BaileysPapa

As someone who is evacuating tomorrow, from Hurricane Irma, I agree with Ray. (I always agree with Ray!) I'm taking my flock with me, and have made appropriate plans for their comfort and survival. Thanks for reminding us all.

Here in Florida, we're getting ready for Irma. Looking like it could pass us by, or could be worst storm in recorded history. Nice choice!? End of the World conspiracies, anyone ? 8) (Just trying to make light of a terrible situation.)

Bailey has all those looks also. But yesterday, I caught him chewing on the arm of my recliner, and yelled, "What are you doing??" He looked up at me, and then moved his eyes downward, avoiding my look. Like a little kid caught doing something he shouldn't, while I continued chastising him. Of course, two minutes later, it was like nothing had ever happened.

As we, in the USA, observe Memorial Day, today, I am mindful of a dear friend and mentor who served in the US Army Signal Corps, working with pigeons in WWII. On Memorial Day, he would fly two flags at half mast. One for the fallen Service men and women. And one for the homing pigeons shot out of the sky delivering important information to troops. And the fallen horses, killed bringing their brave warriors into battle. Plus, the dogs that have given their lives protecting and serving their countrymen. Please remember those departed heroes today, as well. Some gave all, all gave some.

How great is that?!? My little guys would love that place, and eventually come back to me. I'd still be waiting for Bailey to come down. 8(

My guy loves pistachios & pecans. He also he loves to chew up almond shells, but, not the nuts. All nuts unsalted, of course!

Redirection is the best "discipline" with these guys. Good thinking!

I've never heard of them breeding either. I'd guess that the female was stimulated to lay, and the eggs are sterile. I, too, am curious about what Dave has to say.

Yesterday, 95 countries agreed to include African Grey Parrots on the CITES list! Banning the capture, trade and commerce of wild African Greys. The World Parrot Trust was a large factor in this. All the online petitions, and several other groups, helped make this happen. A friend of mine is involved with the Trust, and called me last night with the news, from South Africa. How great is that!

Ray, I love the colors of that pic!

My vote is that she's Congo. A beautiful Congo. 8)

I join my colleagues in welcoming you. You came here to learn more about Smokey? Is he/she friendly to you?

In the past, I have taken in a few birds with a similar wound/problem. A temporary solution, (as long as the bird will tolerate it) is to take a new, unused white sock. Cut off the toe, and cut down the other end some. Pull it over the bird, wrapping him/her in a mummy-like cocoon, leaving enough room for the feet and head to not be impeded by the "sleeve". It will keep the wings from spreading. Many birds will fight this, as holding their wings down is very unnatural, and counters any flight response to danger/fear/etc. Use the Aloe with this. And, remember what you are taking away from the bird (flight), so it will need extra attention. Most birds will not allow this, but some do. It is also a "treatment" for pluckers. In that case, cut holes on the sides of the sock for their wings. As I've said, most don't go for this, but, some will allow it. It might be worth a try. Of course, common sense would tell you to cut the sock and situate it to keep their vent clear to prevent soiling the sleeve.

Talon is right. Leg bands are for breeders to identify the lineage of a particular bird. Unless that breeders records are used, the numbers & letters tell anyone nothing. She is also right to cut them off, BY A VETERINARIAN. Of the many birds that have passed through my rescue, I have always had leg bands removed. Particularly after seeing several birds without feet or legs from bands getting caught on things.

She's depressed about losing your grandmother. Eventually you'll fill that void. She needs time to grieve and move on. I've had some success with pluckers by redirecting that energy with shreddable "toys". Like paper cups, plastic drinking straws, little cardboard boxes, small paper plates, things like that. Also, preening "toys", like short lengths of rope to unravel, strings tied together, strips of cloth tied together, things like that. These guys love untying knots. Plucking is difficult to stop, and some birds never stop. But keep trying with other things to keep her beak busy.

Bailey likes to be held by the beak also. And hide his head in my hand. Sometimes he climbs behind my head and buries himself under my hair.

She must have red factor genes. I've seen almost all red African Greys. A breeder in Germany gets about $10,000.00 a bird. My Bailey gets reddish feathers at his ear coverlets and head.

Although I qualify as a recent returning member, I have checked back often and just read what was new without posting. I also had some health problems that kept me away from my computer and everything else. Parrot forums, like other forums, go through members lives with varying degrees of importance. Other bird forums that have suffered recently are, "the Bird Channel Forums", "Avian Nation", "the Parakeet Place", and another one about Parrotlets that I cannot remember the name of. It's just Human Nature. I see similar activity with various groups that I belong to. Veteran groups, Garden Clubs, etc. all seem to have a small core of regular members who do everything, and a long list of "Ghost Members" that show up now & then.

Bailey also has an uncanny knack for often saying the right thing at the right time. I have several birds that are out of cage at the same time. Because Bailey is so protective and possessive of me, he clings on the front of his cage, which is next to my chair, when other birds are with me. My wife chases the birds from things they are not supposed to be on by yelling, "OFF!". Bailey was yelling, "OFF!" to chase my Lovebird & a Cockatiel from me, as he often does. I turned, and told him it was okay. He looked at me for a second, and then said, "I love you!". He sure knows how to get to me. I see that all of these are funny quirks. One of Bailey's that I absolutely hate, and have not been able to break, is pinching holes in my clothes with his beak. I have so many shirts that are "Bailey shirts" because they are full of tiny holes. Also, when he's on the floor, I'll suddenly realize that he's nipping my socks. Or on my lap, he pinches my pants. Nothing stops him. He's obsessed. Does anyone else's bird do this? Why do they have to do that?

Hummingbirds are fabulous creatures. Such tiny beings that fly thousands of miles on migration! When I was a child, my Grandparents had some Buddleia bushes (Hummingbird/Butterfly bushes) that were in a group, and we'd sit in the center and watch the Hummers. We'd also try to catch them, but, all we ever felt was the touch of their wings as they evaded us. There is a fascinating video on Youtube of a guy that rescued an injured Hummer, and it stayed with him for some time before flying on it's way.

Yes, my Jessye lived with my family for about 52 years. I inherited him from my Grandfather. He was wild caught, and adult, when we got him, so we do not know how old he really was.

Parrots can communicate with us in our own spoken language. Think about haw fantastic that actually is!

I also put my guys into their travel cages regularly, so it's not just a scary prelude to go to the vets. I put them in their travel cages to clean their cages, and to take them out to my screened in patio, etc. So they are not scared of going into them. Also, in moments of crisis, your flock will look to you to be a calm and decisive flock leader. If you're not going crazy, they'll be more likely to remain calm.

My Bailey's mother died last year, but I still visit the breeder and his father. The breeder had stopped breeding after Bailey's clutch. I know what you mean about how you feel. I have an agreement with Bailey's breeder that if she cannot care for the remaining birds, I will take them in. At this point, there is only Bailey's father, another male Grey, a Blue & Gold Macaw, 2 cockatiels, and a Blue Quaker. Thank goodness that I have a basic friendship with them all. When, (if), they come to me, we already have a bond. As always, thank you for the great work that you are doing!

My Bailey mimics my wife more than me, but, doesn't want anything to do with her. He likes her laugh, and her voice. Don't worry so much about moving. I've relocated many birds, to many different situations. As long as you, as flock leader, are at ease, the bird will pick up from you that the changes are good, and will be okay with them.