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@neoow I absolutely loved your special travel enclosure -- still fondly remember a video you shared of taking your guy out for a parrot fair/meet-up. You spoil your guy and I loved it!!! Huggs and scritches from me to your sweetie! @Talon Agree re: perching when traveling -- my rolled up towel makeshift perch rested on carrier bottom, it was NOT elevated. It was more just something their feet could grasp/hold on to for stability. I promise I don't drive fast or crazy, but still, wouldn't want them to go sliding about unbalanced when I make a turn. lol

Parrots do love their chewing! Anything! Wood, card stock, newspaper, magazines and esp corrugated cardboard! I figure it keeps their beaks in good shape, plus the joy in watching their staff clean it all up!

Timbersmom, no truer words have been said with respect to greys!

Stainless steel cages sound amazing. I believe my grey/amazon cages had 3/4" spacing between bars (identical King's cages); the macaw's cage I think was 1 1/4 inches. I even think Kodak's (my cockatiel) also had the 3/4" bar spacing but honestly, it may have been just half an inch. Glad to hear someone else here (TimbersMom) tried the Kings cages. They really impressed me, but again, I only had the powder coated ones. Stainless steel remained a dream for me.

Truer words were never spoken. Those seeking instant gratification with a gray are doomed to disappointment in 99% of cases. On the other hand, it never ceases to amaze me how much we will put up with and tolerate while waiting!

You have no idea lol, I was almost out of flesh 😂

Woot! Woot! That's great!

In case anyone was wondering, the peace has held, I can now rub his head on the pearch, while cleaning the house. In fact when he climbs out, he bows his head. I really don’t understand, but I’m testing the limit LOL 😂 I really think he is learning from Kasey, he sees her getting love and attention.. He did nip one time, but it was soft. Like hey, I wasn’t done with the head scratch. Anyone having bite problems hang in there, I know it is rough, believe me. it’s been years to get here, but it’s rewarding. If your into instant gratification, Greys might not be for you lol

cardboard is a hit over here too

My three love tearing up cardboard, too, especially Sydney.

Timber is all about cardboard. I keep all my boxes, strip off all the tape and gummy stuff, and let him shred to his heart's content. That's his favorite thing to do. I have little luck with any other kind of "toy."

I forgot to ask! Anyone else have ideas about toys that Greys like?

Hi NewMamma, I had to replace our Grey's cage at the beginning of 2022 because Corey was starting to bite the paint off her cage. I was very concerned that this paint could be toxic to her and it seemed she immediately recognized my reaction to this new development which made her more prone to bite the cage bars. I didn't want this to be a way for her to get attention. This meant I had to look for a stainless steel [SS] cage. As others have pointed out, SS cages can be very expensive. Kings Cage has very nice SS cages but they were more expensive than what we could afford. Here is a link to a SS cage I found on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07N94VTHF/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 This cage was called: Prevue Pet Products Large Stainless Steel Play Top Bird Cage This cage is made in China but since it was made from SS, I wasn't too worried about the metal or paint it was made from. It has held up well for the last 2 years. The only thing I don't like about the cage is that the bars are a very small diameter but Corey has learned to navigate the bars just fine. My husband modified this cage with a few parts from her old cage so Corey wouldn't freak out when we got her the new cage [and fortunately she wasn't interested in eating paint from these parts]. The old cage and the new SS cage were exactly the same dimensions. Our bird doesn't really like change and the last thing I wanted was to spend $800.00 and have her reject the new cage. After my husband assembled the new cage [including adding a few parts from the old cage], we were able to switch the old cage with the new cage. Corey knew something was different but it wasn't THAT different and it all worked out. Good luck with your Grey, they are wonderful creatures. Corey's Mom

Timber has a fairly large vocabulary but rarely uses it. Like head scratches, his talking is when HE is in the mood, never on demand. Most of the time, he vocalizes when I'm not in the room, as if he's trying to lure me back to his area. As soon as I come through the door, silence.

Same as everyone else- blank newspaper sheets here too. So easy to swap out.

I have used various Liberta and more recently Rainforest cages over the years and Alfie has been fine in all of them. Kings cages look good but they are definitely out of budget for me. I have a kings travel cage which I mentioned in another post a short while ago and I have had it for about 10 years now and I've been really impressed with it. Just can't afford the larger counterparts! You need to make sure the bar spacing is right, as others have mentioned. But also allow enough space so the bird can fully open their wings to stretch out and so that they have space to move around, climb about and have space for lots of toys.

Others have already commented but I think the general rule of thumb is that if there is any noticeable change in behaviour/personality then a vet trip is a sensible idea. As others have said, African Greys are prey animals and therefore they are very good at hiding or masking illness. So when they start to show it, then it's definitely time for some assistance. In regards to carriers, I have a travel cage that I use whenever I take Alfie anywhere. It's similar to this: King`s Cages Parrot Travel Cage Medium (premierparrots.co.uk) (You can get much cheaper versions nowadays too). I have space for a couple of perches, food and water bowls plus a small toy in there for him. I used to use a cat carrier but it was such a pain trying to get him in there and I never found a workable solution that didn't leave his feet covered in his own mess if he was going to be in there for a while. (I'm rubbish at DIY so adding a perch wasn't an option for me). So I splashed out on a kings travel cage (as that was the only make available to me all those years ago) and haven't looked back since. But I also use this for taking him to visit my parents regularly so it suits for much longer trips than just a vet visit.

I'm always slightly envious of those with the really talkative greys. Alfie is not a big talker- and I fully accept that. He chooses what he wants to say and when and words/phrases often go in and out of favour. And he still is often able to add comedic value to any conversations going on- even with his limited vocabulary. I know he understands a lot more than he lets on too. You could be right about Sukei learning from Kasey. Either way- having your flesh intact is still a major win!

Well, you know how you get brave after a few beers on a Friday night? LOL ? This time while he was on the perch whilst I was cleaning the cage, I said “Good Boy” and the head went down. Moment of truth, no bars. Head went down, I proceeded to scratch him on the head, and he just took it, not a flinch. He went back after cleaning and down went the head again for more scratches. I have a theory. I think he is learning from Kasey (My German Shepherd). I scratch her head and say good girl when we play ball. Might be wrong, but I still have all my flesh intact LOL

Back when I was nursing him back to health in the Middle East, he used to ride on my shoulder, I could pick him up. Feed him. AND DEN. it went down hill. Folks that have been around probably remember the infomus eye picture I posted. Still have a small scar on my eye lid, along with the hands and fingers. I don't think Ill risk an eyeball again LOL. Kinda makes you wonder why we do it. I saved him from a dumpster at an open air market. You would think they would show a little appreciation. You mentioned stages. I think its age, hormone levels start falling off, maybe thats it. With him though, he got bagged right out of a tree in Africa, stuffed in a box and sent for a boat ride that one would not consider a Carnival Cruise., so I can imagine that would screw anyone up . I do however attrribute him having come from a large gene pool with being really smart, I think were around a 1K vocabulary at this point Maybe more, I havent really kept track, but he will conversate. I did learn very early on when you get the stink eye from them, best to walk away LOL.

Well that was an uneducated guess on my part. My parrots have no problem climbing & taking treats thru the bars. I will have to measure them when I get home I guess. Macaw size bar spacing on my 3 cages works well for me

That's fantastic! The hardest thing (for me) in dealing with Timber are his "moods." I'm sure he has his reasons, but I wish I knew what was going on inside that head. I've read what others say about body language, possible causes etc., but still am at a loss to figure out why he goes through the stages he goes through. I'd be careful that whatever body part you choose is expendable

Well, this particular part of the war is over. Every night since I first posted, he goes in his cage no fight, bows his head so I can scratch his head through the bars. Hasn’t tried one time to bite. Stays there as long as I scratch. Any suggestions on what else I should chance some flesh on? LOL😂

I line my carrier with towels, they can't perch when they are traveling very well. I would use a fun cute voice full of distraction, getting them interesting in what you are saying or teasing them with a treat. Then quickly but smoothly back them into the carrier & be quick to close it, all the while giving reassurance in a kind voice. Sometimes th eother hand behind them around their wings where they cant see it so they can't open their wings to fly.

Neoow...thats a great idea! My parrots always get a long uncooked squiggly noodle when they step onto their perch in their cage before I leave my house. It's quite funny to hear on the snapping & clicking from the 3 of them when I leave, It's a really cute sound they are so busy with their noodle~

Ooo sounds like a bit of a breakthrough! I'm sure Alfie mellowed with age. If Sukei has a favourite treat then it's a good idea to throw that in his food bowl to reward him for going back in his cage nicely when asked. Might help encourage the good habit. Alfie knows that he gets a pine nut for stepping up on the perch (or arm, if he so chooses) and he gets 3 or 4 in his food bowl once he's back in his cage. Has really helped cement the routine.

I vote for age is mellowing him , that being said, I still wouldn't let your guard down..cause one day he may be feeling "young & feisty" again!

I sure hope he's "coming around!" Wish I were a mind reader. Timber has some odd humors sometimes, and I'd love to know what's going on inside that bird-brain.