danmcq

Ok, I have read everyones opinion on this and each person views it in their own perspective and what they describe their "methodologies" as such training, parenting, parronting, teaching, disciplining, behavior modification... and on and on. The bottom line is everyone gives their birds some type of physical or verbal feedback, to indicate whether the birds actions are acceptable or not. Everyone has their own level of tolerance of light to firm nibbles on the ear, grabbing glasses, biting buttons and punching holes in shirts etc. Everyone decides if they wish to allow shouldering or not based upon their opinion of whether any behavior is acceptable or not. We each have different levels of behavior allowed. So, I will add what I call "Dan's" methodology. Our birds are allowed on our shoulders. As they first started getting on the shoulder, they received feedback on their action based on what we thought either needed positive or negative feedback. Too hard of a nibble and they were talked to or removed. A light nibble got them a "thats better". A bite got them immediately shoosed off and they remained off for a while. Light loving nibbles are allowed. I don't wear button shirts unless I want some buttons cracked in half or missing. I wear T Shirts that I don't mind an occasional hole punched in. No earrings, necklaces etc. unless you or your wife wish them to be removed or chewed on. Now, Dan's interpretation of a shoulder birds actions: 1. Pull ear to the left, I turn left. 2. Push in to the right, I turn right. 3. Pull my glasses frame back, I stop. 4. Push my glasses frame forward, I go. 5. Wing slapping me on the side, I go faster. So call these methodologies what you wish. It all boils down to cause and effect, negative or positive, the bird or you lives or dies.

Alfie is one sharp cookie. Those grey brains are always assimilating and processing information. His actions you described make perfect sense and clearly showed you he has moved his chess piece and is just waiting and watching for your next move.

LOL, what a little stinker Marco is. Thats just too cute to ignore.

Thanks for the video, it says it all. That is a little baby sound that will go away as your baby becomes older. I miss that endearing sound. Believe me, you will know a growl or scream when you here one. African grey growl: African grey screams:

Welcome Georgie and flock! It's GreYt having you here and I look forward to hearing and seeing some photos or videos you may have to share as well. Thanks for sharing your website. You have some beautiful tiels your breeding there.

Hey, when your parrots eat dinner with you, it is then you realize they own you!

That does indeed sound like a happy reaction to your return.

LOL guys! I edited that...thanks!

Nice! Jasper is one sharp cookie!

Great topic Nancy! There are so many things to take in to account it will be good to see everyone's comments on this.

Welcome iffkica, it's Greyt having you here. As many first time grey owners do, you made a small mistake by allowing puki free rein by leaving the cage door open 24/7. To ensure we humans and greys get along and in a safe environment, we set the expectations for them. The cage is new and different to puki as well as your home and every item in it. It is important that you leave puki in the cage when you are gone for her safety and also as the place she will soon look at as her safe place she can chill or play in. It may take her a while to get used to new toys as you described before she decides to go near and check them out. As others mentioned, paper wadded up, maybe a small card board box on the bottom of the cage etc. will give her something she will take to quickly and have fun shredding it up. We have a ton of good articles on this forum. Please explore and look for them as you have questions for quick reading. here is on on toys you may find helpful: http://www.greyforums.net/forums/showthread.php?104327-Introducing-new-Toys.

I personally still use small snack size ziplock baggies. However, we recycle all our plastics, cardboard, metals etc.

Thats a good experience for you both. You will have good days and bad. The important thing to keep doing is being consistent with your interactions and trying to control your emotions when things are not working on a day he just decides he wants to be left alone. Believe me, every grey has days they wish to just chill on their own and they will decide when some closer interaction is desired on their terms.

Avian Sun is a good avian light source. There are many different manufactures that make great avian specific compact fluorescent and also tubes. I personally use dual Lumichrome 1xx 24 inch 32 watt tubes suspended above my birds cages. Each bird owner must determine which type of fixture, fluorescent and mounting provides the optimum exposure for their application and environment. Here are a few other avian light manufacturers: bioLIGHT LT48BE8 5000 K 98 OTT bioLightsystems Lumichrome 1XC or XX 5000 K 96 Lumiram ` TL950 Series 5000 K 98 Philips Lighting Vita Lite Supreme 5500 K 96 Duro-Test

Love these updates. Is your grey growling at you in the photo where it seems to be cowering with beak wide open?

Judy - Your right, Kim is his love muffin and has been from day one. Steve - Yes, Dayo has fooled Kim many times. I just sit silently and laugh inside until she realizes she is talking to Dayo.

Hope you enjoy.

It is important as you said to have plenty of room for them to move around without bumping in to toys. I don't know about others greys or parrots, but Dayo gets very active at various times with his toys. Another thought as well, is the number of and spacing of toys depends on the cage size. I ensure Dayo has plenty of room between toys because he likes to hang upside down, attack them by biting and also flaps his wings at times and spins around a little. Keeping them spaced properly guards them from hitting wings on other items or bars and accidentally damaging primaries for example. He has a huge cage, so I can have 4 to 5 various types of toys depending on how large they may be.

Welcome Sohn_25. It's GreYt having you here. I hope to hear more and see photos/videos when you get a chance.

There are many people that use a sleep cage for their birds. If you are going to do that, it should be the routine you use every night and your grey will expect it to happen. I will say, as your grey becomes used to the family and friends, it will want to party as well and be a bugger to get to bed.

Well Jay, as we age, as I have as well. We all have what I call "Brain Farts" and either leave half of what we were thinking out of our response or pull the data from the wrong file. I believe thats where the saying "Ive forgotten more than you know" came from.

Nice to see you posting again. Thanks for sharing these photos. I'll bet they are all a true joy to have around.

Adorable photos and congratulations on choosing your grey.

Good post. Dayo responds to voice tone fluctuation and praise. He will do many tasks he has learned just for the happy "Good Boy, Your so smart!". This works better than any treat reward I tried at first years ago. For him praise and a sense of accomplishment just makes him feel like he has once again done something for the flock. He will learn almost anything for praise. Well, other than willingly take a bath or go to bed...

It's amazing after all these years, he has come out of his shell and is starting to talk with you present. Just keep on encouraging the in-room interaction as you are now and it should increase for you.