danmcq

We use a variable speed nail grinder. Dayo does not like it, but it works great. Sometimes when just the tips are pin point sharp, he does let my wife use her nail file on them and he seems to enjoy that interaction with her. He of course does beak it and try to take it away from her as well. But, it is always a positive experience versus the demon from hell nail grinder.

LOL Steve! Dayo has the same attitude as well. I suspect it is a grey superiority trait.

Thanks for sharing this. Those holes would be something to certainly watch out for and plug with little rubberized plugs yoy can purchase at a hardware store. The only problem is, once anna bella finds those plugs, she will enjoy popping them out one by one.

Thanks for this update Karen. It sounds like you and Sam have given him such a warm and loving home, that he will continue to blossom and realize that all humans are not evil walking giants that scare and inflict pain or terror. I wish everyone that takes in a rehomed grey had the wisdom and patience you have.

Love this photo! Thanks for sharing it.

What a nice Christmas picture card. I hope you had a blessed day and from the looks of these photos, all in your home did indeed..

They will by fine.

Totally enjoyed the video and a ho ho ho meery Christmas back to you and anna bella! I would love to see more videos of anna bella

Hi Heather! As you have seen by the others posts many greys hate baths with Dayo included. I use a spray bottle in the winter just like you with the adjustable nozzle while he is in his cage. Then clean the cage afterwards. IN the summertime, both dayo and jake are rolled outside int here cages and I use a hose with nozzle attached adjusted to mist and soak them and cages good. Dayo will also get in a bowl or pan if he is in the bath mood and get his breast and head soaked whilst flapping his wings. You may want to pursue the pan and splash you hand or finger around in the water and maybe even lace a small toy or ice cube in the water to peak her interest. Normally once they touch the water you'll start seeing the feathers fluff and they will just get in at some point. I personally do not believe greys in the wild bath very often, but thats just my opinion. 80 percent of greys have a strong aversion to water unless they instigate it themselves.

T'was the night before Christmas, when all through the tree, the birdies and parrots were all filled with glee, The clutches were snuggled in their down feathered nests, while vision of flight, sent them all soaring west. Fresh millet sprays had been hung with great care, with hopes that "Old Scarlet" (Parrot St. Nick) soon would be there. The Conures and Amazons had all settled down, but those crazy cockatoos were still hopping around. When high in the tree tops, a ruckus arose, I thought I should check, just to see what goes. Peeking through branches, leaves lit by the moon, I thought I was dreaming it looked just like noon! When what to my wondering eyes should there be, but a flock of eight Grey's with Red Tails shining landing in the next tree. Gliding behind, holding reins in his beak, I spied the red bird, with a blush on his cheek. He whistled and squawked, calling each one by name, buoyed by a breeze, as closer they came. Now Talon, now Josey, now Dayo and Ana Grey, on Corky, on Alfie, on Marcus and Roscoe. To the top of the palms, to the top of trees tall, now fly away, fly away, fly away all! I watched as they circled the green jungle maze, and thought for a second I'd lost sight, I was in such a daze! But, soon they appeared, drawing a basket behind, which was filled with new toys of the bright, shiny kind. Back to my branch I climbed mighty quick, I'd heard of Old Scarlet, surely this was no trick! He carefully perched by an old snoring grey, while I fretted and wondered if he'd get scared away. He wasn't even distracted when the parakeet sneezed. He hung the new whirlygigs, sighed and looked pleased. Standing proud and quite stately, he filled me with trust; but I felt ashamed, his feathers were covered with cockatoo dust. He paused, just a moment, fluffed and preened in a stoop, turned around slowly, saying "At least it's not poop." Then he laughed out loud--like a real human being. I blinked my eyes twice, at what I was seeing. He picked up a peanut and tossed it my way. "Here's a small Christmas treat. Don't get spoiled, okay?" He strutted back to the basket, put a strap round each wing, chirped at his flock, who started to sing. Their tones were so perfect, they were magically dear. I was sure it was Memorex or a choir quite near. The melody lingered, for a moment or two, but I caught one last glimpse, before they flew. His eyes were so merry, twinkling with impish delight. His charming ways had brightened this long Christmas night. As upward they soared, toward the golden round moon, I heard every word, he joyfully crooned. "Merry Christmas to all, peace, joy and cheer. Be good little birdies. I'll see you next year!" Author Unknown (edit a little by danmcq)

Great update and it's good to hear you received many answers from your vet. One note on red tears. It is not normal, but greys do produce them from the highest of anxieties possible which causes small capillaries in the eye to burst from the blood pressure and cause the red tear(s). This means your grey is very nervous. The majority of it may be coming from placing him in s new cage he is a afraid of which means he feels like he is surrounded by terror. It may be a good idea to place him back in his other cage and [lac e new new cage close enough, with Door open so he can become used to it by exploring when he feels comfortable with that. The other cage may be small, but it is home and his security blanket right now with all these changes over the last weeks in home, parronts, furnishings and strange sights. One thing to always know about introducing anything new to a grey is very slowly and from a distance so they can check it out and become used to it over time as you slowly bring it nearer and nearer their cage or favorite perching spot.

The same wishes and thoughts to you as well Dave and all the members here.

Great story of the application of newtons law using an item other than an apple. Thanks for sharing this.

Totally enjoyed the video. Thanks for sharing it and looking forward to seeing many more.

She is beautiful and seems right at home. Thanks for sharing these.

Ajax will have his own level of socialization. Much of that will depend upon how often and how many different people come to your home and hang out. Greys are very empathic and know a persons feelings the instant they walk in the door and minute by minute as moods swing from happy to sad to nervous to angry etc. and will respond in appropriate reciprocation. It does not matter if the visitors are interested in becoming closer to Ajax or not. The most important thing, is him just getting used to meeting new people and watching how humans behave and socialize together and that they are not a threat to him. The more often you have visitors, the better. Ajax will decide who he likes and who he will just watch from a distance. It just takes time for him to assimilate all this. Also, if anyone is interested in getting closer to Ajax, you need to make certain you advise them on how to interact with a parrot and go Slooooowww based upon Ajax, not the persons desire to just get up close and personal immediately.

Congrats!!!! Thats how all learn, trial and error. Looking forward to those photos!

We use cotton rope toys with wooden blocks, beads etc, on them. However, we monitor them constantly to ensure any frayed strings are snipped off immediately and once the rope is looking worn we toss it. I use a lot of chain that is too small for talons to get caught in and also Leather as Ray mentioned. Leather is wonderful and they will spend hours untying knots if you tie several down the length of a strip. Dayo will sometimes sit on my lap and untie 10 knots in a strip of leather, then drop it, look at me, I tie them all again and he works it until all are once again removed. I suppose it's like a puzzle to them.

Amen!! Just got nailed this morning closing the seed door, no physical indication from Dayo he was going to bite. He is too smart for that and is faster than the speed of light. Some become very proficient at NOT telegraphing their bites. I'm not perfect either, but I do know any bird could not have a better home, other than in the wild. Also, welcome to all that have recently joined the Parrot Bite me Club". Everyone becomes a member sooner or later.

Considering in the wild where they come from, the night is anything but quite with all types of noises that would send me scammering up a tree and never going to sleep until I could see what was out there. Yet these resilient and robust creatures learn to tune out the background noise and only awaken when a noise they know means eminent approaching danger and alert to it. The same is true with all the creatures in our homes. They learn the background noises very rapidly.

A lot (not all) of professional trainers like you see in zoo's and shows actually deprive them of enough food that they will do anything for it. They learn very quickly that show time = their favorite food and as much of it as they perform each sequence of the performance. Some greys and other birds for that matter actually enjoy pleasing people by viewing their reactions as a reward, but that is the exception, not the rule.

Oh yeah, orbits are BIG FUN!!!

Hi Spooky!!!! It's great to see you back again and with a newly rehomed tag as well. It sounds like you are doing everything correctly with generous amounts of time and Patience letting the new fid on the block become used to the flock, humans and surroundings. I look forward to the updates on this.

GreYt news, congratulations!

Eye pinning is normal and is done when they are 1) adjust visual range while looking at an object 2) adjust for lighting 3) pinning at your hand as you approach for a step-up. #3 is what most people are referring to when the say to watch for eye pinning. As others have said and you also indicated, there are different types of growls. The I'm afraid or back off growl is unmistakable. Feather fluffing can be back-off and can also be I love you and am relaxed. It's just a matter of knowing which situation it is i.e. if your approaching for a step-up and feathers fluff, head goes down and eyes pin, STOP! If it's when your talking to them and just chilling, they are relaxing and happy with goose bumps.