frankieNYC

Frankie is doing A LOT of hanging upsidedown in his cage and really really shrieking at his toys. He has always done this once in a while, but the past few days have been craaazy - just really going at it. my neighbors must think i'm killing something... I don't think he's sad or anything, actually seems pretty chipper and happy, just screaaaming his head off and attacking his toys as though they were intruders. Maybe it's just the chilly fall air or a little excess testosterone... any thoughts? Stephanie

Frankie doesn't really like traveling in cars- he always gets really quiet and clings to me. I've seen him get carsick twice - generally if he's eaten too much too soon before the ride. When he hasn't eaten recently before, he's okay. Stephanie

Goodmorning America ran a beautiful memorial for Alex, see here: http://abcnews.go.com/gma Thought everyone should see it. Stephanie

I've got polly's portable stand from petco. It's useful and easy to pick up and carry anywhere. I can also take it with me when Frankie take's roadtrips to the parents house... very handy. Stephanie

Frankie is very particular about how his food is presented to him - if it's something he loves like a grape or junk food (tortilla chip), he'll take it right from me. If it is something he's never seen before he won't take it from anyone's hand - it has to be properly placed in his food dish. He'll sometimes even take it and toss it if isn't presented right. on the note of tomatoes, he won't eat sliced or chopped, but he looves baby tomatoes. They are such strange and picky animals. lol. :side: Stephanie

This article is really helpful and informative! Thanks for posting. Stephanie

So terrible and so sad :( {Feel-bad-0002006A}

Frankie has recently taken a liking to diving into my water glass and picking up the ice cubes. He then holds the cube in his foot and breaks it into a million tiny pieces... Is this ok for him or is the ice too cold? don't want him getting birdie frostbite. Anyone else's grey like eating ice? Stephanie

Yes this sounds very serious... I see you are in India, and I think from the mail code a place called Pune. There must be some vets nearby, I found this link with possibilities: http://www.bdbmr.co.in/foundation/dir10.htm Don't know about the area there, but there must be someone you can call to get advice or guidance. It is serious when the bird starts showing illness - needs attention right away. Stephanie

I was thinking about it today, and it seems that most people around on the board have relatively young birds ( 5 years and under). I know there are some exceptions - 10+ years, but I haven't heard much from people with these older birds. I grew up with a brown throated conure who was about 18 when he died. I started looking around about parrots - found this article which was interesting: http://www3.upatsix.com/liz/articles/olderparrot.html Wanted to poll everyone - what is the oldest parrot you've actually owned or encountered? Stephanie

What a pretty bird! I hope the vet check goes well I agree with whomever said that Meeka looks like a hybrid - the eyes and body have a very CAG look but the beak & tail are TAG. Frankie is camera shy too - very hard to get a good shot without him puffing! Can't wait to see more pictures when you can. Stephanie

Just wondering - what kind of twitch would you describe it as ? Was it a true twitch or more of a head shake or flick? When I first got my CAG, I was petrified because he was shaking his head constantly. I called vets and the shop and posted online- people all agreed it was a nervous habit that is actually quite common. He continued doing it for a while, but stopped after he settled in. He still does the "head shake" every now and again when he hears something new - but much less frequently. Would you describe it more of a twitch or a shake ? Still better safe than sorry, but it could be nothing. Stephanie

They had a Grey with red factor at the last hotel I stayed at... He was pretty young so it might grow out next molt. Very handsome anyhow Stephanie

I went over to Brooklyn (Greenwood cemetery) to see the wild parrots. I've never seen them in the "wild" before... they were so very noisy and hanging out with the pigeons. Really really cute! Gave them some of Frankie's old seed and some other people brought apples and nutriberries. Here are a few pictures: Stephanie<br><br>Post edited by: frankieNYC, at: 2007/08/13 05:52

This set of blinds survived... The ones on the other windows have been completely ravaged by him though. When I eventually move out, I'll probably have to replace them. I've come to terms with it. :whistle: Stephanie

We're just hanging out today... he's getting himself into some trouble Had to fake him out and tell him it was time for a shower to get him out of there. lol Stephanie Post edited by: frankieNYC, at: 2007/08/12 20:39<br><br>Post edited by: frankieNYC, at: 2007/08/13 05:40

My boyfriend was in my apartment today cleaning and doing dishes (what luck!)... Frankie was whistling and acting all hyper. When my boyfriend opened the dishwasher a second time, flap flap flap, and Frankie was in the dishwasher! Climbing on the racks and enjoying it. He's always been very curious about dishes, guess he wanted in Later in the day, he flew to the ground and stood in front of the dishwasher, staring at it and then at me. Here is yet another activity that I have to be more careful during in the future. Stephanie

Okay - I did a bit of research, I actually think it is a plant: http://www.exoticrainforest.com/Rare%20Thailand%20Parrot%20Flower%20New%20Photos%20Tourdoi.html Unless this is a very very elaborate hoax, i still have hope for the parrot flower! Stephanie<br><br>Post edited by: frankieNYC, at: 2007/08/02 22:02

Frankie will absolutely not go on his back - the few attempts i've made lead to hard bites Stephanie

I don't think I react to it any more than to his usual sounds. I believe it's the same motion as a click but just with an object between his lower and upper beak. He does the usual beak clicks and grinding as well, but he is constantly doing this clanging. I think he does use it as leverage sometimes to weasel things open, like his poop tray. He certainly seems happy when he does it When I open up the tray for him, he scurries around picking up old food. It's like the holy grail or something...

Frankie has been doing this thing for a while now... with his beak, he grabs an object (the bar of his cage, the metal rod on my shower door, the rim of a mug, the tray on the bottom of his cage) and almost "snaps" his beak, producing a loud "clang" noise. It's almost like he is testing the material or just wants to produce a sound. I am probably not doing this description justice - but has anyone else seen this behavior? Any thoughts if there is significance... ? Stephanie

Maybe it'll include now..

Can you spot him? He doesn't like the camera very much - hence the puffing... even behind the blinds B) (trying upload again) Stephanie Post edited by: frankieNYC, at: 2007/07/30 05:24<br><br>Post edited by: frankieNYC, at: 2007/07/30 05:27

I've heard that the tail feather test (silver lining under tail) is only valid after the first molt - I believe it. I had Frankie sexed at around 7 months. He had the silver linings but I was pretty sure he was a boy - the vet looked at his tail and said he was probably a she. Tests came back and he's a boy. His first molt happened and now his tail is red red red. I think the eye test confirms - he has a pretty dark ring. I'd be really shocked if he ever laid an egg, with his john wayne swagger and reaction to men B) Stephanie

It felt so long, I had to live vicariously through updates from my parents & grandmother. Frankie is quite adaptable - surprisingly. Although he doesn't let others handle him, he is happy with attention and company. Wherever he goes, they let him out and he is basically king. I heard he was eating like a horse... all sorts of things that I should keep for him, like blueberries, carrots, rasberries, and all sorts of goodies. Neither my parents nor my grandmother wanted to give him up. I'm lucky to have him back & to have such a good support system. Stephanie