Laurie

Klaus likes to drop his colored blocks into his water and make Kool-Aid! LOL

That's great news! This will be a big boost to her confidence. Way to go!

An easy, free one is to take an empty toilet tissue tube, fold one end closed, put a treat inside, then crimp the other end closed. Klaus loves ripping the tube apart to get the treat or toy.

That is awesome! I love Elmo!

How to stop them? Stop them? LOL That's funny... They are especially challenging because most aren't bothered in the least by a stern "No." In fact, Klaus tells himself to "Stop it!". It's hilarious! I have come to the conclusion that I just have to pick my battles. Some stuff he can have, like the buttons off an old shirt. Other stuff he can't have, like the buttons on my keyboard. If it comes down to it, I just have to remove him from the room or put him back by his cage rather than have him ruin something I value.

Yes, I can relate to the majority of these! How about creatively rooting through your junk drawer in search of new stuff for the bird to play with so he doesn't get bored? :silly:

I was not supposed to be the bird person. My husband and son wanted the bird and I agreed to tolerate it. Klaus was home for only a short while before it became obvious he was smitten with me. That's how I became a bird person! LOL I have always been an animal person, though. I will actually catch a bug in a Dixie cup and escort it outside before I'll squish it (unless it's a fly or mosquito...I take no prisoners in that case...).

Thanks, guys! And yes, I think I would have been forced to quit anyway whether I wanted to or not - due to the high cost of gas and food. LOL

Wow, Klaus started talking a bit and now it's just coming on more and more every day! It's still in the low growly voice, and I'd say it's more noises still then talking but my goodness! It's getting so entertaining just to sit and listen to him. We have the bomb dropping (long whistle followed by a splat) We have "Stop it, Klaus." "Hello, Klaus." "Pretty bird. Pretty, pretty bird." "Who's a good boy?" The wolf whistle (like a construction worker does) The distinct barks of three different dogs that live nearby The stove timer Whistling the Andy Griffith song And on and on... Those of you with younger birds who are not talking or doing much yet - just wait. If your bird is anything like Klaus it'll just happen one day and now it seems like a flood gate. It gets hard to keep track of what all he's saying!

Klaus is actually helping me with sounds! He can do the stove timer (so cute). I had a cake in the oven, but I was down the hall at the other end of the house when the timer when off. So I stopped to listen, thinking "Is that the timer?" and just then Klaus chimed in, doing the sound. So I knew for sure the timer was going off and didn't waste a trip going to double check. That's my helpful little buddy, always pitching in! LOL

Aaaw, aren't they just the little sweeties when they put their head down like that?Nice picture, thanks for sharing!

My son is 11 and has various friends his age visiting from time to time. When they say, "Ooooh, look at your bird!" I say, "He bites." To which the kid's eyes will get a little wide and he will take the wide route around the cage. Nuff said!

A few thoughts from me... Versatile is right; as hard as it may be try your best not to react to a bite. Greys are all about reaction and will keep doing things if the behavior brings about a desired result. (Yelling or a firm "No" could even be construed as positive to a grey - silence or turning your back is the ultimate insult.) Secondly, approach your grey in the most non-threatening way possible. Move slowly and quietly. Turn your head to the side, lower your head a little, and squint your eyes. To a grey, this looks friendly. When offering your hand, NEVER approach from the front. Come in slowly from the side or back of the bird. A front approach will put the bird in defense mode. Good luck!

When Klaus acts up I march back to the cage and set him on top firmly. I don't say anything, because if you do they seem to think that's positive attention. I'm finding it's possible to spend quality time with Klaus and not have him on me. After work I open the cage door and where his cage sits, he can see me whether I'm in the kitchen or the living room which is where I usually am. So we interact from there and I still give him pets and all that but he just doesn't seem to need to climb around on me all the much any more. At first I felt guilty but now I think of it this way: If you own a dog or a cat you don't necessarily have it climbing all over you all the time, do you? Same for Klaus, in my opinion. Good luck!

Quick update! I hit the 6-month mark yesterday. Six months of smobriety...yay! This is exciting because I have heard things actually get smoother from here on out. The only thing I would say I still struggle with a little is weight. So if the weight could stop being stubborn now and just get lost, all will be well! If not that's ok too, I do not want to die of smoke inhalation, even if that means my figure is a little on the "healthy" side. LOL So there ya go, kids! If there are smokers out there who have just quit, or want to quit - I am proof positive that it's possible. PM me if you want more details on how I did it, or would like a pep talk. Hope you all are having a great day!

Bon chance! Bon voyage!

My husband's aunt does this. We have a couple of them, framed.

Wow, I haven't posted since 09/05? Tsk, tsk! Well here I am! Things have been waaaay busy. I started a new job and my son started middle school. Plus it's still nice outside so I've been trying to be out there as much as possible before the cold Michigan winter rolls in here...Anyway here is my news: My Curves got the new electronic "Smart" Curves this past week and I absolutely love it! It is coaching me to work out harder and though I haven't weighed myself I swear I feel a bit thinner. Also, I got weighed at my new Curves facility (had to move facilities since I changed jobs) and apparently I lost 3 lbs. Now I realize this could be due to going to a different scale, but I'm takin' it! LOL As far as eating ... comme ce comme ca. I would say at least once or twice a week I flop on the couch in the evening for some TV time and maybe snack a little more than I should. But overall I think I'm doing pretty well with what I'm eating. Hope you all are doing well!

Wow, what a sad thing to happen... Thank you for posting the letter from his brother explaining how he came to be the Bird Whisperer. Fascinating story.

Ok, a quick P.S. to this: Klaus has a small, plastic "extra" bowl that I use when I want to feed him some of our dinner (a little potato, maybe some of whatever veggie we're having). It sits on top of his cage so he can come out and truly feel like he's having dinner with the family. So he's playing around, and his little dish is up there and he suddenly announces "Stop it, Klaus!" loudly and then flings his little dish across the room. He's a little nut! :lol: I love how he chastises himself before he's even done the offending behavior!

Me, I'm rather partial to silly answers! LOL But really, you can serve veggies either way and your bird will let you know what they like. I find with Klaus he loves anything that's been warmed up because he doesn't get warm food as often as the boring old stuff in his dish...

Yeah, for now I pull the cage away from the wall when he's on the outside of the cage...that way he can't reach. What a little stinker!

Funny story! I like the way you told it...

Yep, you guessed it. That is what Klaus is saying now. His cage is in a new spot in the living/dining room area and he now has access to the wood molding around the doorway. Which is apparently irresistible to chew. So he chews it. Then I say, "Stop it, Klaus!". And he says, "Stop it! Stop it, Klausie!". Or he'll chew it and say it to himself without waiting for me. What am I going to do with this crazy bird???? LOL

That is funny! LOL Though I'm sorry you had to go through so much stress... Klaus did this once, too. I think it was a piece to a pen or something. I can't even remember what it was. He was bobbing and weaving, and I was desperately trying to get it off, and finally I nabbed it. I didn't think to towel him, though - that was good thinking!