Acappella

Kat, you're such a good mommy. What stresses Dorian out? He's is the 'not getting his own way' club. I guess long sticks like broom handles can startle him if they move unexpectantly. Other than that he's become a pretty much startle free birdy. Believe me, it was a long journey to get here.

Timbersmom is right, you never know what baggage they're bringing with them. I can't say 'step up' to Dorian either, I have to ask him if he wants to 'come with mom'. Like I said before, Alex is being very polite with you right now. Don't push things so hard that he feels he has to be more assertive with you - the biting that results could become a habit..

I know you don't want to hear this but right now I'd respect his wishes. He's being very polite pushing your fingers away and only bit when you tried to put a hand behind him, which would get me bit by Dorian as well. What you have to do is to make him want to leave his cage. That means making the space around his cage look exciting and fun to explore. I spent lots of time sitting on the ground in front of Dorian's cage making/playing with toys, the cat, reading, watching tv, until he climbed down the front of his cage to investigate what I was doing. I remember how thrilled I was the first time his little head hung down under his cage and he stretched out as far as he could towards me to try to reach what I was doing. It took a while though. Mount a couple of perches on the outside of his cage and see if he will come down from the top of his cage to explore them. Maybe put toys on them. Once he's on a perch you can try putting your arm between Alex and the cage and then stepping him up with your other hand. If he doesn't want to, though, you may get bit. Try not to react with a yelp like you did on the video when you got bit. They can get addicted to the drama and actually like getting that reaction. A shake of the head, a sad face, and a "no bite" is a good way to react. I'm not a big fan of gloves. I'd rather avoid situations where I'm likely to get bit. You're doing great and so is Alex. Seriously. For the amount of time you've had him your interactions are great. Keep up the good work.

They may never bond and may never be able to have out of cage time together. Of course there are always exceptions. I would pad the area around the baby's cage and the bottom of the cage with old towels/blankets. It will mean some extra laundry but better than a broken keel bone. I know you don't want to move them to separate rooms but with baby climbing on your older greys cage baby could lose a toe or worse and it can happen soooo fast... One important thing. Make sure you always tend to your older grey first in all things, greeting, changing food water. It will help minimize any potential jealousy.

Beautiful pictures of beautiful subjects.

I can't believe it's been a year Ray. I understand why you are still hurting so much. Cricket was such a special little soul.

Can anyone think of any way I can teach Dorian to chew wooden toys? It would open up a whole world of toys for him if he knew that he's supposed to chew them. I've tried making toys with both wood and his beloved cardboard hoping he'd accidently beak a piece of wood but no luck. I just worry about him getting bored. He can destroy cardboard toys so fast. I'd love him to get hooked on a different material that would last a little longer and be more of a challenge. BTW, he does chew furniture. Very rarely, but it has happened. He's a mystery, my boy. lol

So sorry for your loss. I know for sure that parrots can pick up on our moods and sympathize/empathize with us when we're feeling low. Misty may not know what's going on specifically, but he knows you're sad and he's doing what he can to make you feel better. I'm glad he's there for you.

She's a cutie pie, and a good talker for one so young. She's clearly thriving with you.

Welcome to the forum. He's a good looking grey. Amazed he wasn't "helping" you with his homework by chowing down on it, which would be my Dorian's only contribution.

It would be great if you could upload video, but from your description it actually sounds like it could be a mating demonstration. I have a bird trying to get on my hand for the same reason right now. Is he holding his wings slightly away from his body and bobbing his head up and down? If he is, congratulations, he loves you. Now you have to discourage his more amorous feelings. They can lead to frustration on his part which can then turn into behaviour problems. For now, if you have to step him up use it for transport only and get him off your hand before the behaviour starts. Stop all petting. Don't touch him anywhere but the top of his head, and I'd discourage even that right now. My Dorian has been waking up "in the mood" for a while now, and he gets worse when he's on my desk, so I've had to limit desk time. BTW, the head bobbing is him trying to regurgitate for you, just so you're warned. If this doesn't sound like what he's doing, please elaborate on your description.

I love that she's still coming out with "new" words. She has an impressive memory. Poor David. lol

I think to be safe I'd be taking a sample of the droppings to a vets office to check. Dorian has never had stinky poos, until I'm using a steamer to clean them up that is. Then they smell. lol.

You know we're here for you Dee. Even though it doesn't penetrate the pain you're feeling right now, you're in our thoughts. I can only imagine the pain you're in as I think what a mess I would be if I lost Dorian. He knew how much he was loved and felt your love surround him until he drew his last breath in this world. Sending cyber hugs and hoping you have someone there in person to translate them into real ones. ((( )))

That was lovely. So glad you found some videos of her.

She might have been fully weaned at the breeders but regressing a little bit in her new surroundings because she is a little unsure of herself. I never had a baby myself, but I've seen others here recommend that you continue to offer baby food until she is refusing it.

You can also try using a travel cage or a harness and taking him outside the home to get used to being around other people.

He actually looks good to me. He's not fluffling out his feathers to make himself look big and scary, he's getting right next to you, even if it is inside his cage, he's taking treats from you. This is all great for nine days in. That sound isn't screaming, at least not to me, it's more like chirping. He might be a little excited and a little hyper. I would just let him be in his cage for now and leave the door open. Don't try to step him up or put your hands on him inside his cage. Mount a perch on the outside of the cage and let him come to it, then try to step him up from there. That's what worked for me with my Dorian. When he went to that outside perch it was his sign for me that he was ready to step up. Now, after being patient with him, I can step him up from anywhere. You might want to start a thread for Alex in the training room to get some good advice from the members here.

You could start a thread for your baby in the nursery forum room.

I make most of Dorian's toys since his toy needs don't really follow a normal greys. Example: he doesn't chew wood. Since he's mostly interested in cardboard, I spend money on toy making supplies to find new ways to suspend cardboard in his cage. I also spend a lot on supreme cotton rope because he like to chew his swing so I'm constantly re-making it. It's amazing how quickly the tab runs up on toy making supplies though, I know what you mean about on-line shopping.

As for the nails, get a pedicure perch and place it somewhere baby will like to perch like with her food dish. For many birds here that works to take the needle like tip off their talons. Some have to take their birds to a groomer or vet to have them trimmed. If you can, get them used to this while they're babies so it's not a fearful experience. If you have the confidence you can take the very tip off their talon yourself like I can, but you have to be careful because you can' t see where the quick is in their nail so it's easy to draw blood. I did this once about eight years ago and I still feel guilty lol. is he fully weaned? The breeder should be on call to answer all your questions about food and should have sent baby home with full instructions. Is she on pellets, seed, fresh food? Oats alone is not sufficient. This is the time to expose him to all sorts of new foods while she is accepting of new things. Congratulations on your new flock member. Btw, we love pictures!

I'd bet you'd love to get into that little grey head even more than usual and ask her what That was about. I guess there are bound to be a few bad consequences of Miss Gilbert getting her confidence. Glad Java is going to be ok.

Let him take his time. There's no rush. Two weeks is nothing in grey time, and he's still evaluating things and trying to figure out his new surroundings. I couldn't step up Dorian for literally years. I know your hands are itching to love on him and have scritches and cuddles like you see other owners do here and on YouTube, but just know it took some of us months and years of hard won patience to get to that point. Let him explore his new world. Is he clipped? What happened when he jumped from the wardrobe? Did he land badly or did he fly or glide to the floor... If he's in danger up there find something to block his path. Put a stuffed animal up there he might be afraid of or put a box so he can't get up there. We have to get creative to outthink these little monkeys.

What a cute little TAG. Welcome home Zoe!

Can I feel sorry for the bullfrogs, and yet feel happy for you and your neighbours?