Talon

Wow! That scenario is a dream come true! So, tonight, I had to put the birds in their cages early around 6:15pm as I had to go teach Zumba. So my daughter just covered the up when she got home from work. I didn't get home until after 9pm so I was off the hook. Tonight, I work until 8:30Pm so she will probably be the one to put the to bed again. ( love the nights I work and she has to do it) But to tomorrow will be my night...ugh! Already planning my next strategy and treat!

Very profound! A sticky it is!

Done! Good luck!

That is soooo funny! I would love to see Gilbert squatting down to hide his feet!!! LOL I too have out of the blue gotten that primal CHOMP from each bird at least once where they cut you and draw blood! But hey, it goes along with the territory..

That a riot Judy! Leave it to you to put some pressure on me...

Acappella, it's so nice to hear from you again! You have been missed. I am sorry to hear of your dad and his passing. I am sure it has been difficult for you. But on a good note, Dorian seems to be making such progress! What a special bond you have formed with him. I would love to see a picture ofthe is play stand you made, it sounds amazing! I hope others read your story, it is a pure example of what patience and love can do. Instead of being pushy and having expectations, you allowed Dorian to trust and bond and react to you on his own terms and it has paid off tenfold! Please don't be a stranger, and I would love to see an updated picture of Dorian when you can.

I will add that their are ways to clip your bird to prevent crash landings. But the question is, has your bird had the opportunity to learn HOW to fly and land yet? If not, that could be why her landings are so hard.

There are lots of threads reading this highly sensitive topic. Rater than get a bunch of feathers all ruffled as many of us have very strong feelings about whether to clip or not. ( I am of the NEVER clip your bird family) may I suggest that you search in the Grey Lounge for these past threads, there are many and there you will read much about both sides of this subject. I suggest this as these threads can get quite heated between members for and against, and I feel it is of no benefit to rehash the same arguements again... Thanks so much! Look forward to hearing more from you and seeing some pictures!!

Thanks guys......funny how she sensed something...usually she LOVES going upstairs with me....but not tonight....her cage is downstairs...so this is going to be very difficult...I'm not that creative in coming up with NEW things!!!

Thanks, I will look into that! Just a Quick Update on bedtime tonight, as usual, Nilah was sitting on my leg while I was on my ipad after work. I asked her to step up so I could get up and go to the bathroom...(which she understands) and I put her on her kitchen hangout/potty basket. I DID go into the bathroom, then I came out, and asked her if she wanted to go upstairs with me, she went onto my shoulder and got suspicious and flew onto the coat rack in the front hall on my way upstairs. I left her and went up, she then flew onto my shoulder when she realized I REALLY was going up there. I continued to wal towards my bedroom, and she again grew suspicious.....and flew to the top railing. I went into my bedroom and pondered.......ah ha! I had the perfect trick treat..I grabbed a new pencil off my desk....her FAVORITE FORBIDDEN ITEM!!!!! Then I walked to the top of the stairs to go down, she began her famous amazon 'I'm NOT going to bed" strut back and forth on the railing......then she saw what I had!!! ON my hand she stepped up, and tried to get the pencil as I was wiggling it around on my other hand and telling her I was going to do work with it.....then into her cage I put her, playing tug-war on the pencil..I WON this round!!! I left her uncovered until I got the other birds to bed, shut the lights off, gave her some kisses and sweet talk, covered her, then went on my merry own way. How NICE not to be chewed up and battle her..... Well, this worked THIS night, I am sure I will have to try something different tomorrow...she's much to smart.....

Hi & welcome to our family!

Hi & Welcome to our family!

Hi & Welcome Great picture!! Look forward to hearing more!

Welcome to our family! Pics please...

Yes,, Mistyparrot is correct. They only speak in the tone they hear. When I first adopted Rikki, she spoke in a man's voice, (that was her favorite person from her 2nd home) but as there is no man at my house, she now speaks in my voice or my daughters. In fact, I hear her call me in my daughters voice, and I say...What Melissa? Cause it is identical to my daughters voice... All 3 of my birds speak in my voice, or my daughters.

Thank you Birdhouse for the advice. I DO let them eat dinner with me, in fact they WAIT for it!! But putting Nilah in her cage earlier may be just the ticket, and giving her an added treat might work. I will try anything!! I didn't add to my story...but when I am not at home for bedtime and my daughter puts them to bed, she has NO problem with Nilah, She willingly steps up and goes in her cage, but if she knows I am home and my daughter tries it, she gets bitten too! BUT RIKKI on the other hand won't allow my daughter to put her to bed most times, she waits up for me..

THAT IS THE FUNNIEST THING I'VE READ ALL DAY!!! :) Rikki sends her love, and say, "Good Job Ana Grey!! Way to go!!"

Yes, they should not have sugar........it is harmful to their health.

Yrs, Rikki is good about not going near the broken pieces. When my kids start whining, "mom, we only have 2 bowls left.... I go to the Corelle website and reorder the ones that she broke so we have enough instead of buying new sets....

Birdhouse, I have tried many times, walking away, then coming back later etc. she has her special time with me every night before this episode. I do tell her no bites, that hurts, but I don't make a huge deal out of it. She DEFINATELY understand, no and no biting, sometimes she won't bite after I tell her that, but she is smart and stubborn. I think tonight I will try and act like its NOT bedtime, leave the cage lights on and see how it goes. I will check in tonight with an update.

Lovethatgrey, thanks for the video. I may try that, I especially like the hand protector near the handle. Did you buy that? I think it would work until Nilah figured it out, the she probably won't step up on it, but it's worth a try.

I have tried turning every light off in my downstairs, she doesn't seem to care, she will still bite when I pick her up for bed. I do tell her sternly, No biting. If I get to upset or excited, she would love it.....

Hi Ray, I agree with using treats as a reward, only because I have found that with Nilah, she prefers it if I make a big deal out of her 'good' behavior and will turn down a treat in place of my excitement and applause every time. So the treat at bedtime probably won't matter to her. She's very good about going in her cage any other time, just not at bedtime . I would love to hear more about the surprise treat! I bet it's fun to watch them run around looking former. How did you first get them to know there was a treat to search for, and that is was in a different spot each time?

Thank you! That is excellent advice. She does get special attention other times, but you are right, showing her that good things happen when she is a good girl. I need to use that more often with all my birds and animals. I will try putting her in her cage without letting her know it's time for bed and offering her a treat as well tomorrow night. I'll let you know how I do......thanks.

Hi all, those of you that know about amazons, know they can be testing you way more than a grey can. I know you have to keep the upper hand with them no matter how much they bite.... So begins why I need some advice. Deep inside, I dread bedtime, I have no problems with my greys, most nights, Nilah likes to sit on me preening and being quiet, sometimes dozing, but when hears me softly saying, "it's time for bed, time for nuh-nites", she looks towards her 2 favorite places that I can't reach her very well without a step stool, then she flies off! I put the others to bed, turn off the lights in the room she is in, or leave them on, it really doesn't matter. When I climb up to get her, she softly repeats my words back at me about going to bed. Then she puts her head down so that I can rub her for what seems like an eternity, which I indulge her as it doesn't matter if I do or don't, she still pulls the same routine. Then when my armies tired from holding it up and patting her, I tell her to step up and it's time for nuh nites. THEN IT HAPPENS!!!!!!! SHE BITES ONTO MY FINGER, HAND, WHATEVER IS OFFERED TO HER and in that amazon fashion, doesn't let go just like vice grips...... I NEVER say OW! Or take my hand away, I let her hang on until she gives up, so there is no reaction by me other than, I tell her no biting, and we do this over and over, I fight with her every night to get her to bed. I eventually get her and try and hurry to her cage while distracting her with my other hand. As soon as she is near the door of her c age, she willingly goes in and says, "nuh nites" over and over while I cover her cage. Then I go to the couch to nurse my hand which feels like hamburg! This happens 99% of time. I refuse to back down as I want to be able to handle her as she gets older and more hormonal. I try not to let her to get the upper hand with me, as she tries many times during her day, but this behavior is at night. My question is, do I continue this with her? Do you have any advice, and am I handling the situation correctly? I can't leave her alone, she will stay on the curtain rod all night to sleep and I have 2 cats and 2 dogs, and Nilah loves to get into trouble..... Sooo.....I need some advice! Sorry this is so long, but I wanted you to understand what is happening, and this has been going on for a very very long time.