Monday September 17, 2007

Spikie - The baby of the family.

"Spikie" is my soul mate.  He's a Congo African Grey Parrot (P.e. erithacus).

He was born in 2002, so when I got him from a friend, Mike, he was only about two and a half years old.  Originally named, Spike after Spike Milligan, but he's soon picked up the name Spikie and now often calls his name.  Mike had to give Spikie up when he got a new bird.  It must have been a good move on his behalf, because he married her the next year!

Spikie eats nuts and seed as all Parrots do, but is especially fond of sweet-corn, grapes, banana, carrot and apple.  In fact he'll tuck into most fruit as long as it's pealed.  He's not too fond of citrus fruits and doesn't get Kiwi or Avocado as its not good for him.  For breakfast, he will sometimes have a slice of toast with butter and its fascinating to watch him "peal the toast", dropping the dry (unbuttered side) when he's done!

African greys are amongst, if not the very, best talkers.  He has an amazing vocabulary, and very often says what he wants.