chezron

Sometimes I hear a loud or unexpected noise, and I guess I say, "What was that?" Lately though Brutus drops toys or bangs things together and HE says, "What was that?" I think he figured out it requires a noise first before the question. neat.

Dan, If Brutus knew he could get me to pick him up every time he flew to the stove- he would fly there every chance he got. Nothing he likes better than riding shotgun with Mom. I think I will just do the pots and pans strewn on the stove, so far it has worked and he hasn't flown over to the stove. I guess it looks like he can't get a sufficient landing spot. I have tried saying "NO' with conviction and he just looks at me quizzically with his head cocked. My method has been pretty much redirection, so there is no need for correction.

What a great story about Phenix! Quite an expressive personality! I hope me grey doesn't learn the Window's sign-off sound, as I could be in big trouble <g>

I am afraid that I took the "no yelling" thing to an extreme. I think I have been too reticent to use any sort of authoritative approach as I was convinced it would damage his fragile sensibilities. I can see now that I haven't given Brutus enough credit. He is a tough little guy and I know he loves me tons! Thanks for the words of wisdom.

Good advice from Ana Grey's Mom- thanks!

Really great points Steve and Dan! We really don't have many places that ARE off-limits to Brutus. And as far as chewed wooden cabinet trim and gnawing on door frames I consider that just a small price for having a grey, so I don't stress over those types of things. Plus, I have a sizable stack of towels and cheap pillows that I use to temporarily cover areas that have suddenly become enticing to Brutus because I do have items that I do not wish to see in pieces. But when his safety is concerned I am a mother bear! Unfortunately I have a boy who is afraid of NOTHING! Everything is a game and just a mouthful away from being dismantled and destroyed. My husband had a great idea, similar to yours Dan, to load the stove top with pots and pans even though most are not in use to discourage visitation when the stove is on. I think I will try this from now on. I also think I will take Dan's advice and use the word "hot" when it applies to other "hot" situations, so he begins to make an association. Thank you for once again providing me with stellar advice!

So here is my question, keeping in mind that I should not raise my voice to teach my bird- what do you do when my bird is testing his limits by flying repetitively to the stove, which may or may not be on? I feel I am forced to raise my voice to make him understand the gravity of the situation should he be on the stove. I usually yell, HOT! when he lands on the stove. I chase him off with a large metal saucepan lid only because it isn't technically "me" who is chasing- just the metal lid. This doesn't seem to be following the "rules" for Grey discipline, so do you have any suggestions for me?

I am so sorry you lost Lolita! I can only hope that your grief shared by us all will help you a little bit. I am soooo sorry.

Great and heart-felt description! It really provides a sense of what it is like to live with Buddy! Thanks!

Great post about your life with Buddy! Keep 'em coming!

Maybe you can talk to the owner about a payment plan? If the store is hurting for sales the owner might go for it! The bird sounds adorable! I am pretty sure I would be searching all my friends' sofa cushions trying to find a little down payment <G>.

One toy I make for Brutus is threading pasta tubes along a untanned leather cord. He loves to crunch all the pasta and break them off one-by-one. Kinda messy <G> He also loves to take the plastic tops off, empty, rinsed, and tightened, vitamin bottles. A piece of cardboard folded like a taco and filled with uncolored raffia from the craft store, and chunks of wood, and the occasional walnut wrapped in paper is also good for entertainment. Another fun and inexpensive thing to do in the kitchen, is letting him have the discarded portions of (organic and rinsed) nontoxic vegetables and fruits such as: banana peels, broccoli stems, leeks, corn husks, and bottoms of lettuce heads. He totally loves shredding them while I cook.

So glad Cocoa is alright. Don't you worry about hawks where you live. There is no way I could do that with my bird because he looks too much like a irresistible, over-sized pigeon to a hawk and would quickly become a menu item. Letting them fly outside sounds like fun though.

Fascinating but not unexpected!

I am so happy for you and Loki! I am so glad he is gaining weight and getting his feathers in. You must feel so relieved. <G>

Wonderful link and video! thanks!

If it is, in fact, ants. I have found that meticulous cleaning and vacuuming to remove any possible food source usually takes care of the problem. Ants (and other insects) that are attracted to food will not come around UNLESS there is something for them to eat. Bear in mind that pesticides are not a good idea, and aerosols are especially harmful to birds. If they are ants they will have three clearly segmented body regions and have six legs. Their antennae are not straight but "elbowed." Hope that helps.

Caleigha, Chili is hilarious. Thanks for the laughs and the video!

So glad you got her back and giving her TLC.

The head snaking behavior is a hoot. Brutus does it a lot and really gets going. Good post.

Suzzique, Great job on the playstands!

Way to go Hawkins on the new vocabulary. Keep us posted on his linguistic progress.

I am so happy that little Sassy was found and returned to her owners. Great news!

So funny what they do! Brutus conveniently drops his heaviest toys into whatever I am cooking. Lately he has discovered how to turn on the kitchen light switch and the garbage disposal. I think he must be in his "terrible twos" because he has also started flying over our heads and "Bonking" my husband and I on the head with his feet. Not so cute, but funny nonetheless. He also has a special "cooing" noise he only makes for me.

More photos please! Cute.