Alix and Louis

My husband Tom and I share our home with two companion parrots, Alix and Louis. Both birds are Congo African Grey Parrots. I can't imagine what life would be like without these two feathered guys. Both were bred here in the United States, both were bought from reputable pet stores. There are many issues surrounding companion parrots. This is not a forum for either extreme. This page is here to share my joy and wonder in participating in the lives of these two intelligent creatures. If you have an opinion that you wish to share about the issues of Parrot care, and the keeping of companion parrots, there are many forums on the web where those opinions are appropriately expressed.

Alix

Alix is thirteen years old. We've had her since she was about two years old. She is an exceptionally sweet-tempered bird. Alix will allow almost anyone to hold her, but skritches and other signs of affection are reserved for me and my husband, Tom. Her favorite toys are paper tubes, any cardboard and peanuts. She never eats the nuts, but she really enjoys cracking them open!

Her favorite food is chicken legs. She also likes Lo Mein, fried rice, steamed wontons, and well... the list of her favorite chinese food could go on! Blueberries and apples are her favorite fruit, and her favorite vegetable is anise. She also likes the leafy part of celery.

She is not a big talker, but she whistles and sings beautifully. Some of her phrases are:

"Pretty Bird"-which she says with great frequency and gusto
"Bye-bye"
"C'mere"
"Gimmee a kiss, (insert loud kissing sound)"
"Love you"
"Alix"
"Hey"

Well, you get the idea. She also makes a wide range of mechanical and household sounds: microwave oven beeps, telephones, and the back-up sound that trucks make. And, well... she belches whenever you have something to eat that she wants some of.

Louis

Louis is eight years old. His original owner decided that she could no longer care for him, so she brought him to the pet store to sell on consignment. When he came to us, he was undernourished, and he was clipping his feathers. Also, there were stress bars on some of his tail feathers.

Louis is afraid of men. Tom, my husband, has battle scars to prove it! Louis has torn Tom open on a regular basis since we brought him home. He seems to be losing most of his fear, and genuinely seems to like Tom. He has come a long way since we brought him home. He doesn't attack Tom, but he still prefers women. He is much more vocal than Alix. And he loves to wrestle. All in all, he is a very affectionate bird.

Louis also likes all things chinese, and adores chicken. He eats an enormous ammount of vegetables and fruit. His favorite activity is hanging upside down. From anything. He must be part bat! 

There are some additional birdlinks on my links page.

Following are just a few more