Talon

I would like to let everyone know that in this room, we have many stickies about understand body language, biting issues, and general handling of your birds. It's always good no matter how many years you've had your parrots, no matter how much trust you have between the two of you, no matter how bonded you are to your parrot to RE-READ them every once in a while as reminders..... I have seen many posts here in the last few months by some members about FORCING yourself on your bird, NEVER appropriate! Or acting as a PARENT with expectations of them behaving like a child, NEVER a good thing for your birds mentality, it will have an effect over time, and just insisting they behave in the way YOU feel they should, WRONG! These are wild creatures, they will never be domesticated, and expecting them to become our "pets" does nothing but put stress on them that WILL effect their health and mental state as they age. It is up to US their care givers to do everything we can to understand their behavior, accept it, and LOVE them unconditionally. Understand there will be days where they mis behave, just like children, days where they are into everything and driving you bonkers, days when you feel like all you do is follow them around cleaning up after them, days when you are exhausted from work, your kids, life's stresses and just don't have the patience for them, but understand, although they cant possibly know what stresses you have in your life, they CAN feel it, they WILL know when your sad, mad, they WILL feel when things arent right with you and they WILL love you unconditionally. But ONLY if you allow them to be the wild creatures that God intended, not children that must behave according to OUR rules. And in return for that small gift you give them, you will have the most beautiful relationship with a wild bird that you could ever imagine! They will love you, tease you, go to any extreme to get your attention, some days they just want to be with you, you don't need to talk to them, touch them, or feed them, they are just happy to be WITH you. They will call for you, get excited to see you, and forgive you if you RESPECT who they are, if you don't respect them, then you WILL be raising a very troubled parrot. Remember, they DIDN'T ask to be brought into our homes, they have no say over their living conditions, they can't tell you what they do or don't like, we have to figure things out for ourselves by allowing them THEIR rights and understanding them. Food for thought......

Ray that's hysterical!! How original. Beautiful grey you have there ! Thanks for the pics, he looks very content in life.

Hey Doug, after our Easter festivities settle down, I will start a new thread about this. I will post pictures of how I handle Talons morning bomb that she holds in all night. I think you might lime it, or at least your wife will. My other birds think nothing of pooping whenever they want in their cages,but Talon being the prissy little neat and tidy girl she is will hold it all day or night if she has to so not to poop in her cages.

My greys act like they are being murdered when I try and give them a shower. Rikki almost pops the blood vessels around her eyes, so I gave up on that idea. I do spritz them with a spray bottle when they are not looking, but mostly they prefer to do their own baths in water bowls.

Thanks Jay, now I can't get your words out of my brain every time I look at Nilah......she only cares about Nilah! I was eating pizza tonight, and she had to perch as she always does on the hand that was holding the pizza and moving it up to my mouth so I could get a bite, she rides it up and down as she nibbles at it. Always on the hand that is holding the utensil also......you should try eating oatmeal in the mornings with an amazon riding your utensil hand!! Ugh!!! And here I thought she wanted to share, she's only making sure she gets it all!!!! I never realized how much those words are true, even when sheis doing something she shouldn't be doing, over and over, I thought she was testing me like my greys, but now I know it's all about HER!!!

Cant seem to vote more than once, but I have 2 rights and one left.

Very cute! What a smarty you have there.

She is beautiful Jay! Just like Ni Ah, has to give a little bite every time you put her down just to let you know, she can! Her wings are gorgeous like Nilah's too!

Thanks Jay. I read somewhere else to try and not allow it. You are right, amazons are the most forgiving bird ever.

Very cute!

Okay Doug, I don't know where to start! Your pics are beautiful ! But Ellie is stunningly gorgeous!!! I have a tag, and I find them so dainty and beautiful, Ellie reminds me of Taln, just a younger version. I LOVE how you added the branch to the top of her cage, can I ask what kind of wood you used? I would like to start adding outside branches, but am afraid of bringing in something toxic or diseased. Do you tie them with sissel rope? Again, she is absolutely beautiful!

Yes, I agree with Doug, anything that is harmful to us is deadly to our birds.

I agree, a vet visit is in order. Birds hide their illness until it is too late. I am wondering tho, does she have a light on that side of her cage? I have had experience with a few birds having those same effects from a light being to close to one side of the cage, they become sun burned from it. The light should be on TOP of the cage shining down.

Nice toknow, I live a little over 2 hours away, but am wondering, sounds like lots of birds, but what is their toy inventory like? Id like to make the trip, but only looking for toys etc. I have 5 so, no more birds!!

Very pretty. Talon had some red factor, but after she molted, it never came back.

No truer rods were spoken! Than Lou for stating what I and I am sure others feel. You last sentence is a mantra that ALL bird owners should live by on a daily basis. To parront a bird is to live by their needs!

Yes, Judy is orrect. I am not a believer in sharing cages for many reasons other than safety.Their cage should be their own place to be. Just like we have our own space or bedroom. Isn't it enough that they have to share you, your attention, your food, your house" etc.? I have 3 parrots and they love having their own cage where they can relax and not be on alert for the others. They are all in the same room, but feel safe when they want to get away, and all birds do.

Yay! I believe we here at Greyforums are WAY more excited than you are! Why don't you pick it up a notch or two..... Can't wait to follow this new adventure. Just remember your life is never going to be the same every again, it will be better than better!!!!

Judygram will be here shortly to give you the best advice ever!! Her house if filled with her husbands trophies.....so I will leave it to the expert!!

Hi Jay, should I discourage her behavior when she does this, allow it but with no petting.. I don't want to encourage it, but I don't want to be mean either.....we are quite bonded so I don't want her to be mad at Meir unnecessary.....know what I mean?

That was great! It always amazes me that my amazon has such recongnitioof another amazon no matter what they are saying or singing. She always freezes and listens so intently and won't move until she is convinced it is over. Soooo smart!!

I don't read that anyone is being insulting here, and even if they were, do we really care MORE about the feelings of someone over a helpless bird?? Isn't our biggest concern the feeling and health of a creature that has no say in its life??? I am with many others, I feel it is cruel and this bird WILL suffer, both in health, and interaction, as someone stated cleaning a plexiglass cage will be next to impossible to keep up on. The bacteria that will accumulate on the splatters that happen when they go poop in an enclosed area is harmful....and it can't be healthy in a closed environment. Why not just stuff the bird and put it on the mantel???

Jay and Doug, thank you for this discussion. I never even thought about the walnuts or the pistachios in the shell. I think I will make the switch.....no chance of mold in the pistachios in a shell?

I always wondered that myself. I Do allow Nilah to have one or two every other day or so. There are some pretty I depth threads about this, I will see if I can resurrect them to continue our discussion. I DO know there have been a few members here that have had fatal peanut related health issues from feeding them peanuts.....I'm on a hunt.

Doug, I was always under the impression it DOES apply to peanuts in the shell. Those that chose to feed them use human grade. Lucky for me, my greys ont like them, but my amazon, that's a whole other story, they are her favorite!