Dancing cockatoo Snowball's diverse dance styles show humans aren't the only ones who like to move

[Bohemian]

. . . and then there was Alex. Alex was a Congo African Gray with a remarkable vocabulary (he passed in 2007). Here is some info. on Alex:

Meet Alex The Parrot, The Bird With A Vocabulary Bigger Than Yours

Yes, Alex is the parrot I was thinking of earlier. He was amazing!

 

[crhedBngr]

Yes, Alex is the parrot I was thinking of earlier. He was amazing!

Yes, he was. Apparently, he was middle-aged (31 years old) when he passed.

I'm enclosing an article on Alex's passing. Readers shared their memories of Alex in the "comments" section.

Alex The Grey Parrot, Colleague of Irene Pepperberg, Dead at 31 | ScienceBlogs

 

[Indy Anna]

I remember reading about Alex years ago. I would love to have an African Grey or Macaw some day. I did have a parakeet for 6 years and he's been gone 20+ years now. I still miss him!

 

[Bohemian]

I remember reading about Alex years ago. I would love to have an African Grey or Macaw some day. I did have a parakeet for 6 years and he's been gone 20+ years now. I still miss him!

Maybe you can rescue a parrot? They live for such a long time and often outlive their owners.

I’m sorry for the loss of your little parakeet. Companion animals have a way of worming their way into your heart and never leaving, don’t they?

 

[gregjrichards]

Maybe you can rescue a parrot? They live for such a long time and often outlive their owners.

I’m sorry for the loss of your little parakeet. Companion animals have a way of worming their way into your heart and never leaving, don’t they?

That’s the thing that makes me sad about following the cockatoos I do on YouTube that they will likely outlive their loving owners.

 

[Bohemian]

That’s the thing that makes me sad about following the cockatoos I do on YouTube that they will likely outlive their loving owners.

Yes, I think they can live for 30 to 50(?) years but some of the larger parrots like the Greys and Macaws can live from 70 to 90 years of age. I remember hearing about a parrot who lived to be over 100.

 

[gregjrichards]

Yes, I think they can live for 30 to 50(?) years but some of the larger parrots like the Greys and Macaws can live from 70 to 90 years of age. I remember hearing about a parrot who lived to be over 100.

Some cockatoos like Fred can live to 100 in captivity. I love that he got a letter from Her Majesty The Queen.

Fred the cockatoo turns 100: Queen sends letter to Hobart wildlife sanctuary

Queen sends letter to 100-year-old cockatoo

 

[tmar]

One of my friends has a macaw. It’s blue, white and yellow with black markings on its face. I’ve seen it crack nuts so there’s no way I’m getting my fingers anywhere near it.

Isn’t the bird who can say a couple of hundred words an African Grey? There’s another parrot that can paint too.

I’m not sure I could have a companion animal like a bird. My cats wouldn’t like it for a start!

Before I had a mobile where I could take photos etc, I had a very clever parrot, a 'long billed Corrella', a great mimic.
Benji, could speak in two languages, and in English state "What are you doing now Benji"
He sounded like me.

I obtained Benji as a baby, from a Well Known Bird Place, telling me Benji was a Male.
Benji loved my Parents, as they had to feed him, several times a day when young, as I had to go to work.
Many years later, the day my Dad died, Benji laid an egg (first ever): and fretted for some time.

After that date, she laid several eggs, which I have collected: I blew out the contents, and intend to paint them
Benji was friendly with my 2 small dogs, and was "in charge".
She walked about everywhere, as had a wing clipped.
I taught Benji, to go to the toilet, on newspaper, I had put down in a corner.
Benji died, because she became frightened, when a new dog, appeared in the family.
I miss Benji.

 

[Bohemian]

View attachment 196189



Some cockatoos like Fred can live to 100 in captivity. I love that he got a letter from Her Majesty The Queen.

Fred the cockatoo turns 100: Queen sends letter to Hobart wildlife sanctuary

Queen sends letter to 100-year-old cockatoo

Wow! I didn’t know they could live that long! Good old Fred (and bless the Queen for acknowledging his 100th )

 

[Bohemian]

Before I had a mobile where I could take photos etc, I had a very clever parrot, a 'long billed Corrella', a great mimic.
Benji, could speak in two languages, and in English state "What are you doing now Benji"
He sounded like me.

I obtained Benji as a baby, from a Well Known Bird Place, telling me Benji was a Male.
Benji loved my Parents, as they had to feed him, several times a day when young, as I had to go to work.
Many years later, the day my Dad died, Benji laid an egg (first ever): and fretted for some time.

After that date, she laid several eggs, which I have collected: I blew out the contents, and intend to paint them
Benji was friendly with my 2 small dogs, and was "in charge".
She walked about everywhere, as had a wing clipped.
I taught Benji, to go to the toilet, on newspaper, I had put down in a corner.
Benji died, because she became frightened, when a new dog, appeared in the family.
I miss Benji.

I’m sorry to hear about Benji, tmar. It sounds as if she was a very good friend to you x

 

[gregjrichards]

Before I had a mobile where I could take photos etc, I had a very clever parrot, a 'long billed Corrella', a great mimic.
Benji, could speak in two languages, and in English state "What are you doing now Benji"
He sounded like me.

I obtained Benji as a baby, from a Well Known Bird Place, telling me Benji was a Male.
Benji loved my Parents, as they had to feed him, several times a day when young, as I had to go to work.
Many years later, the day my Dad died, Benji laid an egg (first ever): and fretted for some time.

After that date, she laid several eggs, which I have collected: I blew out the contents, and intend to paint them
Benji was friendly with my 2 small dogs, and was "in charge".
She walked about everywhere, as had a wing clipped.
I taught Benji, to go to the toilet, on newspaper, I had put down in a corner.
Benji died, because she became frightened, when a new dog, appeared in the family.
I miss Benji.

Thank you for sharing your lovely memories of Benji. Long Billed Corellas are beautiful birds.

 

[tmar]

I’m sorry to hear about Benji, tmar. It sounds as if she was a very good friend to you x

I have always had Dogs and Birds, playing together.
I am unable to obtain another bird, as the little Dog, that frightened Benji, is living with me.
I cannot chance, another bird during this time.

 

[Bohemian]

I have always had Dogs and Birds, playing together.
I am unable to obtain another bird, as the little Dog, that frightened Benji, is living with me.
I cannot chance, another bird during this time.

One day, tmar, I’m sure you’ll have another friend with wings.

 

[Indy Anna]

Maybe you can rescue a parrot? They live for such a long time and often outlive their owners.

I’m sorry for the loss of your little parakeet. Companion animals have a way of worming their way into your heart and never leaving, don’t they?

Thank you, Bohemian. Yes, they certainly do worm their way into our hearts. I was heartbroken when my parakeet died. I had taken pictures of him on the floor with his toys, so I took one of the photos to have it enlarged, framed it, and then placed it on my nightstand next to my bed.

Before I had a mobile where I could take photos etc, I had a very clever parrot, a 'long billed Corrella', a great mimic.
Benji, could speak in two languages, and in English state "What are you doing now Benji"
He sounded like me.

I obtained Benji as a baby, from a Well Known Bird Place, telling me Benji was a Male.
Benji loved my Parents, as they had to feed him, several times a day when young, as I had to go to work.
Many years later, the day my Dad died, Benji laid an egg (first ever): and fretted for some time.

After that date, she laid several eggs, which I have collected: I blew out the contents, and intend to paint them
Benji was friendly with my 2 small dogs, and was "in charge".
She walked about everywhere, as had a wing clipped.
I taught Benji, to go to the toilet, on newspaper, I had put down in a corner.
Benji died, because she became frightened, when a new dog, appeared in the family.
I miss Benji.

I had been told my parakeet was a female, and I named it Bridget. Months later, the vet informed me it was male. I just shortened his name to Bridge.

Bridge had just started talking before he died. He would sit on my shoulder while I washed his cage in the bathroom sink. He'd look in the mirror and say, "pretty bird." I don't remember ever saying that to him, so don't know how he picked that up.

Bridge wasn't artistic like the dancing birds in the videos. But he was athletic; he played basketball. I would set a little whiffle-type ball between two perches in his cage and he would pick up the ball in his beak and throw it across his cage into his food dish. He was quite good at making baskets! Maybe I should've named him Wilt.

 

[Bohemian]

Thank you, Bohemian. Yes, they certainly do worm their way into our hearts. I was heartbroken when my parakeet died. I had taken pictures of him on the floor with his toys, so I took one of the photos to have it enlarged, framed it, and then placed it on my nightstand next to my bed.


I had been told my parakeet was a female, and I named it Bridget. Months later, the vet informed me it was male. I just shortened his name to Bridge.

Bridge had just started talking before he died. He would sit on my shoulder while I washed his cage in the bathroom sink. He'd look in the mirror and say, "pretty bird." I don't remember ever saying that to him, so don't know how he picked that up.

Bridge wasn't artistic like the dancing birds in the videos. But he was athletic; he played basketball. I would set a little whiffle-type ball between two perches in his cage and he would pick up the ball in his beak and throw it across his cage into his food dish. He was quite good at making baskets! Maybe I should've named him Wilt.

Bridge sounds darling and so clever too. I’m glad you have such a good memory of your time together and keep it close.

 

[Lilibet]

What a lovely “respite” thread! I had a pale blue parakeet named Happy as a child. I had fun teaching him expressions. He could say things like Happy Easter, Happy New Year and Happy Birthday. My Dad’s nickname was Jody and I taught Happy to say “Hello Jody.” There was more but it’s about 65 years ago and memories fade. I would love to have another bird.

 

[Bohemian]

What a lovely “respite” thread! I had a pale blue parakeet named Happy as a child. I had fun teaching him expressions. He could say things like Happy Easter, Happy New Year and Happy Birthday. My Dad’s nickname was Jody and I taught Happy to say “Hello Jody.” There was more but it’s about 65 years ago and memories fade. I would love to have another bird.

It’s so lovely to read about everyone’s bird friends; including Happy. It sounds like he brought you such a magical childhood.