judygram

I hear ya, Terri, and it could be a problem to tell when they actually have a problem but I wouldn't think that coughing and sneezing would be a part of their normal symptoms if they were sick but then what would I know. If you find out how to tell if they do have any breathing problems be sure to let us know here, we all are in the same boat so to speak, so it would help to know what to look for.

I can understand that, greys are notorious for change, they don't like anything new but you cn ease him into it maybe:blink: Josey does not care much for bathing either but I do it twice a week anyway, she tolerates it, I wish she did enjoy it like some others here do but I give her a good misting with the aloe vera juice. It is soothing for their skin and it makes their feathers soft and makes them smell good.

And that is one reason why he is rubbing it on everything to try to get some of that off him, a bath would do him good, have you tried misting or spraying him, he really does need to bathe. If you haven't already done so, introduce yourself in the welcome room and tell us a little more about you and this grey you have.

I have looked in both March and April 2008 issues of Bird Talk magazine and the page you are talking about is the last page with photos of our friends watch the birdie. There is not an african grey in the April issue and there is one in the March issue but it is not named Harrison. Are you sure you are talking about Bird Talk magazine because I just don't see it.

I don't think this is a cause for worry as mine does the beak scratching a lot too especially after eating. They feel like something is on it and they will rub it on anything to wipe it off and I think they are also getting off the loose flakes that naturally come off from time to time, as their beaks are in pretty much a constant state of growth. If everything else is normal and you say it is then don't worry needlessly, it is all part of the greyt life.

Yes it was FairY, very sudden and he was sitting on his shoulder at the time, I can't imagine how he must feel over the loss and there is not a thing he could have done for him to save him, such a loss and my heart goes out to him right now.

I am excited for you too and please let us know if you do get to see them, take your camera and get us a shot of them so we can ohhh and ahhh over them too:P

Congrats Falconeer on your new baby, I look forward to hearing lots more about it and some pictures when you can get them. I haven't the foggiest idea what that means on the leg band but it is supposed to have something to do with identifying that particular bird, your breeder should know.

I can understand how you must feel, Terri, you hear them doing all these noises that sound like coughing, sneezing, hacking throat noises, wheezing and you name it and you think they are sick but they are just mimicing what they hear on a daily basis. Josey does the same thing and it usually is scattered in amongst the other words and phrases she repeats several times a day for our enjoyment.:laugh:

I agree FairY, I would not have been able to leave the rescue without him, he certainly chose who he liked and probably sensed you were a good person who would have loved him dearly. I hope he did find a good home too.

When you get this issue resolved, come back and introduce yourself in the welcome room and tell us a little about you and Missy.

I agree that a vet visit is in order if you have any question about it being normal, don't take the chance.

I'm sure he was freaked out by it but he is over it now right, he just needed reassurance that all was ok.

Pugsley, just click on the forums tab on the top part of the home page, then the welcome room is at the top of the list, click on it and then click the post new topic that has a revolving red box next to it and you are there. Hope this helps.

Well Lace thats what makes this forum so special, you are treated as family here and that is the difference. You have to realize those resuces operate off a very limited budget so they rely on people who also work at other jobs to do these seminars and they can only do them but so often, I know that doesn't help you but you at least understand where they are coming from. And you are right, where there is a will there is a way and it will come for you too, just keep looking. You will have to be very careful of having the grey out while the dogs have full run of the house, you may have to keep them in another part of the house while you have the bird out in the beginning until you set up some kind of relationship with them. But you must never leave them in the same room when the bird is out at any time for it only takes a second for a disaster to occur. I have both a sun conure and a Cag, I got the sun first and she is a delight to have, so comical and a snuggler to boot, she is my constant companion when I am home. Now the two of them do not get along but I do have them both out at the same time but not in the same area, if they get too close the sun tries to nip the grey, go figure, the smaller bird goes after the bigger.

I don't know Sandra, what page did you see something that made you think it was Harrison?

Thanks Rae for some more LMAO funny jokes and for sharing them with us, we all need a good laugh now and then.:laugh:

I feel your pain Toni, I miss her dearly, hurry back Tracy, I don't know how much more of this I can take. {Feel-bad-0002006A}

Thats wonderful news Corrigaan and I hope it does work out for you and being local you will be able to visit with it all the time and be a part of its life before you even bring it home. Congrats to you:)

Ok you moved to another state almost 2 years ago but the plucking did not start until 3-6 months after, did anything change in the household at about that time? That is the most likely cause is something besides just the move. I would still recommend you take her in for a vet visit and get a complete workup since it has been a year or more since she has last been. You need to rule out any physical reasons for the plucking before you tackle behavioral ones. When you get the chance introduce yourself in the welcome room and tell us a little about you and Shatze, that is a lovely sounding name.

Imme, I think Falconeer was meaning to say crouch, at least my Josey kind of does a sort of crouch while slightly backing up and that is the signal that a poop is about to drop. I'm sure yours does something similar just observe them for a while and you will see the body movements just before a poop.

Did you get a bird claw under your eyelid, I don't think I remember that but then I am famous for having senior moments, when you get to my age I can blame it on that:laugh: so refresh my memory Berna!!:whistle:

Well one day soon I am gonna copy everything important I need to save and dump the rest and do a complete redo from scratch, mine has so much accumulated trash it would be impossible to weed it all out without a complete wipe out.:ohmy: :whistle:

What a wonderful idea Sandra for a shredding toy for a grey and the only thing you have to purchase is the carabiner type attachment which is inexpensive and can be used forever, thanks so much for sharing it with us. B)

I know it has been done and Alex of the Alex Foundation was one that could do that, I don't know how it took or how she did it but Irene Pepperburg was the one taught him to do that. Check with her website and the foundation for more information on how and let us know if you have any success with it.