danmcq

Chezron - I'm glad the pots and pans have resolved the problem so far. It is a good behavior modifier in our home as well. It won't work in every home with a grey that would probably help you set them out, but for the ones that do not clutter with big cold steel, it does the trick, especially when they see steam and feel the heat coming from them. The word Hot has true meaning then, supervised of course.

Looking forward to those great real-life additions with rescues to this thread.

A note on being "Authoritative" with a bird. Birds have no concept of a leader or authoritative person. A parrot dealt with in this manor is normally scared into submitting. I better description, if I understand Janet right is her "Consistency" in ensuring her Grey knows it won't be there long.... I suspect, what Janet did, was she went and retrieved her Grey a thousand times from the "Off Limits" area's while using a firm "NO!" and doing so. I have done this as well with Dayo in places we do not want him. He still may fly there every week or so and then look to see if 1) I noticed then 2) Am I on my way or 3) I say "NO!" and before I am able to get out of my chair, he flies to his roosting place and fingers his nose at me.

Yep, Dayo's dancing and whistling to it. Thanks Janet!

Chezron - Steve made great comments on possible ways to keep a grey away from off-limit areas we all have. As a note on raising your voice in a sharp emotional repsonse to your grey. A firm and loud NO for example is fine. I wrote not to scream at your bird. The difference being, one is controlled and purposeful, the other is an uncontrolled human screaming and fuming nonsense. Just a few observations based on what you have described as the behavior and the responses your grey is receiving: 1. I land on the stove and my owner comes running yelling HOT and chases me off with a round metal object. WOW, BIG FUN! I'm going to keep doing this over and over. 2. Use of the word "HOT" does that mean "Come on Back for more fun?" It may to your grey, the stove is not hot, so what is this word descrbing? First and foremost, your right. The stove is not an area you want your grey on. You are doing the right thing by removing him each and everytime he goes there. But, obviously the reation to this behavior is not working. Your also not teaching your grey the proper meaning of the word "Hot". I like Steve's idea of placing an object there he is afraid of that will keep him away. It works for many people. In our case, when Dayo was young, we caged him when cooking. We cover our stove top when not in use and the parrots run all over the counters in our kitchen and across the stove cover. Over time, the birds learned what the word hot means by getting close to our food just served and feeling the steam coming off, hot water and getting hot from the sun outside in 100 degree summertimes. When the stove cover is taken off to cook, neither will go near it with all those strange looking utensils, pots and pans and the loud over stove exhaust fan running, which is messing up their play yard. Of course, one of us is standing there every second that stove is on and when finished. It is cooled, cleaned and covered. I have made all these mistakes in the past as well. The more excited I became and reacted, I received an equal and opposite reaction of zeal on Dayos part to keep this BIG FUN party going. Unless we stop and analyse what is driving the behavior, we will rarely find the correct modfication technique to use. Believe me, I am learning as I go as well.

These Greys continue to amaze me... Now that I have picked myself up off the floor.... Dayo just made a new and clear indication of the thinking, cognitive and creative abilities our Parrots have. He knows the phrase, "Lets make a Sandwich" for lunch. He uses this almost every noon time. To show how much mental activity goes on in these amazing walnut sized brains. Asking for a sandwich and not knowing what I might to decide to make. He just changed MY behavior, when he came out with a never heard phrase before, namely "Peanut Butter Bread"! I almost fell over!!! He accurately linked the words Peanut Butter and Bread together to state what TYPE of sandwich he desired! I believe he is truly starting to understand the mechanics of the human English language and is using it for his gain. Guess what kind of sandwich I just made? :confused: A P&B of course! I want to ensure his correct communication was received, understood and responded to by my actions. Always listen to your birds, even if you think they may just be babbling. At times they are stating something and waiting to see of they get a response. If not, they may just stop trying.

What a cute and entertaining behavior you and her have developed. I totally enjoyed watching this.

Punishment is a word that brings many thoughts to mind. Each individual has their own unique perception of what that word means based on their individual life experiences. One thing everyone that just brought their first Parrot home should understand, is that a Parrot does not respond to punishment like a domesticated animal such as a Dog or Cat. They have been truly domesticated and most have a pack mentality. Meaning that they respect and look up to their pack leader. It is always the strongest, quickest and most ferocious fighter out of that pack. When it weakens, there is always a young strong contender just waiting to take them down and become the new pack leader. They are Predators and act as such. With that fact established, a bird of any sort, is a flock member and view the world and their society as such. They are all equal in every aspect. There is no pack leader. There is no striving for such as position or fights over it. They work together as team to survive. They are the prey of many animals. To be away from the flock, means certain death in most cases. Parrots do not respond to many types of punishment I read and hear of people using. They do not understand punishment and many forms of it used that create fear, anger, withdrawal and many times turn in to phobic types of behavior such as feather plucking, becoming cage bound and unfortunately many times complete distrust of humans. Ultimately they end up in the rescues labeled as "Bad Birds". One of the biggest mistakes many new Parrot owners make, is trying to punish a natural behavior that will never go away. These can be contact calls, shredding of your much loved household items, biting or perhaps a Cockatoo that greets dawn with a food tossing party. So what then works for a Parrot? First the behavior needs to be classified. Is it a natural behavior, that will never go away? Is it a learned behavior, such as aggressive biting perhaps unwittingly caused by owners trying to dominate or perhaps even pushing the bird into a corner? These are just a few of the many things to ask as you observe and try to come to a good methodology to slowly correct and minimize or stop the displayed behavior. If it is natural, it will never go away. If it is a learned unnatural behavior, you may be able to stop it completely over a long period of time. If it is an older bird you have re-homed, multiply the time and patience required by at least ten fold. Lets start with addressing a natural behavior gone wild. This is normally due to a need not being met. This could be incessant contact calling and screeching or simply the morning food tossing ritual of a Cockatoo. Natural behaviors can be somewhat minimized. This is done by dealing with the needs that must be met first. Things you must do everyday to minimize or ensure natural needs do not become out of control behavior: 1. Provide plenty of out of cage time. 2. Understand that the bird being a flock member will contact call if they can not see the flock. 3. Provide plenty of toys in the cage to keep your bird mentally challenged and active when they are caged. 4. Provide a bountiful diet of many food items available to ensure good health and enjoyable dining for your bird. 5. If your bird is cage and your in eyesight, talk to it and acknowledge it's presence and or comments. 6. Establish schedules and expectations. Your bird will learn these and know when they can expect to be fed, have out of cage time, a bath etc. Things you must not do, or you will suffer the above noted behaviors: 1. Scream at them. 2. Hit them or even tap them hard. 3. Throw items at them. 4. Ignore them for inordinately long periods of time as punishment. 5. Place them in an isolated room people are not in frequently. They are part of the flock and need the presence of you and family in view and interactive. 6. Place them in a cage for hours for punishment. If you cover them for this, it just makes it worse. 7. Place them in a dark room like a closet to punish them. The above must and must-not do's is just a short list of many. So what should you do based on a given behavior? Stop and ask yourself the following: 1. Is what I expect unreasonable or inappropriate of this behavior? 2. Is this behavior a result of an unmet need? 3. Is there a positive teaching strategy I can use instead of punishment? If the answer is yes to any of these, look for ways to change your expectations, meet your birds needs or use a positive strategy to help you and your bird come to the best agreeable outcome in the long run. Using the Cockatoo morning food tossing ritual. First, get used to it. Second, make the environment in expectation of it a win-win for you and the bird. Reduce the mess by placing cage aprons to reduce the food hitting your walls and floors. Use acrylic mats on the floor to avoid stains on carpet etc. This will reduce your stress and the birds stress of not having you become angry, perhaps frustrated and reacting by banging on the cage, yelling at them etc. to try and stop a natural behavior. This one example will result in you both enjoying the morning relaxed and happy knowing what each other expects. There is much more information to be considered when it comes to dealing with all the behaviors you will encounter with your bird. Please read books available on your specific species, visit forums such as this for help etc. But whatever you do. Please do not react violently in any way and especially not by using means of physical or mental abuse through sensory deprivation. It will only magnify the behavior.

If Pepper is molting right now, bating many times a week with water then misted real good with Aloe Juice will help that itching immensely. Since it hit the 100 mark here, Dayo and Jake have both been molting like mad. The showers and misting with Aloe have increased to match the itching that has come along with all the new pin feathers coming in.

Jesus, that would give anyone a heart attack! Thankfully, you just couldn't see the line was intact.

Praise works well for most. They love the feeling of having not only pleased you, but also that of having that great feeling of accomplishment. As your baby ages, treats will probably be needed for the first times you try to start a new behavior training. Also, as your baby ages, the favorite treats will emerge.

I had the same issue with my sire frame glases as well. After several repeated "No GLasses" as I reached up and sepearted the beak from the glasses or simply turning my head to seperate them. He stopped. BUt, this was when he was a baby. If your grey is older, it will be harder to stop.

Fresh figs are truly a tastey treat they love. Thanks for sharing the photo and video.

The first thing to do, is feed him the same foods the breeder did while weaning him. This will ensure your baby continues to eat properly when you get him home. If you wish to start changing the pellet type, do so slowly until you see Jack start eating them. Zupreem fruity is a good pellet, but some people do not like the color added. I personally feed several types of pellets and zupreem fruity and hot and spicy blend are the ones, plus Harrisons coarse. You can save a ton of money, by calling Zupreem, Kaytee, Nutriberry, Harrisons etc and asking for samples. Most of them will send some out to you. Once you see what your new baby likes, then go buy a big bag of it

This illness has been going on for 2 months. It is deeply rooted in your baby Boo now. What did the vet diagnose him with? The treatments received so far, do not seem to be effective at all, from what you have said here. Is this an avian vet with years of experience seeing and treating Parrots? I am very impressed with your tenacity and willingness to bar no costs at helping Boo. He is obviously a very strong willed fighter to have contibued on this long with that illness.

Thought I would add some actual nutritional values and percentage of Vitamin A and Calcium sources of human daily requirements each of these natural sources contain: Vitamin A Carrots (835 μg 93%) Venttani (817 μg 91%) Broccoli leaves (800 μg 89%) – broccoli florets have much less Sweet potatoes (709 μg 79%) Red Chili Peppers (613 μg 77%) Kale (681 μg 76%) Butternut squash (684 μg 76%) Spinach (469 μg 52%) Pumpkin (369 μg 41%) Collard greens (333 μg 37%) Cantaloupe melon (169 μg 19%) Eggs (140 μg 16%) Apricots (96 μg 11%) Papaya (55 μg 6%) Mango (38 μg 4%) Broccoli (31 μg 3%) Peas (38 μg 4%) Calcium Collard greens, cooked1 cup 357 Tofu, processed with calcium sulfate 4 ounces 200-330 Calcium-fortified orange juice 8 ounces 300 Turnip greens, cooked1 cup 249 Tofu, processed with nigari 4 ounces 80-230 Tempeh 1 cup 215 Kale, cooked1 cup 179 Soybeans, cooked 1 cup 175 Okra, cooked 1 cup 172 Bok choy, cooked 1 cup 158 Mustard greens, cooked 1 cup 152 Figs (dried) 144 Tahini 2 Tbsp128 Chicory 100 Broccoli, cooked 1 cup 94 Almonds 1/4 cup 89 Filberts 1/4 cup 53 Pistachios 38 Walnuts (English) 26

Different food colors = different poop colors.

Looking forward to hearing how the behavioral consultant visit went.

Happy Hatchday!!! Boy is Pepper lucky, with not only all the goodies and toys, but fireworks as well.

I enjoyed these videos. Biscotti is sure coming a long just 13 months. Thanks for sharing these.

Loved the video. Do you kiss her wings? The reason I ask, is she lifts a wing, turns her head under it and kisses. Thats one of the cutest things Ive seen a bird do.

LO, Ya got me.

Thanks Dhorje. What do you mean by "Bad Flu"? Is she actually sick with something?

Wow, I think I'll pick up 2 or 3 pairs of those. Can someone say ((((INSANE))))!

Please understand, he knows you are afraid. Talk to him in a very high, excited and friendly voice as you approach. Resolve to have no fear, don't flinch no matter what and go in with your fist balled, bent down so the skin is tight on the back of the hand and know he cannot get a bite on that area. He may try, but you can rotate your hand accordingly if he tests it. The first step, is to let him know you are not afraid. You may want to wait until the consultant you have coming over help and guide you. Every parrot learns quickly who is afraid and who's not. one flinch and your dome with mature bird that already knows human body language. That is, until you stop doing it. I'm sure others will chime in as well.