judygram

Well congrats on your new addition to the flock, the visit seems to have gone well but only time will tell whats really in store for you all but I wish you the best and you will just have to deal with any problems that arise, who knows it may just become one happy family, keep us updated.

I'm so sorry for your loss of Jack, they sure can wiggle their way inside our hearts in a short amount of time but at least those days were good ones and he never has to suffer again, I know it stirs old hurts from when Marden died but they both fly free now, gone but never forgotten.

By all means get another bird but get it because you want it and not just for the other bird's company, you will need to spend some time with each bird every day. If you do get another bird get its own cage so it has a space they can call their home and feel safe in. I have 3 birds and if one is left alone then they contact call, they don't get along with one another when out but I think they appreciate the company when caged.

You cannot use punishment to correct bad behavior in greys as it will only backfire on you, they respond best to positive reinforcement and you have to gain Rio's trust, it must be earned. Here is the link to the thread that Greywings is referring to, its a long read but you will get the gist of what we are talking about. http://www.greyforums.net/forums/showthread.php?192443-Gilbert-is-home

Sometimes greys will fixate on one particular toy, he may be "in love" with it and getting down under the cage might mean he is thinking of nesting, you can try putting something down there that will discourage him from going there. My grey will occasionally go under her cage but she seldom spends much time there but if he is spending all his time there then it doesn't mean he is sick, as long as he is eating and defecating ok then you need not worry about that. Most greys love bells, mine has a heavy duty one that she likes to bang around especially when she is a little pissed off, she will take her frustrations out on that toy but they all have their favorites, I see no harm in him wanting to destroy cardboard, its cheap and wood toys are great. The wing feathers will grow back several at a time with the same ones on each side being lost and replaced, I would imagine a lot of them have grown back since he was last clipped in May, hopefully you will consider leaving him flighted, you do have to be extra careful of open windows and doors but to hear the flapping of wings is music to our ears. Destroying things is what they do, they need things they can tear apart to keep them busy when they are confined to their cage, don't want them to get bored for then they make start working on themselves, I look at it like this, a toy destroyed is a sign of a happy bird.

Merry Christmas from Josey, Sunny and Gypsy, may you be blessed with good health and happiness today and always.

Happy Hatchday Corky, daddy loves you and spoils you rotten, enjoy.

Happy Belated Hatchday Dorian, I know your mommy spoiled you rotten.

You do have quite a flock of "crackheads" and I am guessing that the term refers to the fact that they crack you up everyday as they should.

I love Felix, he is so funny but right on.

My Cag's name is Josey, remember the movie "The Outlaw Josey Wales" one of my favorite movies, she is 8 and 1/2 years old.

All 3 of my fids are shouldered, I have never had a problem with any of them but you have to know your birds well and be able to read their body language, you have to have their trust in you as well as trusting them, if you feel comfortable with it then maybe its ok. That being said there are some birds that do nibble and bite the ears or other facial parts whenever they are on the shoulder then they shouldn't be allowed there, you will know if you have one that is but use your own judgment.

Congratulations to Marguerite on becoming a new mod and what a fantastic room.

Josey imitates my laugh perfectly and this past weekend I went to Parrot Mountain in Pigeon Forge and there was an amazon that got on my shoulder and mimicked my laugh so well but I loved it.

I think so too Ray.

Sure is but remember that grey time is very slow so be prepared to be very patient with him as he settles into his new home and adjusts to everything.

Congratulations Janet on a job well deserved, you have been doing a great job here and will continue to amaze us with your talents.

Josey is the only one of mine that talks and she says "bird turd" but only because I said it first.

I am truly sorry for your loss of Ceasar but hey, welcome back.

Hello Shannon and welcome to our family. So glad you could give Peatree a new forever home and the best advice is to take your time, lots of time for grey time is very slow. Just let him make the decision to want to interact with you, poor guy has been cooped up so long it isn't easy to let go but he will when he is ready. We do have some threads in the bird food room that list foods that are safe for them and some that aren't, get familiar with them so you will know what to avoid.

My sun conure's name is Sunny, I bet more of them are named that than any other single name for obvious reasons.

Sanggay please don't rehome Kilaya, there is a reason why he bites and until you find it out he may continue to do so. He is completely different from Cocoa, after all each grey is an individual, there are traits they all share but in the end each will behave and react differently, don't compare Kilaya to Cocoa, they are two different birds. He is very young at this point and much too early to make a hasty decision, you have plenty of time to work with him in the coming months and years to come to understand him but the main thing is not to compare him to Cocoa, he will never be like her, he is Kilaya.

You have not let him down but Ray is right, if he was the first then he has to remain the first in everything so he knows his place and special one on one time is exactly what he needs.

Seven months is not a long time in grey time but she has established her cage as her domain and some birds are very protective of it, its her safe place so if she doesn't like the intrusion then do as Dee suggested, either fill her cups when she is out of it or use a stick to block a bite.

That does sound odd, I would at least give my vet a call about it, might be nothing but why take the risk, let us know what you find out.