scrohan

I just wanted to share that when I was taking care of my father, who had a very bad stroke, we got our african grey so my dad would have someone besides me to talk to. He used to tell my grey, Sparky, "hey sport". Many months later, my father passed away and within days, I heard my father's voice say "hey sport". I was really caught off guard as these were Sparky's first words. Now, two years later, I still have the pleasure of hearing my father's voice as only my little Sparky could reproduce it!

Thanks for everyone's words of encouragement and advise with this little guy (his name is Toku, japanese for "speak"). No, I did not quarantine him or take him to the vet yet. He eats everything under the sun and alot of it. He has a ferocius appetite. Now I caught Sparky with a sunflower seed in his mouth last night. He could only have gotten it from his treat dish. If anyone remembers, he is the 1 yr old who believes its better to be fed by mommy than to eat on his own. Unfortunately, I couldn't get him to eat his carrots, squash or grapes. But he is obviously sneaking food on his own when he thinks I'm not looking...Well, I have to go check up on the two little hooligans and see what kind of mayhem they are cookin up in the bird room. I will keep you posted.

I bought a second grey yesterday. I have a 1 yr old CAG and this new one is a 1 yr old TAG. Both are males. I should be eligible for the bite club too because when I went to get acquainted with him, he grabbed my hand and bit me about 10 times, breaking the skin and making my hand bleed big time. It was all I could do to remain calm and not shake that guy off of my hand, but I gently placed him back on his cage and then cleaned and bandaged my hand. Its weird because he was giving me kisses through the cage, so I figured he was somewhat friendly. So we brought him home and we are adjusting, but I have not given him any opportunity to bite me again. I'm taking it slow. I do hold my CAG and pet him and cuddle him in front of the TAG so he can see that I am not a bad person. I hope it encourages him to trust me. He does come out of his cage and play and takes treats from my hand and even accidently got on my shoulder (of course I just knew he was going to take a chunk out of my cheek), but he didn't. He got back in his cage without incident. I praised him for being such a good bird and gave him treats. I honestly don't think he has been handled for the last 6 months or so. The owner seemed very detached from him, stating that she was pregnant and couldn't spend enough time with him, but she never once touched him in the two hours we were there. Also his feathers are very unsmooth, lots of white fluffy down around his wing area, no skin showing, but she said he was plucking. Today, there was absolutely no feathers in the bottom of his cage. Do you suppose he has been so lonely that he is just happy to have some new feathered friends? He does not appear aggressive towards any of them as of yet, but based on his little outburst, I am not leaving him alone with any of the others yet. Well, sorry for rambling, but I'm just using everyone as a sounding board.

Yeah, I did after I realized I should have done that in the first place. I refer to any play area as a play pen. My main one is a table on wheels with many manzanite branches that I hang all kinds of toys on. When its dirty, I wheel it outside and hose it off. Its great!

I live in Northern Florida (St. Augustine) which is not too far from you. I would be interested in giving Sugar a good home. I have a male grey who is just turning a year old who is still being handfed because he is terribly spoiled. I share my home with my husband, three older kids (11,13 and 17) two cats that respect my birds. I am also home all day so I can spend alot of time with them. My birds have their own bedroom right off the family room and I have several playpens so they can play with us in the family room. If you think we might be a good family for Sugar, I can be reached at 904-377-8748 if you would like to chat. Thanks, Sue

In Florida, its up to the breeder if they want to band the bird. There is what is called a hatch certificate, but I think that was not a requirement, but just something the breeder liked to do. The band just has the breeder's identification number on it. There are no actual papers to register the bird as far as I know.

Why don't you get his nails clipped? Sparky chewed up every part of me he touched until I had that done and now its no longer painful and blood to hold him!

I will be letting my grey's feathers grow. He was clipped, but suffered a split keel. Hence, the change of heart.

I have a CAG, 6 mos. named Sparky. Susie, I have a male eclectus, Hollister, who is about 8 mos. old. He is absolutely the greatest and sweetest with anyone and everyone. He is the most good-natured bird and has never bit anyone. The females are a bit less consistent as far as their mood goes, particularly when sexually mature. That would be a wonderful addition to your flock someday.

Well, Sparky is just starting his 1st molt and he has tons of little bitsy feathers everywhere. He hasnt lost any big ones yet and there are no bald spots on him. Since I dont know much from having Sparky just a few months, perhaps one of our more experienced members can advise you. And maybe they can tell us how long a molt takes.

Sparky took a long nap this afternoon, so was wide awake for the 70-80 trick or treaters. He sat on my shoulder for some of the passing out candy time. Most kids asked if he was real because he didn't move a muscle when I opened the door. Then he would twitch some part of him and scare everyone who thought he was stuffed. It was great fun.

Just wanted to say that Sparky only recently started to drink much water and he is 6 months old now. I guess he must have been getting enough water in his formula. Also, I found that wrapping those ladders on the play top with cotton or sisel rope makes it much easier for them to climb around them as the diameter of the rungs are so small that it makes it difficult for them to utilize them. Sparky wouldn't climb on the ladders at all because he seemed very clumsy on them until I wrapped them. Now he climbs all over them. Climbing is a very good way for them to gain some confidence during play time. I just noticed you are in my neck of the woods. I live in the north side of St. Augustine. Welcome to the forum.

This posted so...did you use "post new topic"? If not, just start over using the red moving box. Everyone will read and offer what they know or have experience with.

Sparky is pretty cuddly, but his preference is my shoulder. He cries when he is on my shoulder and anyone else touches him, especially on his feet. He really hates that. When he is sleepy is the best time for cuddling. I am enjoying it while I can as he is about 6 months old. I expect he will change soon because of being more independent. It probably helps that he is still on two feedings a day. He just won't wean and I am not going to force him. He does eat other things but only when I handfeed it to him. Last nite I did see him nibbling on pellets, so I think he is a closet eater when I am not watching. Talk about smart and spoiled, "why eat when someone will feed me".

You know, maybe my cat wouldn't sharpen her claws on the leather. It can't feel as good as something she can really sink her claws into. I am certain poops would be easier to wipe up on leather. As for special guests, if they don't like the flock, cages, play pens and the general mess that comes with eight birds, they are not welcome anyway.