danmcq

I have been using a dremel for decades on my dogs and birds. The key is using the right accessory tip which is a fine sanding tip and use a dremel with variable speed and run at a lower speed. No accidental abrasions have ever happened. I suspect Talon was scared by the dremel itself, which scared dayo as well, but not to the point of blood tears. He just fussed around in the towel we were holding him in. He has gotten to the point over the years that we can just turn it on and do his nails while perched... In regards Talon, being so terrified, I would suggest just using and emery board as well. Each bird is different and react in various ways. Use what works best for you and your bird.

No worries on peppers affecting your grey or other parrots. They are fine and birds have been dinning on peppers for thousands of years. Both Dayo and Jake love hot peppers and have eaten them for years. Some birds just have different foods they like and dislike. Some (most) like peppers, but not all.

He is beautiful and already settling in nicely to his home and family congratulations. Thanks for sharing the trip, arrival and photos. Looking forwarding to many more.

My take on biting, whether a grey, conure, amazon etc., is that they will all bite instinctively at times. I cannot count the number of clutches I watched grow from week 1 to the time they were weaned and ready to go home with their new excited owners. I saw various clutch members nip and bite from very early 5 or 6 weeks old and onwards if another got in their way, was trying to take say a food item or toy from them etc. I had one at just 10 weeks of age flap across the floor one day and just nail me then take off flapping and running across the floor back to it's clutch. No clue why that baby grey decided I needed a good bite, but in it's mind I somehow deserved it. I have seen breeder pairs bite each other at times and some that were put together hoping they would become a pair start tearing each other up, most the time the male would start attacking the female. As grey or other species mature, they become less and less dependent upon us or their actual grey parents. As they do so, they will start claiming their rights, toys, areas etc. and will lash out if anyone intrudes. The baby cuddle muffin you knew in the early first and second year start become more and more independent, standoffish and protective of their space and items/areas they have come to believe as their space and items. I don't know if any of you have greys old enough that if really pissed they well almost produce a hiss sound and bite the living hell out of you and more than once if you don't move your appendage from that zone. This is not that common, but it will happen in places they are protective of and your trying to block or remove them from it. Birds will battle to the death at times in the wild over a tree hole. I have not seen any video of this on greys because nothing basically exists. But, I have seen them of Macaws for example ripping and shredding each other and sometimes completely ripping off the others beak, which of course means certain death. I do not buy in to the idea of parrots "Learn" this behavior from us humans. The beak is the only defense they have other than fleeing through there flight ability. I have seen emotional bites based on jealousy, possessions etc. They have those under lying emotions and when we strike one, we get the results and so do any other parrots that may have induced those emotions as well. How do you prove this scientifically? Just watch how they react under exposure to various circumstances and reactions that clearly indicate an emotion is a play. The "favored one" in the human parrot relationship will eventually find themselves getting bitten as well when the bird is fully mature at times. The less favored ones.... well it happens more often. I can say it shocked my wife when her cuddle muffin dayo started biting her every once in a while as well. Watching it unfold if I happened to be in the room and watching it, there was always an underlying cause/effect. Wife is paying attention to jake the conure, dayo gets jealous, runs over and bites at and scares jake off then turns around and nails my wife for being unfaithful. Wife tries to get a towel from dayo he is presently thrashing, dayo lets go and bites her etc. This has happened as he matured over the years and now he is much more independent, gets a li1tle scratch time with her, the flies off to sit on a tree stand, back of the couch etc. and just chills. The days of full time scratch and cuddle fests that previously existed are long gone. I will say though, that he frets over where she is at all times and if he loses sight of her, he will go flying in search of her. He is totally attached to her, but not as baby, it is fully almost as if a mate in the wild never leaving the side of their mate. They have little battles of will at times, but regardless of that, they are inseparable.

LOL they do the craziest things when young. She would have figured out, but I know what you mean about fretting over them and many times they do not appreciate the assistance.

Thanks Dave! It's is great having you back and sharing your video's.

Eye pinning can be a good indicator sometimes, but greys are the masters of illusion and can bite you quicker than a snake and give no body language at all. As I mentioned, the best indicator, is if you do not see that foot come up, don't try for a step up. I can guarantee you he is indeed happy to see you, loves his treats etc. But, that does not mean he wants to step up. He will let you know when he wishes to step up by lifting a foot or he will climb to you and maneuver himself on to your arm or other body area himself. One thing I watch for in my Grey Dayo, is if that foot only lifts a 1/4 or 1/2 inch, he is only that percentage into "Thinking" about stepping up. I must watch him very carefully as I move my arm or hand toward him to see if he is going to truly step up or not and if I see that foot drop I quickly remove my appendage from his reach. If he is truly committed to a step up, that foot is up at least half his body length and sometimes almost touching his beak. You will only learn these small signs over time.

At 25, a week is nothing. Even for a young grey a week is nothing in a new home. The first few days are called the honeymoon and it's over now. He is in all new surroundings with all new people, sights and sounds. Many Greys when older will decide if they wish to step up to get out of the cage or if they wish to come out on their own. I have no clue why they are like this, but they are. If you insist on a step up and you don't see that foot lift a little, forget it or you will get bit. He really sounds like he likes you a lot from the description you have given of how he acts towards you. Just give him his space and time and He will come to you when he wishes and you will know by watching and learning his body language. Right now the most important mode for you to be in is observance mode, just as he is. He does not know your body language or you either and you both need to learn it to communicate effectively.

Thanks for sharing this. It has always bothered me, how the scientific community scoffs at just plain folks knowledge on many things. It is the same in the engineering fields, if it's not invented here, "IT'S NOT"... because they did not come up with it. Peoples ego has always slowed progress down and in the medieval days threatened brilliant minds with their lives. Many times, science and the "Good Ol Boys Club" are just finally acknowledging what people had know for decades.

It's good to see you back Morana! You were missed.

Joe is certainly vocalizing his desires to be with "Papa". He has come long way. Thanks for sharing this.

Walnuts are too hard, as well as Macadamia nuts, hazel nuts etc. Most greys can crack open a Pistachio and an almond. Some greys can not crack open almonds and if so then they need to be cracked open a little by snipping off the first 1/4 to 1/2 inch of the tip for them to get it opened the rest of the way to retrieve the nut inside which gives them good activity/challenge as well.

Thanks Jeff. I purchased Cosmo Talks book a few years back. It is a good read... well I think any book that is about a grey is.

Gracie is certainly advancing quickly in word use and understanding. Why did you pursue when she told you stop several times. You know payback is a b$tch. Wait until you say stop again. One note, as the mature, they become more independent and demanding of their rights to do what they want and when. This is how they start learning boundaries as well.

GreYt to see you back on the forum Dave!!! I am looking forward the those live nest box feeds when you have a pair on eggs and of course your informative posts.

How rude! if Talon could have, she would have called 911 for noise violations after hours. There is no doubt these intelligent sentient beings know exactly what they are saying. Now, please take talks and computer time after hours to another room.

Nancy, did your avian vet tell you thats a diet of humans foods you are using is good for your old sun conure? The reason I ask, is because a diet like this will kill him, if I understand this is what you feed him everyday, not just once in a blue moon. Bacon has a humongous amount salt and fat, which is detrimental to birds and people if eaten daily. If your vet advised this is ok, I would never go back there again. If your vet did not advise this, ask them what you could use as "Fattening" foods that are healthy as well. Really though, a healthy diet is all they need. A bird will not starve themselves to death and eat when they feel like it. If your conure is old, it is not surprising weight would be a little lower due to less activity and muscle mass.

Sondheim no doubt keeps you entertained and busy. What a character! They certainly do like to feel like they are helping. Thanks for sharing this.

What a enjoyable video to watch. It sounds like Biscotti is making the breakfast order for you to follow. Also, "Thats Good Work" as you prepare it just right. Thanks for sharing this.

Very true and moving. Thanks Dave!

If nothing came out, it is not regurgitation. Dayo does that as well at times. That peculiar action moves contents round inside the crop that may be uncomfortable for example. A regurgitation is a little different and more head pumping action, then some contents come out for you as a love sign. Watching the video, he is definitely moving content inside the crop. Sometimes the contents gets lodged a little and this action releases them. If you ever see your bird constantly doing this for hours and not stopping after just a little bit, they may have a impacted crop.

LOL, yes!!

I am so sorry to hear this. It is alwaya such a tragedy, especially at such a young age. You take care of yourself.

Same thought on this here.

Hoping and praying for a quick recovery from this. Please keep this updated as you can.