Acappella

Maybe after all those years being cage bound he's developed a habit of pacing his cage? Or maybe his former caregivers weren't careful when they laid to cage liners and he's trying to get to the paper to shred it. I know if Dorian can reach through the grate to the paper he happily sits down there shredding it until mom catches him. Try giving him some paper to shredd. As for the sound, maybe it was a contact call in his old home. If you and everyone in the house ignore it 100% and respond and reward "good" sounds, it should extinguish. Good luck with your new buddy.

I'm glad you're not sequestered. I doubt "I have to get home to my bird" would be an accepted excuse for getting out of a sequestered jury. Kudos to you for sitting on a jury. So many people twist themselves into knots getting out of it. I was called a few years ago but not chosen. I found even the selection process interesting, but I didn't really feel like driving an hour each way every day to sit on a trial that was supposed to last up to a month, so I was glad they got their jury and alternates before they got to me. Gracie will pick up on your stress so it might be a good idea on the most stressful days to make a stop on the way home, sit in a coffee shop for half and hour, read a bit, just so you're not coming directly from the trial to her. I know you want to rush home to her, but if you give yourself a few moments to push the re-set button on yourself before you walk in the door it may be good for both of you. I hope the trial doesn't drag on, and I hope it doesn't drain you too much. <3

I can't view the photo, but it sounds like part of his beak is just sloughing off, which happens. Dorian's beak is the same. Some people get their greys' beaks "cleaned up" at the same time as they get their talons clipped, but I wouldn't traumatise a bird just for cosmetics. He'll work away at it getting rid of sharp edges if there are any. If he has a pedicure perch he'll probably use it. No worries.

You have to ask your cable company the amount of your last bill because the bird ate that section. (Again, NEVER happened to me, of course).

What's the ratio of vinegar to baking soda to Dawn?

Your microwave beeps, and you talk back to it! (Which of course, has never happened to me!)

You're right on the money. You are his favourite, so you can get away with much others can't. Your next job is to train the other humans! Explain the favorite person thing to them, and give them a lesson on body language. There's a sticky in the training forum that explains it well.

Sorry for the feathers, but kind of giggling with your description of your "snot", especially the banging of her dish on the cage bars. Dorian does that with his toys when he's in a temper as well. It's too bad she scares herself like this, but at least you know the dance. Give her a pine nut from Dorian and me, when it's safe for your fingers that is.

So, did he manage to get it off or did you have to help when you got home?

If you have to call out before you enter the room the bird is in carrying anything big/scary

You stop wearing nail polish because it freaks your bird out You have your builder put in a special garden door so that your bird's cage fits through it You're sleeping in the small bedroom because the bird has the master

Don't worry, I'm right there watching all the destruction.

Actually, I'm in Ontario Canada so the paper is a Toronto Star, but there's no Conservatives in this house, no offence to anyone.

Oh he's pleased with himself alright. And yes, I did clean it up as soon as he left the scene. As for the wire, it's my iPad charging cable. Dorian isn't a chewer. Not wood, not rope, not plastic - nothing but paper gets his interest. Also, I'm right there. The grey thing in the bottom left corner is the top of my slipper. Lol

I'd try a humidifier first. This time of year dries out the sinuses of bird and human alike. Might make things more comfortable for you both.

Thank you Muse.

I've heard it's safe to take an essential oil like lavendar and put a few drops on the furnace filter to get a subtle fragrance in the house. Anyone have thoughts on this?

Poor soul. Try putting in a water dish with fresh cold water. Many of the greys here, including my Dorian, prefer bathing in cold water. Poor little guy, having to grow all his butt feathers in at once is going to be uncomfortable for him. It would be good if you could get him used to at least misting without damaging your just growing trust. As for food, eat in front of him and make a big deal of how good it is. Leave a section on your plate that is healthy for him (eg no salt). Offer it to him, and if he refuses tell him OK and eat it yourself, again, making a big deal. If I do this a couple of times with Dorian it's usually enough to get him to at least beak a new food, even if he immediately flings it. Sometimes it's hilarious. He'll fling something automatically, and then realize "Hey, that tasted ok" and then sit there looking at the food that's now out of reach under the cage grate. If he really looks sad, I'll give him a second shot at it. lol.

I have a mister that is meant for humans in the summer to spray right in our faces to cool us down. The mist is soo fine you hardly feel it when it hits you - actually, it more floats down on you. This is the only spray that Dorian will truly accept. Another good thing about it is you pump up an internal pressure, then push a button to release it. The only bad thing is the water capacity is really small so you have to keep re-filling it. When I found out this would work with Dorian I bought a bunch of them, like 15. We've tired out one so far, so I should be good for a while. Lol

Has there been a drastic change in your routine over the holidays? A big scary tree? Your daughter over more/less/on a different schedule? I can't help but think maybe it has something to do with the festivities of this time of year. Zoomed has a floor lamp for the avian sun bulb. It depends how tall your cage is.

If he is hormonal and already doing things like regurging for you, I've learned here that it's best to restrict touches to head and neck scratches. Otherwise you risk confusing and frustrating him. Let us know when the blood work results are in and try not to stress. <3

What about wrapping vet wrap around the part of the cage where the gap is?

Yeah, he forgave his perch last night and we had a normal night time routine.

Thanks guys. It really was a bizarre experience. A loud booming, but sounding like it was at some distance, and a very slight shaking. I'd just get Dorian settled down and crawl back into bed, and I'd hear him flapping around in his cage again and find him at the bottom wild eyed. I finally left his door cracked open with the hall light on where he could see me across the hall and we both got some sleep. I've lived in Ontario my whole Life and had never heard of such a thing. Glad the mystery of what scared him was solved though.