Tika is a Blue & Gold female Macaw and l am a female and the only one she likes.

(forgot to run spell check on the last post!  I hope this post works.  I just tried to repost it and it didn't take.)
Right now I cover their cages with old bed sheets.  I'm kind of afraid to put something thicker over them (like a blanket) for fear they will be smothered.  I've thought about getting a new window covering that will block the daylight out, but those are kind of pricey.  For what it's worth, the quaker cracks everyone up!  He has such a funny personality!  He's jealous of one of my dogs, and that dog is jealous of him.  If I have the bird on my finger, the dog will come up and nudge my other hand to be petted.  If I'm petting the dog and the quaker's cage door is open, the quaker will fly over and perch on me.  I bought both birds an electrically warmed perch (because I keep my house fairly cool in the winter to keep the utility bills down).  The quaker perches on the warming perch and then puts his security "blanket" over his back and wings to sleep.  The "blanket" is actually a toy that consists of about 5 small chains that hang from a ring that is clipped to the cage top.  So he basically sleeps with chains on his wings.  Weird bird!    If I could only get the quaker to be nice to my hubby and boys things would be much better!

Do you cover there cage really tight where they cannot see when the sun comes up? If not try that and see if he will sleep longer.

I have a ****atoo that is **** ant!! He hates everyone but is such a cutey that I just cannot get rid of him....lol....

I have had my Grey for 22 years, but he was about 5 when I got him, so I missed his baby years. I have also heard that Greys don't start talking til they are 1 - 1 1/2 years old. The cute thing about them is that they will "practice" a word first. You will hear them saying a new word very softly, like they want to make sure they can say it right beforethey say it out loud. I know my bird is a male because I had him DNA tested, but in an older bird, the males tend to have red around their vent area.  I also believe that the males talk better than the females, although some people don't think so. Give your bird another year and it will be talking like crazy, my bird says about 350 words and phrases.

Glad to see other bird people here. I have a conure and a ****atiel. Going to pick up two more ****atiels tomorrow. My white cap pionus crossed the Rainbow Bridge this past March, and so did my Quaker. They make my life complete with all of their antics. Would love to talk to other bird people. Rachel, Hope your surgery went well.