Acappella

Well, I couldn't imagine my life without music. Even though I haven't performed in a few years I still love to play and sing, and I love discovering new artists and living vicariously through friends who are doing it for a living. My second strong love is home decorating and renovation. I like mixing antiques with modern, with some ethinic flavour thrown in, right now a lot of asian stuff. I've laid floors, plastered walls, torn down walls, papered, un-papered, and painted at least 300 rooms in my life. I also sew because I'm too poor\cheap to pay for pre-made pillows, curtains, bedspreads. When my hand heals I'm going to give upholstery a try. I'm a voracious reader, mostly horror, sci-fi, humour. Current faves are David Sedaris and Kelly Armstrong. I love language and writers who use it well, from Tom Stoppard to Joss Whedon. Oh, and I've been working part time as a personal organiser and discovered I have a real passion for helping people discover how much energy they can get from a space that is cleared of clutter. I'm not a fanatic. I love shopping and I'm as attached to some of my stuff as anyone, but being able to find what you're looking for when you're looking for it is a great thing.

Well guys, I had the surgery on Thursday and, although it hurts and the stiches freak me out, I can report that my hand isn't going numb anymore (even though right now that wouldn't be a totally bad thing). Since the numbness was the thing that bothered me most I'd say this is a good sign! Dorian totally refuses to step onto my left hand, so he hasn't been off his cage since the surgery. Hopefully the incision and the stiches heal fast and he can go back to getting things his way:) btw, there's a reason part of the word stiches sounds like itch, they're making me nuts! My dad, always helpful, says that's just a sign they're healing. I say, I don't care if it's a sign Jon Bon Jovi is about to pay me a personal visit, make it stop!!!!!!

Dorian actually prefers to be in his cage with the door open. An unfortunate result of being totally cage bound for the first 5 years of his life. He'll sit inside all day talking, playing, eating. If he is on an exterior perch and I have to leave the room for more than a couple of minutes I'll come back downstairs and he'll have gone back inside. He mostly comes out in the evening if I'm sitting near his cage watching tv or reading. Oh, and he always comes out right at bedtime. He was trying to start a routine 'mom has to chase me around the cage to get me back in' game, but I wasn't having any of it. Now he comes out, wanders around a bit, then goes to the perch I'm allowed to pick him up from and lets me put him to bed. Still, he's come so far since he's been with me, so much braver and more confidant, and I have years to continue to expand his world.

I'm so glad to hear this update. I know you were concerned about Mojos' clear preference of you. You may always be his favourite, but with the good work you and your wife are doing, he will be a well socialized bird who gets along with the whole flock. Well done.

Stephan, you're doing such a greyt job with Issac, and it sounds like he's a pretty laid-back guy by nature. Got to admit I'm a little jealous. Maybe one day I'll be able to take Dorian out in an adventure pack, but unless he has a complete personality transplant, no way will he ever let me put a harness on him:laugh: Robin beat me to it. I was also going to sing the praises of a roll of adding machine tape. Next to his bell, it's Dorian's favourite thing ever, and he never gets tired of it!

Hello Rosie. Tell your new mom that lots of people here have rescues, some who pluck, so there's lots of info and people to talk to and ask for advice.

A beautiful bird in a beautiful setting. I'm curious, does Cocoa talk or vocalize at all on these outings, or is she too busy looking around? What did the humans in the new park think of her?

Dorian is not allowed on my shoulder at all, ever, period. He is too easilly startled. My ears are double pierced, and that's enough for me. I just don't think it's a good idea because you can't see them to read their body language. If you do want your bird to have shoulder privileges, make it clear that it is a privilege, not a right. While he's a baby make it clear that when you ask him to step off your shoulder he has no choice in the matter. Do it a thousand times until it's automatic and ingrained. Also keep in mind that if you let him on the shoulder of his 'favourite' person, he's going to want to have shoulder privileges on other people, people with whom he may be less obedient. If he gets used to being on shoulders now, breaking the habit in the future will be a small nightmare:S Having him ride on your shoulder is more convienient for us humans because then we have both hands free to do stuff, but the only thing you can say for sure about these birds is that they're unpredictable. Honestly, I just wouldn't risk it.

Well, I decided that I'd said yes so it would be childish to go back on my word, but we're going to have to have a serious talk after they're back on how they treat me, even if I have to go in with notes to keep myself on track. So, we're in day 4 of dog-sitting and sad to say it's a bigger pain in the butt than I'd anticipated. I didn't realize how big a problem separation anxiety is with Lucy. She crys and barks as soon as you're out of her sight, even if you're just around the corner in another room. The first night I tried putting her in her kennel, which is huge for a dog her size, in the same room I sleep in. After 5 hours of barking and crying I had to get some sleep and let her up into bed with me, even though I know that's the worst thing to do as far as reinforcing the behaviour goes. I had to move the cats' litter and food dishes upstairs because, instead of being afraid of the dog, he's been really going after her aggresively. I had to go to the lumber yard and build a gate at the bottom of the stairs to keep them separated. They were supposed to come with a baby gate, but they "didn't have to to call around and find one":evil: They also showed up with only one toy, telling me "she's not one for playing with toys". Like heck she isn't. I got her a couple from my pet store and as we speak she's happily playing on the floor in my office. They didn't bring any of her winter coats. The poor thing shivers the whole time she's outside, and tries to keep two feet off the ground all the time. The first two days were so bad that I called the vet down the road from my brothers' place where I know they took their other dog Sadie, who just passed away, only to find out that they've never had Lucy to the vet, and they've had her three years. Even if I wanted to I couldn't board her anywhere because she hasn't had any shots at all! The good news here is that having Lucy around hasn't phased Dorian at all, even though I have to keep his cage door closed at all times. The first time I walked Lucy downstairs on her leash, Dorian said "dog" and started barking.:laugh: The other good news is that my neighbour has a scotty dog named Dougal and he and Lucy have become fast friends, so I'm able to let Lucy off her leash in their yard and let her run off some of her energy. She really is a sweet natured little thing, but even the sweetest dog is exhausting when they've never had a moment of training. I've been working with her and have gotten to the point where I can leave her for a couple of minutes and she only whines, instead of barking like a lunatic. No one has ever owed me the way these people are going to owe me when they get back. Four more days to go guys. Wish me luck, and again, thanks for letting me vent:S

You really are to be commended on the work it has taken to get Beau to this point. Rescues are a lot of work, but it's worth it, isn't it, to see an animal start to florish under your care. Way to go Beau, you'll be fully feathered in no time:woohoo:

Feel better baby boy, we love you.:kiss:

I wish with all my heart that Dorian hadn't spent the first four years of his life clipped and cage bound. Having a flighted bird may mean more work initially for owners to train and bird proof the home, but if giving these creatures the best life possible is too much work for you, then IMHO you should get a goldfish instead:P Please understand, I know that there may be situations where clipping is the right choice, but it's a decison that should never be made without careful thought, research, and deliberation. The thought of not only clipping, but then chaining one of these intelligent creatures makes me so sad. Hopefully with forums like this one we're doing a bit to educate current and prospective owners on how to keep a happy parrot.

Mojo is an adorable baby. I love my Dorian just the way he is, but I do wish he'd had the great start in life that you are giving Mojo. Keeping him flighted, having the chance to socialize him, getting him used to harness training, towelling, pedicures, bathes, all the things you can start with Mojo while he's a baby, will make him a greyt companion for life. A hint on training. If he's biting your wife now's the best time to stop that behaviour. What he wants from his flock more than anything else, more than even his cuttle bone, is attention. As soon as he bites, say 'no bite' with a sad face and voice and put him in a time out, turn your back on him, don't respond. Just for a short time, maybe 30 seconds, because he's just a baby. Then go back to acting as if nothing happened. If you do this every single time he bites, he'll get the message very quickly. He may always favour one of you over the other because greys do often pick one person as their favourite, but the goal is for both of you to be able to handle him without fear. Have fun with your baby. Mojo, you lucked out when you found your parronts:)

Bear with me please, I have to vent a bit. Because I am incapable of saying no, I am going to be dog sitting for my brother and sister-in-law for 9 days while they vacation somewhere with cabanas and pool boys. Lucy is a hyper little mostly Jack Russell mix with no obediance training. I mean, she's cute, and I love all animals, but this is going to be a pain. She's never seen a cat or a bird in a cage before, my cat Jac (aka the white streak of fear) has never seen a dog, and Dorian isn't a fan of dogs because people used to bring them into the pet store all the time. What if they all hate each other and I spend all week trying to keep them separated. :blink: I'm going to have to keep bedroom doors closed because Jac has a habit of leaving deposits on the beds of his people when he's mad at them. We worked hard on breaking this habit, but I feel a regression coming on :unsure: Also, I don't have a fenced-in yard, so that means going with her on a leash every time she has to go out. My brother informs me that I can't tie her out because "if she gets away you'll never get her back, she doesn't come if she's called":angry: I realize this is her humans' fault, not hers, but IMHO if you have a dog it's your responsibility to train it. Do any of you have a person or persons in your life who only ever call you if they need something? When I heard her voice I almost said 'what do you want?' Again, I am fully and painfully aware that this situation says as much about me as it does about them, but right now I'm seriously cheesed off.

What an adorable little baby. I love the expression on your face, and your excitement in having Mojo home jumps right off the screen:) He's obviously going to be one spoiled little guy so you'll fill right in here. Did you just meet each other today, or did you get to visit him while he was being weaned? If today was his first time with you he's been through a lot, even if it was mostly good, and he'll need some time to sit back and get the lay of the land. It's good you have his cage against a couple of walls where he won't feel so exposed. I would keep things calm and quiet around him. Maybe sit by his cage and talk to him, or just sit and read, watch tv, just let him be the observer for awhile. Once he begins to feel safe he'll probably start moving around his cage and investigating. How fast he'll 'come around' depends on how well his breeder socialized him, and on his basic personality. Just like us humans, some birds are introverts and some extroverts. If, after a few hours he's chatting away, playing with his toys, and banging on the cage door - Extrovert! If he sits quietly watching what's going on and slowly 'beaking' his way around the cage - Introvert! This is when you are building your trust relationship with your new baby. If Mojo turns out to be a naturally careful or timid grey and you try to rush him you could damage that trust. You didn't say he was visibly shaking in fear and his feathers are not all fluffed up in his picture, so he doesn't sound truly frightened of you. Just let him set the pace and keep reminding yourself you and he are going to have decades together:)<br><br>Post edited by: Acappella, at: 2010/02/10 02:48

My Dorian takes soooooo long to get used to something new I think he's the leader of the 'that new thing is going to kill me' club. Knowing Harvey the way I feel I do from your descriptions of him, I'd say the best way to get him to take to it immediately is to put it within range and then tell him that he's not allowed to touch it. He should be climbing all over it in minutes{Feel-good-0002006E} "Remember the Yucca":P

I gather that you can't ask previous owners if he ever spoke? They're all individuals, as you know, so no one can predict what he may do in the future. We have a 'tiel in the store who was a rescue and came in with quite a few words but now only ever says 'pretty bird'. So he only spoke in an environment where he was pretty much ignored. Now that he's our "King Ralph" he doesn't feel the need to speak anymore. The best way to encourage talking is to talk to him. Maybe if he sees you talking with the other birds and making a fuss that might motivate him more, without, of course, seeming to favour one bird over another. He obviously loves you and sounds like he's a lovely, laid back dude:) What's his name btw?

I don't know about avoiding specific brands of filters, but really try to get one that allows you to wash the filter instead of having to purchase new ones all the time. (that's the painful voice of experience talking:( ) Also, I've read in more than one place that filters that ionize the air are not good, although I can't remember the reason. Mine has an ionizing feature, but I can keep it turned off. You'll be amazed how much dust is pulled into your cleaner!

Who is doing the work Bernie? Is it a body shop or something like that? The only thing I can think of is to ask them exactly what process and chemicals they use, and then do research on the toxicity of those chemicals. I'm guessing that his cage is all chrome and that's why you want the grill re-done in that finish? What about getting it powder-coated in a complemetary colour like white. Most new cages are powder-coated (except for the super-expensive stainless-steel), so at least that finish should be safe. Or maybe you could find someone who could fabricate a new grill to match the old one, and do it out of stainless.

Hello and welcome to the forum family. Your questions show that you're really thinking this through and that's greyt:) They do all seem to enjoy making water sounds. Dorian loves doing the sound of water running through the pipes in the house. I guess it must be an easy sound to master. They'll mimic whatever strikes their fancy and often it'll be a sound you're not crazy about. Microwave beeps, alarm clocks, dog barking, cell phone ringing, phone key-pad beeps. More than one person here has tried to answer a cell phone that isn't actually ringing:silly: Dorian arrived doing budgie, canary and cockatiel sounds, only at African Grey volume (thankfully that's almost totally stopped after two years) If you have a grey directly from a good breeder you can make sure good habits are in place from the start. From reading the experiences of grey owners on this forum it seems to me that it is easier to introduce showers, travel cages, harnesses, new foods, new toys etc. . . to a baby than to an adult, but it really comes down to the individual birds' personality and the trust relationship between you. The only real consistant is change. Just when you think you've got your bird figured out it will come up with something totally new to befuddle you. That's what we're here for:P They can be moody, even when they're not hormonal or molting. Just like a small child (or to be honest, any one of us) they can just wake up on the wrong side of the perch some days. You'll get to be able to read your individual bird and know when they need a hands-off day.

Welcome Woody and Ondrejd. There's lots of stuff to read here. Have fun looking around.

Where can I find an emoticon doing the happy dance?!?!?!?:woohoo:

Welcome to the forum. Glad to see you asking questions before getting a grey. That bodes well for you and your future fid. They are a lot of work. The more time and effort you put into them the more you get back and the more you prevent problems before they happen. I guess my first question is: What is it about Greys that you love, what is it that makes them your dream bird? Do you want one because they talk? You should know that not all greys do talk, although there are lots of things you can do to encourage them. If yours never chooses to talk would you be ok with that? Do you want a "cuddle muffin" grey? Although a few like to cuddle for years, it is common for then to outgrow this stage after the first year or two. Do you want a bird you can take out of the home with you? This requires time, patience, knowledge and the purchase of special accesories to keep your fid safe. Even then, your specific fid may still decide he or she just doesn't like to do what you want them to. They have very different individual personalities and some are naturally more resilient than others. Would you be ok with that? Can you commit to giving your bird several hours out of cage time every day (an exception every once in a while is ok). Can you provide safe places throughout the home for your fid to 'hang'? These birds have to have regular interactive activity with you, their flock member, to remain healthy, the same way they need food and water. Can you adjust your schedule to provide this? How do you feel about either having birdy poop throughout the home, or putting the time in to potty train? These are just some examples. If you tell us honestly what it is you envision when you imagine having a grey some of the experienced people here can give you an idea of what to expect. Then both you and your fid will both be happy for life.

So cute. Definitely made me smile:)

Glad he's ok. Isn't is amazing the trouble these little monkeys can get into in the space of a couple of minutes. Never boring, is it?:blink: