Greytness

So funny!

Maalik loved to say 'I'm a cute bird!" when he was first putting phrases together, but I haven't heard him say that in a very long time.

Not sure where you live, but My Safe Bird Store carries lights that are approved for avian use. There are a lot of reptile light systems out there which are to be avoided. Just curious if the vet ran a blood panel to rule out the possibility of infections, etc. Any cultures taken?

I wasn't able to open it. I really wanted to see her 'making croutons!'

Frankly if there's an avian vet 60 miles away I'd make the trip. 60 miles really isn't that far. Rio could have an infection that needs treating. Something could be causing him to be very uncomfortable.

Mine especially love the stalks, too! Hanging up foods they won't normally eat really works!

Nice! I still find that finely chopping some greens into yams does the trick for my flock. Hanging up the kale is an excellent way to encouraging some nibbling of its leaves. Have you tried making some birdie bread for her into which you (secretly) add the things she doesn't normally eat? You can create the bread any way you'd like. I finely grind up some pellets into 'flour' and add almond meal, hemp hearts, flaxseed, quinoa, oats, etc. into which I add whatever I have available in the 'fridg. I do add some mashed banana to sweeten it up as well. There are a lot of birdie bread recipes out there. But truly you don't need a recipe.

She may not ever choose to fly after, who knows how long, she hadn't flown. As long as you encourage activities that allow her to move, climb and flap that's really all you can do at this point. If she tolerates standing on your husband's arm with you a little ways away, it may give her an incentive to fly over to her chosen one.

I was wondering how things have been going with Vannah and you guys! It may take months, if not years, for her to 'tolerate' your husband. Our youngest gray tolerates me, even though I've been trying to win him over for 2 years now. We're definitely making progress, albeit slow! But it's progress. I accept whatever bond he's willing to make with me, even though I wish it were more. He's a one person bird, choosing my daughter as his 'one and only'.

That's called red factor. Some greys have a lot of red feathers while some only have a feather or two. Personally I think it gives them a bit of character! It's perfectly fine.

I would check the stickies under 'Nursery'

I believe he already has a baby and is now in the midst of seeking advice. As Talon says there's a wealth of knowledge in the files here that you can tap into.

Well said!

Relationships formed with our birds is vastly unique. I love the communication channels we develop with them. Opening ourselves up to understanding their needs rewards us in so many ways. Until you own a bird you can't truly understand this connection.

She is loving that! So adorbs!

Your compassion and dedication towards your little lady is a breath of fresh air! So many don't realize that we must conform our actions to their needs and not the other way around.

No you are not alone! Relationships with these beautiful birds are empathic. Once you sync with them the connection simply flows.

It becomes especially evident just how incredible they are once they become a part of your household. I do experience pangs of guilt whenever I allow myself to think about all that they miss out on as a captive bird. Yes, most don't know anything else, but still.

Your story is such an important one to tell. The sacrifice and commitment we must make to these magnificent creatures is great.

It could definitely change over time. One of my greys who was rehomed to me at the tender age of 3.5 months was a little cuddler with me for the first month. Then I made the mistake of allowing his first owner to come visit him as he was having a difficult time letting go. During that visit Fynn nipped me for the first time, and from that moment on he wouldn't have anything to do with me. I know now that it was a mistake having his first owner come over, because this little smarty pants put 2 and 2 together that I was the evil one who'd removed him from his first home. Fast forward to today, 2 years later: Fynn allows me to scritch him through the cage bars and occasionally flies over to me, but he remains cautious of me. My daughter became his chosen one soon after his first owner's visit, so he gets plenty of love and attention. I've accepted Fynn's choice of people 100%, and believe that eventually he'll allow me to freely interact with him. I also have a Panama Amazon who, from day one, chose my sons as his favorites. Both sons have since left the house, and now, 7 years later, he will freely step up for me. Point I'm trying to make is that it takes time. Lots and lots of time plus a huge dose of patience to establish a relationship with a bird that's clearly chosen another as his favorite.

I always wanted an African grey, but didn't realize how much I needed one until you came into our lives. Happy 7th Hatch Day, Maalik, my intelligent, cuddly, sometimes bratty, and loving Bubba Bird.

Greys are quirky. Once they bond with a human, they oftentimes don't want anything to do with anyone else. It's something that he may have to accept over time, but for now it's too early to know. I'd suggest that he do more talking and treating rather than actual physical touching until she relaxes around him.

The avatar harness is used by many. There's a learning curve for birds though, but there are YT videos and a CD that comes with the harness. I have the avatar, but didn't take the time to consistently work with my adult birds. Consequently they never accepted having it put on.

If they don't fly then their chest muscles atrophy, which is why she's short of breath. But that can change if you stage situations where she may want to fly a short way as she did today. My macaw came to us clipped before fledge. He was almost 2 when we got him, so we taught him how to fly by 'tossing' him back and forth to a family member. He was quite winded initially, but became less so over time as his chest musculature developed.

We use a combination of rope and dragon wood perches. The key is to have a variety of surfaces that will place different pressures on their food rather than with, say, a dowel, that only puts pressure on one place. We also have a sold shelf in each cage so they can stand on a solid surface whenever they choose.