BMustee

From everything I have read about greys I was under the impression that the CAG and TAG were not able to hybridize because of their genetics. Plus, there are no pictures online, no mention in any books, listed in any hybrid directory, or breeders advertizing them. I would be very interested in seeing a picture of your bird.

Baby TAGs will have a darker beak than an adult but you can still see that it isn't pure black like the condo. The only time a congo greys beak will "change" color is when it's about to flake off...so when that happens don't worry, it's normal.B)

This is an adult Timneh ...and an adult Congo

My dad has 2 pugs and they have not once gone after Elmo. Uggie the mamma pug is actually kinda scared of my CAG because one time Elmo and Uggie were on the bed with me and Elmo can not look at a wagging tail without nipping at it.:laugh: Elmo does this to Kitty all the time and she just gives him a dirty look and walks away but Uggie went running and yelping.:woohoo: :laugh: Now, the new dog...a huskey...is not EVER in the same room as Elmo because that breed is a notorius bird killer.

I'll be taking LOTS of pictures. I love it when we get babies at this age because you really see the whole process of growing up.

I would get a new cage ASAP!!!! My finches have bigger cages than the one you have for your grey, and being in a cage that cramped could cause injury to his wings and feet. I bet the bar spacing is not wide enough and I have seen a few greys chop off toes in the grates in small cages. I got my cage from the Ebay store Dave told you about and I love it...and Elmo loves it.

The neck area seems to molt much heavier than other parts of the body...esp the first molt or two. If it's a small spot with pin feathers then it could be a molt. I would keep an eye on her and inspect the paper at the bottom of the cage to be sure their are no pins being pulled out.

The macaw beaks really don't bother me. I would rather be bit by a big beak than a little. It's funny when Ethel gets my fingers because he is actually being pretty gentle considering how big his beak is. Sometimes he bites down a little too hard but I tell him to "be nice" and he lets up on the pressure. I love how funny Ethels name is. When you think of the name Ethel you think a little old lady but Ethel is a huge male macaw...I bet he's a good 1300-1350 grams.

Don't you just love hearing them learn new words? I couldn't wait for Elmo to start talking, and reading all the posts about how other peoples greys were talking at 4 months almost made me think Elmo might not talk. Elmo didn't start talking to the point that everyone could understand what she was saying until she was 11 months, but two of my friends as work that have greys that didn't start to talk till they were about 2 years old so it really goes to show how different every grey is. I can't believe how fast they seem to learn once that "gate" is opened. It's even more amazing when they start to use the words and sounds at the right time. Elmo was so hapy to be out of the cage yesterday when I got home and was running along the back of the couch. She would bite the couch and then yell "STOP IT, Don't you do it" and then run again laughing. Then she would jump over to the couch I was on and ask "whatch doing?". I'm sure Klaus will suprise you every day with the new things he learns, and boy are you in for some really fun times!

Yeah. I do come across parrots that get very stressed when they come in and get clipped but as long as we are quick about getting him to the back and trimmed they calm down within 5 minutes. Some seem to be more scared of the towel then anything else. I hold the birds many times because I'm good at keeping them restrained and calm and if a bird freaks when they see the towel I just cuddle them up to my chest and grab them around the neck without it. Just about every time they are pretty relaxed...I had a B&G just today that was towel phobic and very nervous about being in the store but was fine when I held him and was relaxing well as soon as I handed him back to his mommy. I also had a grey that started to do the "death roll" when I went to grab him. As soon as I grabbed him and distracted his mind by making funny noises at him he was acting like nothing was going on. In all the time I have been working with birds there is only one that might benefit from being put under and I trim about 30 birds a week so if you do the math that is a LOT of birds.<br><br>Post edited by: BMustee, at: 2008/09/27 08:18

Dukedevil - They just are. Same with the Hyacinth Macaws...very sensitive to sudamonus. Some birds are just more susceptible to things as others. I get attached, believe me. I don't know how I don't fall apart when they sell. Well, I think I would be inconsolable if Ethel got sold or something happened to Pattie and Sasha.

He is spoiled ROTTEN!!! It's pretty funny because he is one of the biggest biters at the store...he nails at least one person a day that mess with him, but he must know that I'm not scared of that beak of his. When he wants my attention he will dance and jump on his stand or on the railing and inflate his crop to the point it looks like he is going to explode. I say he is "holding his breath" like a kid would do to get his way.:laugh: I bring my camera with me almost every day but I can never seem to get a picture of him doing it.

I had a little free time today at work so I got my camera and played with my B&G boyfriend Ethel. The hand is Joann's...she is telling Ethel that she knows his game. He doesn't like her and LOVE to bite her.:laugh: Here is Ethel giving me the "I was being good look" after he was trying to bite Joann. I know I'm nuts, but Ethel loves my fingers and bobs & chews on them. Here is his beauty shot.

Yes, as Tracy (LMG) pointed out even with clipped wings parrots can still fly so any time outside they need to be in a cage or on a harness. I for one do not agree with putting a bird under to clip wings and nails unless they are so phobic that it puts the bird and people in danger of injury. I trim birds all day long at work and it is easily done with two poeple without putting the bird at risk from drugs.

I have heard that with Quakers you need to allow them to nest or they can start to pluck. Congrats on the new baby!

oh I know! I just wished it paid better, but to tell you the truth I would do this job for free. I'm going to be on pins and needles with this guy though. Greenwings are prone to infections and bacteria so I'm going to a disinfecting nut while he's here!:laugh:

I would say as long as you are in the room there is no reason not to have them both out as long as they are far enough apart. B)

We just got this little guy into the store today. He's about 4 weeks old and will be coming home with me part of the week and home with Steph (my boss) the other part of the week. Look at those feet...too CUTE!

I don't think one or two flight feathers clipped will slow them down at all. I would try the window clings so in a panic they will see the window and know it's not "open air".

It's good to know that your kids took the death of Spike in stride. Be sure to give them an extra hug from me.

I would think as long as she doesn't get hot or over worked not having a drink would be ok...just keep an eye on the poop to be sure he isn't getting dehidrated. I have seen a few parrots bite their tongues while getting their nails/wings clipped. As long as the bleeding stops they are fine.

Putting up plexi glass is a good idea. I've been meaning to do the same thing with my finch cages.

Prices very from one end of the country to the other. In FL their are a lot of breeders so a breeder price will be around $600-$900 and pet stores will sell around $1,000-$1,200. I have heard of Greys selling as high as $2,000 in areas where there are fewer available. Parrots are not cheap because of the time that must be put into feeding and caring for them...I do it for a living and when I have babies it's a round the clock job. Plus, they are not cheap to own. Toys, food, vet care...it all adds up.

That is such sad news...I know how much you loved that little guy. I'll be keeping you in my thoughts.

Like DarkM said, you need to work on step-up training. Until your bird steps up without hesitation I would not allow him onto your shoulder. When it comes to the pinching you need to just take it. If you back off from a pinch it WILL turn into all out bites because he will learn that using his beak will get him what he wants. I do allow my grey on my shoulder but we have a good relationship and I trust her not to bite and she steps up when asked. As for the flying to furniture you can't punish him for that but train him. Every time he leaves the perch you put him on you need to put him right back where you put him. Yes, it could be a constant thing at first, but if you give in he will just keep doing it. If he flys off 50 times you need to put him back all 50 times. I would tell Elmo to "stay put" when I put him somewhere and want him to stay there. Greys are smart and they will catch on that if they fly off you will put him back. Now, if he stays where you want him give him a small treat while he is being good and tell him he's been good.