BaileysPapa

Dan, there is no better description. I often describe our Companion Birds as "bundles of OCD". Even when they don't develop bad or harmful habits. You, and others, of course knew I was pulling your leg, I hope.

Dan...OCD behavior in Greys?? NO! In over 45 years of dealing with birds, I've never heard of this kind of drinking either. Even with diabetes, the drinking isn't that excessive.

Jars with screen lids were the original sprouters, years ago. Mine are large jars with plastic sprouting lids. But, when I first started sprouting, there were no commercial sprouting systems. We made our sprouts in Mason jars, with the ring tops, and pieces of metal screening. Or on plates, where you'd wet the seeds, and lay them out in a layer, and cover with a wet paper towel. That was over 40 years ago. Much easier with todays methods!

Also, perhaps find a new sound that you do like, and introduce it. And make a big deal of that one. While ignoring the first. Hopefully, it will replace the one you do not.

Not that system. But, we and the birds eat sprouts all the time. I have used the jars and a stacking tray system for many years.

All Raptors are incredible fliers. Listen to the wind going through their wing feathers. When I lived in NYC, I knew a falconer who monitored the birds used to control pigeon populations. Most people in NYC do not even know these birds exist in the city. They nest & roost on top of skyscrapers, and catch their prey in the air. I was on the 57th floor of one building (yes, inside the building) watching a nest of falcons on another building. When I had a Wildlife Rehab Permit, I worked with a few injured falcons & hawks, but, gave them to a fellow rehabber. I worked mostly with owls.

Yes, boxes can be tricky. They like to play & hide in them, chew them up, etc. But, boxes can also trigger hormonal & nesting behaviors. And territorial disputes. Like everything else for our fids, supervision is the key.

I am in the process of training Bailey to wear the Aviator. Watch the video that comes with it. Watch it several times. It took a few days to get him to let me put it over his head. I got him used to me running my hand over his head before I got it in preparation. I also touched & manipulated his wings earlier. Both in preparing for the harness and for vet exams. He accepts the harness over his head, but will not let me tighten it yet around his body. It has been months trying to get around his body. Every day we do harness training. At least once. But, he will not let me tighten it. I have watched the video, and others as well, for tips to get him to accept it. Still no luck. When he balks, and tries to get away, I take it off immediately. I do not want him to become scared of it. However, he WILL get used to it. I will not give up. I have had many birds, and have been able to walk around with several of them outside. A few were harness trained before I got them, a few stayed with me without a harness. I will not take any chances with Bailey. He WILL wear that damned harness eventually! Good luck, and keep at it!

You can feed him any fruit & vegetables that you would feed yourself, except onions, avocado & mushrooms. Whether they're frozen, fresh, dried, freeze dried, dehydrated, cooked or raw. That is, of course, if he'll eat it! So give him whatever you're making for dinner for yourself. My birds eat (well, are served) whatever I'm cooking for myself, or any fruit & veg that I have on hand. I didn't include chocolate on the list of no-no's because in my house, it is not fruit or vegetables.

I've spent much of my life in Animal Welfare & Rescue. I am convinced that animals know when they are being helped. When they are safe. And when someone loves them. Thank you again for helping these little featherheads. Not all animals can be saved. Sometimes there are problems that are too deep rooted and the animals cannot accept and trust their rescuers. But, that is not the animals fault, it is what they have had to learn to survive. Thank goodness you got these guys in time.

I, too, have been told of the excess fat in a diet with many sunflower seeds. But, still, feed my birds mixes that contain sunflower seeds. My wife read about fatty liver disease, and had me remove the sunflower seeds from her Parrotlets diet. I did, against my better judgement. After a short while, she noticed that he was picking the skin off of his legs and feet, and his cere was very dry. A visit to the vets, and the vet said to rub some mineral oil on his legs and feet because the skin was so dry. I listened to my wife and the vets consultation quietly. Then, I told the vet that we had removed sunflower seeds from his diet, and he was getting very little fat. She said that that was the problem. We've added them back, and the Parrotlet is doing fine. Birds, (indeed, all living things) need a certain amount of everything in moderation. Fats, carbohydrates, etc.

Due to my work with the SPCA, I'd agree with your vets assessment. I've seen the same things before. Almost always I caution people about birds & dogs together. Especially terriers, hunters, and lap dogs. But, in this case, Lucy's blindness might override other issues, and she and Gracie could be friends. I still would caution about SUPERVISED interaction. You're doing a good thing, and maybe there is a higher reason for you being in the right place at the right time. I'm sure Lucy thanks you for your kindness and consideration. As do I.

Thank you for doing such a great thing for these lovely creatures.

I welcome you & Echo to our flock also. I have a special place in my heart for pluckers. My TAG is named Bailey, but he came with that name, and I kept it. I wanted to name him Echo, but kept his original name. I do call him lots of things anyway, and "My Echo" is one of them.

You beat me to it! I got this today, and was going to post it. Imagine...2 'zons, 100 years old each! I love Lafeber's weekly newsletter.

It's probably a combination of things. Not being home, not being the center of your attention, everyone's excitement of the holidays or vacation, and just like all the rest of our birds: being a brat! Since she calms down once home, I wouldn't worry about it. But, I also wouldn't expect any different behavior other times away from home.

AvianBiotech.com will send you kits to have sexing done by blood sample, feather sample, or eggshell sample. I had it done by blood sample for $19.95. My vet wanted $55.00. And she uses Avian Biotech. I brought the test card to her, and she cut his nail a bit too short and collected the blood for me. You can do it yourself.

Isn't it amazing how they get a sense of identity? Their own and/or others? Of course, one of the major fascinations with Parrots is their ability to speak our languages, but to be able to put things in context is just so much more. All of my life I have been fascinated by birds, and have spent almost all of that life living with birds. And I still marvel at the things that they do. My Bailey is just beginning to talk, and I love to sit and listen to him practice. His first words are, "Give me a kiss". Of all the things I say to him, he's chosen that because I say that when I let him out of his cage, and he climbs to the top. We touch my nose to his beak, and then he climbs onto my shoulder. I've said, "Hello", about 100,000 times a day for 4 months, but, he wants to say, "Give me a kiss". Which he's only heard a few times a day. I feel that's because he knows that saying that brings interaction between us. And he understands that. Isn't that great?

When needed, I use ceramic heaters around the birds. Heating coils make too much smoke and burn funny. I've had no problems with the ceramic variety.

He's becoming more comfortable with you. I don't teach my birds their name, I want them to say my name! If you say "Hello, Jake", he'll learn to say that to you. Eventually many of them seem to get the idea that their name is their name. Be patient, and the more comfortable he gets, the more he'll open up.

Whenever something is not right or normal, to the vet we go. Also, if you cannot move him away from the vent, try to block or divert any air or heat currents away from hum. Either blowing on him, or pulling air past him.

Welcome, Quirky. This IS a great site with lots of friendly, helpful people who feel about their birds the same as you do. I've had many birds throughout my life, but waited 10 years after losing my CAG before Bailey came into my life. And being his guardian now, I regret every day that I didn't have him. But, I'm making up for it by loving him more each day. Glad you finally said hello. Most of us skulk around before coming out of the shadows.

I would like to echo Inara's guardians' words.

They are usually so particular about breeding that unless things are right, they usually won't. Do not give them places that could be considered nesting holes or boxes, or nesting materials. And watch them closer during the seasonal hormonal times. Otherwise you should not have any problems.

It is so great when you talk to them, and they tilt their heads like dogs, trying to process what you are saying. They really are so magnificently intelligent. And when interacting with them, they deserve (and demand) the same respect.