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Glad to see you're back. All these long running threads have stopped as many of the members have left. I think someone was inquiring about this thread just the other day. Regaring the breast cancer, how did you catch it so early? Regular exam? I need to get my wife in there to do hers...

We are back on home turf. One of the things that reminded me to get back online and check in was to hear Miss Gilbert call out last night "Night night Gil girl." Life has changed and gotten real quiet here after a flurry of non stop activity. Still having seizures and unrelated but relevant, was diagnosed with early stage I breast cancer. I did have surgery about three weeks ago and still in testing I will definitely have radiation and likely have chemo first depending on a few more tests. No worries, it is not life threatening, a blip on the radar to make sure I remember what is important in life. David has been taking care of the parrots and his work has been exceptionally gracious to allow him time off as necessary. This weekend, I did all the prep work for grocery shopping, meal prepping, getting supplies for birds and dogs. It is the longest I have been away from the house since September. Gil kind of likes me home all the time. She expressed her great displeasure of change by biting David when he cleaned her cage. Then Java bit him too. He is a good sport about it, as my standard response is... if you can't read their clear parrot posture language you have to keep out of reach of the beak. Parrots have rules. If you just follow the rules, life is good for all of us. I'm still on probation as far as Gil is concerned. I have learned everything I need to know about endurance and grey time from her. I will try to catch up on my reading and time with everyone here as I get reacquainted with the forum.

They're like the living dead. They just keep coming. The crap they spout makes absolutely no sense. I can't fathom why some idiot out there creates these.

Ok, I have added a question that needs to be answered, and added a hook for some AI protection. It is set to the highest level. Also updating the skin.

Jay is seriously ill and is going to the hospital, probably later today. We wanted to wait until after Thanksgiving but he is really suffering and in extreme pain. If you are interested in what Jay's condition is, let me know and I will tell you. Love, Maggie

So many women I know are battling breast cancer right now. It's disconcerting to see its significant up-tick within our society. I'm so sorry to hear that you are now facing this new journey towards achieving good health. It's a battle, but you shall be triumphant.

So glad to see this post! Also glad your cancer was caught in the earliest stages. Prayers for a speedy and total recovery.

All my love to you both.

Just to add a thought here, we have a rehomed and reluctant Timneh African Grey and it seriously stresses her out to have nail trims. We have had great luck with a concrete perch from a breeder made with ground up seashells. It feels smooth to the touch and can be placed in her cage where it is not her night time top roost perch but she accesses it several times a day. We also have a newer type for travel that is smooth where it touches the pads of her talons and rough where her nails get the sharp tips worn down. The thing to remember here is to check her foot pads regularly to be sure she doesn't get pressure spots from these perches. We have had nail trims at the vet and it has been so much easier on her to keep the nails worn down naturally with a perch designed for the purpose. I definitely wouldn't agree to anesthesia for anything except an emergency.

Since this is a first, it is tough to tell what the trigger may have been. A consult with your vet is the best recourse because they have dealt with it so much. We have a rehomed parrot. She came into our home with plucking issues and at the vet's suggestion we had good luck with the Bach Rescue Remedy, two drops in her fresh water daily. For a long time, any changes in her routine, any new objects in our home, any reminders of her idea of "abandonment", loud noises etc., she would go into a frenzy of feather plucking or barbering. It could be something as simple as your parrot being startled off his perch, playing rough or something and breaking a tail feather. Once it started he may not have been able to understand "what hurts" and he may have been trying to relieve his discomfort... which made it worse for him. So, yes a vet visit is your best bet to be sure there isn't a blood feather or underlying health issue involved.

I didn't know where to post this, I've never posted here as I'm new to this Hello, I'm new here but I'm eager to learn! So, My mum has a friend who has a Congo African Grey Parrot called Tico. Tico is her husbands bird until he passes. Once her husband passes she will need my help with getting Tico out of his cage and into his travel carrier and take him home with me as my bird. Tico would be my first bird and I want to do the right thing for Tico. She originally asked for my help to bring Tico to the bird rescue I volunteer at sometimes but even though I've never had a bird I feel taking him to the bird rescue wouldn't be in Tico's best interest since most of the exotics (especially the Macaws, Cockatoos and Amazons and other large birds) get bounced from home then back to the rescue then to home then back to the rescue and so on. I am currently 21, live with my mum and fiance and I don't go to school but do plan to do school online but I have plenty of time and patience for working with Tico to give him the attention and care he needs. I am much more comfortable with and do best with larger birds and I have some experience with handling Macaws, Cockatoos and Amazons. Ones that have temperament problems and that has a tendency to bite and do things their not supposed to do. I've been Biten, I've been lunged at, I've been grabbed by beaks and nails and more. But after having patience and time working with each bird that has done that to me has an Amazing reward, having a newly affectionate gentle bird was so worth it. With what I understand with Tico, he does have a problem with biting and doesn't get out of his cage much because of that and needs more socializing with being touched and brought out and a few other thing. From with what I said, does it seem as though Tico would have a better life with me? Somebody who has the time and patience to work with him and care for him and give him the attention he needs? VS having to spend most of his life in a cage in a loud room with a lot of other birds with temperament and behavioral problems? I kind of know the answer but I REALLY want to make sure it's the best thing for Tico. I'm trying to think about his well being and quality of life above what I want. I just want what's best for Tico.

Continuity of care is important for Tico's well being. I remember feeling so inadequate for Miss Gilbert when she came to me nearly ten years ago. She had been passed from home to home and couldn't get relaxed and comfortable. She still prefers the security of her cage, but shows that she wants head scratches and she has warmed up particularly to my son-in-law and other friends and family members. What I had to do was to adjust my own expectations. She is never going to be the cuddly, affection sort in the way my red bellied parrot is with me. Java has bonded with me as a very young parrot and she loves to be cuddled and will share food with me and just be happy to be on my chest, kissing my face. It is endearing. However, she is not like that with anyone else. Grey time is a hard concept for us humans. It takes a lot of wondering if we are "enough" I have accepted that I will never be her "Jim". She still pines for him. The fact is, nobody will replace Tico's beloved, but you will be trusted, loved and rewarded in many unexpected ways. You are familiar with Tico and know what care he needs. You are privy to most of his memories and will be able to understand what he is telling you. For his well being, you can't measure it based on what you see as happiness from a human perspective. He is wise beyond belief and will know you love and care for him just the way he is.

It has been a long time since I have been able to focus on this forum. What hasn't changed is my devotion to Miss Gilbert. She is with me always, she travels more miles than my entire hometown of people have accumulated in their lifetime. There have been days that I wondered if I am "enough" for her. I know for sure that bringing her into my life was the right thing to do and I haven't regretted it even when it turned out to be a longer adjustment than I expected.

Hi everyone’s, I got home from work tonight to a vm left on my house phone. A women I have bought bird things from who lives a few towns over had given my number to a another woman. This woman left a long message on my answering machine , her elderly parents are ill and are in a nursing home, nd have an approx. 25 year old African grey that is sitting alone in their trailer sits in its cage all day, they’ve had it for 15 years she said, they can’t care for it any longer and she feels sorry for it and has cats dogs and horses so it won’t fit into her household. She wants it to go to someone who has and understands birds. i have cats, dogs and well you know...Nilah...Talon and Rikki. We all know our place in the flock. I do work a lot of hours, some days my birds are in their cages 11 hours..but they get out of their cage time always when I get home until bed, and Sunday is theirs day to have all day out. I’ve aleays felt 3 are enough....but my heart breaks..and I’m torn what to do. He is a male, I have 3 females....I don’t want to disrupt the flock and household...do I just ignore the phone call? I’ve done that once before, but it was just a woman who was looking for a home, not the elderly parents and bird sitting there all day....just looking for feedback from my family here. i tend to make a quick decision based on my heartfelt sympathy for all animals...want to rescue them all...thus my 3 dogs, 2 cats and 3 birds 🙄 Thanks in advance!

It is so hard to know how to help in these situations. When we brought Miss Gilbert into our home, she completely changed the dynamics. I love her dearly and she still finds a way to make me laugh with her brilliant sarcasm every day, but Java's life has never been the same. I would love to add to my own flock but am too well aware of my limitations. Still it is absolutely heartbreaking to know there are these precious souls out there in need of just the right home.

Thank goodness that was spam I was reading. I haven't been online in a while and thought my brain was scrambled because I could not make heads nor tails of that rambling. 😋 Thank you to everyone working on keeping this forum going. There is a lot of work behind the scenes and you all have busy lives too.

I'm just getting back online and trying to catch up. It's a terrible choice to have to make, having you by his side has to be of great comfort. Hoping they can help relieve his suffering and he will know we are all thinking and caring for you both.

That's comforting to know. Initially I was wondering if he had bird poop stuck there, because he's been known to reach below the bars to grab and tear up the newsprint.

Would love to see a pic of Cosmo once he's triumphantly slayed his fears and can proudly stand on that dragon of a thing. It will be a proud moment indeed!

Yes they are

Greys are something else, aren't they? 😄

Just wanted to let you know that cosmo took that leap of faith last night and has been on his old perch since last night. As far as I can tell he hasn’t visited the new perch yet but at least we’re on our way. Thanks Greytness 🤗

This deeply saddens me. Praying that they can help make him feel more comfortable. Please, please, please keep us posted. And please let him know that I will be lifting him up in prayer.

Oh Maggie, I’m so sorry. Please keep me posted. You both are in my prayers. ♥️♥️

I noticed after taking his pic that he has a little divit in his beak. See that white spot? It's a little depression of sorts. I'm thinking that he may have caught his beak on something. He was messing with the dragonwood perch where it's attached to the side of the cage earlier today. Now I'm wondering if his beak somehow got pinched between it and the bars of the cage.

Ahhh...sweet happy boy! Tell him Huey says Hi! The look so similar.

I thought I'd share a couple pics of Sydney taken today. He's come such a long way! I tried to take him out of his cage for his pics, but he became way too flirtatious so I had to let him decompress.

HAHHAHA! We got a good laugh after you’re post. Thanks. Next 3 days will interesting

I can only speak for how it goes with my 3 greys, which is anything added to their cages is evil for around 3 days, after which time they will test things out to make certain it won't readily eat them.

We installed the new perch yesterday. Only reaction was he went down to the bottom of his cage and stayed there for most of the day until we turned off the lights out and hubby saw him climb and up on his regular perch and he stayed there all night. This morning he ate and climbed back down and there he sits. Is he trying to accept the new perch in his cage but still cautious? Wondering how long will it last. Thanks

Ruby is a wonderful enigma. She is brilliant. She has more personality than I do! I only wish I could spend every minute with her to help her live the best life that she can. I need to spend a lot of time reading about parrot psychology. I love her so much and I want whatever is best for he. I didn't REALLY know what I was getting into when I took her in. She has developed habits which didn't know how to nip in the bud. She suffers from bouts of anxiety where she will SHRED her feathers. It tears me apart inside to hear the sound of her breaking feathers, wincing in self-inflicted pain as she pulls feathers out. I know that greys are prone to anxiety/plucking, but I can't help but feel like I am absolutely failing her. I am here for help. Ruby's vet was truthfully not very helpful. Captive foraging has helped to occupy some of her time when she is alone. I struggle with finding safe materials to make into toys and obstacles. It seems like for every thing I can find a source saying it is safe, there is an equally legitimate sounding argument why that material is bad. Adam and Ruby

Great! Thank you ileo! I’ve been here daily removing spam, no time left to post!

Excellent!

Woohoo! I won't miss it of its gone!

Gosh I hope so, I usually come on to get rid of the spam that just seems to show up every day and I am leaving on Thursday for a cruise so someone else will have to deal with it so maybe there won't be any more of it, hope it helps.

Joe is worried about his 401K...

Ditto JUDY...😃

It sounds like you already have a handle on how it works to socialize and bond with this bird once it becomes yours but the key is patience and time, go slowly and allow the bird to let you know when he is ready for the next step. Let us know how it turns out.

Thanks everyone for the advice. I sent the info to a woman I work for who owns a pet store, she knew a woman who has had birds until they passed away and wanted an African grey, she passed the info on and said it sounds hopeful, still waiting to hear. I did offer to foster or help in any way, but I ha ent hears anything more..

When we brought Huey in, our little Caique, Toby, instantly declared that Huey must die. Therefore Toby's best buddy in the world, Rio, declared that Huey must die. Huey's saving grace was that I can put him with Greycie and they somewhat get along. They're not best buddies but he can handle Greycie's ornery-ness and won't kill her. So I keep my birds in little groups and currently have three little groups that I can move around and place together. Being a strapping male, he weighs less than Greycie by about 50 grams but he can lay the whooping on her when she needs it. She tried bullying him at first but quickly learned Huey has big muscles and can't be bossed around.

What do you think introducing a male to 3 females would do if anything? Should that be a concern? Ideally I would foster him & hopefully find him a forever home, but I don't know whether to offer or just let it go.

I agree also.

I wholeheartedly agree.

I think you would be the best one to find this one a home rather than ending up on CL. I ignored some hints at taking over some birds and one did end up on CL, Huey's lil buddy. When I heard the same was going to happen to Huey we intervened.

Someone experienced with birds will be able to towel a bird to do a nail trim. My groomer is terrific with Dorian. For her nail and beak trims are a two person job, one holds the towelled bird, one does the trimming, then I come in and rescue him from the bad ladies lol. Believe me, he's trying his best to bite them during this process. Is there a bird club in your area. Contact a member and ask them who they use. I found mine by asking in a pet store that has a resident, and aggressive, amazon. Knocking him out is just too risky IMHO.

An avian vet knows how to towel and handle a bird for talon trimming, just allow them to do their job and then you "rescue" him from them when its all over, no harm no foul.

I agree with the above comments about gas. I've only had my adopted grey for eight weeks and he is in desperate need of a nail trim. He also is aggressive and just trying to get him into his travel cage is difficult. And since we are still building on trust, taking him to the vet is going to be a problem. However, my vet is very experienced with greys (she has two), so she will be toweling him to do this. Sure, it's going to freak him out but after a few hours back in his home cage, he'll be fine.

I would not advise doing this just for a nail trim. Is the vet experienced with birds or an avian specialist? If not, that may be why they are making that recommendation. Alfie was gassed by a vet once so they could help with his beak (it was growing longer on one side and causing the beak to grow out wonky). They gassed him and sorted the beak but Alfie was sick after the procedure and very dazed/out of it from the gas for a good few hours. I found another vet who is further away but obviously has a lot more experience with birds, as he is able to handle Alfie a lot better, with a lot less stress and most importantly- no gas. I have never been back to that first vet and always travel the extra distance to see the vet that I trust. I would personally seek a second opinion from another vet who is used to handling/treating birds. The risk and stress isn't worth it for a nail trim. It should be achievable with an experience hand and a towel. If you have any doubts about the care being provided by a vet then you are better to walk away and find another vet. It's always important to be able to trust the person giving care to your beloved pets.

Yeah, that's not a game you want to start. They will "play" for hours after you have stopped, believe me, I know. We're still working on a certain sound extinguishing around here and, while progress is being made, it's being made veeeeeeeeeeeeeery slowly. Glad to hear about your kiss. Did she get an extra treat after that.

^^^ Yes, absolutely. Just chill for a change. Your body will thank you for it later.