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Jay and I came up with the idea of a Parody of Julio Iglesias/Willie Nelson “For all the Girls I’ve Loved Before”… Sing this to that tune: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naPVHcAx5X8 TO ALL THE BIRDS WE’VE LOVED BEFORE For all the birds I’ve known before Who’ve flown both in and out my door I’m glad you came along I dedicate this song…. To all the birds I’ve known before. To all the birds who pooped on me And to all those who just went…wee wee I might have yelled and screamed And even sounded mean You always meant the world to me. The hormonal changes are always going And every time I tried to stray I always came back to you Please don’t ever drift away. To all the birds who shared my life I know sometimes you called me wife The regurgitation was fine That’s why I now drink wine I never really flew that way. To all the birds that cared for me I’ll never ever set you free You’ve always owned my heart Right from the very start You’ll always be a part of me. Your moods are always changing I never know from day to day If you just wanted seeds and fruits Or a piece of toast with some Parkay. To all the birds we’ve loved before Who’s in our hearts forevermore I dedicate this song I’m glad you came along To all the birds I’ve loved before….. To all the birds we’ve loved before If life went on there would be more They just live so damned long I’m glad you came along To all the birds we’ve loved before….. The End

That's a damn shame. I'm glad I don't have neighbors like that. I was down at the barn and all of mine were in full chorus....I could hear their racket clear down there. Our new neighbors told me my guineas were roosting on their roof. I said, yeah, guineas do that. I argued with the City of Allen not to let them build 10 ft from our barn. So sorry (not).

Welcome and thanks for re-homing. Sounds like you have a bird like my Dorian who was never allowed to fledge and therefore doesn't really know what his wings are for. I think the hanging on and flapping is adorable and a good indictator that he may fly one day. As for the stepping up, it took Dorian over two years to step up onto my hand. He came out of a pet store where many children, and frankly some adults, used to poke cat toys and fingers through the bars of his cage, so he came to me very afraid of hands. He would also step up from the floor but never from his cage. My first success was very much controlled by him. He decided that one of the outside perches on his cage was his step up perch, and that when he went to that perch he was ready to be picked up. I don't remember how long it took me to realize this, but the dumb Hooman finally clued in. Just continue to offer your hand as an option to him, and if he doesn't choose to step up that time just tell him that's ok and walk away until the next time. Your wife took an absolutely gorgeous picture of Smokey. I mean, yours were good, but . . . Of course, you both had a good subject. Smokey is beautiful. Keep browsing around the forums, asking questions, and tuning into grey time. Again, welcome.

That's a hit if you ask me. There is more truth than fiction in that song. After having parrots for 46 years the lyrics really hit home.

They're pretty unreasonable, and we've had our share of battles over what I would say has been minimal loud outbursts. All Dexter had to do was belt out a macaw call a couple times in a row, and there she was, hanging her head over our fence line, asking me to bring him inside. It got to the point where I was beginning to have concerns that she'd file a formal noise complaint. Now I only bring him outside when I'm absolutely certain she's not home, but that's not easy to ascertain. In order to protect him, I actually made an appointment with my son's former therapist requesting a letter that designated Dexter as his ES pet, and she did! So...if anyone were to complain, he now has letter that designates his presence in our home as being medically prescribed. I haven't actually showed them the letter, but did let them know that he's an ES bird, medically prescribed for our son, and that his emotional well being comes first and foremost. Haven't received any more e-mails from them, or heads popping up over the fence line ever since. She's a teacher, so I know that she'll soon be home every day, which will make things more complicated. She doesn't have any issues with my other birds being out there; just Dexter. And Dexter loves, loves, loves being out there.

That can become an escalating challenge. Hubby and our U2 had a back and forth for about a year before hubby mostly won.

Thank you, Yes, freely, words are meant to be shared...

All true and wonderful! I saw No shame on those birds faces🙉

Beautiful Jay and Maggie Thank you! Can i share this please?

Dexter is lovely so sorry your neighbor has such a difficult time with his sounds and giving you her negativity. Your new Bird palace is grand and my flock now want to move to your house. Sigh🙄

Ray Just thanks.........

Our prayers be with you...

Did not get a call back this weekend and today I have a trip to Michigan so I will try Tuesday to get in touch.

The more you describe Smokey, the more I think you have our Huey's identical twin, brother from another mother haahaa... Regarding the flying issue: that's exactly what Huey did. Low, flap, then leap and crash land. It took him about two months and he started actually flying. We coaxed him A LOT to come in the kitchen from the living room. He also saw our other Grey, GreycieMae, fly into the kitchen constantly and he couldn't stand being left so he practiced a lot. I spent about two months bolting from my current position to try and catch Huey so he didn't hurt himself. He had way too many crash landings for my liking and we're lucky he never broke a wing or something else. He's well past that point now and can fly and land pretty good. He's not graceful and sometimes will screw up a landing but I don't have to chase around and give him a safe arm to land on anymore.

Yes I have, he just runs away and when i get too close he starts cleaning his nails lol and looking at my hand. I do the 4 fingers with the thumb tucked in he test the perch so hes not biting me but won't come up on to my hand. Then he goes for my nail... I've only had him for about a week and all I've been able to do is give him treats by hand and scratch his head ... hes very territorial but surprisingly he let's me scratch him up top on his cage but he let's me know when he wants me to touch him he brings his head down pretty much giving me the ok.. also when I put him to bed he hangs from the top of the cage and brings his head in for a head scratch but I'm touching him outside the cage putting my finger in to him .... only time I got him to "step up" has been from the floor he does it with no problem but its not easy to get him down there or getting him off his cage

I say go for it, you know you can handle it and your heart is ready and willing, hope things go your way.

I'll keep my fingers crossed and hope it all works out for you (and of course the parrot too)

Hi , new to forum. I have a 26yr. old African grey. She has laid 2 eggs in last 2 weeks. I've read a few things online but was looking for advice thru experience. Thanks

Miserable bureaucracy for certain, so sorry you are having to fight so hard just trying to get the help required. Golad you are both so tough and mostly positive thinking people it does help. Hugs to you both and positive thoughts headed your way.

Senegals seem to be such great birds and flock well usually except at the hormonal times of year when they have been known to kill each other. We have some at the Sanctuary and we have to monitor them as all can be well for months then they single out a bird in the flock to gang up on I don't understand what triggers this behavior but your bird sounds like she has taken this to an extreme level. I wonder if she may have a hormonal malfunction? or if indeed she is one of those odd inexplicable killers? Total separation sounds like the best choice for the rest of your flock. Chamomile tea helps soothe an overactive or stresse3d bird but I have no idea how would affect her vicious cycle. Perhaps the Vet can recommend something like the Haloperidol.

Not the greatest picture but he tends to do this a lot he steps on the edge of the cage and lowers his head and starts flapping his wings... hes not clipped but he doesn't fly either ... he doesn't leap off the cage just chirps real low and flaps his wings lol ..the few times he's leaped off was the first day trying to get him in a travel cage to bring him home but he didnt get far he went straight to the floor flapping his wings ? Could it be he doesn't know how to fly or hes too heavy to fly ? Also could this mean he wants attention or wants to fly ? Thanks for the help and all the nice comments P.S. smokey Is in Miami, Florida

I am waiting for a call back. We talked for about an hour by phone and he did say that he had a sister that was interested, but he did not think she could handle a Macaw. The man wants to make sure she will go to a good home as she has been part of the family for about 20 years. Fifteen years with him and five years with his father. They took her in as a rehome when she was between 5 and 10 years old She had a minor injury to one of her wings and a broken toe. I hope things work out as I would love to giver her a home.

Hello Roy and Smokey- welcome to the forums! Congratulations for bringing Smokey home! They are amazing birds. It sounds like everything is going well so far. One of the things you've probably seen mentioned on the forums is something called 'grey time'. This is the time it takes for a grey to accept new things or to cope with a change in their environment. 'Grey time' is different for every grey and it's important to understand that early on. An example would be if you were to introduce a new toy to the cage. Some greys can be very change adverse and will see the new toy as a threat/predator. Therefore you may need to leave the toy at a safe distance outside the cage so the grey can observe it before moving it closer and eventually putting it in the cage. The time it takes to get this toy from outside the cage to inside the cage is "grey time". So for example my grey, Alfie, would typically take a day or two before I could put a brand new toy in his cage without him getting scared or anxious. Other greys may take a couple of hours. Some may take a few extra days or a week.... etc. Either way, it's important to move at the pace that's comfortable for the bird. If a change or an action is clearly upsetting them... take a few steps back and try again a bit slower, to give the bird time to adjust, observe and learn. At this point, Smokey has been removed from everything he knows, is in a totally new environment surrounded by totally different people. He'll need a bit of 'grey time' to adjust to all of that. It sounds like he's doing well so far. Just keep talking to him, getting him used to your routines and socialising with him as much as possible. He'll eventually learn how good he's got it and start bonding with you and your family.

Prayers for Jay, and for you Maggie.

Such beautiful Fids, Your a good Parront....My friend...

Jay has been put on synthetic marijuana pills for pain and anxiety. Thanks, Maggie

Thank you Howardine...I agree with you, Thank you, Thank you all...

We have a political satirist up here named Rick Mercer, and he does a bit every week called Rick's Rant. One week it was about how we're treating our veterans. He has a friend who lost his legs below the knees in Afganistan. In order to get disability benefits, every year he has to prove that he's still disabled. Think about that for a second. It's like every year they're asking him to prove that his legs haven't grown back! When my dad was palliative with me the last year and a half of his life it opened him up to a whole lot of care. In home nursing, physio, PSW's twice a day, doctor's calls, oxygen, no cost prescriptions, anything we needed. There's an emphasis here on quality of life in end of life care. It's better than the care you get if you're NOT dying lol. The fact that the VA and your politicians have forms and procedures for complaints about the VA speaks volumes about how often they get complaints. What about trying to get the media involved. A story on the local news might light a fire under their butts.

I apologize...I am back... You did not upset me....it just gets overwhelming at times. His concentrator now goes to 10 and he runs it at 6 when he is relaxed, 7-8 when sleeping, and 9-10 when I am bathing him, etc. He gets 6 portable E bottles a week. But you know what, there's always some one worse. Your all the best.....

The behavior of that technician is the rankest criminal inhuman action possible. I would send him to solitary confinement for life for attempted murder if only I could! You are entitled to vent!!! Love you (and Jay). Howardine

Greetings, After researching the drugs mentioned, I recommend you research them yourself, You have decision too choose from on what to do.......You could try Chamomile tea...

Here's a pic of the aviary that I took while I was decorating it with birdie toys. The far property line is where the neighbor lives. Directly above where the back of the chair is, lies the 'chute' where I put the birds through from the house. It now has a door.

It's so very frustrating indeed. We both are planning on living in our homes for a very long time, so I need to adjust in order to keep the peace. Here's a picture of my troublemaker, Dexter. Isn't he cute?

How frustrating!

Well, yes, our neighbors are being a complete turd. She says that she suffers from misophonia, which is a condition where certain sounds trigger immediate feelings of intense rage and anger. I am not able to leave my macaws outside for longer than 5 minutes if they start squawking; otherwise she'll report us. So...I now have her work schedule, and keep the macaws outside on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays for as long as I darn well please. Her anger has rained on my happiness big time. Frankly I wish that she' get ear buds and listen to some music. The neighbors on our other side love the aviary. The people in back are siding with the complaining neighbor, per what she's told me.

My son and his wife built my aviary off the birdroom so the parrots can fly in and out the window. The birds love it it makes life very easy for me. No cement on the ground just grass and it cleans itself. Bottom half of the aviary is wood so dogs/animals can't break in.

Without divulging the actual costs if you aren't comfortable with it - can you provide some break down of the material and labor costs for these projects? I'd like to start planning and saving now....before I even have a house LOL. I could totally see myself building a house sized aviary with all the best Parrot amenities, a garage for my motorcycles, and a tiny house where I live.

Well, here's a sneak peak at my new aviary!!! They could have everything completed, except for a minor alteration, by the end of today!

Trust me, you'll want that oversize safety area. I built mine too small on my outdoor aviary and it's a pain in the butt. I'm going to rebuild it and make it double or triple the size. I get tired of having to shuffle things around and squeeze things through.

All the panels have been brought over. They'll begin installation on Monday! The only thing that isn't the way I'd envisioned it is with regards to the double door holding area. It's huge. It's the size of a small aviary. I'll post pictures next week. Very excited!!!

Jury's still out on the cameras. That looks really pricey! Wish I'd been born thrifty with my hands as you were!

Amazing, simply amazing Steve.

Well I'm excited! Met with the fabricator to finalize the roof plans. Thanks to SR SeedBurners I feel confident with what we're going to do! This aviary runs north>south. The north half will have corregated steel panels, and the south half the SunTuf opaque white panels. So there will be a shaded portion and a light infused portion. The fabricator didn't even increase the price when I asked to have the SS mesh installed underneath the SunTuf panels. Estimated time for installation: 2 weeks!!! So happy!

Solar Grey sounds really nice. The fabricator is using steel beams as support. The cost of this aviary is about to increase, now that I know I have to add SS netting into its roof. UGH.

That's a tough call. We had the exact same dilemma and I finally decided to just use one type of panel all the way across. We went with the 'Solar Grey' as it has 35% light transmission. We have plenty of soffit for the birds to hide under should they want to get completely in the shade. Here in Texas we regularly get temps 90-100 for weeks or months on end. So I'm fully expecting to have to find a way to push air through our aviary. If you do use the SunTuf, I don't believe you will be able to use any other panel as the ridge profiles are hexagonal in shape. Most galvanized panels and the regular polycarbonate panels are a 'sine curve' shape. There is no guarantee those will fit together either as the curves may be different sizes between the two products. I do know, you DO NOT want to use the clear polycarbonate paneling that you will find at Lowes/HD. That stuff is pure junk and breaks easily. It's listed at HD under the name 'Palruf'. If you're going to have open sides, which I believe is what you are doing, you can easily hang a box fan and a mister on the outside and cool their jets with that. That's what I did on our outdoor aviary. Here's what I would do based on what I think you're building and what I know of how my birds have behaved in both my aviaries: I would put a solid section of roofing ~2ft out from the side of the house, very similar to the way our roof soffits are in our new aviary. Our birds tend to want to hang out under that. Our outdoor aviary has a tree that shades part of it and that's where they hang 90% of the time. They sell a closure strip that we used to join the SunTuf panels to the flat roofing board which is exactly what you would do too. I think I may have a pic of that before it was shingled. Have you thought about having a camera out there? I can't tell you how much peace of mind that brings being able to monitor them from inside the house. I have a dedicated monitor at home and work that is nothing but the live feed from my camera. Here is the manufacture link for the Suntuf panels. It contains the different colors, how much light they transmit and a couple of good videos comparing them. https://www.palramamericas.com/Products/corrugated-sheets/SUNTUF/ If you do decide to go with Suntuf, you will need their closure strips and what they call their 'horizontal'. Those are not sold at Home Depot which is completely stupid. I had to order them and wait, fortunately our contractor had other stuff he did in the meantime. https://www.palramamericas.com/Products/corrugated-accessories/CorrugatedAccessories/

That's going to be great!

The roof will be a combo of every other panel being steel/outdoor patio plastic stuff so that more light can filter through. I didn't want there to be any cross beams onto which my fids could climb, thereby making it a challenge to retrieve them at night. My 4 German Shepherds will do a fine job cleaning up the tossed food at the end of the day. The next door neighbors have a junk heap of stuff collecting in their back yard, which has made their property a great haven for rats. That's one of the main reasons why I went with 1/2x2 inch mesh. And no, I'm located in sunny Southern California. Those are eucalyptus trees, plus bamboo growing on the other side of the fence. Next I'll have to figure out what kinds of bird safe vegetation I'll have growing inside the aviary.

This puts a rest to my suspicions that there is a Grey conspiracy out there to get their hoomans to build luxury aviaries. You'll love being able to shove them in and out from the house. That's the one thing I didn't like about my first outdoor aviary - it's too hard to get in and out of. Once I put them in I was reluctant to pull them out. Silkies make really good cleanup crew if you need something to pickup the food that gets tossed. What kind of roof are you putting on it? Wire? If I didn't know any better, I'd guess you were from Australia. Your yard looks really similar to the yard where my wife grew up in Toowoomba. Those almost look like native australian gum trees.