BaileysPapa

I agree with all said above, but, would like to add that our featherheads are more resilient and adaptable than we think. Gracie, and everyone's birds, will accept what is going to happen, and manage to get over it. They may be a bit cranky, or unsettled, but, in the end, our birds will accept life as it comes their way. I've seen some birds go through horrific things, and manage to survive. Just don't project too much stress, and everything will be okay. My birds have helped me through some very difficult times, when all I had was their love and strength to get me through things. And they helped me. They didn't let my problems become theirs, they were my inspiration.

I am so sorry. I have been looking in on this thread everyday with hope. I am so upset. I like to think that God needed another Angel for some special reason, and He chose yours.

Keep the calcium up, and give him things to rub the layers off with, like cement perch, or something. Their beaks grow in layers, and they need to scrape off the dead outer layer.

Me, too. $9 billion/year? Tax exempt?

I'm with everyone, hoping for the best. 8>

My Grey thinks he is king, but, my Cockatiel & Lovebird were here first, and don't let him forget that. The Grey is bigger than them, but they are buddies, and do things together, and challenge the Grey to whatever they want. Mostly me, or food at the table. Everyone has his own food, cage, etc. and they rarely bother each other about these things. But, when it comes to me, I have to give everyone somewhat equal time, and whoevers turn it is, will let me know.

Welcome to our flock. And thank you for giving this poor angel a new home and chance at a good life. Having been in the rescue business, I have often seen newly adopted birds take to their new homes as though they've been waiting for them specifically. However, this could be a "honeymoon" period, and things may get a bit more testy after he settles in. Still, not to worry. I have a special place in my heart for pluckers, and will give more input after his vet visit. Good luck with your new companion.

No, you don't need gloves or a mask. That would scare him & stress him out more. Just keep things clean. It is good that he is eating. If you did get Salmonella, your doctor could treat you the same as the vet is treating him. With antibiotics. It can become a problem in people. Just be careful handling him & his poop. That's how it is transmitted, through feces. About his leg, I don't know. Try to GENTLY exercise & move it. It may not be connected to the Salmonella. What did the vet tell you about his leg? It is good to have moved his perches low. If he is having difficulty moving his leg, he may have difficulty perching. Does his foot grasp your finger? If he spends more time on the floor of his cage, please clean up after him more. You don't want him walking around, stepping in poop, and tracking it all over, or on his feet when you pick him up.

Calm down, first. Salmonella is usually caused by birds eating food & drinking water that has been pooped in. Since he is being cared for by a vet, the shots are probably antibiotics. That's the best first step. Now, you must make sure that his food & water is always clean. If the bowls are low in the cage, where he can poop in them, move them higher. If other birds are above his cage, move them. This is why I always tell people that if their water is not clean enough for you to drink, it's not clean enough for them. Also, keep his cage as clean as possible. And, yes, Salmonella is contagious, to other birds, pets, and to people. Make sure to keep his cage clean, his food & water bowls clean, and try not to come in contact with too much of his poop right now. Wash your hands before & after handling him. Good luck. This is a common nasty disease from many different bacterial strains. Some are easy to cure, some not.

-you argue with your wife in the furniture store that you will not buy a leather recliner because there's nothing for the birds to grip when they land on it -you're not keeping the baking things her family gave you for Christmas because they're made of silicone even though the givers know how much you like to bake -the pantry that you keep the birds' foods and treats in is as big as the pantry that you have for your food, and more full

Hooray for a happy ending. I agree about microchips. During the last 2 big hurricanes, I volunteered with the SPCA to help get & return lost pets. The microchipped animals were returned home quickly & easily. Many were not chipped, and only some were returned to their guardians. The others have found new homes, because time would not allow them to be kept longer in order to search for their owners. As far as foreign bodies inside the animals, there is very little evidence of problems. Most chips are the size of a grain of rice. They are well worth the effort, expense, and bodily invasion.

At my house, it's the exact opposite. We very rarely have guests, and my wife works and is gone all day. She doesn't have much to do with them, when she is home, though they know her, and will accept her presence. I'm home all day, so, except for me, the birds get very little interaction with anyone else. And when they do, everyone is as quiet as can be. Watching, quietly, not even peeping. People have commented that for a house full of birds, it is very quiet. I explain that they are shy and not used to other people being around. Any other times, my house sounds like a jungle movie with all the chattering, squawking, and whistling.

That is great! What other animal would be so much fun? What other animal could have such control of us? Or communicate so thoroughly? Greys really are the best!

There are a lot of "Wives Tales" and misinformation on this subject. I have been around birds my entire life. My Grandparents & Parents all had birds since before I was born. And I have worked with birds in several capacities for my whole life. The reason I am saying this is to show you that if there really were any concerns, I would have heard of them. The only illness that I know of that can be passed from bird to humans is Psittacosis, "Bird Fever". In humans, it appears as a bad cold that will not go away. It is not fatal, and does not escalate to any other degree. And can be treated. If the bird is not treated, it could die. It is also very contagious to other birds. There are some illnesses that humans can pass on to birds, most of which will kill the bird. Also, many people are allergic to birds. That can be overcome with antihistamines. All through history, people have been afraid of birds. That brought about many untrue "observations" by uninformed individuals. You did some research, and found whatever you found. I'm guessing it wasn't enough to draw your own negative conclusions. As far as "brain viral infections', I have never heard of that in my 60 (40+ working) years of being around birds. I would ask your wife to research herself, and maybe question your doctors, and perhaps a neurologist, (for brain viral infections) about this, and any other concerns about your bird..

I have had many different kinds of birds due to my rescue work. Although I have known a few, I have never been guardian to a Black Palm Cockatoo. They are magnificent birds.

Yes, our birds do eat through the night. I have problems sleeping, and often hear my birds munching away in the darkness.

I have mentioned in previous posts that I have worked with Owls. I was a wildlife rehabber, and cared for quite a few. I did caution everyone about them. Their feathers are different than most other birds to allow them to quietly swoop down on their prey. Not make the noise like our parrots wings make. Also, their talons are needle sharp, and beaks are razor sharp. Your dog was lucky. A full grown Great Horned Owl is a large, very strong bird. And a hungry one, or one with young to feed, can be ferocious, and relentless, in it's attack. Glad everything worked out for the best. As the previous two "farmgirls" have said, any small living thing is a target for these birds. Having had to capture them myself, I can tell you that they are not afraid of creatures our size, either.

You guys are talking about Congos, right? My Bailey is a Timneh, and at 8 months weighs 305 grams. The vet says he's doing great. His keel bone is prominent, and his "elbows" and spine are easy to feel. She says he's normal. and will fill in with age. How about other Timmies out there?

Inara's guardian is right on the money! My birds also eat with me, and "help" prepare the meals. They share my oatmeal in the morning, my bread & salad at lunch, and any veggies & fruit & whatever at dinner. And at each meal, they get their own portions. I only shoo them away when I am actually cooking at the stove. We all enjoy that time together. Plus, they get a bit of good foods that I can be sure they are eating.

I had a Grey that lived over 50 years. Most of his life all he ate was mostly fresh fruit & vegetables & some Parrot Seed Mix. My Grandparents, his original owners, were farmers, and always had lots of many kinds of fresh foods. For themselves, and their birds and other pets. He died more than 19 years ago, so many pellets were not available then. He ate some towards the end of his life, but lived on fresh foods & seed mix. I'm not against pellets, but, a good balanced diet would contain some of everything available.

I've given my birds the rind of various melons, but not the outer skin. Just the flesh below the hard outer skin. Worrying about pesticides, fungicides, waxes, processing plant chemical washes, etc. And, of course, they got the melon itself, which I shared with them. Melons that I grew myself, they got all of, and enjoyed immensely.

There are also a number of international animal shippers. Check Google for Animal Shipping, Pet Transport, or similar words. They are much more advanced, and safer than years ago. Plus, they'll know the regulations, quarantines, necessary paperwork, etc.

Many times they don't realize they cannot fly. My Bailey is clipped and a jumper, and lands with a scary thud also. I also suggest a cushion or soft mat or folded towel for him to land on. I don't think you can stop him, just make it less dangerous.

About 30 years ago, I had a Mynah, a larger, different variety, (Greater Indian Hill Mynah), that had been seized in a drug raid. He was a great talker, and had a ring on one leg which enabled me to leash him, and walk outside with him. He always asked to go out when he saw me put on a coat, or walk to the door. Mynahs eat fruit, and need insects in their diet, which makes them have very smelly poop. They are also, like our parrots, very messy, and throw food around, all over the place. He loved to bathe, and was an incorrigible thief. He took anything shiny: keys, buttons, coins, anything. If I could not find my keys, they would always be in his cage. He was full grown when I got him, and I had him for about 10 years before he died. They really can be fun birds. It's a shame that they are not so popular anymore.

Welcome to our flock! Like everyone has said, take your time getting to know each other. He may or may not adjust right away. He might welcome the change in environment & guardian. Since you work at home, and will be around all the time, learn to set time boundaries. He must learn to occupy himself for some time, and be with you other times. He must get used to being in his cage when you are visible, if you're busy working, and cannot play with him. So, don't overdo giving attention at first. There is a "honeymoon" period that you both have to learn how to live with each other. It's going to be great! And, we thank you for taking in this new friend.