danmcq

Welcome Samantha and Flock! It's always a joy to hear of someone like you taking in birds in need of a good loving home. Truly enjoyed you comments and photos. Looking forwarding to hearing and seeing a lot more.

I'm certain it took you by surprise and was hilarious at the moment. Until the realization set in that the words could come out while you may have guests over it would repulse or suspect you cuss a lot. It's good to hear it is not a constant exclamation. After not hearing for a while, it will go back in to the lesser used phrases and you can also replace words that sound similar and they will use those instead. I had to replace a few words I used to exclaim when upset with "Shoot!" and "God Dangit". This only took a month or so to become Dayos exclamation when something happened that upset him like dropping a toy or slipping while climbing around.

LOL, very cute! Thanks for sharing it.

LOL! Totally understandable with such an appealing sound.......... to a Parrot!!

Hahahahahaha, "Catch an Emma by the Toe". :-) I always enjoy these videos. Dayo perked up listening and invited Emma over to "Get the paper" he was busily shredding. Thanks for sharing this.

Yes, he wants be "With" you guys, not in the cage. If you want to keep him in the cage while you are present and in view. It will take time, but you are going to just have to ingnore him completely. I understand there are times you just don't want him with you. But, is there any reason he can't be out with you? Just asking.

I have pasted the reply I posted in your training room thread on this same topic: There is a difference between calling you when you leave the room or are in view, but they cannot get to you i.e locked in cage or non-flighted and need help to get down. Contact calling is normal behavior for any bird. As they age, it will normally become less, but many times, not completely stop. When you are in view and they just want out or want to come to you. Those are verbal expressions of that desire, not checking to track where you are by contact calls. These too will lessen as they mature and know you aren't going to respond immediately. It helps if you use a term like "Just a minute" or "Just wait ". That will over time indicate you acknowledge their request and you'll get to them. If there is no "Normal" time or phrase you establish that is linked to your words. The calls will just keep being repeated because they have no clue how long or if you will come and release them from the cage or get them off a perching area if not flighted. Your Grey is still very young and it seems may be taking a real shine to Kate, much like my grey to my wife. If she leaves the room, he fidgets, paces, makes his endearing baby peeps, a couple of shrieks, then settles down saying to himself Mommies in the bedroom or bathroom or garage.... Then starts preening patiently unless he decides to come and get entertained by me. This is not true in all birds, especially not true in other species like "Too's" that will call non-relenting until they get you where they want you. I hope this gives you a few ideas on how to deal with this. I will say, I return call to my Grey simply to acknowledge I hear him and I am still in the house. I do know, that he knows the difference. If I go outside, he does not contact call at all. He knows I am gone and sits in his favorite perching area until I come back in.

There is a difference between calling you when you leave the room or are in view, but they cannot get to you i.e locked in cage or non-flighted and need help to get down. Contact calling is normal behavior for any bird. AS they age, it will normally become less, but many times, not completely stop. When you are in view and they just want out or want to come to you. Those are verbal expressions of that desire, not checking to track where you are by contact calls. These too will lessen as they mature and know you aren't going to respond immediately. It helps if you use a term like "Just a minute" or "Just wait ". That will over time indicate you acknowledge their request and you'll get to them. If there is no "Normal" time or phrase you establish that is linked to your words. The calls will just keep being repeated because they have no clue how long or if you will come and release them from the cage or get them off a perching area if not flighted. This is not true in all birds, especially not true in other species like "Too's" that will call non-relenting until they get you where they want you. I hope this gives you a few ideas on how to deal with this. I will say, I return call to my Grey simply to acknowledge I hear him and I am still in the house. I do know, that he knows the difference. If I go outside, he does not contact call at all. He knows I am gone and sits in his favorite perching area until I come back in.

Hahahahahahahahaha. Now thats what I call Chaos! Maybe the "Crack" has something to do with it.

It's good to hear Mojo is receiving treatment. Looking forward to hearing updates on the progress.

HI Bernie! Good to see you back in action once again.

LOL Kihei. Nice play on words. Never received "C'iquer" training. But have given my dogs and Dayo "Clicker" training.

Wow, beautiful photos! Thanks for sharing them.

Journeyman, Yes, theres another Cosmo! Also seems to be as smart as yours. I got the book on Betty Jeans website www.CosmoTalks.com through the initial link posted there before it was actually in print. They did run out for a little while due to the huge demand when it released, but seem to have produce a new batch very quickly. Amazon.com is one of the sales points Betty Jean reccommends and it seems from Janets post that Amazon has them in stock. I also really liked Dr. Pepperbergs comment in her ending sentence " Remember that such an exceptional bird, requires an exceptionally equal owner".

Welcome Syndicate and Chicken! It's GreYt having you here. It's always good to hear of a grey finding a new and loving home that appreciates him. It is also good to see when the new owner reaches out to a new group of Grey owners for frienship and discussions. I loved the video and the way he dynamically interacts with the surroundings. Much of what he is saying seems to be in context with whats going on. Like the "What are you doing" as he stares at the camera direction. The "Shut Up!" after the loud dog bark etc. He also seems to use two different voices, one of a man and one of a woman. He actually looks pretty good considering the butcher job you describe. Those feathers will all slowly molt out over time and be replaced with full and beautiful feathers. Thanks for the great introduction and looking forward hearing and seeing a lot more from you.

Hi Journeyman, I am truly sorry you feel that way. Sometimes when a post with a difficult question comes up. Many read the post, but never reply. I must say I am guilty of this as well. I had to burn a few brain cells to give your concerns and questions a true deserved answer. The cage door hinge bolts - Use "Nylocks" nuts on it. You can tighten them to where the hinge will still work properly, but when your parrot tries to turn the nut, the entire bolt will spend, not the nut. This will solve that issue. The second way of escape is more difficult to fix, without disabling yourself from being able to open the food bowl doors from the outside. But, you can permenately bolt those closed and disable the "Lift-Up" block for the bowls so you can change the bowls from the inside. You already have the padlock figured out on the latch side of the cage door. I hope this helps and apologise for not initially putting more thought into a solution that hopefully will work.

Beautiful photo of Charlie. He is really looking good! Thanks for sharing this.

One other thought, since you live in a seemingly huge house. Turn one room into a parrot room with all the chewing, thrashing toys you want to hang up with some ropes, swings, tree stands etc. You could then let her play all day inthere and get all the chewing out of her system while in there. Then hopefully when you come home and let her out. she will be more focused on interactions with you, rather than streching her wings and hell bent on getting a lot of action in while shes out.

You do not sound like a bad parront to me at all. You sound like a very carring person that loves Koko so much you are at a point you have willing to go through a lot of emotional pain for her benefit. Our grey is in the cage as well all day and fully flighted. He is always happy to see my wife get home and an't wait for her to open that cage door. He hangs upsidedown, flaps his wings and makes baby chirps to hurry her up. He too is a challenge to get in the cage, unless we ensure he is nice and comfy after sitting for hours with one of us and is in that fluffed up and hunkered down mode. Then we simply have him step up, then place our hand over his back very lightly so he can not fly and walk him quickly to his cage. I must admit, he sometimes does nip a little, but not aggresive enough to draw blood....normally. The reason I am telling you this, is I do not for one minute believe he would be happier in a home he would be out all day. He loves us very much and threats over where we are even if we walked out of sight for only a few seconds. It would also be hard to find a home that someone is there all day, other than a retired person or a stay at home mom that may or may not return to the workforce at any time they need the income. I am positive that you will do what you think is right for Koko and are not making a decision yet, as you weigh the pros and cons out carefully. I look forward to hearing more from you on this topic. :0

I agree, all birds for that matter benefit greatly from direct sunlight or when not avaliable in the winter, full spectrum lighting. Greys, as others pointed out are prone to calcium deficiency, many times not due to calcium not being in their diet, but D3 missing due to no sun or full spectrum lighiting which is essential for calcium absorbtion.

I had the same thoughts and dillemma as you before deciding. I was leaning towards a timneh, fell in love with a congo and it's all history now. As a whole, the Timneh population percentage wise, does seem less phobic and a little more layed back. BUT - Theres no guarantee an individual Timneh will be. It will develope it's own personality. My Congo is not phobic and a joy to live with....well except for the occasional bite. But, a Timneh will bite just as well. So go with your heart and also if possible, let the Grey choose you.

LOL, funny video! Dayo does the same thing, with his head in a coffee can. Thanks for sharing this.

Same question as lyn...Is that coming out of his nares? If so, your grey has a possible infection or other health issue.

Get video Lyn! "Oh Sweetheart", back at ya. Thanks for sharing this video.

What wonderful news Sheila!!! Your example of going to any extent is a good one for us all. I would definitely tkae the misting slowly, but I would certainly try it and see how it goes. The Aloe Juice will sooth him even more, if your successful in getting him to go through it without getting upset. Fingers crossed for a fully feather and flighted bird soon!