Talon

Oh my! Isn't it amazing how they remind us who is in charge when we least expect it? I am glad your ok..we have all been in a power struggle at times. My Rikki lets me put her into her cage every night very nicely, but she will grab onto my hand or fingers as I put her in her cage to go on her perch and squeeze as hard as she can..I try not to make a sound as she is digging her claws into me...but some nights it's justtoo much, & I say okay Rikki let goooo....your squeezing too tight! Once she hears that. she's satisfied & immediately let's go & steps onto her perch ! Grrrrrrr....

Yes, choc is bad for birds. But I explained myself above, wrong as it is, I do not worry about them having a 60 year long life. A happy life is what's important to me!

I do on occasion allow my birds a small piece of a choc chip cookie. My timneh got out of her cage when I was at work all day & found her way into a cupboard where I keep no sugar choc covered almonds & no sugar dark chocolate bars...she had a field day in there as she is a candy addict. She is still here to try & try to get into that cupboard every day! I am 62 years old, my 3 parrots ages are 15, 15 & 12 years old. I really have no one to leave them too...I allow them occasional treats, if they don't make it 40 -80 years, they will live a less stressful llfe if they are being put in home after home. This may sound bad on my part, but they are very set in their ways & having their lives disrupted so many times once I'm gone, is not what I feel is best for them.....so if I shorten their lives a few years by allowing them a forbidden treat..well so be it...Don't come down on me for this. My heart breaks knowing they will have to go thru alot of stress once I'm gone in not knowing what will become of their lives once my daughter makes the decision as to where they will go. She has 3 dogs & one cant not be in the same house with parrots.

I have baked with them, it's just the same as choc chips, just not the sugar!

Oooh. I have never seen these. I bet my birds would love these! They love cookies & occasionally get a choc chip cookie!

OMG, that is the cutest thing ever!!!

That’s my biggest worry as well!

Do you put it on their food?

One of my greys started plucking a few years ago, ( her chest) I realize its a stress thing regarding my long time amazon who is a hog for attention. I try to give her more special time with me, it has helped. DO NOT try & help with pin feathers..they are quite painful when coming in & you should avoid that area until they have come in naturally. I find pin feathers on my amazon when she is getting head scrunches, but I just go very very light in that area.. Mist them with a mixture of warm water & aloe juice, that soothes the skin. I also wrap up safe pieces of broken wooden toys & put them in a toy bucket for them to forage thru & chew the paper to get to the inside toy. Folded up paper, junk mail ( envelopes that haven't been opened). Popcorn as a snack will keep them busy, my grey LOVES uncooked egg noodles, they keep her busy for quite some time crunching & eating them, put the tv or music on if she seems bored. Try a bowl of water for her to splash in, corn on the cob to chew on, my grey prefers small cockatiel size toys, not parrot size ones..just suggestions for occupying her in hopes of distracting them. They do tend to pluck when their bored if it has become a habit. Best of luck & keep us posted.

I was just scrolling social media. I follow a very well-known & reputable Bird Store. It's the largest in the country, family-owned. Anyways, the cost of the baby African Greys......$7499.99. I was shocked. I didn't buy any of mine ( all rescues) But I have the bill of sale for 2 of them..both my 15 year old greys were bought for $1600-2200.00 Makes you realize how valuable they are & time to make certain the security system is set at all times!!

WOW! What beautiful pics! HE's a real model!!

My tag sleeps in a sleep cage in my bedroom, my others do not. When my spouse & I are talking too loud at night, she goes "SH SHSHSHSHS! then get mad & starts banging her bell loudly if we don't shut up!

My amazon gets that spring smell, my greys not so much, but sometimes. It's definitely hormonal, spring is their time!

OMG! I LOVE this thread! Popcorn & a chair for me...I have way too many parrots....I am sorry about the bite, I suffer with my amazon bites every time I put breakfast in her cage...she bites the hand that feeds her...literally! Thanks for the software update! Much appreciated! I hear greys are bitter..just sayin is all..:)

That post put a smile on my face. It’s amazingly how they trust you and when surroundings change, they just kind of go with it! He surely trusts you, love that the laundry basket and wrapping paper make him growl! Would love to see videos of that! He’s a beauty!!

Signed & Shared to My FB

I am NOT happy to see this. My oldest son owns his own tractor. He is a cross country tractor trailer driver who is on the road 3 months at a time with a few days off in between. His african grey is his driving companion and is on the road with him. They live in his truck... Very upsetting to see this bill!

If you do your research thoroughly, then any pet is ok . I don't believe in "beginner" pets. All pets are entitled to be a lifetime commitment & lifetime pet. Not just a stepping stone to the pet you really might want. Experience is what you get with any pet, things you will learn as you go, just like having a child. SO no matter what it is you want, you RESEARCH everything you can, dedicate yourself to giving it the best life possible, and any home they enter MUST be a lifetime home for them.

Never force your greys to get too close to each other. It has to be THEIR idea. I would not put their cages too close. Allow then their own space without feeling threatened. their cage is their safe haven and they should never feel threatened or scared by another being too close. You can cause nervousness that will never go away, plucking acting out. IF they decide to want to be friends, it is completely up to them & you can't force the issue no matter how much you want them to. I have 3 and they are by no means friends to the point of wanting to be close together. They TOLERATE & co-exist, but that is it. They have been together over 12 years & other than whistling back & forth to each other, that is the extent, they wont even eat off the same plate together..one is always fearfull of the other being a bully!

Oh my! Great topic! I have 3 so…. Good: They are amazing creatures and can be very loving! Fun when they copy your words or come looking for you when they can’t see you. The cuddles they give you by rubbing their head on your cheek. Knowing they trust you when they step, their whistle or if they come when you call them . Bad: Food ,poop and messes everywhere. Human dishes thrown on the floor breaking if left un attended. Cupboards chewed, ALL the woodwork in my house is chewed, windowsills doors etc. NEVER feeling like you can go on a vacations cause they won’t get out of their cages when your gone and you need someone qualified to care for them. Keeping cats and some dogs away..Having to cage them when guests come over cause they can’t be trusted not to attack or bite. NEVER going to the bathroom alon or your Amazon will open the door and March in so she can be on your shoulder . OH and the ear piercing whistles in your ear deafening your for a short time. And worrying about what happened to them when you pass and they outlive you.. But all and all , it’s a blast and there is never a dull moment!!

Rikki my cag and Nilah my Amazon have the same issue. They throw their full of food bowls on the bottom of their cage daily. I finally bought some of these and they work great! https://www.petsupplies4less.com/Lixit-Quick-Lock-Crock-20-oz_p_6214.html?preselopt=261652&gclid=CjwKCAiAo4OQBhBBEiwA5KWu_5TihLUJFSWkTEVFVl7N9QMrTPLHavsIugBrLXd63gRjQWGOFB5l_xoC68kQAvD_BwE

Aww yes..FOOD..my 2 get their own plate or eat off of mine. My spouse wont allow eating off his plate & although they have been doing that their entire lives, they have learned that HE does not allow eating from his plate, he gives them his food onto another one & they are good with that. My third one,,gets bullied, so I have to give her bites from my fork at a distance from the others...LOL

I have 3 parrots as you all know. My 2 greys talk well, not like some here, they say words and some phrases but don't seem to pick much up anymore. They LOVE to mimic whistling more than words. I just started copying them and they LOVE it! Anyone else here?

Kevin and the others are correct. This is the best forum, full of knowledge there is. It has been hard to hang onto it without much activity. My schedule has changed since years back, so I work alot of hours. I do check in here, but don't post much as it is so hard to post pics & videos from my phone, if I could do it easily, I would be posting ALOT! I miss rushing to see the latest post, but I get how social media has taken over and pushed forums to a thing of the past. FB has too much drama, I personally don't like to post alot there about my parrots as I don't want the fact that I won 3 out there for others to get ideas..you never know who is sharing your posts. I worry about thieves. I have an alarm system and a big black Shepard that wants to eat anyone who ventures near my porch...but still it is always in the back of my mind. I wish we could get an app, but I realize that's a huge task & I wouldn't know where to start, if we did I think we could push it for more posting..IDK. Well, I appreciate all you do Kevin to keep us up & running and i really appreciate the members that do come here & contribute! Love to you all! <3

Wow! 21..how is that possible? Happy Birthday Corky! Hope you were spoiled with lots of toys and treats!