Inara

HRH Inara loves me squealing, "Fantastico!" for things that she already knows how to do, followed by a kiss on the beak. For new things, nearly microscopic bits of cheddar shreds. I swear that she can spot a weensy microdot of cheese from two miles away! It is reserved for training only and winds up amounting to about 2 shreds total, as I know they're not equipped to naturally digest dairy -- but she also, would sell her soul for it.

Too funny! Amazing how fast they can take advantage of a situation. Of course with whipped cream, who could blame them?

Nancy, you, Zoey, and your family are in my heart and thoughts. What a difficult time for you all, and I hope for the best possible outcome. {{hugs}}

How wonderful for you and for Kelsey that you have all found one another. Kelsey is no doubt still missing his first person, and confused after only 14 months in his 2nd home, as to where he is now and who you and your husband are. It is natural that he would bite out of fear, he doesn't know you. Relax, be matter of fact around him, and give him plenty of time to just settle in. A week is a blink of an eye Rather than reaching for him, always have a treat ready to allow him to reach for so that he associates your hands with good things happening. Definitely follow the advice about ignoring the screaming, and this means not even looking in his direction when he does it, and the second he quiets for about three or four heartbeats say something nice to him, or give him a whistle and treat. The poor guy's been through a lot but already sounds like he is really responding. We all have a tendency when we have a new companion come to live with us, to want to get things going and fixed as soon as possible -- all with great intentions from the heart. Our new companions don't know this though. All they know is that their world has been turned upside down. You'll find a wealth of information here, and you really cannot spend enough time reading threads, and doing searches on questions that you may have. There are occasional differences in approaches and opinions here, but all are given and received with open minds and respect, and everyone is united in their love for Greys, birds, and other humans who appreciate them. There truly are no foolish questions. Looking forward to some photos and learning more about how Kelsey settles in. I have a special place in my heart for those who accept a rehomed companion into their lives and if I were standing right in front of you, you'd be hugged!

So nice to catch up with Miss G, this evening. Your oatmeal time is just priceless, and through your description I could envision the entire exchange. How fantastico that your girl is loving to say David's name! What excitement that must bring each time! The sounds of the past really are very fascinating, aren't they? My wild caught (and very seriously rescued) CAG, Lestat had a repertoire of spooky hoots and growls that never failed to bring to my mind visions of creatures that roamed the jungle. He also burst out counting like the Count from Sesame Street one day out of nowhere, so I knew that the then teenagers of his first home, had watched SStreet as children. He also had been kept in a kitchen (no doubt that and the neglect and torment he suffered contributed to his lifelong respiratory issues) and would mumble from time to time, "The pasta is boiling over." This from a guy who was said to have never spoken during his entire life with them. The first week HRH Inara was with us, she looked my Joe dead in the eye one night at the dinner table and said clear as a bell, "You @ss." This certainly gave us a peek into her first family's private life. She has never said it since, being so young and it being a phrase neither of us has ever had an occasion to use. I so enjoy the mysterious Miss G, and find her more enchanting with each passing post.

It's so fun to know that others whisper too! Michellec, we got Inara's cage from http://www.getbirdstuff.com, and it is this model. It is stainless steel, and I love how easy it is to clean. It also disassembles and folds up in just a few minutes, in case of a dire emergency (we live in a mountain forest, and evacuation due to fire is always a possibility). Inara is a TAG and she has tons of room in this cage.

What a fantastic story. Being the somewhat of a little old lady that I am (although a netizen from way back) I've never lost my enchantment with how "Star Trek-y" we have become in just a few short years. A looong way from the first video cams on dail up connections. The "Hello world," chat just made me smile from ear to ear. Wonderful!!

Welcome to you and Rohan. What great pics! All's well that ends well, and your insight into why it is best to wait until birds are weaned is valuable.

You must have fixed it because it was right side up for me. Great pic! Love your crew, and agree on the "cattitude." Too cute!

Congratulations, Caileigh, on your beautiful new companion. Alexandra is just lovely! I love the little blush on her face, and her pretty little feathers. They remind me of well placed sequins on a dress How great that she is flighted and really knowing herself as a bird. Of course you are in love, and it sounds as if she is too!

Welcome, Darla, and congratulations on your new companion. Sterling is gorgeous, and you will have a lifetime of fun and adventure ahead of you. The best piece of advice I have to offer is to just simply, and seriously relax. Relax physically and mentally before you handle any bird, especially your new little guy. When we have an apprehensive attitude (like expecting to get bitten), our birds read that. To them, it triggers a natural instinct to become on alert and to get ready to flee. This puts them on hyper-alert and a nervous/fear based bite can easily occur. They also often will bluff with a squawk and a beak movement as a warning. This can cause people to jerk away and become even more apprehensive and a feedback loop ensues. The bird finds the human nervous and unreliable, so is less relaxed and trustful and the human finds the bird unpredictable and so stays more apprehensive. A pattern then becomes established. Birds bite from fear or because we in our own arrogance and/or ignorance have affronted them by not correctly reading their signals. My husband and I were just talking about this very subject last night. When Inara (TAG aged 2.5) first came to live with us six months ago, she was very nippy with my husband. After teaching him how to read her better, and how to move his own body in ways that would not reinforce her nipping -- the behavior was extinguished and he has not been nipped in so long now that neither of us can recall the last time. What brought it up last night, was that usually Inara asks to step up onto Joe's hand when he comes home from work. She gives him a happy whistle and fluff, then comes back to me. Last night, he arrived home later than usual and she was tired. She did not ask to go "up" to Joe, but Joe held his hand out to have her step up, and when she did not immediately do so, Joe withdrew his hand, and said, "I can tell she's not in the mood." So he did not push the issue, but rather, offered one more time, and with her body language, she declined. Joe said, "I really am able to read her much better now. I can tell she's just not up for socializing." He was absolutely correct. Watch, listen, and *sense* your bird. If your bird is getting beaky, there is always a reason behind it. Sometimes it is because they are wound up from playing, and need a moment to settle before being reached for. Sometimes it is because we've inadvertently moved too quickly toward them when their attention was somewhere else for a second. Sometimes it is because they are simply not in the mood to be touched, or we're reaching for a body area that is to them "hands off". If Sterling is testing beak pressure on your finger, interrupt it before it gets to the uncomfortable pressure stage. Simply say something firmly like, " ah ah, too hard" then roll your finger downward out of his beak (not pulling up and way) then say something like, "Be gentle," with a smile in your voice, and touch his beak gently. Then say, "very nice" with a smile in your voice. Eventually, you will just have to make the "ah ah" sound or say -- "be gentle" and your bird will ease up. They do not play power games, they are not into dominance -- it's simply that they need to be taught (just like with their natural parents) what is acceptable and what is not. Yes, it is OK to let him preen your fingers, gently, or to allow him to test if they are a firm place for him to step upon. As Dave007 said, their beaks are like our hands. Avoid letting him use your fingers to chew on -- give him a toy instead, as you are doing and avoid playing tug-of-war games with him. Always give him a moment to calm himself after playing, watch for signs that he is tired and wants to be put down. Respect his boundaries. Ensure that your hands always mean something good is about to happen. You're going to have a long, wonderful relationship with Sterling, and you are fortunate that he comes to you with a clean slate and no baggage. What you do now, will shape your relationship, so stay calm and relaxed, and expect the best from him right from the beginning rather than the worst.

What a wonderful turn of events, and so gratifying to read this morning. Of course you are over the moon! Enjoy, and get ready for much more of the same.

Sounds like Miss Gilbert is preparing for tax season with all that paper tape. She does seem to be moving toward Spring with growing sense of energy and increased confidence. What a mixed moment that must have been, for sure, when she said David's name coupled with a choice swear word. She no doubt wanted to make sure that everyone heard her correctly, the little stinker. It did make me laugh, because in my own mind I envision Miss Gilbert as a chic and bit aloof French girl named GiGi who wears pearls. Imagine my dismay in discovering that she swears.

Their brains are much, much older than ours evolutionarily speaking. I had read a journal article that indicated that the centers of the brain that are associated with empathy are more highly developed in Greys than they are in us. This makes sense for a creature who lives their (natural) life in groups/flocks of up to 10,000 birds (prior to all the harvesting and trapping). Empathy and ability to read body language would have to be highly developed in order to "keep the peace." Am very sorry to hear of your disturbing experience with jury duty. There can be quite a bit of vicarious trauma for jurors in such cases, and can take some time to be able to eventually put the experience behind you. So glad your Gracie is there to smooth your own "feathers."

There are some pros and some cons to both situations. Here is a very good scientific journal article that spells them out, with tube feeding being the worst-case scenario for later pathology. Spoon/pipette/syringe feeding did not appear to be a major contributor to later-life aggression toward humans issue. Other issues are covered: repetitive behaviors, begging behaviors, one-person behaviors, plucking etc. The number of subjects was 106 and various Chi-square and mulitivariate analyses were used to find whether or not there were actual statistical significant differences between groups.

Very sad, indeed. Here your friend thought she was doing everything possible to prevent this situation. I can only imagine her devastation at it all. If there is a silver lining, the mold issue could have developed into something very harmful to the birds also had they had continued exposure. I agree with the thoughts on contacting the current homes of the birds, being candid about the end result of it all, and asking that if they ever have to consider rehoming, for them to contact her first. Gosh, she has to feel at such a loss. Your understanding and friendship must mean a lot to her right now.

Woohoo!! Loved the photo, and enjoyed the baking account even more. Brutus definitely has a career in the kitchen.

Good, clear article. Thanks for posting it.

What a beeeeatutiful gal Mazi is, and how wonderful that you two found one another. I have a special place in my heart for anyone who chooses an older companion, although as you know 12 years in parrot years is a spring chicken Mazi will flourish under your care and you already know that she will enrich your life also in many, many ways. Don't be shy around here, jump in and keep those photos coming

Loved reading your and Smokey's story, and love the photo! You two look like to peas in a pod. I especially liked Smokey's little ruffled up face -- as if he is trying to match your beard You two sound as if you are such a great match. Can't wait to hear more about what I know will be a lifetime of great adventures together.

hahaha!! Made me snork my coffee this morning! Adorable!

Awww, Nancy. ROM is such a sweet petname for you. But Ma, well just shows how smart Miss Sophie is (like you didn't already know ) to pick up the upscaled version of mom. She just cracks me up!

It's great to know that both of your companions are healthy and ready to take on another year. Also nice to find out about the sex of your sun conure. Did that entail a name change or had you guessed correctly?

hahaha! Biscotti is sure a daredevil! Laughing in the face of danger...LOL Loved it!!

My first grey ( wild caught CAG) never spoke with his first humans during the many years (10+) they had (and abused) him. After he came to live with me half dead and in a horrible state, he eventually not only began talking but once the seal was broken, a flood of things came out. They are indeed like sponges, and whether talking or not, are soaking up the things that they hear and filing them away. Lestat would quote TV slogans, count like the Count from Sesame Street, and say all sorts of things, mostly mimicry and not a whole lot of interactive conversations. HRH Inara (2.5 year old TAG) had a much better start to her little life, and when she came to live with me at 2 years old knew several words, and in the last six months of living with us is talking up a storm. She now loves to converse back and forth during the day. I don't encourage mimicry with her, so we just talk meaningful things at times, and nonsense at other times as she continues to adeptly learn to navigate the English language, and as I clumsily attempt to learn her native grey language. As you already know, each bird is unique unto him/herself and with such looong lifetimes, they will always remain full of surprises for us. Your Cocky, will continue to grow and flourish with the great relationship you two have, and has lots of years ahead to learn and chat.