BaileysPapa

My Bailey loves to hang upside down, too. In the cage, on the playgym, and from my hand. When he hangs from my hand, looking down, I ask him if he thinks he is a "chicken hanging in a butcher shop window"?

Where did you find that? It should be attached to every bird sold, adopted, rehomed and/or given as a gift.

I'd eat either one myself! Thanks!

Happy Day, Ray! You're a nice guy, very helpful and encouraging to fellow Grey lovers.

One of the things that I like about this forum is the perceived age of most people. I get the feeling that most of the members are middle aged. So, several of you should remember Shari Lewis. On her show, she'd sing a song called, "The Song That Never Ends". It was one simple verse, that would lead into a continual repeat of itself. I have sung that song throughout most of my life. Often to the chagrin of coworkers and other associates. LOL If you are unfamiliar with it, you can google it. I have come up with my own version while cleaning bird cages. Sometimes having to clean many cages a day. I call it, "The Job That Never Ends". If you remember the original, the melody is the same. This is the job that never ends, Because of all my feathered friends, I started cleaning cages full of feathers, fluff & fuzz, and I'll continue cleaning them forever, just because...This is the job that never ends...

Good luck at the vets! Where do you live? Could he be dry because you have heat on in the house because it's winter? The vet is always the best first place to seek answers. Please keep us posted. For showering, you could get a shower perch. My Bailey hates the shower, but, will sit on his shower perch watching me shower, and I get him wet anyway. Not as wet as I'd like, but, some is better than none.

Is he actually pulling them out? You say no major changes in routines, etc. Pardon my intrusion into your personal life, but, is anything happening that's upsetting his guardians? Greys are very intuitive and mirror their guardians stress. Without going into too much detail, when my wife and I have a particularly bad day, Bailey sometimes will not even want to come out of his cage. And he always wants to be with me. You don't have to answer here, if something is going on, I'm just pointing out that even though things don't include them directly, the "environmental stress" can affect them greatly. I hope I have not overstepped discretionary limits. And apologize if I have. Maybe a vet visit can rule out any organic or pathologic issues.

Happy Holidays to you & everyone else here!

When she's hungry enough, she'll get to the food. Remember, these guys don't accept new things right away. If you're very worried, show her where the food is by stirring your finger around in it. She'll see that, and hear the sound, and go to it when she wants. Remember to take things slow with your new companion. At this point, even you are still new to her. If you stress too much, she'll pick up on that, and wonder what is wrong, and be stressed herself.

The birds may get used to the sound of the new steamer. Remember, our OCD babies don't accept change so well. Good luck with YOUR new toy! BTW, no human children here either.

Yes, some nuts are good for them. Almonds, filberts, walnuts, etc. I crack the nuts that I give my Grey. He'll finish breaking the shell open. And likes to chew on the broken shells. In the wild, that beak opens nuts all the time. We often refer to it as "a can opener on their face". Joey keeps preening himself because he knows what condition his feathers are in, and wants to improve them. If he'll tolerate (or possibly enjoy) a shower, or bath, or spray misting, that will also help with feather & skin condition. But, don't force him, if not. When they're ready, his bad feathers will come out. Like our hair, they grow and replace themselves. Often when in poor condition, that can take longer than usual.

As long as an Avian Vet has ruled out any specific cause, he should eventually molt his bad feathers away. Once he is eating better, things will improve. It's a struggle, but, with your love, attention, and care, he'll be better each day. Keep offering different things, and try them over & over. He'll not like things one day, and might the next. And vice versa. Good luck with him. You're both blessed to have found each other.

Here are photos of my Bailey's cage. The cage came with a "guard" attached. You can see it on the bottom of the cage. It catches poop & seeds & debris. Maybe you could make a similar thing. It sticks out about 6 inches. It also keeps him from climbing down to the floor.

Birds do not "pass gas" as we do. Sometimes they will as they defecate, but, usually not. Unless,(as others have said), it continues or increases to a large amount, there is nothing to worry about.

Sorry, MK, I don't decorate for the holidays. But, thanks for sharing your beautiful photos!

Happy Hatchday Cricket!! And Happy Anniversary of your Day of Coming Together for you all!

All good advice here, but, maybe this is just common sense, but, many guardians make this mistake. Especially new bird owners. One caution I want to add about giving him things that you are eating, or eating off of a spoon. Human saliva is loaded with harmful to birds bacteria. Do not give him something you have bitten from, or a spoon that you have just eaten off of. And don't let him near your mouth. Dry kisses are fine...who can resist kissing our babies? Again, I know most people would consider this just common sense, but, I have seen many cases of bacterial infections from contact with human saliva.

Welcome. Like Timbersmom said, read all you can here, and ask us anything. We are all very friendly, and want to help everyone become the best Parrot guardians that they can be. Good luck with your new baby. It sounds like you helped him get out of a not so great situation, and we thank you for that.

Hello, and welcome to our forum. There are many wonderful, knowledgeable and helpful people here. Please look through all the information. First, give Mahi time to get to know you. Do not force yourself on him. Take things slow. Also, try to feed him all kinds of things. Now is the time to expose him to good food choices. Parrot pellets are good for him, and all kinds of fruits & vegetables. Read about toxic foods for parrots in the feeding section. No onions, chocolate, avocado, or a few others. Just remember that he is a baby, and everything is new to him. So it really is important that you go at his pace with things.

While these sounds may be annoying, I know that we all are very happy that our birds are healthy and happy enough to make them. My parents & grandparents had birds, so, my life has always had bird sounds in it. And even most of the annoying (to others) sounds are still like the laughter of children, and/or music, to my ears. Now, you want to hear unfavorable sounds, have a houseful of rescued screamers, that set each other off. That's probably the only thing I don't miss about not doing my rescue work any more.

Practice makes perfect. And a little startle can go a long way.

She wants you to scratch her head and neck. Do not scratch her anywhere else. Especially her back. You can touch her feet and tweak her beak a bit. But, most any other touching is reserved for mating behavior. If you intend to harness her, you can manipulate her wings, which will also prepare her for handling by the vet. Until you know each other better, let her initiate most touching contact. Later, you'll be able to handle her more. Right now you are in what we call the honeymoon phase. Enjoy her, she sounds delightful. You got yourself a good bird, and with patience and good observation, you'll be a great guardian.

She does do beautiful work!

I am familiar with Anna Breytenbach's work. She is a phenomenal person. And has done very good things for many animals and their guardians. I found it particularly interesting that she told this leopard's guardians that he did not like his name, Diablo. It reminded me of a recent post of mine, in which I was sarcastically ridiculed for a similar train of thought.

How wonderful that you were able to put into words what, I'm sure, so many of us feel. Thank you!