Talon

I have been a member of other grey forums years ago. Let's just say...it was a different experience. That was a big reason that we push for "family, dignity and respect of everyone's backgrounds and opinions" in this family of wonderful members we are so lucky to have.

I am under the impression she is in the early stages of dementia and is still capable of making some decisions . She has given permission for the 2 larger parrots to be given to new homes, but not the others .

Tonight when I got home from work, there was a message waiting for me on my answering machine from a woman I didn't know. she wanted to know if I did foster care for African greys. She got my name from a Bird lady I know who fosters birds, and sells bird toys near my home. She is a wonderful person. This woman who called me is a caregiver that has been taking care of a woman for the past 3 years. This woman is 88 years old and has a house full of animals, cats, dogs, and birds. She now has dementia, has 24 hour care and will soon need to go into a long term care facility. So before I called her back, I thought it over (took about 2 minutes) and decided if a bird needed a foster home, I will take it and foster it. Well it turns out, she really is looking for homes for a 13 year old AG, and a 23 year old Amazon. she didn't even know if it was a cag or tag, but she now knows from me, it is a cag. She said the cag is very smart and talks up a storm, and the amazon talks only a little. This caregiver has bought toys for them as needed, and brings them fruits and veggies from her home. Up until she cared for them , they were only fed seeds. The saddest part is the birds haven't been out of their cages ever as far as this caregiver knows. She puts her hand in there cages, and they will step up easily onto her hand and step down, but she as never taken them to out as she is only there to care for the animals for a few hours. She tries to sit and talk to them, but her time is limited. She has never had birds before. She said it is a very sad situation for them. They are in very large cages she says. When I heard of the situation, I knew they were plucked, and they are, especially the cag.... So she is looking for a good forever home, not a foster home. She doent want to see them go into a rescue facility. I told her if she ran into trouble, I would take them on a foster only until they found forever homes...we'll see... But my heart reads or these poor birds. Oh, and she has 6 parakeets and a larger parakeet type bird as well. What a horrible situation.

I agree with Judy...move on , don't waste any more time on this so called breeder. You are losing precious time looking for your forever bird.

This was so touching...

Oh my, I have too many stories to share with important documents ,birthday cards, checks, etc. that my birds have destroyed before I caught them. But my least favorite...chewing up paper money...Rikki gas chewed so many $ 10 & $20 bills to shreds...I have been on my hands and knees many times collecting up the confetti pieces and trying to scotch tape enough of it together to salvage it........then walking into the bank for the umpteenth time re-explain....."My parrot chewed this, can I turn this one in for a new one?"

Do you have a tv in the room? If so, I would leave it on cartoons or Nickelodeon, my birds really like watching it, it entertains them instead of the same boring walls.

Sterling, that was great! Thanks for sharing.

I just had another idea....if you can spare the extra $$ ....for $99 I bought a wireless one way camera with audio that I have in my bird room, I can log onto my phone as it has an app & watch & look at my birds anytime anywhere. But give you piece of mind to know she's ok.. You can also use a computer to log on. MY daughter also checks on her phone as well as me. It's D-link if your interested. Has a mobile app, very easy to use & set up.

Great advice about the hanging toys & timer for tv/radio. Don't be surprised if she is mad at you when you get home and gives you the cold shoulder of bites...some birds will let you know they weren't happy about your disappearance.. But they get over it soon after

Since you have only had her 3 weeks, I would leave him/her home. It is a lot of trauma being placed in a new home, that can take a long time of adjustment, but to so soon take it somewhere else and then back again is a lot of stress in my opinion. Put the tv on so it doesn't feel so alone, and make sure to have plenty of food. Is there anyone who could come over and just sit and visit with it?

An old farmer was hauling a load of manure when he was stopped in a speed trap set up by The State Police. “You were speeding,” the police officer said. “Now I’m going to have to give you a ticket.” “Yep.” the farmer said as he watched the trooper shoo away several flies. “These flies sure are terrible!” the officer complained. “Yep,” the farmer said. “Them are circle flies.” “What’s a circle fly?” asked the officer. “Them are flies that circle a horse’s ass” answered the farmer. “Them are circle flies.” “You wouldn’t happen to be calling me a horse’s ass, would you?” the officer angrily asked. “Nope, I didn’t,” the farmer replied. “But ya just can’t fool them flies!”

My oldest son named Talon, (she was his bird) Rikki came with her name, & Nilah was picked by me, I wanted something sweet & thought Nilah sounded sweet & pretty.

It really depends on the bird. My cag will come over to the side of her cage and put her head down for scratches. My tag, o way, youllet a bite, and NEVER put your fingers near an amazon cage no matter how sweet they are when they are out...nope, not allowed, it is their domain and you are rarely invited....

I second that!

Great advice so far. I have a cockatiel with one wing, the other was damaged, is halter and will never grow. I have had to cover a pillow in newspaper and place it on the bottom of his cage to protect him when he falls or he will bleed from his wing stub, a towel will work just as well. Also soft towels whenever he is out in case he falls if you have perches or tree stands. I would be careful a out pulling any feathers out, it could irritate that wing and cause him to Pick at it.

Sterling...you may have missed this thread, but this is an ongoing event in my house. We NEVER EVER leave dishes or plates on the table or counter for this reason. http://www.greyforums.net/forums/showthread.php?194705-Rikki-the-Menace!&highlight=Rikki+breaking+dishes

Find out what kind of hair oil, and call the animal poison control center. Have a list of ingrediants for them. They are your best bet for the weekend.

Oh my gosh! What heartbreak. I am so very sorry for your loss. But I thank you for taking the time to one here and share your story with us. Many here will learn from this tragedy, you have saved many birds lives I am sure by having the courage to come here and tell your story. I am glad you were able to save your tag due to your quick thinking. In the moment, of devastation from losing your cag, you had the good mind to put that out of your mind and do what you had to to save your tag. Bless you, my prayers are with you.

I have always kept quiet when it comes to threads regarding Alex and Dr. Pepperburg, and any birds she uses for research. I feel very much like Luvparrots. My thoughts are that Alex was stressed out from all the expectations that were made towards him. He was not left alone to be just bird....he plucked and for a reason just like Griffen is doing. I feel it is waytoo much stress for them, they are pushed to get things right. Yes, they loved him, took care of him etc. But they used him and it took a huge toll on him and it is on Griffen now. Unlike us bird owners here on this forum, we put our birds first, us second. Dr. Pepperburg was selfish and used Alex for her own selfish reasons, and for what? Did it change anything? It only confirmed what us bird owners already know, they are SMART! they have feelings and comprehension And understanding. I could go on and on, but I won't. I know many will disagree with me, I dont care . I won't say another word about it. There is nothing anyone can say to change my feelings on Alex. He deserved better than an existence of being a lab parrot .

Nice to know I am not alone in the carvings on all my woodwork, doors, window sills & frames! Now they have decided it is time to hang on the kitchen cabinets, open them & throw everything onto the floor, climb in & make claim of their new digs! IN the process, they are carving up the doors by hanging with their beaks...

What beautiful photos!

Looks very nice. I have a one winged cockatiel that has a hard time perching. I think I will order him one.

It can take a long time...You will see the start, but they grow slowly.