danmcq

It is a natural behavior for any parrot to contact call when they can not see their flock. There is no way to stop this instinct. They will eventually stop for example, if they know you left the house. But, if they know you are inside or visible outside, they will contact call.

Unfortunately, you can do nothing to quell that curiosity and burning desire a Grey has for whatever item it is. When the inevitable moment in time comes that they see that place or item, they will go for it. Not only is the item exciting to them, so are the the actions we perform and they react to. I can not count the times over the last three years I have gone to the same place, same item and told Dayo no and removed him or taken the forbidden item away. I guarantee you that cage time outs, loud NOOOOoooooooo's (I've screamed at the top of my lungs in desperation and frustration), a million retrievals etc. will ever stop the desire and thrill they get out of whatever it is. Now, we do our best here to either make forbidden items unavailable, covered or in our possession so he can not get to them. You may have noticed in some of my videos, the refrigerator has a large towel draped over the top. Thats due to the same issue you have. Dayo loves landing there and would at times chew the rubber door seal. I will say, punishment and cage time outs will not quench the desire for forbidden fruit at all. Also, yes, when I try to take an item away from Dayo, say a pair of nail clippers, he does his best football moves, ducks, weaves, runs, fly's, beak to foot, beak to foot, and sooner or later normally nails me, many times as I am turning around and he fly's down and gives a tear rendering pinch right in the back of the neck. I now sneak things like that out and use them when or where he can not see me or he'll drive you nuts trying to get them. So good luck in your learning process of dealing with a normal parrot thats loves to get into stuff just like a young human child, oh...don't blink, they are into something again.

I just can not get enough real world books to read on Greys. I love books like this, just as I did Alex and Me. They are each unique books with stories of living with an African grey. They are not a book like the MANY out there written by breeders that have all the "How To's" in them. I read a few of them before Dayo came home and I must say yawned through them all. WE all know how to care for our Greys and are experiencing real world events with them living our lives together. No two are the same, just like people, they have unique personalities, different living environments and the dynamics of all that makes each a story to be written in my opinion. So write a book on Emma, write a book on Harvey and I'll keep writing on Dayo whether it turns out just to be a journal for the next owner or a book. I doesn't matter to me either way. What does matter to me is the next owner of Dayo will know HIS personality and expectations. I believe the reason we all belong to this forum, is because we crave hearing about all the other Greys and having a strong and caring group of people to share with and learn from. I had to wait 3 weeks to get the book. It was just released on the 20th. I Hope you can all get a copy soon. If you love reading and especially about a grey written by a college professor with a hilarious sense of humor, yet holds a phd, you'll love this book. She also has a facebook page with a login name of Cosmo Talks, just like her website. I found her on facebook and began having great conversations with her about 2 months ago. She has MANY friends that comment and she very actively replies. She is a wonderful spirit. I wish she would have been one of my college professors. There just are not out there that teach, yet do so by getting all actively interested in her topic using her fascinating personality and Cosmo as a sidekick some days.

This book is wonderful. Just read Chapter One...Wow! Dr, Pepperberg wrote the Preface on this book. They are friends. Here are photos of the book.. Cover Photo Pepperberg ending comment Photo of part of page 1 Well, I see I need to type the intro-conversation between Cosmo and Betty Jean Craige (BJC): Cosmo: Where wanna Go? BJC: Betty Jean wanna go to work. Cosmo: Cosmo wanna go to work, ok? BJC: No. Cosmo stay home. Cosmo stay home with doggies. Cosmo: Okay. Doggies! Come here! (Cosmo whistles) BJC: Godd bye. I love you. Cosmo: Good bye. I love you. Betty Jean be back soon, ok?

Wow, at such a young age, Nilah has a great vocabulary. Thanks for sharing this Penny.

What a great story. Bird Paradise is pretty much a one of a kind. I wish all the large petstores would model after them. It is not only good for the birds, it's good for the people too in an educational sense. Thanks for sharing this Penny!

Awwwww, too cute. They are wonderful to see at that age.

I put approximately a cup of veggies each day. The reason so much? Waste... I always mix up Broccoli, carrots, legumes, oat groats, Yam, Kale etc. He will rummage through and toss what he does not want that day, take a nibble out of say a carrot, toss it, then pick up another carrot, nibble toss.....you get the picture. Also, I throw away all veggies or fruit not eaten in a few hours. I would not reccomend trying to save it by placing it back in the fridge. Fruit like apple, grapes etc. I only give a small portion 2 to 3 times a week mixed in with his veggies. Seed, I fill the large stainless bowl about half way, He eats what he wants out of it and I toss it the next morning and refill again. Why, same reasons as above, he will eat different seeds, nuts, dried fruit etc. one day out of it and leave the rest or drop it through the grate or toss it out to the dogs.

Your a GreYt Parront! I hope this avian vet helps get to the bottom of the feather destruction.

Was he on your shoulder when she came in and gave you a hug? The reason I ask, is if they feel threaten, they will nip the other grey in the wild for example to get them to "Lift Off" because there is a perceived threat. Your the "Other".

Great flight video.

I give my Grey Kaytee Fiesta Blend seed mix. It has good quality seeds, nuts, almonds in the shell, some nutriberries, died fruit etc. in it. I also provide a bowl of vegetables, a bowl of harrisons pellets and of course a bowl of water. He migrates between all of the when he fancies. In my opinion, a grey will not over eat, some species such as Amazons will.

I would reccomend the exact formual, as Jay indicated as well. I would also recommend you go to the kaytee link I provided and not browse the web looking for information. There is a lot of bad advice out there, in my opinion.

Oh no, poor Grey and owner. I hope they are re-united soon.

Great story Jill. They should reward your valor and concern over one of our pametary Avian friends in need of a rescue to to our building designs not taking such creatures in to consideration.

It's ok. It's is not that hard to spoon feed them, it's a little messy at times as the wildy bob their head up and down, but you'll get the hang of it. You can find Kaytee Exact on the shelves of your local petstore. There is also a great tutorial on doing this at kaytee's website: http://www.kaytee.com/pet-birds/general-care/hand-feeding.htm

Sorry, but I must join the corus of laughter heard round the world now as well. Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha ... deep breath, wipe the tears ...... Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha You'll be "Ok". Thanks for sharing this!!!

Our Grey does the same, especially when he knows he is going back in the cage. We do the same as you. We sooth him with loving words, give head scratches and the he will step up willingly. I see nothing wrong with giving them a little loving before they submit to going back to the cage. That way it is a postive experience, versus a hitler type "You will obey!". However, there are those times we don't have time to love him up, then we do the Hitler method.

Jay is right. Also, many birds will continue wanting a spoon feeding of formula or other warm substance like infant baby food etc. Some even continue wanting it for months or years. There is absolutely nothing wrong with giving it to them. They at times ignore the spoon as you say. But other times, love it and consume it.

GreYt example of cognition! I love this story, thanks for sharing it.

We lock Dayo's cage for the same reason. It is just too dangerous in my opinion for a parrot to be out unsupervised. If my bird gets an attitude over that, so be it. I would rather have a living birds when I get home, rather than the alternative. There are many things dangerous to a bird, like power cords for one (They love chewing on) that would mean instant death if bitten through. I am not being mean, just honest regarding my thoughts on this.

Awww, thanks all you folks! I will cut dad some slack when he gets home, well ... maybe for a minute or two.

You learn as you go, don't worry about it. You and he are learning each others boundaries, body language, rules, expectations and charachteristics. Only time and patience with a lot of love on top will get this all settled down into a symbiotic existence.

Wow, what a GreYt story. Thanks for sharing this Jill.

WOW!!! Beautiful walk and photos Julie. Thanks for sharing these.