BaileysPapa

Why do they do anything that they do? 8)

We always want to find distracting toys and ways for our birds to fight boredom, which leads to destructive behavior. But also remember birds naturally occupy themselves with preening, grooming, napping, and being their normal obsessive selves. Simple things often occupy my Bailey for a long time. They'll be fine while everyone is at school, work, or whatever.

Nice! But, food & water bowls lower than perches can become a poop catcher. I'd put them higher, or be sure "the lines of fire" are misaligned. Cool idea!

Just like us, they accept what they have to, and adjust. Also, just like us, they may not like it at first, but, we all come around to what we have to. She'll be fine.

Just to throw in my opinion, I agree with my colleagues. We are not vets, and do not have all of your information. But, this vet seems to not really know about Greys. Is he an Avian vet? And even if so, I'd want another opinion.

Inara never ceases to amaze me. She is an inspiration to me & my Bailey. He's talking up a storm, but not making sentences. That's fabulous, and a credit to your training, and relationship. Good job!

I had Bailey sexed by the vet cutting his nail a bit short and sending a blood sample to Avian Biotech. It never bothered him a bit. When I volunteered with the SPCA doing hurricane relief, the birds that found their way home first were the ones who were microchipped. It made it easier to find the owners of all the displaced animals.

Thanks Dave. I thought not.

Can, or will, Congos mate with Timnehs? I didn't think so, but, wanted to ask. If so, would their offspring be a Tongo, or a Cimneh? 8)

I'm not saying anyone is wrong about our birds "punishing" us for perceived misbehavior, but, in the Avian mind, if they cannot drive an intruder away, they will turn on their mate to drive them away from the situation. It's not actual punishment, in the Human sense of the word, but, a reaction to make you stop being where they don't want you to be, or doing what they don't want you to be doing. Which, in a way, is redirection, more than punishment. Is that splitting hairs? I guess either way, the desired result is the same.

Most legbands are put on by the breeder to identify when the bird was born, and who the breeder is. If they keep better records, it may tell more. But, that would be in their personal archives. Most legband information is kept only by the breeder, and useless to anyone else. When breeders die, retire, or stop breeding they destroy, or trash, their records. There are, supposedly, a few sites that can try to help find information, but, I've never been able to find them. And the info would be very basic and not of much use. Most of us have legbands removed by our vets. A better way of identifying our birds is microchipping. It's hard to tell how removed from the wild he would be, because in 1995, they were still taking them from the jungle. And still are today.

I keep all the molted feathers from my flock also. I use a lot of them in jewelry that I make, generally earrings. Also, I have a few cherished ones, like the little yellow one from my beloved lovebird, Bella, in a tiny memory jar that I often wear on a chain around my neck. Or the molted tail feather that I have added to a framed photo of my Jessye. It's the only photo of him, & only feather that I have from him. I feel it's similar to people keeping locks of loved one's hair.

I know a lot of our members are not in the USA, but, tomorrow is July 4th, and here that is a day to celebrate USA's independence & freedom. Wherever you live, if you live free, thank a veteran. People have fought against oppression & subjugation all over the world. If you live free, it is because other people before you fought, some died, to make it that way. So thank a veteran because freedom is not free. And if you live where there is celebration, please remember that our feathered children have extremely sensitive hearing, and could be scared of fireworks. So, take measures to protect & calm them. Happy day everyone!

Years ago, there were no bird harnesses, and this is how parrots were restrained. When I began taking in birds, 45 years ago, it was not frowned upon .I've had several birds that were "ringed", which is what that used to be called. My other Grey that I inherited, was ringed. I've also had a Mynah, a Quaker, and 2 conures that were all ringed. It's considered unpopular, and even cruel nowadays. But, much of the rest of the world restrains birds this way. None of my ringed birds ever had a problem. I took them all out on walks, and everywhere, with their leashes attached. It is up to the guardian to be sure that there is room for growth, and no abrading of the leg, etc. It is possible to have mishaps and accidents, like with anything else restraining. A good guardian will ensure that it is safe and properly fit. I an NOT recommending this, but, in my experience, it is not as dangerous as people seem to think. My Grey had a metal "8" on his leg (one part on his leg, the other for the leash) for almost 50 years, without any problem. As I said, (I don't want any grief from my colleagues here) I do not recommend this. I just want people to know that it's not as bad some think. I does all depend on the guardian's care & diligence.

This is Bailey's New Coffee Mug!

Well put, Ray. My birds are from Africa, Australia & South America. Well, not ACTUALLY PERSONALLY from there. They all get along fine with myself & my wife & each other. Everyone needs to respect each other's natural tendencies and behavior, while guiding them within the boundaries that they must live. Even my little Budgies have their own rights, respect and boundaries (both their own & imposed upon them).

Thanks for that! It showed my wife that my 13 birds are not so bad. I have 1 Grey, 2 cockatiels, 1 Lovebird, 1 Parrotlet, and 8 Budgies.

They certainly leave a hole in our hearts & lives. It seems, at least to me, more so than most other kinds of pets.

Like two old friends sitting on a park bench watching the world go by.

They may not understand particular circumstances, but, they do empathize with us. Sorry for your loss.

I'm so sorry for your loss. I agree that they do need to fly, but, living in our houses, with windows, ceiling fans, and other dangers, forces us to adjust their activities. If they truly are to fly, it's not just from room to room. These animals need to be free in the outside world to get real exercise. I liken it to a man in prison. He lives in a cell (cage), and gets out for exercise in the prison yard (our houses or just a room or two). But, what can we do? They are here, in our lives, in our homes. We give them the best that we can. Heart problems, health problems, are from a combination of things...diet, exercise, environment, genetics, mental & emotional condition & stimulation, etc. You & we all do the best that we can for our feathered children. But, just like our human children, they have to live their lives within the structure that is here. Everyone & everything dies from something, nobody gets out alive. It's nobody's fault, and no one can avoid it. At least we can take the best care of each other possible. You're grieving, and all this is natural. Know that you made his life as good, safe, and happy as you could. We all have faced this, and will again. The only way to not, is to not love anyone or anything. I wish you peace.

We spoil our birds like we spoil our kids. It's seems only natural. They ARE our kids!

Greywings, so many people do not understand the biting thing. I have been asked so often, "Why does my bird bite ME when someone else is around?" You are exactly right. They are chasing you away from the other person, since they cannot get to the other person.

Here! Here! (or is it Hear! Hear!)

Of the dozens of birds that have passed through my rescue, several were pluckers & mutilators. A few of them overcame it and were "cured". A few of those stayed "cured". I have read that the pain of plucking causes the brain to release endorphins, which cause a somewhat (twisted) pleasurable feeling. That reinforces the plucking to continue the endorphin release. A masochistic response. This situation is sort of like a self abusive child syndrome. The answer is not with you, but, within Isaac's head. Like with a human, you can only create a healing environment of calmness and peace. He has to stop this on his own. Bathing, spraying, etc. all help. Limited sunshine, palm oil, and toys to shred, also help. But, it is a learned experience, and not easily replaced. Also, it is a way that they realize they get attention. Another reinforcement. This is a very complex scenario. Try to understand that you cannot "fix" this easily, maybe not at all. And you stressing about it is not helping you or him. Yes, I know what it is to watch them pluck themselves. I've cried over a few birds that did worse than that. But you must be strong. As flock leader, you are his strength, his guide, his guardian. And we are here for you.