I'm from NSW, Australia and am a proud owner of a grey, male IRN. Got him several years ago, from a breeder - handraised and quite shy now that I think about it. He's had his fair share of bird dramas - broke a blood feather the day I took him home and splattered blood over the walls, but after a stressful week (on my part, as well has his part) he was good to go again.
He's quite tame, which was surprising, considering everything I heard about nasty IRN tempers. Not exactly what I would call actively affectionate, but he rarely bites (unless he's cranky with me) and almost always steps up when a hand is offered. Hasn't pooped on me yet; he fidgets when he needs to go potty, and walks away after I set him on the floor to do his business, then comes back to be picked up again. He started talking, or at least mimicking pretty early - before I heard his normal IRN squawks. He kisses, clicks, croons his name (Pepper) and generally chatters nonsense to himself. He also seems to love whistling at my slippers, often crooning at them, before waddling away, then coming back to croon again.
Pepper's not too great with people though. Doesn't generally like other people, but is willing to do anything for food. Strange thing though, he seemed to be solely attached to me since I had gotten him, but less than a year ago, he's shown a sudden huge interest in my sister. Watches her intently every time she's in the room, makes unhappy noises when she disappears and generally tries to lunge in her direction when she's nearby. I suspect he's got a little birdie crush on her.
Got a question for the peeps out there though. I've heard that IRNs are less prone to feather plucking, so I wasn't particularly concerned or watching out for it. But lately, Pepper's been pulling out his chest feathers, to the point where you can see a little bald patch, a little under his chin. I've watched him for a bit, and I've noticed that every time he preens, his movements are jerky in an impatient kind of way and he hisses almost angrily as he fixes up his feathers. It's only the chest/neck fluff/feathers he yanks out, and then hisses and lunges at the bits of feather he's just dropped. Also gives me a cranky bite if I try to interrupt him. Reckon it might be an itch? Dry skin or some sort of parasite? Was thinking I might try dabbing aloe vera on it, but I'm not sure if I should take him to the vet for a proper diagnosis.
