Augustus

JeffNOK, Reading between the lines in your original post, I suspect that this new behavior of Gracie's might have come at a time when light levels were low or maybe near the time she normally retires for the night. My 15 yr. old cag, who is not bonded to me, readily allows me to handle her (getting her out of her cage, transporting her from room to room etc...) but does not let me touch her below her head. She'll let me scratch her head 24/7 but don't think about touching her anywhere else. But when that Miller High Life sign grows dim, I'm her best buddy. I can touch her from head to tail and belly to back without fear of losing a digit. The transformation is amazing. My .02 cents, it's their roosting instincts. They want to be near others primairly for safety but probably for companionship also. So play her a love song, keep her glass full of whiskey, and if that high life sign grows dim, Wait, apply that elsewhere. Seriously, try working with her under low light conditions after her nomal bedtime. You might be surprised.

Forget to post the link. Pretty sure I was a bird in a prior life 'cause I've retained my bird brain. http://www.paintedbuntings.org/

They are painted buntings and the beads are bands. My home is one of the sites they have banded at since starting the program. It's really interesting watching the PBOT people capture, band and record their data such as age, gender, weight, and health. To weigh these birds, the banders put them upside down in a film canister and then place it on a digital scale. I have a pic of that somewhere that I'll post up. They are quite striking and are captured for the cage market in Central America.

After fifteen yrs. my cag still won't let me touch her back, chest, or tail till the sun goes down. When I dim the lights, I can touch her from head to tail. She'll readily accept a head scratch and a beak rub anytime though. Stepping up, not a problem. Reach for her back or tail during the day and I see how little removed from the wild she is. Maybe she needs fifteen more years. My B&G loves to be petted. I can carry her upside down in my arms, tickle her belly, rub her feet and she comes back for more, but not the cag. My cag doesn't like sprouts and only likes her vegetables cooked and preferably warm. While I'm doing all this food prep or cage cleaning she keeps repeating, " Boy I love the parrots."

Feathers, Fins and Fur http://s1134.photobucket.com/user/fiddlers-green/slideshow/Flock-%20Pack-%20Herd-Yard%20Friends

Been there. I'm glad you got her back.

Hi Janelle. Like you, I'm new to the site and have a grey and a b&g. They tolerate each other except when one gets on the other's cage. They grew up together and they're both fifteen. I don't see their attitude toward each other changing. Being bonded to the same person probably has a lot to do with it. Is assembling Elliot's new cage while leaving up his present one an option? Possibly tie the two together with a perch and let him out to explore. Drop a favorite treat in the new cage while he's watching. Curiosity gets the better of mine every time. Good luck! Gus

I usually pack a cooler with something to eat and find a fast food place with shade to park the car under. When I need to go inside, I crack all the windows, lock up, and leave my vicious looking dobe, that would lick any intruder to death, on guard duty. Also, an air bag going off while underway could be trouble for Radar.

Hey Beth, I've made a seven hr. road trip twice a year now for the past eight years. My cag and b&g have access to their favorite foods and water but neither will drink nor eat along the way. I give them their usual breakfast before heading out so I'm not overly concerned. You can lead a bird to water but.... I wouldn't recommend Radar being out while underway mainly because of the possibility of him becoming a distraction to the driver. But, with seven kids I bet you're great at multitasking. Still, I would strap his cage down and keep him in it while traveling. If you had to slam on brakes you wouldn't want a cage flying around inside your vehicle. I give my birds a rest break at least twice during the trip because they have to work at staying perched while stopping and starting, going over bumps, slowing down and speeding up etc. etc.. Taking pets inside a restaurant is probably viewed as a health hazzard and against local laws in some areas. Ask though, you may be surprised. Bon voyage, Gus

I've found that both my cag and b&g prefer to chew on twigs/limbs from live trees. Dead limbs/twigs are chewed to bits in a matter of seconds, whereas live ones hold up for a bit longer. Limbs from hickory, oak and dogwood are the ones I use the most. My b&g likes to skin the bark off populars also. My birds hardly ever chew on toys anymore preffering to use them to scratch their backs and hang upside down from them. Pencil size for the cag and sharpie size for Nesta are what I offer to them free choice in a bowl. Best of all, the price is right and you know there is no preservatives or arsenic. Here's Echo doing what she does best.

My cag plays the same game, only she says "ut oh" when whatever she tosses hits the floor. When I give her breakfast, she drops the first thing she picks out of the bowl also. I guess she's planting her own garden.

I see you're now in DFW. I spent Halloween at the Stockyards a few yrs. back and you talk about some weird "fruitcakes".

Thanks danmcq. My English comp. prof. had a radically different opinion of my writing style. What forum would be appropiate for posting photos of my flock/pack?

You were just up the beach from me! Bet you won't miss the mid 90 degree temps and 90% humidity that can last for weeks.

It has a very characteristic bouquet for sure, but one I've come to appreciate. I've spent quite a bit of time recently in Augusta and went to school in Athens many yrs. ago, and I'll always thank Georgia for giving me the Allman Bros. .

Good luck with your search for what sets yours off.

I fed Echo and Nesta out in '97, both females. I'm always focused when it comes to handling Echo and I always ask if she wants to go to another location before offering my hand. It may be months between bites but there's nothing wrong with my memory. But I'm sure you're right about there being a reason.

I live in NC and have red dirt between my toes during the winter and pluff mud the rest of the year. I've been obsessed with birds from childhood, and I'm no spring chicken. Presently, I share my roost with a grey named Echo and a blue & gold named Nesta. I've also done time with a moluccan and a timneh. I'm quite fond of them all. I decided to join this group after reading the bite me club thread. And just this morning, I was re-initiated into that club by Echo for no apparent reason. I'm sure I'll have a laugh and gain some insight by spending some time with ya'll. Thanks for sharing, Gus