judygram

Happy Hatchday Jake, hope you are spoiled rotten today of all days.

That's the first thing that should be taught to everyone especially children to never stick their fingers inside a bird's cage.

That hat was photoshopped on, but still cute.

I kept looking for Talon in the picture, now that would have been the rare one but they do look good together, this is why we savor these moments as they are too fleeting.

I think he just turned one year of age as a thread was made earlier this week about it, I imagine it is a phase he is going thru and it will work itself out in time.

Just another good example of why we preach time and patience, it has the best rewards.

Some greys do not like to be put over on their back, mine is one of them and I respect that and the fact that he was biting you was his way of telling you he didn't like it, just because some greys and birds will do that doesn't mean they all enjoy it. This can not be "fixed" so just accept the fact that your bird doesn't want you to put him on his back.

We love all things feathered even pigeons and Henry was a beloved pet of yours who would not have survived without your intervention, he knew he was loved and you both were so blessed to share the time you had together, he will live on in your memories, gone but not forgotten.

Open the cage door and allow Miranda to come out on her own and then see if she will step up for you, put your hand, palm down with the side up against her chest and say step up, you can gently nudge her to see if she will start to step up and if she does praise her lavishly. You can also try to get her to step up from inside the cage but I think you will have more success with her out and she needs some time out of her cage every day. She may take flight but just don't panic if she does, if she is used to flying she will do fine as long as everyone keeps calm for they sense our emotions and if she senses stress then it will only make her more nervous. Typically teaching them to step up is one of the first things a pet bird should learn for at times they need to be removed from a dangerous spot or some other situation where they need to be caged or moved to safety.

Hello Okierebel and welcome to our family. Congrats on your new baby grey, I am assuming this is your first grey and maybe your first parrot but correct me if I am wrong. I know you are so excited about the homecoming of Gracie and I bet you have been preparing for that special day she arrives. Please do read thru the many threads for lots of useful information, many questions have been asked and some of your answers you need will be found in them but feel free to ask us any questions you may have and we will help you in any way we can. Gracie is adorable and thanks for including her photo in your intro post.

Hello Garry and welcome to our family. Congrats on your new grey and you have come to the right place to find firsthand experience with these amazing creatures so continue to read thru the threads and if you have any questions all you have to do is ask. I look forward to those pictures.

Sounds like a great idea Jay and if necessary it will be locked.

No one is saying you are hitting your bird but your methods of getting your grey to behave is questionable in our opinion.

Trancework, this method may work with your parrot and that is the exception to the rule but your methods are not what we would tell other grey owners to try, corporal punishment just doesn't work for greys.

I have to agree with Jay on this.

Hello Mamawise and welcome to our family. Any bird can and will screech or bite but the African grey is noted for being one of the more quiet parrots and most of the bites are because you do not properly read their body language, after all they use their beak to tell us no or not now. Many of the members here have children in their families, you just need to instruct them on proper behavior around the grey, no sudden movements and jumping around for greys tend to be a little nervous, no poking fingers at them in their cage and so forth, in fact having a busy household will help to socialize a young grey to be comfortable with many people instead of just one person. Lots of members also have dogs and cats that share the house with birds, you just have to supervise any time the bird is out of the cage with the dog present for it only takes a second for something bad to happen but many times a dog helps keep the floor clean around the cage. I can attest to having grandkids coming and going at times, she is fine with them as long as they keep a little distance from her as she is not used to them as much but I have her out when they are over and they do fine. I think your home would be just fine for a grey if you are willing to put forth the time and effort to give your new companion the love and attention he/she needs and be sure to read thru as many of the threads here for lots of useful information that will prove handy in the coming weeks, months and years of sharing your life with one of these amazing creatures.

A picture tells all and no way he can deny it either.

What a sweetie pie chinning up to the jar waiting for head scratches, you know she loves them.

Some grey babies hold onto that last feeding of the day for quite a while after "weaning" and should be indulged with that feeding until they absolutely refuse it, it won't hurt your baby but some just need it more than others.

Hello Blewuk and welcome to our family. Is your baby grey Elf come home yet? How old is he/she? Why not tell us more about yourself and Elf so we can get to know you better and pictures would be so wonderful.

Oh please say it isn't so, no way would you rehome Timmy! I am truly surprised to hear this so please think this thru carefully before you make a decision you might regret, you have done wonders with Timmy and I remember the hard times you had with him and he finally settled into a good life with you and your family. Please if this traveling is only a temporary thing then he will weather this storm, I am sure the rest of the family can fill in to give him out of cage time and attention then when you are home he will be specially treated to give him that quality time. They do become bonded to their owners and if you rehome him now he will have to go thru that adjusting to new owners, home and such and this time it will be a little harder for him as he will take some baggage with him from your home and the ones previous to yours. If the whole family pitches in then Timmy will not feel left out or neglected, please give this careful thought.

Sounds like he has settled into a good routine and I look forward to those videos.

Believe me he knows its her when she comes home so that doesn't surprise me but what does is that he still hisses at you when you get close, maybe you are trying too hard, why not back off and sort of give him the cold shoulder and see if he responds to that. My tiel gets along with both of us but she doesn't much care for any other members of the family like the kids and grandkids but then they are not here every day, I haven't heard her hiss at any of them though. Piper is a feisty one indeed.

I am glad your trip away went fine for Gracie but as others have pointed out I imagine she will be back to her old self in a couple of days, some greys do make us pay for our time away.

Happy Belated Hatchday Alfie and thanks for the pictures, looking good.