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There has been some drama here but try the Facebook groups - drama on the hour. I hate those groups. I only hang around to see vids and pics and sweet stories. Rosalinda is my favorite there.

There is a facebook group dedicated to The Monk Parakeets of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. I get their feed. Love the pics.

I have been here over 12 years now and been thru lots of drama and happenings over the years, most of it good and some bad but you take it one day at a time. I have seen a lot of people leave, most of them silently and a few with much fanfare but this place continues to teach and inform those of us looking for answers in being the best parront to our greys we possibly can, they deserve no less.

Escaped parrots have to find a way to deal with their unfortunate new found freedom and many have adapted to the environment so it doesn't surprise me in the least.

We have many flocks of parrots throughout San Diego county. It's such a joy to watch them fly, interact with each other and chatter away. I've often wondered how many of them used to be people's pets and are now a part of these amazing flocks. The weather here is kind to them, too, which is likely why we have so many flocks.

The Sun is up and Corky is in her daily routine of welcoming a new day. She is in competition with the outside birds and she is winning. To some people this is just noise, but to me it`s music to ears. She has learned the calls of many species of birds around us and will call back in their language and they will answer her back. She is sitting on my bare shoulder and just dropped her lovingly morning pop bomb down my bare back. I have to stop and get a towel. Most of the time she will not pop on me,, but from time to time she will show me who the boss is. I gave her that look of why did you do that and than she burped. You got to love them. Her competition with the outside birds has ended and she has declared victory. Just another morning with Corky

I'm trying to encourage Alfie to forage more for food. It's a natural behaviour of African Grey's (and other parrots of course) and a good one to encourage as it keeps them active and makes them work that bit harder for their food. Tonight I made a foraging tray and put it on Alfie's shelves. I put some fruit and veg and other tasty morsels in the bottom of a tray then filled it up with shredded paper and foot toys. He had to root around and pull the paper and toys out before he could get to the treats. It kept him busy for quite some time. Most of it (including the food) ended up over the sofa but he seemed to enjoy digging through the tray. I have a couple of foraging toys in his cage (a buffet ball and a wheel that he has to spin and line up the holes with the treats in different compartments) and I'm thinking of putting a tray at the bottom of his cage for him to forage in. I'm also toying with the idea of getting some bird safe plants and putting them in his cage (whilst supervised) so he can dig through those and pull them apart. I just need to be a little bit careful because I also have two cats- so I would have to make sure they either can't get at the plants or that they are cat safe as well as bird safe as my two cats get into everything! (they are indoor cats) Do you provide foraging opportunities for your birds? If so, what do you set up for them?

So good to hear from you Ray very sorry for all your recent losses. How has Corky handled all the changes in his world? Always a pleasure to see Jayd and Maggie too!

I still remember the first time we saw Corky. She was 9 weeks old and cutest ball of feathers on the face of the earth. We fell in love with her on that day, but they would not let us take her home until she was 16 weeks old and fledged. That 7 week wait was the longest 7 weeks of our life and than she came home. That was over 18 years ago, boy how time fly`s. She has always been and still is the spoiled center of our home and has never been left behind S he has traveled all over the U.S. with us. She is also people friendly and al our friends and family just love her. When they are part of your family and friends they add so much to your life. Corky is a people Grey. If you are thinking of getting a Grey don`t just put them in a cage to look at. Make them part of the family and the will give you many many years of surprises each and every day they are with you

Beautiful photos! Alfie came home at 11 weeks. I had met him a few times prior and fell in love at first sight. He's now 16 years old and runs the house... as expected haha.

London, UK has a very large number of wild ring neck parakeets. See here for more info: https://londonist.com/london/great-outdoors/london-s-parakeets-everything-you-need-to-know One of my friends was visitng someone in London and sitting in their back garden- the ringnecks were flying overhead and he asked me if I knew anything about it. I had heard about them before but then read that article about it for some more information. Nobody quite knows how they got there. There are lots of theories. Either way, they seem to have adapted and florished ever since.

Alfie is similar to Timber. He doesn't compete with the wild birds. He does, however, meow like the cats and will challenge them every so often for who can do the loudest meow!

Glad the battle is over and Corky can relax as queen of her domain for another day I hold Timber up to the window so he can see the outside birds eating from the feeder or in the bird bath every morning. He looks at them with disdain then at me like why are you wasting my time. I'm convinced he doesn't know he's a bird...

On Aug 1 of this year it will be 9 years that I have been a member of this awesome forum. We have been through good times and bad timer and there have been many changes over the years as we have evolved and always became a better place to come for knowledge and support when it comes to our feathered companions. Many have come and gone, but the corner stones of membership have stayed to pass on the best information possible to members in need. It's good to see new members that step up and take part and share their knowledge when t comes to the operation of this forum or a members need when it comes to their Grey. The support that I have received from this membership over the years when times were tough has been a God sent along with the friends that I have made. We have a purpose and a goal, Some thing that other places lack WE ARE NEEDED.

A new study has found that 56 parrot species can be found across the country-the result of pet birds escaping or being released into the wild. Pet parrots are found in the wild in 23 states that are doing well. A study said it is possible to see a wild parrot in nearly every state. But large breeding populations are in 23 states.

Always fascinating how life will find a way. Sometimes cool, sometimes just dangerous for the parrots living in the wrong habitat. I always worry such parrots will become invasive and then killed by local gov't regulations. I remember watching a documentary years ago The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill. Not sure what kind of parrots -- green but not Amazons, I think. I have no idea if they still have a wild colony somewhere today. Anyway, a google search would tell more than I remember (okay, I googled -- apparently these were conures).

I had no idea!

Love the pictures Timber is definitely one of the family, and is convinced that he is the most important member too.

I haven't actually eaten lima beans. I'm okay with green peas (sweet peas) but I can't tolerate field peas or black-eyed peas (or most beans, in general). Just buy frozen, (pour out a some to thaw for your grey) then put rest of frozen green peas & limas back in the freezer immediately. My grey eats way healthier than I do most days.

All I can say is, 'ew' to lima beans. Personally I find them absolutely disgusting. Whenever my folks served them for dinner while growing up, I'd have to sit at the table until I finished them. Gag city! Eventually I learned to sneak them into my napkin, tuck them inside my clothes and then take them upstairs to flush down the toilet. Did the same thing with peas. Must be a texture thing. To this day my fids have never tasted a lima bean. LOL!

I've never offered a foraging bowl with non-foods. Not to say Snickers doesn't put non-foods (usually shredded cardboard/paper --even cotton rope or fabric bits) in his dishes sometimes! I do try to offer a varied bowl through-out the day. And for his main meal, I completely cheat and add thawed frozen veggies to his fresh mix -- plus rice which he prefers over pasta (though I do toss in some pasta in a few times a week with mixed results). He always has a bowl of Zupreem pellets available in his other dish (which he likes okay) and I offer a tablespoon of seed a few times a week (so thankful he's not a seed junkie!!!) His fresh veg/fruit bowl (incl some frozen veg) I feel needs to be removed within 4 hours or so (sometimes sooner). Thankfully he's usually eaten 50 - 75% of it by then. Don't want him to get sick eating food that sat out too long. For treats, he's fairly happy with Cheerios, peanuts, raisins and unsweetened banana chips. I just try to keep something interesting in his dish through-out the day (hence treats). I also share my meals when they appropriate for him (not pizza, sorry Snickers!)

2+ years for me, so still a newbie. I should post more, it's says I am just hatched -- I need to fledge! lol

Mine like lima beans. I need to get some more for them.

See you all did not know that you have become old timers.

7 years for me too!

6.5 years here. I guess around the same age as my GreycieMae. But she was just a baby!

Yup - Greys are just another member of the family. At least around here they are.

These are great pics, Ray! Corky is one very spoiled little lady!

I had to look at my profile, but I've been here 7 years! It is hard to believe.

Not sure how long I've been kicking around but it must be a few years now. It's been an invaluable source of information and guidance- even for someone who has lived with a grey for a few years before joining.

To watch a Grey live and react to life as things happen and change around them is something very awesome. They seam to understand life at our level when it comes to life changing events with in their circle of life. They are so much like us when it comes to who they like and who they dislike. Can they read our minds ? I believe they read our body language and know out thoughts as Corky will like and dislike the same people I do, and that was true with the wife and son. How does your grey react in your circle of life ?

This is why I wondered if Snickers might consider someone familiar "safe" if I was out of the picture. "Better the devil you know" sort of logic. I have mis-read Snickers (esp in beginning) and a few dear people got severe bites. Not nips. Missing chunks of flesh. Snickers bites with 100% of his beak strength. (My macaw never bit with more than 5% of her strength -- different parrots altogether -- macaw socialized and CAG Snickers traumatized from stuff from before I met him). I am Snickers 3rd home (I think) and he was originally considered unadoptable by the breeder he had been surrendered to. He took to me instantly -- been this way for 22 years. Not sure of his exact age. But want him to be happy long after I am gone. (I'd share his adoption story I wrote but too many F-bombs due to other people in story - sorry). I just want him to have a wonderful life. Maybe I'll live to be old and outlive him (my hope) but if not, I want whoever adopts him (or the most likely sanctuary/refuge plan) to have bird lovers who 'get' him -- and understand and make allowances for his early bad beginning. Just want him happy even if I am not there anymore.

I've found it difficult with Alfie because parrots aren't a usual sight in houses so people tend to be wary or scared of him. Admittedly I failed to socialise him enough when he was young but my family all backed off and were scared of him after he bit them as a youngster. My mum tried the most but my sister is very fearful of him (and I don't even think she went close enough to get bitten). My dad is not interested. After I moved out my two housemates didn't really like him all that much - mostly indifferent but also a bit scared. I've never found anyone close enough who has enough of an interest to try and get to know Alfie. My current housemate is Alfie's favourite person (even over me). It has taken YEARS for them to get to this stage and they both had to get used to each other. Alfie will let my housemate give him scrtiches and and will even follow him around the room to be closer to him. He will join my housemate on the sofa or sit on his knee and ask for scritches. Sometimes you have to socialise the human with the bird as well as socialising the bird with the human! Alfie never used to make a peep if other people were in the room. He's never been particularly noisy anyway but he would clam up completely when others were near. Nowadays he is a lot more content to make some beeps and whistles at people and will say 'see you later' when he thinks they are leaving (or thinks it's time for them to leave!)

Timber loves butter beans (the big lima type bean). Than again, beans are one food he will eat cooked, so I guess that is no surprise. He isn't as fond of limas, but will eat them once in awhile.

LNCAG, I like to think that our birds will bond with someone else when we are gone. I am Timber's third (at least) owner. It was a long road, but we bonded.

You just never know! These guys are quirky, to say the least.

Well, we’re making changes, and I think a big one is allowing read only. It was thought that by forcing signup to read that might do it, but it had the opposite affect. Folks went right back down the road they know so well, Facebook lol. So being able to read again, and the new software being html friendly, we should get a lot more google hits about grey questions. Were going to keep at it as time allows. Thanks for being here.

Snickers (CAG) just discovered lima beans (frozen/thawed for him) and seems to enjoy them. I never thought to offer limas before. I am more of a pizza and subs eater, so I have to buy "healthy" food just for him and the bearded dragon. Anyway, limas were a huge hit! And this from a CAG whose middle name is "Skeptical." lol

Thanks for keeping it going this long. I notice it doesn't seem that busy here, yet it's a really nice forum with some great and helpful members here. Grey owners should have a safe & friendly place to read anecdotes, share stories, teach newbies, warn about dangers (non-stick cookware, certain foods to avoid) etc..

Snickers doesn't like anyone but me. And he has bitten others (or lunged at and tried to bite them if they were too quick for him). I've always tried to be upbeat and positive (since he draws off my emotions) but no go. Hates everyone -- even people he's seen a thousand times. He even hates my Mom who has fed him when I was on vacation. She told me she has to quickly toss food in his dish and close the food door FAST because he lunges! Wish I could socialize him better -- I won't live forever. My plan, thus far, is for him to go to a local sanctuary upon my demise. But I've wondered if I was gone, if he'd then choose to like someone else he's met before (someone he perhaps only really disliked because the weren't me -- but yet someone he is already familiar with). No idea.

I agree with you, Ray. One of my greys took a dislike to my eldest son who used to speak negatively about him. Then, one day, Maalik dive bombed him when his back was turned towards him. The anger and dislike from my son towards Maalik continued to escalate the situation. Even after a few years of my son trying to repair the damage, Maalik wouldn't have any of it. Maalik likes everyone else as we do him.

For the most part, Timber surprises me with his likes and dislikes. My youngest son is his favorite, and he has little interest in Timber. My husband, who messes with him all the time, is tolerated but also most likely to be bitten. I will say that my son's friend, that isn't a favorite of mine, is probably Timber's most disliked person. When he comes in, Timber will go to his seed bowl and start tossing seed on the floor. I only see this behavior when Josh is in the room.

The GreyForums is the truth behind the care and raising if not only the African Grey parrot but also all parrots who grace these pages and enrich our lives so much. Truth is found here. We will try to post weekly.

God bless you! May the Lord go with you. Jayd and Maggie

It's great to hear from you Ray P. Sorry to hear of so much going on and the loss of your wife.

I think it's time that I give you and the members of this great forum an explanation of my absence over the last two years or so. It started with a very ill wife who passed away on Valentines day 2018 and than her younger sister in Dec. of 2018 followed by her older sister in May this year. We lost Willie our cockatiel at age believe it or not at age 27 followed by 5 very good friends and two of our dachshund one of old age and one unexpected.. I have a 44 year old special needs child that still lives with me that we adopted when he was 14 months old. I have not had much time to post but I check in to see what's going on. And than there is Corky my awesome Grey that has kept me going who will be 19 in Dec. of this year. I will make every effort to start posting again to keep this forum alive. KevinD you are doing a great job with this forum and I will do my best to step up as a member to support this Grey Forum.

I appreciate how tough this is. I have just been through a rough spell with my 16 year old AG Alfie. He didn't want to know me and wouldn't even come to me or sit on my knee when out of the cage. He was starting to show some signs of aggression if I put my hands in his cage (he never used to do that) and if I asked him to step up to my hand I'd more often or not get ignored or bitten. So I have given him lots of time and space to figure things out. He seems to be coming back around. Yesterday he came and sat with me on the sofa for ages. Whilst I didn't get to give him scritches this was a big step forward seeing as he would actively ignore/avoid me before that. On the other hand- he LOVES my housemate and will let him give him scritches every day. It's very difficult not to feel a little bit jealous and upset about the change in dynamic but I just had to roll with it. They can be contrary little buggers at time but we love them anyway. 😂 Just stay calm and patient with him. He might come around eventually or he might favour someone else in your household. You can't predict it and often can't change it. they do seem to go through a lot of changes around that age where behaviours and temperament can change. Just keep going. Don't force the issue- let him lead. He'll let you know what he wants and when!

Timber does the same when I wrap treats, but he loves boxes!

I have tried wrapping treats in paper but Alfie prefers to fling them around rather than grab them and tear them apart. Even if I show him the treat and wrap it in front of him he will still fling it as far as he can! I found some great little boxes recently which are perfect for foraging. I fill the smaller box with treats and paper, put it in the larger box and top it with treats and paper and Alfie has loads of fun shredding the box and finding some tasty treats. I have a small stockpile of the boxes at the moment as they are the perfect size to fit on his shelf and the fact there is a box within a box gives him an extra challenge too. (plus it makes more mess for me to clear up!)

I have hidden things inside plain coffee filters inside a cardboard box but I let them watch me wrap the treats so they understand the presentation of something into their cage. Have also gotten sterile sand and hidden almonds in the shell so they have to dig.