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Definitely keep blinds down and cover any mirrors. Also if you have any hanging chains from ceiling lights/fans, put something on them that are very visible. We've had a new bird fly right through a chain and it wasn't pretty but she's ok.

Hello Crdavis and welcome to our family. Its good you have done research before bringing one of these awesome creatures into your home, it will help you in the coming weeks, months and years you share with this new companion. My advice is to open the cage door and allow your bird to come out on her own when she is ready, they like to do things on their terms and she may want to interact with the family right off the bat but if not let her decide if she wants to come out or off the cage. Greys are flock animals and want to be with their family, with you being part of the family. I would really like you to leave her wings unclipped, most of us here are of that opinion, birds were meant to fly and if you can manage keeping the doors and windows closed when she is out to prevent any escapes then she will be a happier bird. There is nothing like hearing the flap of wings when your bird is coming to find you or just enjoying the freedom of flight. The main thing is to just let her make the decisions on when she wants closer interaction with you and take it slow and easy for grey time is slow and it takes time and lots of patience on our part to not rush it with them, trust is earned and that can take a while.

Hi everyone. I’m new here and also about to be a new CAG owner. I’m super excited and ready to have this lifelong companion. I have done much research and ready to dive in. But I have read different ways of handling bringing home ur new baby. I have found a baby that’s 5yrs old. But so she gets used to me and my family I have read to let her sit in her cage and let her get familiar with us for several days. But then I’ve also read to let her get on top of her cage and that she would adapt to how we do things. The only issue is that she has not had her wings clipped for some reason. Any suggestions on how to handle her for the first several days when we get her home. TIA

Hello! Welcome to the forums! Aw I'm so excited for you and your new addition! Just take your time and be patient with your bird. Changing homes is a big deal with lots of new people, places and routines to figure out. Greys CAN be fairly change adverse, so it's usually best to work at the birds pace. If she seems confident enough then let her out. If she is visibly scared or anxious then let her settle in for a day or so. Wing clipping is a personal preference. I believe the owner needs to make that choice based on the bird itself and the environment they are in. My bird, Alfie, is fully flighted- and I am super cautious about doors and windows. It works just fine for us and I've never personally had a reason to clip Alfie's wings. If she is already able to fly then you might be taking a bit of a risk by trimming her wings as she might try and launch off as normal and drop like a stone after a trim. So long as she is safe and family members are careful about doors and windows then you should be able to keep her fully flighted. If you do decide to trim her wings then I would suggest a VERY light trim in the first instance to let her get used to the change. Otherwise she could potentially injure herself if she falls or crash lands.

If you have any doubts I wouldn't use it. If the play stand is for indoor use then I don't think you need to varnish it...? Your bird will probably want to remodel the playstand by chewing parts of it, so I probably wouldn't run the risk, just in case.

Thank you so much judygram!!! That is a relief to know. I will let u know how it goes tmrw!!! I get her today but I’m sure I’ll be sitting and talking to her and won’t have time to let u know today 😂. I’m obsessed already!!! And ok about the wings. We have a large open house that she can fly around in. I just thought it was best for inside birds to have their wings clipped. I learn something new everyday! Thanks again 💕

Hi, I have a home made playstand I'm looking to use this varnish on: https://www.lakelandpaints.co.uk/testers-special-charts/woodstainshed-and-fence-matchpots/ I've emailed them to ask if it's safe for parrots and they insist it is, saying: Is this definitely safe for use on a playstand? Thanks in advance!

Hello and welcome! Watching for an update and pictures... we love pictures

As I always say, when in doubt err on the side of safety, it could possibly be safe but who wants to risk their beloved companion's life on this one man's statement, besides it is probably going to be chewed on and possibly some ingested, so what it is not the best looking thing, your bird will put her own touches on it perhaps. If your bird plays on it and enjoys it then its the best looking item in the house IMO.

I would steer clear of the varnish too no matter what they say. Raw wood is best.

Why use varnish in the first place, its not needed on wood that is intended for birds to be standing on, the varnish could make it more slippery for your bird.

We're just glad that everything's good within your world! Glad you're back! 🙂