KatB

Terri, that is hilarious! They really are just like children, aren't they? When my granddaughter moved in with me she started saying a word I won't admit I say. I told her little girls don't say that word, and she insisted they do. I didn't want to say it's a bad word, because that would mean I say bad words. But when her dad heard her say it, he had no qualms about telling her it was a bad word. She looked at me, and though she didn't rat me out, I could see the wheels turning in that little 2 year old head... As for Bella, it sounds like you can have "No" or you can have "Poop Poop" but you can't have both at the same time right now

I love the name, it's so appropriate. I expect Soldier is becoming braver by the hour?

Welcome, DebT, and here's some Karma for ya! I know you will enjoy this site as much as I have. There is so much information here and if there isn't already a thread on your question, just ask and someone is sure to have the answer. KatB

Thanks for sharing the pics of Cosmo, Jimmy. You're wise to take so many. It's easy to miss photo ops then wake up in a few years and realize you don't have any pictures of the good ol' days. Kat

Welcome, Deb! I'm looking forward to hearing from you.

You've inspired me, Terri, I'm off to shop the baby section now! LOL if this becomes a trend Walmart is going to wonder what caused the run on their baby toys.

Nychsa, how is the potty training coming? I need to know my next step, LOL. Oliver is now pooping on command. When I take him from his cage, I hold him over a newspaper a few feet away and say "Go poop poop". He'll go 9 times out of 10 now. He still isn't talking, so he doesn't tell me when he needs to go. I have a suspicion one of his "peep peep" sounds means gotta go, though. Still working through that mystery. Anyway, when I forget to take him to the paper (bad mommie!), he will go where-ever the urge strikes, and I'll just say "Poop poop" and take him back to his cage. But if I can remember to always take him to the poop-paper, he will go when I tell him to.

LOL, if we put our minds to it I'm sure we can come up with a great plan for handling her! Not exactly on topic, but I write software and at one time worked with a man who liked to tell everyone how to do their jobs. One small utility program I wrote had a place to diplay the name and phone number of the author in case of mal-function. It was in a test phase and did have a bug or two, so I put his name and cell phone number on it. Much more irritating to him than if it had been a perfect work, let me tell ya! Of course, it was a joke and I removed it within a day or two (but not before he saw it).

She's only 5 months old? Does she fly, or did she walk/climb her way out?

Wow, thanks Joe! That's a pretty daunting list and sure makes me pause to notice the things around me!

Great story, Sandra! I know what you mean. I've noticed over the years that very few people appreciate criticism of their literary creations. Not me, though. Whenever anyone criticizes my writing I just ignore it because I know they must be misguided

Steve, I, too, have read in multiple places and heard from many different people that an AG is not a good choice for a first bird. But I met a dejected little TAG living a sad little existence and I took him home with me anyway. I've made mistakes, but with lots of research and the help of the folks on this forum, we're coming along. I'm sure he would have been much better off with an experienced caretaker, but lovemygreys, judygram and nychsa don't have enough room for all the needy greys out there Anyway, if you've decided on a grey buy are still undecided on whether to adopt a baby or a rescue, I can vouch that taking in a rescue is deeply rewarding. But if you do that, you would need to make a solemn commitment to stick with it for the long haul. The last thing any abused animal -- bird, human or other -- needs is to be rejected again. Whichever you choose, I'm sure it will be the right answer for you. Kat

Thanks, I'll keep an eye out for that. He has started begging for step-ups, so maybe we're on the right path!

What great progress, how wonderful! And I like the photo -- it shows just how far "out on a limb" he's going for his new mommie!

Yuck! How do they act when they do that? I've seen Oliver open his beak wide like there's something caught in his throat, but he doesn't do it "over" any part of my body -- he's usually perched in his cage and I'm talking to him...

Thanks, Ziggy, I would love to see the article you mention. I know most fruits have a "regulating" effect on the human body and I don't give Oliver a large amount of any fruit for that reason. Don't want the little guy to get diahhrea, although the fruits may not affect birds the same way. It sounds like the article you mention says grape skins go beyond that to toxicity?

Thanks for the suggestion, chapala. I've tried almonds but Oliver turns his nose up at them. I thought for sure they would be a winner, but no go. I haven't tried walnuts, though, so that's a possibility. He was loving pine nuts for a while, but he seems to be tired of them -- he just drops them immediately after I hand them to him now Dblhelix, it sounds like Kip is a pleasure to feed!

It's a shame you can't just give him a map and tell him to meet you there :lol:

Yes, I save them for "atta boys". I'm always looking for new favorites, but so far he only gets excited about the unhealthy ones -- grapes and cheese. Kind of like us humans, huh? Given a choice between triple chocolate cake or broccoli, guess which one I'll choose? :lol:

I've seen the head-banging, but no regurgitated food to go with it. Never thought I would wish to get thrown up on!

Thanks for the info, everybody. It sounds like grape skins are probably safe. I know Oliver has been eating grapes, skin and all, although I do also find partially eaten grapes on the bottom of his cage sometimes (or in the middle of my living room floor if he's in a "flinging mood"). I've been giving them to him for the past two months without any apparent ill effects. Granted, though, these guys are good at hiding health issues so you never know... KatB

And I've been happy with the several things I have ordered from www.theperchstore.net

Oh yes, I want to know! Grapes are Oliver's favorite treat next to cheese. Actually, those are the only two things I've found that he consistently gets excited about. Since I have to be careful not to over-do the cheese, I tend to give him more grapes. I was giving him three or four a day til I heard the skin might be toxic.

What a georgeous bird! I know you're very proud of him and counting the days til you bring him home.

Maybe you can start with a hand-held perch, instead of your hand? Or ball your hand into a fist so it doesn't look like a hand and offer him your wrist. That worked for me, but the circumstances were different so it may not be your answer.