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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

The number of pet birds owned by households in the U.S . reached 20.6 million in 2017.

My b&g macaw Sami had several distinctive 'hellos' -- one was a very soft drawn out and flirtatious 'hel loooooo' ala Joey on Friends. I had her whole life, so no idea where she learned it. For real. I don't say hello like that or know anyone who does. But she does have my own telephone pick-up voice 'hello' down pat. Would often say hello as soon as the phone started ringing. lol (Just so you know, after 20 years of keeping her, I purchased a spot for Sami at the Cape Fear Parrot Sanctuary -- so she's free-flying these days with lots of macaw friends. My favourite days are when I visit her there. She suddenly ditches her new flock and plays the baby macaw role for me for old times sake -- adorable). This is the same sanctuary where my CAG will go when I die. I kept him because he isn't socialized (had him 22 years) and he pretty much only likes me, afraid of new situations, etc.. Whereas Sami never met a stranger and considers everything an adventure. I wish my CAG Snickers was more outgoing with other people and parrots). [Sad to mention: many greys don't 'make it' at the sanctuary and the various owners/sanctuary supporters end up giving them indoor homes. That said, about a dozen+ greys did adjust well at the sanctuary and are free to fly and flock! My dream is my Snickers one day adjusting to such freedom -- fitting in with the flock and flying free!] Also, wanted to add that giving my better-adjusted happy parrots (b&g macaw, YN amazon and 22 yo cockatiel -- companions for 20+ years!) having their freedom back was the HARDEST choice I ever made. I decided their happiness meant more than mine. An incredibly difficult choice, nonetheless. They're happier than I am with the choice. I miss them... then I remember them flying and preening each other.... well, they're happy in a flock flying.... At least I can visit whenever I want, and I do, often. Parrots NEVER forget you. I write this extra bit about a sanctuary because none of us live forever, and planning for your parrot's future is incredibly important. Parrots are rehomed at an alarming rate and making plans for mine as I get older was important to me. And to you. Because we love them so much.

In the U.S. 25 species of parrots have formed breeding colonies in the 23 states. Checking on species list.

I hope they can be successful and not become a 'nuisance' (would NEVER be a nuisance to me, but yannoe how it is when something becomes invasive to other organizations, farmers, other wildlife, etc.). I think it's wonderful when parrots can be free.

Mine moults out a few feathers at a time --- never all at once -- that way he's always able to fly. And yeah, I tend to collect the pretty tail feathers he drops. I was confused, you mentioned yours was clipped but you want him to fly -- did this clipping occur in a previous home? Is this a new parrot for you? Anyway, best of luck, it takes a while to grow out and replace clipped flight feathers.

It will take time and seam like forever, but the stubs will molt out and she will fly Just hang in there and they will fly. Ray

Timber does 3 very distinctive meows, I'm assuming from homes he has lived in. When I'm in the other room or upstairs, he will run through his repertoire of all 3. The third sounds like a cat caught in a trap or something. It's actually pretty distressing! I have two cats and it gets my attention when I hear that one, until I remember it is Timber. His mimic ability on animal sounds is uncanny.

Alfie learned to bark like the neighbours Jack Russell.. which never used to stop barking. However, Alfie always sounded a lot cuter than the actual dog, so I can deal with it. The dog has gone because the neighbours moved but Alfie still barks on occassion. He never learned to bark like our german shepherd when we lived with my parents though. I'd prefer that bark over a jack russell any day!

A molt is a slow process as they will lose their feathers in a sequence especially flights that will alternate from side to side so they don`t lose their ability to fly in the wild.

Oh Corky is a meower also along with barking like a dog. When our dogs were alive and some one came to the door they would bark and she would join in and bark with them. Now when some one comes to the door it`s just her there to bark

Lima beans should not be fed frequently they have some bird unfriendly chemical componants." Lima beans contain a cyanogenic glycoside called 'phaseolunatin'. Beans which are grown in the US contain less than 0.01% which does not cause a problem. " from Dr. Lisa

Alfie is a seed junkie unfortunately, so I have to keep coming up with creative ways to entice him to eat healthy. If I put it in his bowl he'll mostly fling it, though I did have some success with a mini pumpkin last year. He will pick at a few bits and pieces and then toss it as far as he can. I use a skewer and hang foods in his cage so it's more difficult for him to discard them. This works occassionally and he will try some new foods that way. The foraging tray idea worked quite well. He did fling most of it but he was at least willing to nibble a few bits and pieces. I'm toying with the idea of getting a dehydrator because he seems to prefer dried veggies and fruit over anything else. Pellets have always been an absolute no go. I've tried all sorts of makes sizes and colours and they are always rejected, despite my perseverance.

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...

Wow! I wonder how they came up with this number.