Jenday

by Sandy
(Dallas)

I was surprised to hear that Jendays are considered poor talkers, because mine has about a 21-word vocabulary, which she uses frequently. Her first word was "pretty" (announced when I took her to see Christmas lights) and she knows *exactly* what it means! She calls me "Mommy", and summons me imperiously.

I guess she's the "idiot savante" of Jendays, because while she virtually never flies (unless I loft her home toward her cage), and never leaves the cage except to climb on top, and will not eat anything but pellets, millet and grapes (though she gleefully shreds veggies and nuts like toys), she also does what I was told they NEVER do: "perpetual toddlers, self-absorbed and noisy," this one has learned what "quiet" means, and after a few weeks of training, "Quiet! Mommy's sleeping!) she actually delays her morning calling until I'm up! It took us about five years to discover this, but it's wonderful! She also laid an egg after eight years! Egg-bound on her second one, it was scary and expensive ($200, with an original estimate of up to $950 or more at the emergency vet). I've had to tell her I am *not* her girlfriend. I hope she gets it.

Engaged when I got her (try to keep the relationship together), but no longer, I am distressed that I don't have enough time and attention for her. But she has coped perfectly--no feather-plucking or other signs of distress, and as long as I call to her, or respond, throughout the day, she is happy with a few bouts of personal attention a few minutes at a time per day.


She has learned to meow, purr, quack, and bark, all from the original animals. Once, she gave me a concert of samples of each. :) She also puts together small sentences of words she's never heard together before. "Mommy! C'mere! Gimme a treat!" (She's heard "gimme a kiss" and "do you want a treat?" but never "gimme a treat!" She's also said "Mommy, you're good!" It's her way of saying "thank you". (I've said "you're a good girl" and "you're sweet", but never "you're good". Her way of saying "I love you" is "gimme a kiss!" She's said "I love you" a few times, but it's a mutter and is hard for her, so she prefers her own words. Nearly daily she will say "Mommy very sweet; very pretty!" You've gotta keep someone around who tells you that every day! She mutters long paragraphs in her announcer voice to mimic the radio, and I swear a few times I've heard her mutter "excellent service!"

She has the world's greatest name, but I never give it out because it's my password. But really, it's the world's greatest name! :)