chezron

Brutus eats for HOURS. He weighs about a pound. I would think with as much as he eats he would be overweight. Why don't greys become overweight like amazons? Does your grey eat all day too?

Ha Ha - Now that's funny (and clever!). We also have high ceilings and it is funny how strategic Brutus gets before bedtime. He is always within stroking distance during the day, but as the sun goes down he flies up high. Of course, I have to take out a ladder to get him down. He just HATES going to bed!

Sterling sounds like a sweet boy! I am glad your parrots are getting along now.

Yeah! I am so glad you connected with another grey. Please contact the family with the found grey every so often to remind them that you still would like to adopt if the original owner cannot be found. Not to be a pest, but to keep you in their minds if a month passes without change. I would hate for you to lose another grey that has stolen your heart. Please keep us posted on any progress.

Elvenking, I believe it is helpful to help your bird become more resilient if your routine is not so regular. If you leave once in awhile for longer periods of time, AND come back he will realize that you come back. If you don't introduce change now your bird will become intolerant of change, and could become neurotic.

Shouldn't encourage this behavior. Your bird will eventually get frustrated and bite REALLY hard! You are not a mate, you are a caretaker, and that must be really clear. Whenever your bird displays this behavior you must not take part - just walk away until the bird has settled down. Sexuality is a given, how you respond is your responsibility as a good grey owner.

Nice to hear more about Isaac. It is fun isn't it?

I am so thrilled for you and Sunny! Happy day!

Brutus will imitate our Quaker making a raucous noise, and then he will say, "What's your problem?"

SOOO cute! Thanks for sharing!

Nice story Jodi!

I used to live in San Francisco. There is a very good bird store in Noe Valley. My quaker of twenty years had just died, so I was mourning him and getting some bird time, by visiting the store on the weekends. I went there every weekend for about a year, handling many parrots. When I picked up Brutus, CAG, i felt an instant connection and calm that I had not felt with the other parrots I had handled, so that was it for me. By that time we were living on the opposite coast, so I came out to SF and brought Brutus home on the plane in a travel carrier. I gave him beak rubs periodically to let him know it was okay. Bringing him home was life-changing and one of the best things we ever did. Pancho, Panama Amazon, is a rehome. I visited him for many months at a bird store in San Diego. I brought him walnuts and talked to him. The story was he had been with a guy for 8 years who ditched him for a girlfriend who did not like birds - bad trade, I think. He sold Pancho to the bird store where he sat in a small dark cage in a windowless room under other cages, eating a primarily seed diet. He looked bad: dull ragged feathers, flaky beak and peeling feet, but he was very sweet. At our house, his transformation has been dramatic in both personality and appearance. He is gorgeous now (even if i do say so myself!) and SOOOO sweet. I really think that Pancho is a cute little girl. maybe someday we will find out with a DNA test.

Beautiful bird!

Glad the vet check went well!

I seriously think we, as a country, are way too germ phobic. Good old soap and water (maybe not on the computer keyboard) studies show is just as successful at removing bacteria and germs from surfaces as any nuclear, potentially toxic cleaning product out there. Because grey's lungs are so efficient I think it is a good idea to stay away from ANY aerosol. Your primary defense against getting sick is your own immune system. If you are in good health, chances are good that your immune system will destroy any invading organisms. The best thing you can do to avoid getting sick is to wash your hands often with soap and water and avoid touching your face.

Are his calcium levels normal? Low calcium in greys can cause seizures.

Leave them in the pod, then they become a toy and a food. Two-for-one!

Of course the majority of their diet is organic fresh vegetables, fruits, beans, legumes, nuts, and whole grains, with supplemental small portions of organic meat, cheese and eggs, and a weekly cooked chicken drumstick bone. Pellets are available but rarely eaten, I guess fresh food just tastes better. I also supplement with chia seed, and red palm oil.

Organic Harrison's. That way I know there are no artificial colors, flavors, hydrogenated vegetable oils, and more importantly, no genetically modified ingredients. Any food that contains corn or soy, almost certainly contains GMOs. No way do I want to put that stuff in my, or my bird's systems.

I am glad Timmy is okay.

Penny, I LOVE the visual of you spinning on one foot! Only my quaker is allowed to sit with me and only when I am at my desk, because he sits quietly. Brutus, the grey, needs to be scratched constantly or he will start to destroy things, so he is not allowed to perch on me. Only in the evening, he is invited to perch on my knee and he gets lots of affection at that time. Pancho, the amazon cannot fly yet and seems content to be on or in his cage. Anytime Brutus lands on me I duck quickly and he flies away (another good visual). He actually doesn't try much anymore. He can fly to me when he is invited, but never on his own terms. I have set up close activity centers so he can be near by but not on me as I work in the kitchen, etc.

My grey LOVED the feather duster! It became his favorite destructible item. I am glad it works for you.

I think fate stepped in and prompted you to get Shyloh, and I am glad you did. Just know there are many knowledgeable people on this forum that help you with any questions you may have. Please feel free to ask away... Good luck and keep us posted! i do think getting the two birds at about the same time will help any potential dominance issues.

Even though your bird seems okay, I think I might take her to the vet to be on the safe side.

I have NO IDEA what Miss Lily was saying, but it sure was funny! thanks!