This is when Darlin' was only about three months old. In fact, he was gift from my best friend and flew (on a plane) all the way from the state of Washington. I thought he was eating on his own but he didn't know how! I was a panicked Mommy. To this day, he will still crouch down in that little baby-open-mouthed-feed me stance and nibble on my fingers.
As you can see, he had not grown into his huge feet yet. Actually, at five and one half years, I don't think he has yet!
He and CC were getting to know one another.
People always ask me how I keep dogs, cats and birds in the same house, the answer is really simple. We are all a family and everyone has to learn respect for the other. Most of the time it comes naturally but sometimes they need a little help.
 Darlin' loves two things! Sitting on my shoulder and kissing me. |
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I will be adding to this. You may view more of Darlin' and the rest of my Critters at Webshots.
Here are the archived files from the old page (with new updates):
My Mommy says my ancestors come from a jungle where there are mean snakes and all kind of other scary creatures! She said I should feel right at home here.
"Hi, I'm Darlin'. Oh, Mommy says to tell you I am a Congo African Grey born June 4th, 1999. She says I am a bird, but I think I am really a people like her."
Update: Darlin' is now one year old and is such a character! He keeps me in stitches. Of course he has been talking since he was 3 months old, before he could really eat. I have taught him funny things like the old skit from Saturday Night Live, the Mr. Bill routine, remember? However, he now has taken it upon himself to modify it. Darlin' is sooooo smart it really is scary. But hey, I don't want to write a book. Write me, I'll be glad to brag.
UPDATE: My Darlin' was three on June 4th 2002. I can hardly believe it! I have a digital recorder now. Hopefully I will be able to let you listen yourself, though he does not like to talk on command.
UPDATE: October 28, 2003-Darlin' was 4 on June 4th 2003. Ever notice that Bonnie and Darlin' are the same age? Though that is not a fair comparison as dog years and parrot years are far different. He is more beautiful every day. I still haven't figured out how to put his voice up on the page, but someday, I will. His vocabulary is extraordinary. There isn't a sound that he cannot reproduce perfectly. He stands on my shoulder like he is the proudest little guy in the world and he loves me so much, sometimes it hurts me. Why? Because, I have other pets that need attention and he is very jealous, he will sulk and sometime nip at me. I remember once when he was only three months, he got angry about something so he went to the corner of his big cage, put his beak in the corner and stayed there for hours! Talk about stubborn! Sometimes, I think he deserves a better (healthier Mommy) as I seem to keep deteriorating.
UPDATE: June 20, 2004-My little Darlin' is growing up. He was 5 years old on June 4th. It is hard to believe. He is quite possessive of me and has become nippy at times but we still share a close bond. His favorite thing to do are sounds. He is a wonderful talker but he doesn't do it on demand. He amuses himself by practicing every sound he hears and eventually (it doesn't take long) repeating it perfectly. He is a character!
UPDATE: February 16, 2005-Do any of you have Congo African Greys? Darlin' has always been scared of everything! I was wondering if any other people who are owned by African Greys have had similar experiences. Feel free to write me using the e-mail below or my guestbook. I bought one of those shower perches just for Darlin' because Darlin' is not fond of being sprayed. I have to chase him around his cage, he is a little better on his big stand but still...I ended up having to actually get undressed in the shower and almost never got him off my shoulder on to the perch. After I began showering he calmed down and ever now and then I would sprinkle a little water on him and I would get 'that look.' I could not even get out of the shower to dry off without him re-attaching himself to my shoulder. That night he especially loved preening my hair.
UPDATE: March 16, 2006- I have been ill a lot and have not updated any pages on my site. Darlin' will be seven on June 4th of this year. I can't believe we have been together this long. He is still incredibly clumsy. I had to take him to the vet when he jolted off my shoulder and ended up hurting his nail. At first I thought it would be all right, after it stopped bleeding. It wasn't.
I hate being sick all of the time, my animals suffer and sometimes I think some of them would be better off with a new Mama. Darlin' holds a grudge so we are not nearly as close as we once were.
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