Talon

I agree with Jeff. My experience is this: My 15 year old son wanted an African grey for Xmas. He did his research, knew more about them than I did. I refused as it was too long of a lifelong commitment for a 15 year old to understand. As Jeff said, their is girlfriends, driving, school events, college, and not knowing what path your life will take. Impossible at 15, and especially 12. He begged for 2 years. When he was 17, and after lots of talks with him, I decided to get him one for Xmas. Thus Talon entered our lives forever. She was a baby, although weaned, she cried for the first 2-3 weeks. My poor son, he would come to me say, mom, I fed her, I played with her, I cuddled her, I talked to her, I offered treats, , I did everything I could think of, I don't know what to do! So, I was left holding her and trying to co fort her. Looking back, I knew she was mourning the only home she knew and her flock before she cam to us. Her cage was kept in his room. I felt sorry for her even tho I would leave on a bird video for her while he was in school all day. She was alone.....so I bought her a play cage for downstairs so she could be with me when I was home. I allowed her out for most of the day. When my son came home, he was apply to go up to his room ALONE and leave her downstairs for the Rst of us to enjoy. She did sleep in his room, but mostly stayed downstairs where I cared for her. This lasted for about 3 years. Then I got divorced, moved my other kids out, but my then 18 year ok'd son wanted to stay in his room with his father. He said,, mom yyou should take Talon, after all you care for her and do all the work. I'm in school and she'll be all alone. She likes you better anyways. (something we can't control, who our bird decides to like) So, Talon is with me, and although my son enjoys seeing her, she will go after him and bite him every chance she can. Almost like she will never forgive him for leaving her world. And it has been 5 years, no change in how she reacts to him. So in hindsight, it was not a stupid idea to get Talon for my son, cause she has enriched ourlives so much, but I truly believe a parrot shouldn't be given to a younger less settled in their life person. The trauma can be too much for the parrot and will cause them to have baggage forever.

Oh my! The same thing happended to Talon. I got a few bites with all the screaming and fighting she was doing when I tried to free her as her breaking her leg was my biggest fear as well. I wrapped vet wrap around those places. I didn't want to fill them as I was afraid shed pull out whatever I used. I know how scarey this was for you. Glad all is ok now.

I am happy to announce.........we have a new moderator! Dhorje Is our newest moderator of our Photography Room which is now renamed 'Photography & Video Room!' This is a long time coming, and I apologize for not making Dhorje moderator sooner. If you have seen his photography here, it is stunning! Hopefully us amateur's get some advice. I look forward to seeing lots more from everyone. This room is one I frequent, as the photos posted here are beautifully done. I look forward to seeing what our well deserved moderator does with this room. CONGRATULATIONS Dhorje!!!

Momma doesn't mind at all, no worries, she does have those salty wet drops when she's watching tv sometimes.....don't get it, doesn't happen to us. Parronts are weird beings!

Hi everyone. Thanks so much for all the support, it's nice to know I have lots of birdie friends that care.....remember, I live with Nilah, ugh, she's such a pain.... Joe, my momma never had those salty water drops on her face. She's says she's a "tough cookie" whatever that means, jeez, I know what a cookie is, and I've tried momma, she's no tasty cookie!!! Ana Grey, my momma keeps our travel cages next to our cages all the time. But since we were flying all over the house, I think she thought it was quicker to throw us into other rooms and slam doors cause it was quicker. This has happened a few other times, I remember, and she threw us all upstairs into her bedroom and again slammed the door, which is surprising, cause she doesn't like us in her room. She says we get into everything......well. Gee, we're just customizing it for her the way WE think it should be, but she doesn't appreciate our artistic side. Well anyways, (please forgive me for talking so much, I can't talk much in my house cause Nilah is such a motor mouth) our house has never filled with smoke this bad before. I heard momma tell others that she researched it on the Internet and asked her chimney sweeper man, and they say it's newer, smaller chimneys that have to be heated before lighting a fire or smoke comes in. She always thinks she's heated it for like 10 minutes, but doesn't always work. She says if she starts a fire with a Duraflame log, it doesn't smoke.....well she came home with a big box of those duraflames logs yesterday, but she's scared to light another fire. Matthew keeps asking and she says, no never again!

Wingy, momma has the chimney sweeper come every year. He says it's a new fireplace and she has to heat the flu up before starting a fire. She uses a blue tank with a long perch on the end of it and she sends fire up it for a long time, but sometimes it doesn't work when it's really cold...

Omg! How adorable!!!!!

Last night was a frightening time in our house. Our momma "worked" all day, whatever that means. When she comes home at the end of what she calls a "work" week, we all look forward to that time. She turns on that big box, takes what she calls her "iPad", a "blankie" and we all hang out with her on the couch. Our 2 doggies next to her, our kitties on her lap and us 3 fighting for a place, a knee, a shoulder, and usually Talon on the back of the couch pulling mommas hair out. This night was different tho......she started to get a fire in the fireplace ready. She was putting a flame up the chimney to warm it first, it took a long time, we didn't think she would ever stop and light the fire. Finally she lit the fire, but then the smoke filled our house so fast, it was awful! Momma was yelling for Josh to come help here. He came running downstairs and she yelled at him to open windows and get a fan. We could tell she was in a panic!! We got scared and started flying all over the house. Momma yelled at us to step up. Rikki and Nilah did and momma went upstairs as fast as she could. I heard her open her bedroom door, flick the light on and Nilah told me later, she threw them in there and slammed the door! Then I heard her run downstairs and I was watching Josh open all the windows in the middle of winter!!! By norm the house was filled with so much smoke we could hardly see, momma was telling me to step up and I obeyed, but as soon as she started to walk away, I was so scared, I flew and kept going to the highest place I could find. Momma would look for me thru the smoke and find me and I would step up, and then fly off! I was so scared, I didn't know what was happening, the smoke alarms were Blair g and I was frightened, I wanted to trust momma, but I was too scared cause she was upset and scared. I heard her tell Josh, "talons gonna die, I have to get her", josh was looking for me too. He found me on the curtain rod next to the fireplace where the smoke was pouring out. I heard momma say how bad her eyes hurt and she could hardly see me.....when she came to me, she looked up at me as she was trying to reach me and I couldn't stop blinking, my eyes hurt badly too.....momma saw it and I saw the pain in her eyes, she was so sad.....I couldn't bring myself to go to her, I was too scared, so I flew off into the kitchen and I to my box ontop of the cabinet, phew, safe finally! Then momma grabbed a stool and climbed onto the counter and pushed me I to my little box and held it tightly while she ran into the bathroom where she set me on the counter, turned the fan on and opened the window. She then slammed the door! How dare she!!!!! I heard her run to Piper, i heard her tell josh she hoped he wasn't dead. I heard her grab him and he yelled at her cause he hates her. I heard her run upstairs and I guess she put him I to that bathroom cause I could tell the fan went on, and I heard another door slam. I don't know what happended next, but it was a long time before momma came and got me out of the bathroom. But I do know when she got me, the windows were open, fans were blowing and it smelled!!!!! I saw momma hug josh and thank him, and that she would NEVER use that damn fireplace thing again!!!! The rest of the night, we were all pretty shocked and quiet. We didn't want much to eat for dinner, and momma kept asking me if I was okay. I could tell she was worried. She felt very bad cause I could feel it. Rikki and Nilah were okay, Rikki was talking, but Nilah sat on her tree stand and wouldn't talk or go sit with momma like she always does. Today, when we woke up, momma was anxious to see us and talk to us. We all had breakfast together like always, and everything seems good! Back to normal as much as it can be with Nilah living here...... Poor momma, I know she feels awful. She thought I and piper and little birdies were going to die, but we made it. Even tho Momma messed up, we know she will never let something like that happen again....let's hope not.....

What a beautiful story........one I will remember and hope it's gets revived every Xmas! Dee, your post brought tears to my eyes, I wish the very same for Gilbert.

That was adorable,!!! Now I'm mad at Nilah, she should be singing like that...ugh! Lol

Fantastic news!!!!

I am very much against micro-chipping. I highly respect the opinions of others, however, I have been told it is extremely painful, especially for birds. I do believe that to be the truth. Also, in the research I've done, many cats and dogs develop a tumor in the area of the micro-chip. One of my dogs came to me microchipped, and I chose not to microchip my other dog and cats,or birds. Also, what are the chances if your bird gets lose, that, Someone will find it AND capture it, AND have the good sense to have it checked for a chip. In my area, most likely, the bird would die if it's in the fall or winter, or probably a predator would get it first. : this is just my opinion, nothing more, nothing less..

Good job today! Seems you need to perfect the spin to one revolution tho..... See, I am a dance and Zumba instructor...so let me help you with your technique, First you need to Spot when you spin. Find one object eye level, and look at it as long as you can as you start your spin, then when you can't turn your head any further, snap it around fast and find the object you were looking at. This will help with balance also, and you only need to do one spin. Second, as you spin you must whip your shoulder a bit so your bird flies off! Otherwise you will have to keep spinning until HE gets so dizzy either you or he falls off! Lol Your doing great!!! Keep it up!!!

Well that explains alot. What an interesting way they have of looking at things. Nilah has on many occasions attacked my daughter when her boyfriend comes around, and me when my sister come to visit.

Oh goody, can't wait for advice. My sweet Nilah does the very same thing when any guest comes over. We are very close and she is very bonded to me, always wants to be with me every minute. But when a guest comes over, the same behavior as yours.....

I also talk to my birds as though they are children. I tell them things., such as, no, you can not be on my shoulder if you are going to bite me, or get off me. Or you be a good bird or you,will,have to leave. They DO in time understand those phrases, and behave. I always say the same things, again consistency....

All good advice. I am sure he is trying to push your buttons and playing you to see what he can get way with. I would spin around fast if he is on your shoulder EVERY time he bites and let him know that's a no no with your voice and your discontent. He wants something from you, maybe attention, or just to be a part of what you are doing. When my shoulder birds act up, I talk to them and explain to them everything I am doing as I do it, or just talk. It seems to distract them from biting and they take more interest in my voice. I know what you mean is the morning as once in a while one of my 3 will go thru a stage of not wanting to go back into they're cage. This lasts for several days until they realize I am consistent and NEVER LET them win. Yes, I have been late for work because of it, but it's necessary for them. Usually times like that, I give them a forbidden item such as a pencil. They love them and I tease and distract them with it all the way to their cage, and yes, I have allowed them to chew it. Sometimes a cookie works too. Usually when one of my birds starts misbehaving and I am at my wits end, ready to do something drastic, I find its usually the peak and in a few days, the behaviour changes for the better. Hang in there, get creative and be consistent with your rules. He will learn after pushing you to your limits! Good luck and keep us posted.

I am pleased to announce we have a New Moderator for our Rescue Room! I have asked Katana600 to take on the task of Moderator. She has lots of experience with rescues, and will be a great asset. Her posts are always helpful and full of advice. Her patience, love and compassion for birds shows in all she posts. Please welcome Katana600, and Congratulations Dee! I know you will be awesome!! :cool:

Great idea for perches, I'm going to remember that as my birds love perches that height to eat at the table on. Thanks for the pictures they are great!

That's fantastic! My son has a go pro, I should use it, but never thought too.

Touch ups ad color timing is fine, just don't make your parrot blue!

I understand, and not to worry, after this contest, we will have a photoshop contest as well. We have done photoshop contests in the past and they are always so much fun! I love what you photoshop experts come up with, can't wait!

Please post all Contest Entires in this thread.

Sorry for the delay....had some back door customizing to do here. NEW CONTEST!!!! STARTING TODAY, THIS MINUTE, OUR CONTEST BEGINS! IT IS A XMAS THEMED CONTEST. PLEASE POST ANY PICTURES YOU WANT OF YOUR FLOCK MEMBER OR MEMBERS. THERE IS NO LIMIT TO THE AMOUNT OF TIMES YOU ENTER. Use your imagination, get creative, it can be anything to do with Xmas, cooking, wardrobe, Xmas tree, decorations, presents, Xmas card , etc. The rules are: Any type of bird. It MUST be a member of your flock family at home. It MUST be X-MAS themed. ABSOLUTELY NO PHOTOSHOP, if it suspected, by my discretion, your entry will be disqualified & deleted. EVERYONE IS WELCOME, THAT INCLUDES ALL MEMBERS, ALL MODERATORS, ALL SUPER-MODERATORS, AND ALL SUPER-ADMINS. I AM THE ONLY ONE THAT WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER. THE WINNER WILL BE DECIDED BY VOTING VIA POLL. WE WILL HAVE A FIRST, SECOND, THIRD, FOURTH, FIFTH & SIXTH PLACE WINNERS AS I EXPECT LOTS OF ENTRIES! So get those cameras out and get started! Entry deadline is Dec. 31, 2012, 12pm, EST. THE WINNER'S WILL EARN A NEW TITLE OF CONTEST WINNER! DISPLAYED ABOVE THEIR NAME ON THEIR PROFILE & ALL POSTS!

Sorry for the delay....had some back door customizing to do here. NEW CONTEST!!!! STARTING TODAY, THIS MINUTE, OUR CONTEST BEGINS! IT IS A XMAS THEMED CONTEST. PLEASE POST ANY PICTURES YOU WANT OF YOUR FLOCK MEMBER OR MEMBERS. THERE IS NO LIMIT TO THE AMOUNT OF TIMES YOU ENTER. Use your imagination, get creative, it can be anything to do with Xmas, cooking, wardrobe, Xmas tree, decorations, presents, Xmas card , etc. The rules are: Any type of bird. It MUST be a member of your flock family at home. It MUST be X-MAS themed. ABSOLUTELY NO PHOTOSHOP, if it suspected, by my discretion, your entry will be disqualified & deleted. EVERYONE IS WELCOME, THAT INCLUDES ALL MEMBERS, ALL MODERATORS, ALL SUPER-MODERATORS, AND ALL SUPER-ADMINS. I AM THE ONLY ONE THAT WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER. THE WINNER WILL BE DECIDED BY VOTING VIA POLL. WE WILL HAVE A FIRST, SECOND, THIRD, FOURTH, FIFTH & SIXTH PLACE WINNERS AS I EXPECT LOTS OF ENTRIES! So get those cameras out and get started! Entry deadline is Dec. 31, 2012, 12pm, EST. THE WINNER'S WILL EARN A NEW TITLE OF CONTEST WINNER! DISPLAYED ABOVE THEIR NAME ON THEIR PROFILE & ALL POSTS!