Sierra, my african grey has been such a joy to me. He is a big talker. This morning I gave him a piece of cracker. He held it with his foot to the side, looked at me and said "I don't see no cracker". He is such a clown but always keeps me in stitches with the things he says.

What is his name?

Sierra. I didn't name him, the previous owner did. I've had him since 1992.

How old was he when you got him in '92?

He couldn't have been very old. All he could say was "help". About a year later he started talking in sentences and hasn't stopped learning since.

Apparently, African Grey's are one of the few birds that understand language unlike other birds that just mimic. Since his one word was 'help' it seems you saved him. What a blessing to be able to have a pet that you can truly share your life with.

A teenage girl had him. She hated him. I think she terrorized him. It took me awhile to tame him enough that I could get near him. He still won't let me hold him unless I wrap a towel around him. He hates gloves and ball caps for some reason. They never ever forget.