Darci

Good afternoon all I had to buy a smaller cage for my grey as we are moving cross-country in a week and the airline wouldn't take her cage so it's going with the movers. I've been trying to get her accustomed to it, but when I put her in she's miserable. That and she can't figure out how to get out of it. She just walks around the top over and over and she gets so stressed out I have tried showing her with my hand or using a perch to show her but she flips out at the perch and just seems too stressed to figure it out. I wish there was some other way! Does anyone have any tips? Would it be inappropriate to put her in her travel carrier (soft sided) to sleep at night? She's always slept in her cage, she's never had a roosting cage or anything like that. I am not sure how nights will go with this new one. I feel awful for my poor baby.

I am in Canada, and on the CITES appendix, the CAG is listed as a II, meaning I need an export and re-export license. I still have a lot of research to do, when I make it back to Alberta I know of a parrot enthusiast group that meets once a month. I think I am going to join up and see what they might know.

hey all I was looking for a list of nations that allow people to bring an African Grey with them, but I can't seem to find one. I don't plan to be nomadic forever but I would like to teach in a few countries before I settle and I was wondering if there is a list of countries that are amenable to a person bringing a Congo African Grey with them and what the requirements would be. I have a good offer standing in China but right now I am leaning towards South Korea or Thailand. This is still in the infant stages of planning though, wouldn't be for at least a year and more than likely two. thanks, all Darci & the beasts

I had a few fire alarms with my quaker and would have to run to grab a towel to get him out of his cage (something I would normally never do) so maybe a towel close to the cage is a good idea just in case? fire and air quality sensitivity means seconds definitely matter. My cats would run under the couch and I stayed to get them out. I think in a real alarm that could have spelled disaster but I could never just leave them. There was one real alarm and I saw the fire fighters come out with a garbage bag that had a bunny in it. super sad stuff.

I am told that the one I am adopting tells herself "you're alright" when she's frightened and has learned to self-soothe. Wow. What amazing creatures they are. She is only 5 years.

I am not sure if this is the right forum, but I saw this video on YouTube and I HAD to share. It made me laugh soooo hard yesterday

what kind of stuff is safe or unsafe for her to shred? I would have thought that plastic straws would be dangerous. The more I think about it, the more excited I get, I can't wait to spoil her with veggies and her fave - bananas... I had a quaker who would never eat that stuff. She is going to eat like a queen. This would really be a dream come true, and something I have wanted for a very, very long time. are CAGs generally kosher with being held? what about with other people? I saw some articles on-line that said TAGs are better suited to homes with more people. It is just me right now but I may want kids in the future and it most certainly won't always be just me. thanks for the info all

hello all I am posting to say hello and get some general information from anyone who has something to share. I am a 31 year old female, and I have been around birds (from finches and canaries to macaws and cockatoos) since I was 9. I have wanted an African Grey since I was 10-11 and I think I will be welcoming in a 5 year old female congo african grey in the next three weeks! I met her today and she is very shy (she nipped me, but I knew that would be a possibility). I am familiar with care, diet etc but I was wondering what any of you might be able to tell me as far as advice, training etc? I have owned lovebirds, cockatiels and recently a quaker but never a bird of this calibre. I have handled many, many large birds but never been owned by one. I was looking up clicker training videos so I will probably take that tack with her, does anyone have advice on that? As well, she didn't bite hard today but I definitely did flinch which I know is bad. How do you deal with CAGs as they adapt and settle in? is there a way to prevent being bitten? I don't want her to be the kind of bird I can't handle, though her current owners say she just takes time to warm up (which makes sense). My biggest fear in this is having a bird I can't interact with or can't handle. I don't believe in rehoming birds unless there are absolutely no other options. She was taking food from my hand today and that's definitely a really good sign. She's remarkably well adjusted considering she lives in a garage and has two pretty poor toys. The owners spend time with her, but they keep her there because "they're getting rid of her anyway" - I don't see how that would matter but I guess it's irrelevant. There are lots at my house though, and a play gym to boot!! And as for toys, does anyone have some good recommendations for foraging and/or other toys that CAGs would like? I spend a lot of time at home but I want to teach her to be happy when I do have to be away during the day for work. Other than that, hello all from Darci & Shadow! (and two marvellous cats)