Sammie is my hero. I won't tell Reeta and Rosee or I'll get the cold shoulder. Now Reeta does talk but the words are illegible, she is saying something but never know what. I had a McCaw here for a couple week as a foster and he was a riot but not half as smart as Sammie....

African Greys are known as the genius of the bird family but they are also tempermental.

Sammie loves music so I put the television on a music channel (she loves country!) so she dances on her perch and bobs her head up and down and swings one foot around but this morning, she was doing her usual dance and said, "Get Down!" Too funny. I always say that to her but haven't really tried to teach her the words. Is there no end to this bird's antics?

Chatty, I hope you're still doing well and I have to tell you that you are sooo pretty. Love the picture of you. You can "feel" your spirit, which seems to be fantastic. Wish I could meet you in person

[ July 31, 2004, 09:05 AM: Message edited by: Dianne ]

Sammie is now calling my daughter's name. She says it's spooky because she comes into the room expecting to see me and it's that crazy bird.

When I come home from running errands, etc. she says, "Mommie's home." Makes me feel good.

But, she's also saying, "Damn it!" Hmmm. No comment on that one.

I just gotta get me a bird...I mean, a Queen needs a bird, does she not?

I want one, and I want to name it Elvis.

JJ

Dianne if I am ever in Nashville I would hope to meet you too and be given an audience with her Majesty Queen Sammie (sorry JJ) but this bird knocks me out. Tonight I was with some friends at dinner in Arizona Charlies Casino sitting around and someone asked about Sammie and what has she done lately? This bird is famous out here....I told them about your recent posts and had them in stitches. Oh, and (blushing) thanks for the compliment....

Yes, a queen needs a bird for sure. You know, my husband is Jewish so that should make me a JAP (Jewish American Princess) but I'm a Gentile so I'm a GAP (Gentile American Princess). Whatever works is what I'm gonna be!

Chatty, I'll have to tell Sammie how famous she's becoming. If you're in the area, please do stop by and visit (or stay with me, I have a great guest room!). I've learned that going into another room and being quiet is the best way to hear Sammie talk. This is when she practices her vocabulary (they are very proud birds and don't like to embarrass themselves so practice while alone.) She's saying, "Up-Up" which is what I tell her when I want her on my finger. But today, I heard her singing that old Yahoo commerical. Are they still running that? I don't know where she gets some of these words and phrases.

She's doing something strange. When I clean her cage, the two bottom drawers pull out for easy access, and she jumps off her perch and walks over, gets on the open drawer, and watches me clean. It's almost like she's making sure I'm doing a good job. Even the vacuum cleaner doesn't scare her, it actually makes her sing. I think she's showing me ownership or something.

She was trying to imitate the blowers that the lawn people use to blow off the patio. I need to put a stop to that! How annoying would that get?

Hey Dianne, just for fun, put on some Elvis music and see if she can imitate the KING...or even better, have her saying "Thank you, thank you very much!" hahahahah....Or maybe Willie Nelson, Ray Charles...oh Lord, there are sooo many. THE DUKE...I could go on and on...

JJ

JJ, what a great idea! I started teaching her, Thank you, thank you very much, in my Elvis voice. She was very interested! I'll give you progress reports.

She is so smart don't think for one minute that she doesn't know thats her home, her special place and of course shes going to make sure you do a good job cleaning it and not bother or remove any of her favorite things....If she learns Elvis I'll send her a tiny cape and sun glasses, just like the King wore....

I think that if I tried to put a cape and sunglasses on Sammie, I'd be pulling back a hand with nothing but nubs for fingers!

If I even put new toys in her cage, she moves as far away as she can get from them and stares at them for hours! I have to start with the new toys across the room and move them closer every day. They are not happy with new things! Weirdo bird.

She is very interested in the Elvis voice. I can tell by how her pupils dilate when I'm saying it to her. I don't think it will be long now before I hear Sammie thanking me, thanking me very much!