Talon

Tonight when dinner was ready, as most nights, I go to the bottom of the stairs and holler up to my 18 year old son who is usually in his room at that time....."JOSH!"..........Nilah will then copy me and yell his name until he comes down the stairs. Well, tonight, I was too lazy to go holler up to him, so I looked at Nilah, she was sitting on her potty basket on the counter...actually being a good girl for a change, and said, "Nilah, call Josh for dinner" She looked at me for about 2 seconds and Yelled, JOSH! To which he said, coming......he thought it was me! I was soooooo proud of her!!! She's smarter than I thought!!

Awww Ray, I love to hear the progress that Cricket makes. Every baby step is a HUGE step for her. There is nothing quite like having an amazon. And I do LOVE their special smell. It gets stronger when they are excited. Janet, they do have the most expressive eyes, I can tell exactly what Nilah's next ove is by watching her eyes, they are so easy to read. One thing I learned, is you really have to assert yourselves with an amazon and always let them know who is boss, something I don't have to do with my greys. Nilah tests me all the time, but I never let her win....at least that's my opinion, I let her THINK she's winning....

No idiots... Only happy forum members liking your posts enough to give you rep bars....

Gosh darn iPad...leant play it. Will cheCk it out on te desktop.....

yes, 51 is too young. He was such a talent. Let it be a lesson to us, TAKE care of yourselves!!

Oh I am so happy for you both! Yes, let us know as soon as you have gone to the vet. They never forget no matter how many years go by, thast has been proven. I bet she will be so happy and become her old self once she settles in and is feeling better.

I keep mine in a bud vase ike a flower arrangement!

My birds will talk alot when the house is noisy. Sometimes, when they are alone and think no one is listening. Stop all the noise in the house suddenly, and they will get quiet...it's always interesting!

Hi Cricket, Do you suppose we can come up with a plan so our BIRD learns that WE are the owners of their left shoulder? rikki seems to think she belongs there when Bird is cooking or in the kitchen, other times it's mine! Bird tries to put me on her Right shoulder when Rikki is on the left, but Rikki won't allow it and chases me off every time.

Well, today was the worst day ever! BIRD got me up for breakfast, same usual routine, uncovers Rikki first.( don't know why SHE is first always, I deserve to be first ALWAYS!) Then she uncovers me, and opens the top, and says good morning, want to step up? Of course I do...stupid question! She proceeds to carry thru the living room into the kitchen and over to our potty baskets as I stretch along the way. Then she had the nerve to put me on the NEW potty basket ( I chewed the other one up, it was Rikki's and she deserves it) just because Rikki got all fluffed up and freaked out by it....jeez...stupid greys...their such nervous ones...... WELL I marched my little feathered but down onto the counter climbed up over the box and onto MY potty basket where I belong! I gave Bird the dumbest & dirty look I could muster up...there hope she learned her lesson!!!

Oh my goodness, that is a riot!!

I agree with Judy..imagine if she was clipped, but could fly somewhat with a gust of wind....a predator lies waiting knowing she can't protect herself by flight... something to consider.

I understand everything you went thru. You don't realize the heartache until you go thru it. I see it, hear it, and life loses all purpose for us parrot owners when a tragedy like this strikes. I agree you can't be too careful. I make all my visitors enter thru my garage, wait for the garage door to close, then open the door to the house for them to enter. Visitors are careless and don't enter quickly. It only takes a second and they are gone.. I can't tell you how happy I am for you....I am thrilled!! I wouldn't worry about her regression, that is natural. SHe was frightend and very scared. SHe justs needs security, your love and time to heal her emoitions of losing her perfect life..she will be back to her old self once she gets over the shock. Just continue to offer the comfort and reassurance you are. She will feed off of that and relax over time....

I can't tell you what a wonderful story this is to read. I thank you for sharing it in detail with us. I have learned a few things from you, I didn't know about the Dusk to Dawn being the best time to search. That is important information to know. Also, PLEASE share with us the cargo netting for the doors. I have 3 fully flighted parrots who want nothing more than to be with me and follow me everywhere. I am in and out of the door alot when I am doing yard work, I had storm doors put on all my doors for added protection, but it isn't enough. I would love to know more the cargo nets. I have a dear friend who lost his grey as it flew out of an open door when someone was careless, and I am witnessing the heartbreak on a daily basis. It has been a month and a half... it gets worse as time goes on, not better. I live in constant fear of losing my birds. I don't ever want to live with that kind of daily pain.

I would relax. I have had my tag and cag for almost 8 years. My cag will lose festhers that way. Sometimes 2 or 3 in a day usually left behind somewhere as she flies off. It is normal and unless she loses a lot and ends up looking bald, I wouldn't worry about it. They are all different, and that seems normal for my cag.

Yay! That's great!

That was adorable and perfect for Judy! I am happy to see that everyone is so happy and aging so gracefully. You are all wonderful examples to look up to and live by....by us young-ins.......lol P.S. I'm just eency weeny bit younger...lol

What an exciting un experience ! Thanks for the update, can't wait to hear more. Sounds like he has your heart already for sure!

Very Clever! Looks so real...

Thanks Dancor the update. We have been patiently waiting to hear.......I love the detailed update, and it sounds like a beautiful new house you have moved to. Can't wait to hear how Dayo responds to the new neighbors in the trees.

Oh my....I agree with you, when my bird does that, I LET her know to leave my things alone and give her nice big chomp when she least expects it! Serves them humans right. Love, Nilah

What a hilarious thread!

Thanks, went there today and nothing in my area....I'll keep looking though.

Katana600, Yes, I agree, you said it perfectly. I think those of us with amazons really mean they are clingy, but more like they just want to be with you. AN amazon wants nothing more than to be chillin and hangin out with you. If they can't, they don't scream for attention, they go off and see what trouble they can get into...or see what funny things they can do. I find my amazon to as Ray says, lives in the moment and accepts whatever the flow is during the day..but LOVES it when you come home and they can stay on your shoulder!

Hi Toran, Welcome to our family. Purchased my first African grey from a breeder on Fl, had her shipped to me in MA and she was 8 1/2 weeks old. It was in Dec. so we had to keep an eye on the temp as th when she could be shipped. I picked herup at the airport in a carrier her breeder sent her in. I had to go to the cargo section at the airport, wait tooooo long for them to go find her next to a cat in a carrier.... I had the car warm, and put her in the front seat. I brought a towel in the cargo area to cover 3 sides of the carrier with so she felt more secure when I carried her out and to my car. I kept her in the from the front seat and talked to her the entire hour drive home. When we got home, I put her carrier on the bed and talked to her for a while and then opened the door and allowed her to come out on her own terms. She seemed happy to be out and enjoy me talking to her. Eventually I showed her the cage and allowed her to look at everything. I put her down on the top so she could get used to it. I also covered the back half so when she did venture in, it seemed safe from the unknown room she was in. She was calmed and relaxed as I was, and she fed off my emotions and knew all was ok as I didn't appear nervous or unsure. The worst part for them is the flight....but your bird will be fine and will soon forget.