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.

Ok guys, lets not tear him a new one. Have you never done something without getting the research done first and realized it was not what you thought it would be? I know I have. What's important is that he not do it again when its at the expense of a poor defenseless amazing little genius who just happens to have feathers. md2020, just because he is getting more independent now is not a reason to turn on him. Its time to look into who he is and if you can't accept him on those terms, then by all means, find him a loving home with someone who can appreciate his wonderful qualities and buy yourself a bunny to cuddle up to. Have you ever thought maybe you just are not a bird person? After all, we are rather unique...

Well, its great to see you all have a sense of humor! I really liked the wooden bench. Of course, we all know the birds would eventually eat it, so... I think I will go with the slip covers and hope for the best. Thanks to everyone for their ideas and pointers.

Sparky does the peeping and then as soon as he sees me or hears me, he does the wolf whistle. Of course, it is drowned by the conures, quaker, etc. all screaming for my attention at the same time. So as not to make anyone jealous, I answer "hello babies". Then I usually make Sparky's formula and give him some one on one. Lately, he wants out alot more, even after just having eaten. I will take him out and hold him awhile, then put him back because I can't put him on his playpen anymore until his flight feathers grow back. One split keel is enough for me. Incidently, my son taught him the wolf whistle.

I am really blessed to have such an easy going fellow. I put new stuff in his cage constantly and move his cage all over the place and he has no problem with change or new things. I have been doing this since day one because I had heard so much about them being phobic, etc. I figured if change was all he knew, it wouldn't be a big deal. Seems to have worked for him, not that it would for all... Seems the only thing he doesn't like is anyone touching his feet (except me) and the fear of falling, which he actually had before he fell and split his keel. I am not clipping him anymore so I am hoping he will gain confidence and stop crying whenever he thinks he might fall.

Ok, thanks for the advice. Looks like Sparky gets a pretty new boing!!!

I don't know what they are called, but the long spiral rope perches, usually with a bell on the bottom are what I am refering to, attached at the top of the cage. My grey has shredded the upper part of his so that the wire is now exposed for about a foot. I then noticed today that he had some of the strings wrapped loosely around his foot and ankle. I am guessing that before it got to this stage, I should have removed it? Would cutting off all the loose string suffice or should it be removed completely and a new one purchased. He would be lost without it as its were he sits most of the day to play with his bazillion toys. Anyone have this experience?

Good points. The slip covered set would probably be best since my jeans are the toughest thing I know of. And the actual furniture is covered in a thick canvas. Anyone else?

Basil is just precious. He is very fortunate to have found you and now you get to show him what a fun and exciting world he lives in. Best of luck with him and let us know how he is adapting to having time out of his cage.

We have decided to purchase new furniture for the family room. I want to buy something that is durable enough to withstand bird pecking and pooping, along with a cat who has claws. So far I have considered leather, which would be easy to wipe bird poo off, but could be ruined by a cat sharpening his claws on it. I also worry about the poo I dont catch that might break down the leather before it dries. I have considered slip covered furniture made of blue jean material, which should be very durable, much tougher for cat claws and removable for machine washing. Does anyone have a type of furniture that is just awesome for bird people. Also, knowing how toxic everything is for birds, what about the substance sprayed on the material to protect from stains. The furniture guy assures me it is completely safe for the birds, but he has no birds...I guess it is sprayed and dries in the factory so it is done long before it is even shipped to the store and I guess it doesnt emit any fumes of any kind. All comments would really be appreciated.

Not to play the devil's advocate, but my Jenday conure is incredibly loud all the time. He is very sweet but is constantly doing any number of annoying natural ear reverberating sounds. My quitest bird is actually my solomon island eclectus. I think he would be perfect for an apt. because even when he talks, he is very quiet and low key. And they can also be very good talkers from about a year old. There are some very cute videos of an eclectus named Riley on Utube. Take a look...and good luck with whatever you decide on.