chezron

Wow! Nice outdoor aviary! Congratulations!

Good luck Marco!

Seriously I just want to kiss him all day long, and I DO. I kiss his toes in the morning (he loves to hang upside down and then I kiss his toes), and then I kiss his beak all day long and then I kiss his arm pits when he stretches his wings up, and then I kiss his tummy at night. It is so disgusting!!!!!!

Keep a close eye on him Murfchick. You seem to have an intuition about him that I think you should pay attention to and not ignore. Sometimes changes in behavior are indicative of changes in health. I don't mean to frighten you--just be aware, as I am sure you are. You know him FAR better than your vet.

Good point on the neonicotinoids! Just read an article that says, environmentally, they are worse than DDT. I don't know about you but I rarely see bees anymore and it is so sad! You can start willows from cuttings very easily. River Birch are beautiful trees.

I can't help you on that one. I have no idea why she roosts there. Maybe try what SterlingXL says and remove the dish to give her other alternatives. Maybe she is habit driven like us all.

Lately Brutus learned what, "Good Job" means and he has been saying it in an encouraging fashion when i need it most! Last night he had been silent for a couple of hours and I think when he sensed I had gotten to particular dicey part of preparing a recipe I hear, "Good Job!" Thanks honey I needed that! I am always amazed about what comes out of his mouth. I always tell him "good job" when he takes a good shower or flies well. He also asked me, "Are you okay?".

It is obvious to EVERYONE that you love and treat Isaac like your best friend. Sorry he can't stay unplucked. I feel for you-I REALLY do. It has to be crazy-making and guilt-producing. Sorry you have to go through this. I wish you guys continued success!

Also, I know Crepe Myrtle grows where you live and those work too. I know you have seen them pruned into sticks and they still come back. Butterfly bush, Crab Apple, Fig Tree, Sweet gum, Viburnum, and Pine would all work and are non-toxic. All of these plants I listed are non-toxic to birds.

Are there native species of willow where you live? I know they are non-toxic and you can cut them back with no problem. They do like water though.

Where can i find a handy man like you? There doesn't seem to be many of them around anymore. Love the door! Really a great touch!

GracieMae is a good supervisor!

This cracks me up. At night Brutus sits on the air cleaner on my desk and it looks like he melts. He cannot get more relaxed than he is in this picture. He is sitting about 4 feet from where I sit, facing me and to the side. He used to not have the towel but he kept relaxing to the point he would start to slide off and startle himself, and he would scramble to keep on top. I put the towel up there so he could grip something.

He does look pretty scary. He always says, "Come on Brutus" when I walk in the door. It is funny, especially in the dark at night, before I get a light turned on, I hear, "Come on Brutus."

Raz contacted me and said it is not her bird.

I emailed Raz about the bird. Weirder things have happened. It sure would be good for her to get Carly Lu back.

Update, Brutus was found three days later. Both he and i are so happy and relieved! Happy ending!

It just occurred to me that maybe this is not the place to post this--oops. I posted it on Craigslist LA too. An African Grey Parrot was found in Baldwin Park, CA http://www.911parrotalert.com/found/shelter-found-ca-baldwin-congo-african-grey-21sep14/ 6269623577

Brutus, my guy just got out accidentally, a couple of months ago, and I am glad he knew how to fly! I believe it kept him safe from the hawks and crows that harassed him. Please let your baby fly and use a harness, because as you can see they can still fly even clipped. It makes me so happy and satisfied to see all of the confidence Brutus developed as he mastered flying! He is so proud of himself when he does a difficult landing or maneuver. You can read about it, but clipped African Greys often never develop this confidence and become neurotic feather-pluckers as a result. Get your baby off to a good start!

I started reading your post with dread, I am so glad Peck is fine now. I always read that when you notice a bird is sick THEY ARE REALLY SICK! I am so paranoid about Brutus. Always looking at his poop and listening to his breathing, and his little fast heart beat, and warning him, "Be careful!" like it is going to help keep him safe from harm. What else can you do?

That sounds horrible! I am so sorry this is so difficult. GreycieMae will love it when you are done. Keep us updated. Hope it goes smoothly now.

Yes, I have many "sampled" doors and window frames all over the house. He is redecorating.

So funny when they do that!

He used to be pretty destructive but he appears to have mellowed out. He is so funny. Today I was singing and he started bobbing his head. It was so cute.

I have one called Dr. Heater. I had a conversation with a guy from the company that makes it to make sure there was no teflon used in the heating elements.