Inara

Maybe it would help to make some presumptive statements when you talk with the person. You already know the questions to ask, but since you are asking for an intervention, allow yourself also to get the hard information. As we all know so many people say: allergies, new children in the house, moving, economic reasons, _______ <--- fill in the blank. But many people will not say, "Because this bird is driving me crazy," or "It bites the crap out of me," or "It's so freaking loud that my neighbors are threatening to call the cops," etc. etc. So if its current person doesn't bring up the drawbacks, you could say something like, "I love these birds, and I do get it that they can be pretty noisy and clingy ... hey it's the way they are. Tell me more about how you deal with that, and how little Mr. Sweetcrest behaves along those lines." That way, it opens the door for a more frank discussion once they don't feel as if those qualities are a deal breaker. And, it gives you time to really assess things if they are honest with you. In any event, if and when you do go see it, promise yourself that you will not make any decisions right then and there, but will go home and sleep on it. This allows you a time out, and its easier to say, "No," when you are not in front of the bird. I can't wait to see how this one turns out......

I so love hearing about your Gilda. She is such a precious creature, and it warms my heart to know that she is with you.

Agreed on those morning or after nap cow patties! Most birds don't poop when they sleep, so there can be some serious business happening after they wake up and their system starts moving. Inara steps onto my hand first thing in the morning from her roosting perch, and then I just squat down so that she is near the bottom of her cage, and she then gets comfy and drops the bomb. I clean her cage daily after breakfast so it's not a big deal and she doesn't have to rush. When she's on my shoulder and needs to go, she will give me a little nudge on the cheek with her beak and do a little two step dance. I missed that body language the first time she did it -- needless to say, after the second time I became a pretty quick study. :D I keep a vinyl office chair pad in front of the sofa, so when she is hanging out on my knee, if she scoots back and drops, it's an easy clean up. Certainly, they can be potty trained. I just have a feel for her basic rhythms, and am not feeling the need to do any training in that regard. Poop happens.

How delightful is she??! I definitely also heard her say, "step up," "come," and pretty sure I heard her say "tickle" and she was definitely blowing you kisses. Between listening to you and listening to her, I don't know which of you is the more delighted to have found the other. What a great match, Shane! The only youtube I've posted of Inara so far is just her saying, "What the quack?!" LOL Great idea to ask for members' youtubes channels so that we can subscribe. I'm now going to go comb the forums for more videos and do some subscribing thanks to you (like I need another reason to watch Grey vids! haha).

Sounds like you and Georgie are off to a great start! Just relax and for now don't even give a thought to whom Georgie may or may not like. As you two continue to get better acquainted, you'll do well. Parrots have loooooooooong memories, and it could be that your roommate reminds Georgie of someone he was fond of in his past, and also as has been said that she is matter of fact and relaxed with him. As for the plucking, spend the money and find an avian veterinarian and get Georgie a good physical. Sometimes lack of nutrition or parasites or other physical cause can be mistaken for nervous plucking. You'll want a good physical anyway so that you know Georgie has a clean bill of health. You might want to try to move his food and water into his cage and see if he'll go get it. He won't have a reason to, as long as it's on top of his cage. Also some birds can become territorial about their food areas and you don't want him to start protecting the top of his cage, because you might find down the road that you'll have a tough time changing out his food/water dishes. You could leave a dish with a bit of water and just a treat on the top, and make a big deal of putting the rest of his food inside the cage where he can see you doing it, and just leave the door open, then don't watch him -- just go relax and read, or hang out. Am so delighted that you and your new buddy have found one another!

My Amazon and CAG were so close to half dead when I got each of them, and were such brutes that a scratch or ding on either of them was as my engineer husband says, "in the noise," as I had so many bigger issues to deal with. But now that I've got this little gal, I feel like a helicopter mom for jeebuz sake. Danmcq, you are so correct about holding those very special tender moments in our hearts forever. Talon, those videos could be used as a commercial for the durability of that brand of dishes! Sterling, I'll have to watch out for those antics. My two legged kids were hard enough on my dishes...... And holy crap about that 6 foot fall onto tile, glad Greycie was in a towel!

Whew!!! So great to hear about Sterling and Dayo. When I was much younger with my Amazon and my CAG, I was much more cavalier and relaxed. 1) ah youth, and 2) they were both wild caught, hearty (after I got them healthy), much older, and so much bigger and tougher looking than Inara. I could not believe how deeply I fretted the past day and 1/2 and how these two little dings affected me. I feel so much better reading both of your posts. JanMarie, thanks for your sweet words, you're a gem.

My ancient CAG used to hiss and also give a distinctive growl. Inara hasn't hissed but she does emit the same distinctive growl upon occasion if someone or something moves towards her quickly and catches her a bit off guard.

It was great to tune in today and catch up on the wonderful progress and new home for your two "love birds." I can tell you are over the moon to have them live with you, and I love it that you are enjoying them for just who/what they are which will pay off in spades in the long run. I, too, will be fascinated over time to see how this bonded pair thrives and goes along.

How scary for you, Shane! You've gotten some great advice and it sounds like Miss Scarlett is none the worse, but I'm sure your heart stopped. I had just ordered a java wood stand for Inara, but turned it right back around and sent it back as when I washed it off it gave off an aroma of something like manure and cat urine combined. I refused to let her anywhere near it. I've read that when wet, java wood will have a smell -- but jeezopeet. Cling on stickers, hanging a sheet, or even just "frosting" the glass with something non toxic can help. Here in the forums, (under the training thread, I believe) is a good video of a little boy working with his bird to come from a play perch and land on his hands. It's a good example of positive reinforcement, and you may pick up some tips. There are several methods out there, and you're a conscientious, smart parront, you and your new girl will do just great!

Had quite the last couple of days with HRH Inara. Background: I had purchased her a new toy that arrived a few days ago. She often does not show much interest in her toys, but does like to have them hanging around up by her roosting perch, like her own little tree canopy. This particular toy, I chose because it had some smaller, lighter pieces configured on it, little open ball stuffed with paper shreds, some woven straw pieces, heavy acrylic beads, and paper parrot bagels, etc. She decided that she liked it and began playing with it during the times of the day that I want her to be able to independently entertain herself. Well, Wednesday morning, I had noticed a teensy scrape on her grey feathers above her eye area, and was curious as to how it happened. It did not appear to be anything serious, but it did draw my attention. Then late Wednesday afternoon after having had her out for some major afternoon coffee talk, snuggle and play time, I put her back into her cage and heard her playing with her toy then settling down. When I took her out of her cage for supper time, I was dismayed to find an abrasion on the delicate skin between her nostrils and a small one on her beak! I scoured around her cage looking for any place that she could have injured herself, to no avail, then finally zeroed in on the new toy as having been the only thing that had changed in her cage. Sure enough, I took it out of her cage and went over it thoroughly (which I thought I had done a good job of doing when I got it) and found that the looped up end of one of the skewers that held some of the pieces was sharp as all get out from one direction. The wire had apparently been cut but not dremmeled/smoothed before it was bent up into position (and was generally covered by a bead) to hold the pieces of the toy on it. It was apparent to me that, that was what caused the abrasions and I was heartsick at the thought of how much more serious her injury could have been! Inara's avian vet's office closes at three o'clock and is closed on Thursdays, and it was well past that time. I was concerned, because while there was no bleeding, both spots were raw and red and looked abraded. So I phoned the Emergency Vet's office -- left a message, waited and waited no response. Finally I phoned our "family vet" (40 miles away) who while not a certified avian vet, has worked with many exotic birds during his time as a veterinarian at a large city zoo. He asked a lot of questions, then suggested that I put a teeny drop of pure vitamin e (from a capsule) onto both sites to keep them moist and as a light barrier, watch for any changes and of course if there were to immediately physically take her to an emergency facility in Denver. If things looked better in the morning, to keep a close eye on things and then contact her avian vet Friday morning. Well, things looked better yesterday, so I applied another tiny drop of vitamin e to the sites, and made sure to watch her like a hawk. She was eating just fine, was not favoring her beak at all, and no changes in the injured sites other than looking better (but I am well aware birds will hide illness, pain, etc). BUT she could tell that something was amiss with me because I was on hyperalert and very concerned. While I had her on my knee for our usual mid morning coffee chat, she walked up my leg, up my chest to nearly my shoulder then gently put her little foot onto my lips. I kissed her little foot, and she did it again very gently. I almost burst into tears. The only other time she has done something like this was when she put her little foot on my forehead when I was lying down one day when I was getting over the flu. We gave each other a couple of nuzzles, and I assured her that everything was "OK" and "alright," that I was just worried about her a little. This morning, she was doing and looking even better, but just to keep on the safe side of things, I phoned her avian vet first thing when they opened, let her know what had transpired, sent her a digital photo and asked her if she felt I needed to bring her in. She said Inara didn't need to come in, and that she was certain she would do great. She prescribed a topical antibiotic to use twice a day for 7 days just to ensure that Inara doesn't pick up any infection. So Joe will pick it up on his way home from work. (We live in the forest and her vet will leave it in a special wooden box they have outside just for things like this.) So now, I can rest easier this weekend and Inara sensing my relief has been a chatty little kissy face pistol all day until just now when she was ready for some quiet time and a nap. You can see the abrasions in the photo (as well as a bit of color change from the vitamin e which I was extremely careful not to get into a nostril). Fortunately Inara lets me handle her beak, wings, and feet with no biting and no major issues, as I make sure to do so at least once a day if not several where her beak and toes are concerned. PS: that's a bit of sunflower seed in her beak, as I used it to get her positioned for the photo. Moral of the story: Even when you think you've checked a toy, cage, carrier, etc. -- run your fingers over everything and back the other direction.

Given her little personality, that is a definite possibility! Interesting question danmcq. Inara does ask at times, "What's ____." and "Where's ____." Usually the latter is usually "Where's Joe?" when he is at work or in the shower and she can't see him. I then tell her where he is, and lately she's been responding with, "OK." She has asked a few times, "What's quack?" and I reply, "Ducks say that." Then I'll follow that with, "Dogs say (then I try to simulate the little puppy bark that she now does)." So that at some point she can start referencing. She also said the other day, "I know a quack." Cracked me up, but she said it very seriously. I'm not sure what that means to her, but at some point it might behoove us both for me to print some photos of ducks and show those to her. I talk with her all day long when she's in a chatty mood, and I try to be clear in my own speech, and I make a concerted effort to turn something she has said around in my answer to her. For example, she used to do a little flock call for Joe of just, "Joe.. Joh--oh.." And I would follow up with, "Where's Joe? Joe's at work, he'll be home later (or soon which ever the case)." It did not take her long to pick up on the use of "Where's." When I go into another room, I'll identify it to her, for example: "I'm going to the kitchen now." Yesterday while a friend was over for lunch, the two of us were in the kitchen, and this little voice piped up with, "Kitchen." So I replied, "Yes, I am in the kitchen, and you are in your home." What I enjoy so much about this forum is that most humans here also do the same types of things with their fids. I'm not about forced "training," or trick training, although Inara and I do have two distinct times of day when we more formally chat -- breakfast and supper time (where I do give her reinforcers for clear speech and initiating speech), as well as constant interactions throughout the day. I do keep a log of new words/phrases/behaviors and how she uses them. As well as how she uses some of her non-human communications. I still need to update her "flight log," thread here in the forums as she's come a long way since her last update. Next week, she'll have been with us for only 8 full weeks, and her language and behaviors are light years from when she arrived. This, I would guess is due to my being home with her all day, being able to read her body language and needs after many years living with a 'zon and a congo, and most importantly Inara's own unique personality. I did highly reinforce any speech on her part the first three weeks she was here, so she really got the idea that chatting is "good." She reinforces me when I mimic her whistles, and sounds (the ones I can) by giving me a happy fluffed up shake and tail wag and/or kisses. Sometimes it's like dueling banjos in here! LOL

Hello, Cris and welcome. I've only been here a short time myself, but everyone has made me feel right at home. There's so much great information and help here, not to mention a lot of fun also. I am sincerely looking forward to hearing about your two "love birds." One can only imagine after they become adjusted to a new, roomy cage, how great they are going to feel. Not to mention, having a caring, loving, dependable family to join. Am so happy for you all !

YAY!! How exciting for all of you, and delightful for us to read such a positive introduction. It appears that the chemistry is right for you and your beautiful Sophie, and that she will continue to settle in for a life of mischief, surprises, and lots of love. It always warms my heart when someone chooses a companion that has been looking for a new home. Can't wait for lots of updates and photos.

Happy 8 months day, Phoenix!! And I second that motion about pictures, please

Recently, while Inara and I have been engaging in bidirectional communication, whenever she would make a particular sound that I was unable to replicate back to her, I would simply say, "quack." Well, naturally, she fell in love with the sound of that, and for the last week "quack" has been her favorite word. This weekend, she popped out with, "What the quack?" and we about died laughing. Managed to catch her saying it (when she actually sees the camera she clams up so had to be sneaky about it). Neither Joe nor I say WTF, but he does say on occasion, "what the hell?" If the video is not viewable --

What a guy! Loved it !!

Shane, how exciting!! It appears that all has worked out for the best for both you and your new best gal! It's almost as if it was 'mean to be' that you missed the other baby by 4 hours. And now, you can skip making that decision on a cage Can't wait to hear how she settles in, to see pictures, and for lots and lots of updates. Congratz!!

Shane, it's timely that you brought this up. I was going to wait a few more days before updating Inara's monthly log, but will chat about this topic here. When I adopted/bought Inara, she was 26th months old. She was purchased from a breeder as a hatchling, hand fed and reared by a young couple. Stating economic reasons they put her up for sale just as she hit her "twos," and coincidentally had nailed one of them with a very bad bite. While she never had her wings clipped, she never learned to fly while with them either. They had discouraged it, and assured me that "she really has no interest in flying she just dives for the ground." This was a major area of concern for me, because the first time she was startled in my home, she took a very crazy awkward nosedive, and I was terrified she was going to do some serious physical damage to herself. Long story short, I began working with her inch by inch to get her to use her wings, develop her muscles, and get a feel for self controlled flight. Will describe more when I do an actual update. My main point is, that last night when my dog bellowed unexpectedly, Inara took flight off of the top of her mobile perch and flew rapidly toward the kitchen (we have a very open floor plan) was headed directly for the kitchen sink (sans water -- and no hot stove, as I'm very careful about not having her out when the stove is being used) --- when she reached the sink, she did a great slight hover then a left bank away from the sink and came to a perfect 2 point landing between the kitchen island and the base of the U shape of our counters. I was so thrilled with her, and later after coming over to me, and then being smooched and set back atop her perch she said, "That felt good." Which is what I say to her after being misted, or scritches, or other fun/positive experiences. Wing clipping, is a very personal issue between human and bird companions. For every expert there is an equal and opposite expert. It's just my own very strong opinion that a bird should be allowed at the very minimum to learn how to properly fly in order to develop the brain/body connection that makes them a bird. I second Steven n Misty's suggestion to consider looking into finding a young bird in need of a home. I hit the jackpot with Inara, and can't imagine her having gone to any other home, or worse yet winding up in rescue 10 years down the road because of being shunted around. There are well socialized, young, healthy birds out there if the time is taken to find them. Whether you look for another baby or find a young bird, or even an older bird, continue to read all you can here, and keep us all up to date, and continue to ready your home environment for your new companion. I'm sure you're very disappointed at having missed this one by such a few short hours, that had to be such a heartbreaker.

Jan, we're all cheering you on! You are already such a good parront, because you are loving, concerned and wanting to learn and know as much as you can in order to have a positive, healthy, fun, lifelong relationship. The fun, really will come in even if it is down the road You are doing a great job!

Hi Nikkirae -- Here is a link to a discussion and information on Red Palm Oil. Hope this is helpful.

Wonderful!! She has got to feel soooo much better now! Inara loves to bathe in one of her water dishes. I keep two of them, one near her food dish, which appears to be the one she drinks from (I can't say for sure). And a large on on the other side of her cage that she loves to bathe in. Sometimes she will soak herself down to her little bones chirping and talking away while she's doing it. You are doing such a good job with your Gracie!

I, too, am a long time admirer of Jane Goodall. She is a remarkable human being in every sense, and I grew up wanting to be her. I fell short by a loooong mile. Although as a scientist-practitioner, I did conduct a 15 year longitudinal study of 1200 human subjects who were island bound, collecting and analyzing thousands of data points on each one. One major problem with studying any long-lived species in the wild is just that: they are long lived. People just do not want to commit in this day and age, the years, money and resources that it takes to make a lifetime out of a longitudinal study of a species in it's native habitat. Granted there are people out there like Charles Munn working hard for conservation of South American and Mexican species, and perhaps some day his foundations will be able to sponsor more research in those areas for those species -- love him or hate him, his heart is in the right place. It would be great to see the Alex Foundation be able to expand their horizons and offer scholarships/fellowships to people who would like to do just that for the African Greys. Just picking even one native flock, banding, and then gathering the data over a course of a few decades could be shared year to year by grad students and post-doc fellowships. However, the political unrest in the Congo and other parts of Africa currently make it extremely dangerous and prohibitive for this type of work if conducted by foreigners, especially. In the meantime, these wonderful creatures continue to be trapped, poached, and smuggled. And even in our own country continue to be allowed to be bred using poultry farm mentality and offspring not being allowed to be reared by true breeding pairs, but rather snatched from the nest boxes and then "hand fed." They are not allowed to bond with their immediate family flock of origin and are not allowed to learn to model appropriate bird behaviors (albeit, many from captive bred pairs). I'm very opinionated about this and don't expect people to agree with me, but I would hypothesize that this contributes to a great deal of the biting, neurosis, and feather plucking behaviors that we see in the domestically raised greys. If long term studies in the wild are not currently feasible, then certainly some of the well known foundations could put an emphasis on studies of different captive breeding practices and subsequent behavior traits of the offspring. To control for many of the variables would be difficult, but certainly worthwhile to attempt. Agreed. With the advent of digital recording and data sharing, these types of studies could be conducted so much easier now.