danmcq

Great photography done using Shanti as a subject. Thanks for sharing it.

GreYt idea Penny! We do indeed have many amazon owners here. Now I may just need to go rescue one of the MANY Zon's at mickaboo.com in San Jose. :-) Thanks for starting this and I am sure others will be very happy to see this.

Bernie - Brilliant? ;-) {Feel-good-0002006E}{Feel-good-000200A1}{Feel-good-0002006E}{Feel-good-000200A1}

Awww, cute photo of her relaxed and sitting relaxed with a leg up. Thanks for sharing this and it's a GreYt avatar. :-)

This is a good thread and important conversation. It is good to hear that at least your government is trying to do something about educating people on their critters or at least providing them with some information. The sad part, as already mentioned. Is people just see something cute, buy it and have no clue how to provide the correct diet, environment, training and loving home as part of the family as ALL critters need. It is a sad statement in all lands. That most rescues demand people be educated, attend classes and are screened BEFORE being allowed to take a critter home. I know many people do not like "Government" involvement and regulations. But, in my opinion, people need to be held "Accountable" for a their actions to not just other humans, but all "Creation". This needs to be proactive and beforehand. Rather than after the fact when damage is done and sometimes it results in severe cruelty and loss of life senselessly. Thanks for starting this thread and Karma!<br><br>Post edited by: danmcq, at: 2009/12/28 15:16

((((GASP)))) ((((SIGH)))) ((((Heeba Hubba Woofa)))) Bernie, Bernie, Bernie......I am speechless. I guess I will need to change your Title here to "Moderatess".

Hi David! It's GreYt hearing from you. :-) You posited the questions: Did he fear abandonment? A - There is no doubt in my mind he wondered where you had gone and if he would ever see you again. Was he relieved? A - I think he was both excited and relieved to see you back home once again. Could he "worry" about someone? A - Yes, in my opinion Have others had similar experiences? Yes and thats what I base my opinions on, is observed behavior. My wife was Hospitalized last January for 9 days. Dayo was very needy, constantly looking at all the places my wife sits in various rooms and when he would hear a car pull up and door close, start pacing, looking at the door and chirping in anticipation of "Mommy" walking in. He was more loving and interactive with me than normal and would sometimes just sit for hours preening and seemingly "reflecting" on where she was. I would constantly tell him mommy was in the "Hospital" and that she was "Ok" and would come home. He would listen intently with eyes pinning studying my facial expressions, tonal fluctuations and mood with very intense interest in trying to understand what I was telling him. Whe she came home from the hospital, he could not contain himself and stuck to her like glue for several days. She could not go anywhere without him chasing in hot pursuit, land on her shoulder and go wherever she did. If he could not, he was very apprehensive, chirping and fly back and forth wanting to get to her behind a closed door for example. Another example: I work out of town 4 to 5 days a week. When I come home and get out of my car. I hear him doing a contact call only he and I do very loudly and I return the call as I am walking up the driveway and in through the garage. The minute I walk in, he is sitting perched on his cage right next to the door and hops on me the instant I walk in the door. He then sticks to me like glue as I unpack my bags, change into comfortable clothes and put stuff away. He is truly happy to see me and missed me. When my sons or family come down once or twice a year. Dayo recognizes them and flies to them right after we have all greeted each other and says "Hello and Welcome" in his own way by landing on their shoulder and lightly touching their cheek with a little "Lick". He will not do this to new people he is not familiar with. he will sit and study them at a distance. So, I will leave you and others to come to your own opinions about my thoughts and experiences with the questions you asked. But, my belief is that they miss us, just like we miss other humans and that the memory of others stays with them their entire life.

Welcome Joe and Sampson!!! It always warms my heart to hear that someone has "rescued" a critter from a bad situation. Then to start immediately seeking help and information on how to properly care for it is even more exciting and shows you are a very responsible pet owner. :-) The others have given GreYt comments and thoughts. I am going to answer each of your questions as best I can: 1) should i let him out before he is really used to me, especially when he flys into the wall? A - Sure, as long as the room is not so big he can gain enough speed to break his neck and that you have the windows and mirrors covered. They are very smart and will learn very quickly how to fly slower, bank etc. Just make sure you do not do anything that will scare him. When afraid they panic and don't pay attention to where they are headed except away from the threat. When yo uget a chance, it would be good to buy a large T-Stand with food cups or a Tree-Stand. He will naturally target it as a safe landing spot or place to flee to. It will also teach him targeting a perching area. 2) should i clip his wings? A - As others said, this a highly debated topic as the others said. The two sides off the fence will never agree. My opinion is "NO!". It is traumatic to them and if nothing else, you don't need to add any more traumatic experiences to him at this time. He needs to know he is in a safe and loving home that he will be given the respect he deserves. 3) when i gave him some cantaloupe and cheese bits today his eyes started pinning like crazy what does that mean, is pinning eyes always a bad thing? A - He loves that stuff and you will see his eyes zooming (pinning) in and out like an auto-zoom on a camera. :-) 4) is there anything i can do now besides talking to him and hand feeding him treats? A - It sounds like you are taking things slow and with lots of love and understanding. That is the right way to introduce a bird to a new home and flock. Just keep giving him space and letting him explore and interact at his own pace, as you are. 5) is there any good bonding games? A - No games, just respect, love and always making them feel safe. You can ask him if he wants a scratch for example. If he lowers his head, he understands and may desire one or he could be playing they famous grey move of "Gimme a scratch" then when your finger touches the head, they flip it around and nail you. I look forward to hearing more from you and seeing some photos when you get a chance. :-)

LOL! It's interesting to hear that you play the same game with Shaka in regards "Complete this whistle or phrase?. I thought it was just something between myself and Dayo. But now I hear it happening in your house as well. Sometimes I will start the game and sometimes Dayo will. As they become much more fluent in whistles and phrases. The number of "complete this" increases. Now I am wondering if it is something they do naturally? Whats the password....Marco .......answer...."Polo". Ok, come on in the nest hole. <br><br>Post edited by: danmcq, at: 2009/12/28 13:52

Very cool video of Emma enjoying that new "Alex Toy". What a surprise to hear they wish to use it! I have been eyeballing that toy for a while. With Emmas approval I will now buy it. Did they offer you a percentage of all sales once they start using your video as a sales tool? Thanks for sharing this video and the exciting news. :-)

Shaka is entertaining in this video. Not sure who was whistling back to Shaka, but finally he just told them to "Come Here". I totally enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing this with us. :-)

Most of us refer to our Greys as Bat-Bird and also Pterodactyl.

Welcome Davie!! It's GreYt having you here. :-) Many of us have waited for our Grey's, just as you are. It is exciting and gives you time to prepare buying the items needed and also to get lots of advice and answers to questions. All here are more than willing to help. Looking forward to hearing more from you. :-)

It's good to hear you older Grand Daughter is listening to your wise advice Judy. I have the same issue with both my birds and the GranChildren. They move fast, act stupid and heck, even hurt themselves doing it. No wonder our birds are wise enough to know they are a threat. :-) My oldest grand children ranging from 12 to 16 all can interact with both birds and even Jake the suspected wild caught conure will fly to her shoulder now. :-) Now - I want to see some phtoo's of Sunny!!! :-)

A wood burning fireplace is safe, but only as long as: 1. The wood is seasoned and burns well. 2. Any wood you may keep in your home needs to be bird safe only. 3. The fireplace must have a good draft or closed glass doors to ensure your home does not get smokey. 4. It is not an insert with a "Hot Box" jutting out into the room a bird can land on and burn their feet severely. I have burned both wood and gas fireplaces and they are safe as long as you pay careful attention to the above items.<br><br>Post edited by: danmcq, at: 2009/12/27 20:45

Welcome Anib! It's GreYt having you here. :-) It is always a joy to hear of someone that has taken in a grey in need of a new home. As Jill said, time and patience is # 1. The next thing to do is use positive reinforcement to get her to do things because she wants to and is comfortable with it. At 3 she is still very young and easier to train than a much older bird. Use her favorite treats to work on step-up. This may be nuts like almonds, walnuts or a seed like sunflower and most love grapes and apples. Offer the treat on the other side of the arm you wish her step-up on so she must step on to your arm to get it. She will not of course at first probably. So go towards her with the treat in hand across you other arm and as she leans or comes closer to get that treat, reward her and praise her with sincerity. They pick up on your feelings. If your happy, they relax, if your stressed, they become stressed and fearful. The previous owners made getting off the floor and-or put back in the cage a stressful experience for her every time by toweling her. She has nothing but bad memories therefore of being picked up and put back in her cage. Thus, she has learned it is better on her on power, when she wishes to.

Dhorje gave some good advice on pre-moving slow paced things you can do to try and get your grey prepared for the move. I might add, be excited and happy as you include your grey in the packing and boxing. Perhaps get a small travel cage, put some toys he loves in it and just take him outside for 10 minutes and let him learn "It's ok". Also take him to your car in the travel cage and just drive around a little. Maybe visit someone your grey knows. The most important thing is to be calm and speak to him in your reassuring voice and loving facial expressions that you know calms and soothes him. SFSailor - All you can do at this point is be reassuring to your grey. Get some favorite toys outside the cage and sit and plat with him. A land bound house is a completely different environment with no salt air, slapping wave sounds and boating rocking. It will take a while for your grey to get used to the new environment. Looking forward to hearing updates and ideas on this thread. :-)

Those bites do hurt. You will learn very quickly how to read his body language and avoid them, rather than take them. :-) You have done a wonderful thing in taking this grey in that just needed a good loving home to help him see that life can be good with the right humans.

Wow Janet, that is a huge accomplishment! Congratulations and thanks for being such a large contributor here. :-)

What a wonderful thread you started Penny. :-) The photo's others have contributed so far are a joy to see. I almost rescued a DYHA before deciding to get my Grey. The rescues are full of them due to uneducated people (in terms of Parrots)buying them like they do puppies. Then when the baby grows into an adult that becomes more aggressive and starts biting, they dump them. They are a very gregarious species, as most new world Parrots are and fear nothing it seems. Thats what makes them such a wonderful "No Fear" creature thats game for anything. The last birdmart we went to, had some Zon's. As we were sitting outside taking a break and enjoying the beautiful day. A family came out rolling along a new cage with a DYHA in it. As it rolled down the walkway, each time they passed someone. The Zon would gleefully say " Hieeee, Hieeeee, Hieeee" in the thrill of being on it's way to a new home in a large cage. I look forward to following this thread. :-)

Ive seen it before and it always brings a smile. Thanks for posting this. :-)

Congratulations on bringing your new Grey home. Francis sounds like one very sweet grey that has accepted change very well so far. Thanks for updating this thread and looking forward to hearing more and seeing photos. :-)

What a wonderful photo journal of your last few days. Thanks for taking the time to provide these photos and description of where you are and whats going on. I thoroughly ejoyed this. :-)

Awww, GreYt photos of your soon to have baby Grey. A Merry Christmas to you and family as well. :-)

It's good to hear he is no longer fearful of the perch's. He will cautiously venture on to them as his confidence builds. Since he is clipped, he does naturally have a fear of falling off anything that seems even the slightest unstable until he learns how to properly hang on to something that moves and swings. heck even flighted birds will stay away from a perching spot they find to by unstable for that matter until they get used to it. GreYt photos and enjoyed the video. :-)