MazyAK

John: Mazy likes to watch , Andy Griffith, The Beverly Hillbillies, and any skiing and snowboarding on TV. Give it a try. There are many threads which will prove helpful on this sight. Don't get frustrated. You're bird is basically scolding you for screwing up his schedule. He'll come around, just create any of the diversions suggested above or on the rest of the forum. Good Luck Bruce & Mazy

TC@: There's no turning back now, but that seems to be the farthest thing in your mind. You're hooked. Sounds like Pogo and you are well on your way to a lifelong relationship. See you out there. Bruce & Mazy

cf737: These folks have given you all the right advice and things to contemplate, so the decision is now yours. Good to be involved in the weening process. One of the birds may choose you instead of you doing the choosing. We look forward to your decision and getting to know you further. Bruce & Mazy

Great pics Pogo. Are you flighted or clipped?

Hey Terry: I agree with all that has been said above and can only add , patience on your behalf to the list of things to consider. I have a grey and a Too and as far as traveling is concerned, if you're gone often and a lot then maybe a grey isn't for you. They become very attached to their owners. If just traveling casually then do what I have done and find a good bird sitter you can trust and likes birds. Either in your home or in the sitters' home. If it someone who you trust and is willing to learn or, if you're lucky, already knows a little something about birds then it can work for you. My sitter has to be able to plow snow, watch the kids, and the birds. Funny how I only worry about the birds when I'm gone. I'm 52 and my bird will probably out live me but several of my kids are already fighting over who gets Mazy. So think about who may be the person to take over just in case. Good luck in your decision process and look forward to hearing your decision. Lots of great grey owners here so don't be shy. Bruce & Mazy

Welcome Anthea: You've found a great grey family and look forward to hearing more and seeing the pics.

Koigi: It's unfortunate that when people get birds, they often don't know what they're getting into. They get frustrated when a bird doesn't respond like other pets and often don't realize that discipline doesn't work for birds. They just know love and constant working with. Good on you for doing what you could. It shows you're heart is in the right place. Hopefully the person who has him now can give him a life the bird can get used to and feel comfortable with. Good to have you and Koigi on board and look forward to following your progress.

Welcome Eric: Great looking bird and dogs. There are many folks here to help you understand your new friend. I also have a cockatoo and understand them. It's too bad the Too was beyond your help, but you are to be commended for the attempt. Old and bad habits are hard to break. Now you can start fresh with Koigi. Good luck and glad you could join us.

Good to hear from you all and be back in touch. Full on winter but the birds are warm. Beauty has it's price up here and it's not for many. Attrition in Alaska sees more going back south rather than staying. As much as they want to stay the romance wears off quickly and reality sets in. Basically those of us that stay are just plain crazy.

just remember puppy play may not be malicious in intent but a puppy doesn't know their own strength so always be alert when they are interacting.

LadyLinda: Judy andd the others have hit it. Time and patience on your behalf. It can take more than a year to get Reagan out of his(her) shell. I also introduced a new cockatoo into the house with the grey. I started with the cages in sight of each other and gradually moved them closer. Eventually opening both doors and letting the birds decide how to interact. After a 1 year period of this they are now friends and are always calling each other if they are in different rooms visiting. Now when one bird flies to one of the many bird perches and stands around the house the other often heads there also. The Too is bigger but my grey is older and age seems to dominate youth and size here, but I must always watch the youngster as he can get excited and overpower thew grey. When they have arguments the grey always wins but I can never let my guard down.. just relax and give Reagan the opportunities to explore the surroundings.

Irishchicky: It can often take a long time for a bird to get used to a new toy. I always put it outside , near the cage, for a few days to allow them to get used to it. My bird actually doesn't use or pay any attention to many of the new toys I introduce to her. Every once in a while you hit on it though. Putting them on the outside and around the cage and leaving the door open gives the bird a chance to let curiosity kick in by their choice, as opposed to having a bunch of toys hanging all over in the cage making him increasingly nervous. Give them the time, space, and choice. As for you,,,, just patience.

Hey if the vet says the animal is healthy then it sounds like a great cleaning system to me.

Dave: You are the man! I found that patience on my behalf was what is most important. There are times when Mazy wants to fly and times when not. But just staying with it and knowing the flight feathers are grown enough has worked for me. Mazy now does her improving and learning on her own as she has the skills to at least land without injury.

Rosie514: The dollars seem very high to watch your bird and I don't blame you that it is too much in these economic times, but Judy is right. The welfare of the bird is formost. If you will just be worried when gone and you aren't sure about your ex's intentions, you should do what is best for the bird and you so you will both be at peace with the choices. Is there not someone in your area who has birds who may bird sit for less money or even a future exchange? Even in Alaska where I live with very few parrots and no vet I manage to find a house/bird sitter. Just wondering if this is an option for you. I didn't realize it cost so much anywhere to have a bird taken care of.

Thanks Casper & BaxtersMom: I have been a commercial fisherman trolling for salmon, but most of my years were spent longlining halibut and blackcod from Southeast to the Bering Sea. I know several of the guys on the deadliest catch and they had it easy as they only were out there for a few weeks at a time where us longliners are there for months in the winter. It is just like you see on the show. Rough, lonely, and dangerous. I'm 52 now and I have more total days of my adult life on the ocean than on dry land. I started when I was 20. This is really a dramatic place to live but these long subzero temps. are getting old.

Be patient, talking seems to be an aspect of greys where there is no set way. I've read so many different stories on this site and it varies from bird to bird. Mazy is 15 and has just begun to spit out words and sounds as she hears them. Sometimes repeating them only once. She is carrying on conversations when she's on my shoulder. So it seems no matter how old they get you will always hear new things coming out of your little buddy.

Rick: when I came here Mazy didn't fly for her first 13 years. She has now grown ouit and flys well. It's the landings that had to be learned . But with the help of these folks I worked with her flying her into the sofa seat from farther and farther so as she learned she didn't hurt herself. She now comes and goes to the designated bird stops throughout the house. We have a huge house with large cathedral area and railings. I'm glad I brought her to flight. Our cockatoo is flighted also. Check my posts listed below on new flight.<br><br>Post edited by: MazyAK, at: 2009/01/04 05:35

Thanks luvparrots: The guys on the boat were cross because they knew as the only female on the boat you were going to catch the most. Thanks for the hello. Somehow the -6 to -20 degree weather is less than enjoyable here but birds and all stay plenty warm.

Give him a sippy cup to play with . Mazy liked to play with it when she found out it contained a small amount of juice. They are like kids.Once in a while Mazy throws food out of the bowl onto the floor outside the cage and then after a few minutes she climbs down and forages on it. Birds are natural foragers so encourage it in controlled ways such as putting goodies in things and bird toys they can get out and eat. You may find your bird throws a lot less.

Funny how my kids and my birds require the exact same discipline and structure to insure order. Ignore their bad behavior and they will find the positive behavior is better and you should acknowledge and reward this. Just don't give your bird the car keys when they are good. I get that part mixed up sometimes with the 3 teenagers here.

To many I have missed and been away from in this grey world, I apologize for such a long absence but many things all at once make for pretty much zero internet time. Besides the birds got the attention first. I am trying to retire from the sea by selling my commercial boat and spend more time at home at our lodge with family and friends. The lodge has become very busy and many film crews like to film in Alaska. We have enjoyed watching Mazy get used to her new good friend "Avi" the med sulphur crested too. It's taken 6 months or so but they are now acting as siblings, competing for attention. The Too is very good with our guests and provides great entertainment flying from one to another. The grey is pretty much my bird but has loosened up to the idea that one good scratch and a ride are as good as any other. I am forced to employ others so as to spend more time with kids, guests, birds, this group again, and,,,,,,,,oh yeah my wife. We'll be seeing you all out there and look forward to getting back to this family which seems ever growing.

Welcome: Quite a colorful cast. Never a dull moment for you, but I've got you by 3 teenagers. I'll gladly trade them for anything with four legs or feathers.

Welcome Davek85: Danmcq is right spend as much time as you can with the group and you and a bird will pick each other. Do you have a breeder with a clutch yet?

Welcome Adhaincroi: When introducing two birds, be slow and patient. Cages apart and doors open gives the birds the choice. Slowly the cages can come closer and soon, as my cockatoo and grey do, they may come to enjoy each others' company. It seems that was a 6 month or so process in this house when the 15 year old grey suddenly had to deal with a just weened cockatoo. Now if they're in seperate rooms, they call to each other.