment on his mother's chapeau. Cut it out Ma!
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The 2 Karens. KarenJo (Muddah) holding Buzzy, Congo African Grey and Pecos (Timneh African Grey) on her shoulder.
Karen (Granny Handfeeder) holding Trixie, Timneh African Grey.
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Tearful goodbyes said, Trixie is on her way back to Granny Handfeeder's home where she will see Momma Scooter-Pie and Daddy Sammy. The following few captions are her comments about the trip home.
"On de way home from Texas me dot to do whad me wanted!
When me was fussy, me dot to ride on de dashboard. WOW! Was dat a cool 5 minutes!!
80 miles a hour and no bugs or wind!!"
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"Den, when me dot tired, me jest snuggled up in Granny handfeeders hair. Den when me dot humgry, de car hadda come to a stop. Me refoosed to eat when it mobed.."
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"Den me dot tired ob de car awl togedder, so dem bringed me home...YAY!! Me fanked Grandpa fer takin' me home.
Den, me hopped on dat cage and shaked me tailfedders fer a wong wong time.
Den, it was time to EAT! Me means Pig OUT, chew, play, and eat some more....ahhhhh!
Whad a abenture! Hey, where's my ball?"
Pecos, aka Rocket has an album in this folder detailing his trip home
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May 20, 2006
Trixie after her bath. See her football floating in her 'pond'?
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Outdoor aviary where all of Team Chaos get to 'hang'
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Oh those lucky birds.
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Molly taste tester over Memorial Day Weekend, 2006
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Molly, Memorial Day weekend 2006 being babysat by GrannyHandfeeder
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