Muse

Both are very adorable! Just be very careful. Even if he is clipped, they can fly a good distance (and UP) if startled. Marden flew clear across our yard and landed on the fence once, and then my husband had him outside without his harness and he was startled by one of those hose-end mister things, and he took off for the tree in the yard, flying like a wild bird and I barely managed to jump up and catch his feet. Both times he was clipped. He was just such a strong flier that it didn't matter. Also be aware of hawks. One of the guys who helped us move said his cousin lost their Grey to a hawk when they let it fly outside. It's such a dangerous world out there!

Wow. Just.... wow. These birds are SO smart. So today, I was working with Peck, standing close to the cage so he gets used to me. I changed his water, cleaned the papers, and then, since he was good, I offered him a few pine nuts. He ate them, but after each one, he would lift a foot as if he were trying to hold something up to his beak and make what I can only describe as an eating motion. Dense human that I am, it took me a few pine nuts to realize - he ate the pine nuts, but he wanted AN ALMOND. I asked "Do you want an almond?" and he bobbed his head. He's now happily munching on an almond in the shell. I am sure he is thinking that it took me long enough to catch on. He got down off the cage and wandered over to the fireplace, which has a marble hearth. I think the reflection amused him. Then he began to look at his distorted reflection in the galvanized "ash bucket" (for looks, it is not a real fireplace) that is sitting next to it. He examined it carefully for a few minutes then walked back and climbed back up on his cage. I will be glad when we can introduce him to Megan, because I think she will help him realize he is a bird. It hurts me to see him climb and walk everywhere.

Such true words. I know the pain today is just as profound as the day he died. I am finding myself doing things with Peck that remind me of Mar, and the tears come in a flood. I am positive that Peck must think I am mentally ill. But I never turn away from him. I don't want him to associate my sadness with not wanting to be with him, because that is not the case. He's been in the kitchen with me all morning. In his own space, but there. He did get a shower with aloe and water. He did not like it at first, but by the end seemed to be enjoying it and fluffing so I could get him wet. At no time did he try to attack me or the sprayer, though I know he really wants to bite me. It's funny, between the lunges, he will come to where I am and put his beak between the cage bars and slowly open and close his beak like he's expecting me to just put my finger in it. I suspect this is mainly cage aggression. He's fine when he is out walking. It hurts me that he does not fly. And his long front toe is turned sideways because the nail is so long it goes to the side when he walks. The vet appointment is Tuesday at 1:45pm. I fully expect some bloodshed to occur (mine, and perhaps a member of the vet staff). But then I remind myself that they care for wild birds including raptors and that I have dealt with many other wild creatures and I know we will get through it. I tried a practice run of asking him to get in the travel cage today. That did not go over well. He at least has warmed up to the household and is exploring. That is a good sign. I will continue to post updates.

I suspect that there are some birds this works with, and some it does not. Here is why. With Marden and Megan, I raised them from babies, as if they were my human offspring. I was very consistent when teaching them boundaries and they learned - Mar quickly and Megan very reluctantly. Mar was easy. It took me a couple of hours and he knew "not yours" because he kept trying to rip my eyeglasses off my head. The breeder saw this and laughed and said "Good luck with that." But I kept up with correcting Mar. I said "NO, not yours" - first gently, then progressively firmer until we got to the "mommy voice". The glasses grabbing ceased, and did not ever start again. I have no doubt if he'd have been over-preening, I could have altered that behavior because of our deep bond and his respect towards me, and mine towards him. With our other birds? Megan, I am not sure. There are behaviours that I have been able to alter with her. I can now get her off the top of the door without getting up, going over with a stick and physically picking her up. I say "Off the door, RIGHT NOW" and she flies back to her cage top. Why? Because she knows that if I get up, I get the step up stick, and once she is on it, she will promptly be put back in the cage for a nice time out. She knows this because this has been a consistent consequence of sitting on top of the door (taking bites out of it) from the first time she did it. But on the other hand, she bites the mesh on my chair repeatedly. I have tried everything I can think of. Time out does not work. And she will do it, then say "Don't bite chair! You're gonna go in time out." (Duh?) I am not sure what is so addictive about snapping those threads of the mesh between her beak. It is very clear she knows what is going to happen. She just can't seem to help herself. After Mar died, I prayed she would not start plucking. Thank God, those prayers were answered and she has not. I am just not sure if I could deter that behaviour, either. With Auna, Nava, Lora and Noah? Well... sometimes they will do what I request, sometimes they will lead me on a merry chase. If one of them were to begin plucking? I'd probably be completely powerless to control it because I lack authority with them. Auna is very close to wild. I don't put the kind of expectations on her, because I know she grew up somewhere else, and in terrible conditions. The babies follow her lead. And Nava did over-preen for a long time. I would distract her when I caught her, usually by giving her a treat to get her attention focused on me, then something else to chew. She's pretty much stopped. But as far as enforcing it? I don't enforce anything with those birds. They do as they please most of the time except for having to return to their cages when it is time. Each one has their own personality. Believe it or not, Maks, the psycho cockatiel, is probably one of the more obedient. I can "remote control" that bird. He's out in the room with me a lot. He gets into things he should not, like knocking the little resin statues off the hutch over my desk. Tonight, he was pushing one towards the edge and I looked up and said "You stop that. That's not yours." He immediately stopped and I held up my hand and recalled him which he did immediately. How can such a little stinker be so readily obedient? He's an enigma. Even Peck shocked me tonight. He decided to get down on the floor in the kitchen, mostly likely hoping to ambush a dog or my leg. I put the gate up across the doorway to the hall, locking the dogs out of the kitchen. I then closed the laundry room door. He turned and headed for the dog dishes. I looked at him and said "Peck, no, that's not yours." He looked up at me with the most serious look, then turned and walked the opposite way. I thought my dentures were going to hit the floor, my jaw dropped so hard. I didn't expect that. Some people and some birds have the kind of relationship that allows a measure of control. I think a lot depends on the consistency of the discipline, and the personality of the bird. If the bird comes to a point where the urge to pluck is so overwhelming, just as with Megan biting my chair, that behaviour will continue and I don't think it's anything to fault their human caregiver with. Just my opinion here...

Nothing exciting to report today. He strikes at my hand through the bars, but I think it is a cage-defensive thing. Taking food from my hand he is gentle and relaxed. He came out of the cage several times. Instead of the playroom, I had work to do in the kitchen, so he stayed there with me. He is just dying to bite the dogs. I think they sense that. They are giving wide berth. He goes to the floor of his cage and does the "come here" whistle. Good thing they are used to Megan doing that and do not fall for it! He didn't give me any big photo ops today either. Tomorrow is another day!

I walked in the room with a snack for Peck tonight and he looked at me and said a very clear "What?" His mommy told me that he'd learned it from her mother, who was hard of hearing. They said other than that and few other words he doesn't talk. Megan MORE than makes up for it, of course.

Mar started having spells like that. He never really got nippy with me but bit my husband, who he normally was very affectionate with. It was around the same age, too. He'd dance and make this really pathetic whimpering sound to Megan, who completely ignored him. The first time it happened when he was a little over a year - hatch-day was Jan. 11 and it started around March or April (about the same time we were blessed with three baby conures). It did not last very long. A couple of weeks, at most. The spring after he turned two was a bit worse, lasted longer, he bit my husband fairly hard several times, and straight out of the blue. He actually went through a few of those the second year but none lasted as long as the first one in spring. I was told that he was too young, but he was doing all the things the grown-up males do - dancing with wings out and hanging low, bobbing his head and 'whimpering' and regurgitating for Megan. I think some of them just mature faster. We will never know for sure what he would have been like in full-blown breeding mode as we lost him in January, just two days after his third hatch-day.

I know exactly what you mean. I have never felt such profound grief in my life and I have lost a lot of "pets" that I loved dearly. Marden was just so much more than a pet. Maybe it was the way he came into my life. Maybe it was his inherent charm. But he wound his way around my heart in a way I can barely describe. This picture says it all....

Peck had a pretty good day today. He ate quite a bit of breakfast, including some sprouts, apple and a little broccoli along with some thawed chop that neither he nor the rest of the flock were too keen on. He must have eaten well because he took a macaw size poop while sitting on his cage. It was a very healthy looking one, so that made me happy. He let me get a lot closer today. Yesterday, his family set the cage up so I did not have to clean it. Today, I had to reach in and get the water bowl. That was a small battle. I distracted him with an almond and managed to get the bowl out, washed and refilled before he finished it. He let me add a couple of toys, but remained wary. I took him in to the playroom after the other birds had their turns. He ventured out onto his cage but still refrained from going near anything in the room. He had some fresh apple and broccoli for evening snack. The apple was devoured and he threw the broccoli to the floor of the cage immediately. The ritual of evening pre-sunset smorgasbord for the outside birds seemed to greatly interest him, especially the big male grackles who were being bullies on the hanging platform feeder. He acted like he was going to go to sleep. (See the short video - ) He sat quietly and was contentedly grinding his beak. I am watching him right now through the French doors and he is sitting on his swing with one foot pulled up, eyes closing. I can't hear but I can see him grinding his beak. He did try to bite me. Right after I shot the video, I thought if he was going to sleep I probably should move him back to the dining room and clean the playroom. He started acting like he wanted out again while I was preparing to move the cage, so I went to reopen the front of the cage, and he went for my finger as I was undoing the latch. I very calmly told him that wasn't nice and what he did next was almost comical. He bowed his head like he was ashamed and let me give him a pet on the top of the head. I guess maybe he was saying he was sorry? He's been fine after that. So all in all, a good day for Peck. He did get to see me have a little melt down today. I was feeding him some pine nuts and he was taking them every so gently from my fingers and it hit me suddenly like a bolt from the blue. He sat quietly, just calmly staring at me with that look, until I pulled myself together and resumed giving him pine nuts. He's a very good bird. Peck with his apple. He seems to love apples. I put the cage near the door. Right outside the door are several bird feeders, where the wild birds come to feed. I am hoping seeing them flock and fly will help him learn to fly. He seemed VERY interested in the grackles.

I have a page on Marden on our website. http://www.avianrefuge.org/mar.html It is not finished. I write a little, cry a lot, so writing it has been agonizing and very slow. Today Peck was very gently nibbling pine nuts out of my fingers and I had a complete meltdown. He sat calmly and gave me that look, and waiting for me to regain composure and begin feeding him again. I keep hoping each day will be the day I go all day without breaking down, but so far, that's not happening. Time heals all wounds, they say.

He does do the beak grind. He was sitting very contented on his swing a few minute ago, grinding away, eyes half closed, looking very relaxed. It made me very happy. He is going to the vet Tuesday at 1:45pm to see the same vet that has been doing a WONDERFUL job of reshaping Noah's beak. I hope she can help him. His toenails are also extremely overgrown and when I made the appointment I made sure they understood that the nails and beak needed a vet. Not that I don't trust the techs, but these are in pretty bad shape and I want her to take care of him because I know she knows what she is doing. I got the rope net from Craigslist, VERY cheap, from a gentleman who had to re-home his cockatoo because his wife became deathly allergic. He said he got it from Windy City Parrot. I steamed it twice before bringing it in the house. Here is the link where he said he bought the net: http://www.windycityparrot.com/Parrot-Climbing-Net--Large-Short_p_2476.html#.Uw8vx84dhS0 $140 is not a bad price. I lusted after one at the store where we got the Greybies and it was not quite as big and she had $190 on it. Finding this one on CL was just sheer luck. The ceiling protectors are just pieces of plexiglas, with a hole drilled in the center and a washer to hold them against the ceiling. Hubby says they are the right size, I say they are too small. We will see when someone puts a hole in the ceiling. I got the idea from the Macaw room at Project Perry. Matt used these as he did have birds 'remodeling' the ceiling there. The flourescent mop thingy is a ring, with strips of fleece tied around it. I bought the ring at the pet store (it's a solid stainless steel ring) and tied the fleece around it myself. I cut them in strips about an inch or so wide and tied them onto the ring with help from my niece. It is one of the things we are planning on making and selling as part of our plan to support our rescue. It was really simple, but time-consuming. It's such a no-brainer that you can do it while watching TV, though, so you really don't notice the time spent. Your caique sounds adorable. They are such fun little birds! My husband wanted one but knew he did not have the time to put in that they require, and at the time I was still in nursing school and had my hands full doing that, taking care of his mother and raising the two Greybies. We just did not think we could handle one. Then a few months later, he brings home Alex, the sun conure. >.< He was a handful at first - VERY bitey, but is now my sweetest baby.

It is so funny how the read our reactions. Megan used to whistle and says "C'mere, Mar." It only took her a couple of days of me bursting into tears after losing him for her to completely stop saying it. My husband says she still says "Give Mar a kiss" but evidently rarely and out of my earshot.

Megan started talking at 3 mos. old. Her first word was "ow" (as in "Ow, ow, ow!" when she bit down on daddy's ear) and she then repeated "What're ya doin'?" which is what the breeder said to them when he would gather them up for feedings. From there it has been non-stop. She quickly graduated to making her own phrases. Like I tell her "Be a nice bird, don't bite" which she turned into "Don't bite, nice bird." It sounds like you have an exceptionally intelligent little bird there. That's the up side. The down side is you will soon have very little peace and quiet in your life, lol.

Megan doesn't do this so much when talking, but she makes up "words" when she sings. She will sing along with a tune, but the words she's singing are gibberish that she seems to make up as she goes along. I do know she's made portmanteaus of various words - "weekaboo" for "whee" and "peekaboo" is one that comes to mind. She also makes up phrases, like "Grackle parrot parrot." Not sure why there is one grackle and two parrots. She knows what a grackle is, and what a parrot is but I have no idea why she has chained the words together in this fashion. Does Brutus listen to TV or radio? Sometimes it is hard to tell where they pick up the things they say. Or if they are just coming up with ideas on their own, which I believe they do. He sounds like a smart boy.

Video of his first experience coming out of the cage. He spent a bit of time at first being all puffy, then he relaxed, his feathers smoothed and he got comfortable with me being close. (Note: there were a few pistachios harmed in this process, and they were delicious). Here are some pictures: He very gently took this almond from my hand. No growling or lunging. Very polite little man. Here he was really digging into that almond, and he acted like he was really enjoying it. This is just a close up view. His bottom beak looks a bit overgrown. He will be going to the vet very soon. He will also get a nice pedicure while he is there, along with bloodwork, etc. He hasn't been to a vet for a very long time. This should prove interesting. This was evening, when I'd moved him back to the dining room. He seemed very relaxed. He did not like being in the kitchen. He even GROWLED very loudly at me, but once I brought him into the dining room (which serves as living room/dining room) he calmed right down. I sat opposite him in a recliner chair for several hours. I even dozed off, and he woke me with some VERY loud whistles each time. He had almonds and apple for his evening snack. I offered him some of our dehydrated mix in a new bowl but he seems to be avoiding the bowl for now. He doesn't seem afraid of it, just not wanting to get into it. I topped it with a couple of pistachios, so I know it is not that he doesn't like the mix. We went out to eat, and then ran to the store for a few things, and when we got home, he fluffed up and gave me another very loud whistle. It wasn't the "a-wooooo" sound Megan makes, it was more like a ascending whistle. I whistled back and he then did a descending one. His calls are just beautiful. Very clear. I can just imagine how far they could be heard across a jungle. I checked on him a few minutes ago, turned out the lights in the china cupboard and curio cabinets. He has one small nightlight in there, but the room is mostly dark. Hopefully he will sleep well. The whole family came to drop him off. When the time drew near for them to leave, the boys and their mother were in the playroom with Peck. I went to get the pistachios, and when I returned, she had tears in her eyes. I could tell it was very hard for them to leave him. I really admire her for putting his needs first. I promised her he will be very well taken care of here. She said she knew he would and we both ended up in tears. It was very emotional. I am sure he picked up on a lot of this. After they left, I stayed quietly close to him and he slowly made his way out of the cage (see the video), and I suddenly felt an overwhelming sadness. I'm not sure if it was seeing him sit and flap his wings but yet not fly that triggered it. I stopped the video and just cried, and he moved closer and gave me a look. It was one I used to see in Mar's eyes whenever he saw me cry. I also get the same look sometimes from Megan. I don't know how to explain it. It is almost like they are trying to comfort me with their eyes. I wonder how much of our thoughts and feelings they can truly read. We remained quietly staring at each other for a few minutes before he made his way back in the cage. Megan saw him through the French doors, and didn't peck at the glass (like she does with the outdoor birds) or fluff up or do her "a-wooooo" sound. So that is a good sign. She seemed idly curious. I hope she remains that way. I am so hoping they will get along. All I can do is pray. Everyone else seemed grumpy today because the normal routine was interrupted and they had to wait for me to air out the playroom before they could go in. Peck didn't touch anything in there, so I just opened the outside door and the door to the kitchen and let the very brisk breeze blow through for a while before letting the other birds in. Once he starts playing with the stuff I will have to give him the last turn of the day and then steam the room before the next morning. At least until he's gotten the all-clear from the vet. I am pretty sure he's not carrying anything, as he has been healthy for 22 years and has not been around another bird for over 15 years, but still want to see his labs come back clean. Meanwhile he will be spending lots of time with me, so he does not get lonely. He didn't seem to mind the birdie chaos this afternoon when everyone got loud during birdie fun time. That is a good sign. Maybe by being around young human children he isn't going to mind the noise level here. I will keep you all posted as to his progress. For now, I am absolutely exhausted and going to go collapse! Good night to all! -- Muse (Dee)

Peck is on his way! Should be here in about an hour.

How old was Phenix when he was caught? How long have you had him? It's been hard for me. I cry *EVERY* time we watch the wild bird videos. They seem to arouse a guilt in me for taking that freedom away from them. That is how the whole "we need a huge aviary" snowball started. Here are a few picture of her royal snarkiness. She is upset with me today. I am not sure if she understood when I told her a new bird is coming today or what, but she is having nothing to do with me at the moment. Cage door is hanging open but she is staying inside. Note the motion blur in the first few pics. That is her making the "a-wooo!" warning sound, and bobbing her head. She proceeded to bang her beak against the door. Finally, when I finished taking the pictures, she came out and perched on top of the cage, but is still actively ignoring me.

This sounds so much like Megan. In fact, the last time I tried to give her a shower, she went crazy and flew into the mirror. She obviously needed it, as she left a perfect image of a flying Grey on the glass with her 'powder'. She flies from the spray bottle. Even when I have tried to mist her in her cage, she gets so upset and frantic that I am afraid she will hurt herself. The only way she will take a shower is if she has a bowl of water. And she has to be in the mood for this. Then she dances and plays in the water and loves it. Like *everything* else - it has to be on HER terms. She won't even indulge in the bird bath in the playroom, though it is a huge hit with all the other little birds except the budgies.

Thanks so much! I will definitely post some pictures and an update tomorrow!

Thank you! I will have to take some good pictures of Megan soon and post them.

I am going to play some of the 'wild' videos for Peck. Hopefully it will encourage him, and remind him he is a bird.

Thanks, Nancy. You are such an encouragement to me! I will be sure to post pictures and a full report tomorrow evening.

In some of the things she has said, I get the impression that she is not aware of the signs of aggression. She did state he does not like to be handled, and they just pretty much leave him alone. He is not clipped but does not fly. (I strongly suspect that will change quickly once he sees everyone else wheeling around the house). She evidently toweled him to get him to go outside, and it sounds like he cooperated with being wrapped in a towel for the benefit of being outdoors (they have a chicken wire enclosure on the porch for a small fruit garden). I am betting he's very used to having his own way, and will likely need wide berth while he acclimates (within boundaries of safety). Here is something she mentioned in her email that leads me to believe he might have a little bit of aggression: "When we go up to his cage to talk to him he whistles, flashes his eyes, bobs his head and seems to really enjoy the attention. " (I wonder if by whistles she meant that "Woooooo" sound that I have observed to be a sound of agitation or excitement). We will find out tomorrow. He has been in their family, either with her family or her parents, all his life. He's never been with people he does not know. I am sure I will be back on the forums tomorrow night. Hopefully not in the "Bite Me" club thread.

Thank you for your advice. I will definitely keep all of this in mind when the time comes.