SFsailor

The talon came completely off and now she just has an exposed quib (I believe that is the right word) Is there any reason why the talon would NOT grow back? Is there anything I can do to assure it DOES grow back?

My CAG broke off her talon today. Its was a clean 'break' (not really a break - it ran over by a chair, and the talon 'cleanly' came off). Obviously there was blood, and I put some clotting gel on the bloody quib(?) Next I disinfected her cage with water and bleach. Currently I am letting that all dry out before I put her back into it What else should I do? How should I keep an eye out for an infection? Should I be applying anything to the bloody quib?

My Grey stays within 1000'-2000' of the house when she gets loose and gets outside. If you lose a bird, keep looking.

It is cheaper and easier to fly with the bird in the cabin, but it sounds like you are not going to even be on the flight, and therefor this is not a option.

Hang in there buddy

I was under the impression that a well adjusted AG likes to be touched. Since it is a social expression and all. Mine, while not always wanting petted, will ALWAYS give me a "kiss" by letting me touch her beak, while she give a light nibble to my finger.

I am reading the book "Alex and Me" by Irene Pepperberg, and it in she say that birds have trouble pronouncing some words because they do not have lips to make certain phenomenons. For instance they can not say paper because the "pa" in paper requires putting ones lips together. So my question is what words can you bird say clearly? On a side note... my bird says I love you by saying "Wuu Wuu Wuu" hehehe She can pronounce many words like "god dam it" "get outta here" "poncho" "doggy" "foodies" to name a few.<br><br>Post edited by: SFsailor, at: 2010/01/04 01:54

What I was trying to say is that calling is your best hope, in my opinion and experience. BUT, because you have to work ( i assume) it would the best use of your time to only be looking for him during the times that you know that he is vocal (normally morning for my CAG) FURTHERMORE, when you do find him... go gently to him so as not to scare him into flight... get close to him and then GRAB him... he might bite, but it won't be hard. Assuming you don't have a cage with you... make sure he can not get out of your grip, do not let him free until you are safe in your car or home. Good luck.

Ok then when you are looking for him call out "Boussah" These are smart creatures. He will recognize your voice. All you can do is hope that he will take action and respond in some manner. He will definitely want to get back to you. He just doesn't know how. I definitely feel calling for him is a lot better than looking for him with a pair of binoculars. Good Luck, and I really expect you will get him back. You've done everything right... posting flyers, posting on Craigslist, and calling the pounds, walking around looking for him. It might take awhile but do not give up. Also, I would maybe call the pounds back every couple of days to see if he's turned up. Someone else could be working there and have different info than the last person you talked to.<br><br>Post edited by: SFsailor, at: 2009/12/31 06:51

Sindbad: I am answer the ?'s you posted... The replies are at the end of each question. 1. Sindbad never responded to me when I talked to him while he was silent. He only looked at me. Would he respond to my calls now? Should focus only on my vision to find him? Personally, I could not imagine you ever finding him just by vision. After all he will likely be in a tree or bush and hard to spot. Furthermore, my parrot flew by me once and I did not recognize it. (that being said parrots DO look different than other birds when they are flying, they (at least to me) have a more "circular" wing pattern. Birds have a call and response nature to their communication. Therefore, whatever you called him before and he responded to use that call. (if you guys did have this type of communication, uses the word that you called him by) If you THINK you hear his call investigate that area. My bird sounds like an actual person, and that confused me a lot when I was looking for him. 2. What kind of trees would you think he would be on? Palm trees that are 4 or 5 story high? Or think threes that are full of leaves to cover him? or trees that have bare branches that resemble his perches so that he can stand comfortably and scratch his beak? I really doubt a palm tree, to high and no good landing. Bushes and trees are more likely because they are easy to land on regardless of how good the bird can fly. I would also think a more leafy tree because he is scared and would use the leaves for cover (thats only my opinion) 3. When I first got Sindbad, he made minimal sounds until he got used to us and the new environment. When I lost him he was making sounds most of the time whenever we were around unless we have him with us on the couch. He stopped making any noise when covered his cage and started the minute we uncovered it and took him out. Would you think he would be making noises nowadays in the wild, or would that be minimal too? What would be the best time you think he would be vocalizing? YES he will be making sounds. YOU know when he vocalizes (probably 1st thing in the morning) look for him at these times. I wish I could help you more. If you have any more questions or if I was not clear on anything please ask again.

Strangely, at least to me, my CAG likes her bathing/showering water rather cold. Today she got in the dog's water dish and attempted to take a bath. BAD BIRD! hehehe

Sindbad...Good to hear you have not given up. Take heart your bird will be found. I know what you are going through. And from what I have read I REALLY think you are going to find the bird. Eventually the bird will get hungry, and go to a person, if you do not find her/him first However, one thing... I checked Craigslist.org in LA for a Lost listing for your bird and did not see one. You really need to put a ad on Craigslist, since it is widely used in CA

I just moved back to our old house after living with her on a sailboat for 2 years.... Birdie is mad at me... Its only been 2 days..., but she doesn't want to come to me... I can tell she is a little confused... I too could use some suggestions on how to make this easier for both of us...

My .02 cents Use a cat carrier lined with window screen to transport the bird in the cabin. Tell the security RIGHT away that you have a bird and request/demand that you be taken into a closed room for them to take the bird out of the cage so that they can then go an scan the cage. I've done the above and had a uneventful trip.

Sindbad: I read all the posts ppl posted and the info you gave. My further advice is to offer a reward on the posters. You do not need to say how much, and probably shouldn't. But because you said this was a "bad" neighborhood, and the economy is terrible in California right now, a reward will help. ALSO you are lucky this happened in LB. The weather is fine and the bird can live outside forever in that climate. That being said the bird is either in a tree or a bush, or has been captured by someone. AGAIN.... listen for the bird at the times it sings at normally. Use a bike to help you cover more terrain than walking.... ~J