birdhouse

Twenty years ago, I had a recipe from my vet for peanut butter & dog food cookies that he said his zon was wild for. It never occured to me to worry a bit whenever Phenix walked over & helped himself to the dog's dry bowl. Back then it was (probably) an urban myth that people at Purina Mills occassionally walked around snacking on handfuls of their dog chow. My how things have changed. Now, I won't feed the dog most of the dog foods on the market! The list of ingredients on that web page look like they'd be okay for a parrot. Except the laws don't require all the ingredients to be listed, sometimes. Also, safe processing for a dog food, isn't necessarily safe for a parrot. They're much more susceptible to mold just for one example. The ingredients included zinc amino acid chelate which I'd wonder about for a bird. Also, vitamin D is something birds need but too much can cause problems. So, it might be ok that Christian helped himself, this time. But I'm not sure he should make a habit of it.

Nope. No way. When Phenix is whistling up a storm it means he's really happy. I would never discourage that for an-y-thing. I also like that he knows he'll get an answer if he whistles his contact calls to me. Makes me feel better about if anything happened. I also feel a little obligated to try to "talk" to him in his own language, because he makes every effort to speak mine. ... and does a way better job, I have to admit. He's been trying to teach me to whistle for years. He really seems to enjoy laughing at the way I can't whistle for the life of me. Which I think he already knows, but now it's become a game. He also has a game where he makes up his own tunes. He's always so proud when he's showing them off. Of course, sometimes I think he's just plain showing off. lol Another thing he can do that I can't. As if flying weren't enough! And for the record, Phenix not only talks quite well & often in context, but he learned to talk as a fully grown, wild caught adult.

Always a hard question... but a fun one I keep thinking I'd like a corner cage, if only I had a corner to put it in... Which is a problem w/them. Their design limits where they work. But, octagonal cages can kind of be the best of both worlds there. I'm not big on play tops for a lot of reasons. First & most important, Phenix seriously freaks at having anything over his head like that. Doesn't matter if it's the perch or the tray. I like the dome tops because I have limited space & they tend to have more room inside. I like open dome tops because the fids can come & go w/o my having to maneuver around the open door & the dog doesn't get to put her big ole head inside. I particularly like having the dome tops w/the drop down top door because there's no need to worry about how I arrange anything that hangs from the top. Besides the space & cost, it really all comes down to personal preference I think. So, enjoy the search. Will be looking forward to the pics, once you do decide

It isn't anything special. It's a big natural branch which I'm guessing is Java wood. But it could be stripped Manzanita or Dargonwood. It's just that it's the right shape. I think a lot of birds benefit from having an extra private space, too. So that's how I usually set up the cages. But Eclectus females can tend naturally to be more skittish & shy. So w/her, I'm looking for that fine line between providing security w/o fostering any natural antisocial tendencies. So far, it seems to be working out well. I've had Kura for about 4 yrs but she's about the same age as Scarlett. She's gotten to where I really think she's pretty well adjusted for any parrot, let alone a female ekkie w/a slightly dismal past.

It sounds like you've done a super job! You two have really come a long way. If you're afraid that he'll suddenly change his mind, then yes, he certainly may. Most greys are moody & go thru phases. Phenix will be (his version of) sweet as pie for a while Then suddenly he's all sucker bites :mad: Then just as suddenly, change back again. :confused: Sometimes all in the same day. lol They really like to call the shots & stay in control. But you definitely sound like you've won him over. So I'd think you can expect even more sweetness going forward. Again congratulations, greyt job!! :cool:

I'd second that. Kura can be extremely hormonal, anyway. I'd be afraid to offer her the added incentive of such an attractive hidey hole. :eek: She has her roost instead. It's a heavy, twisty branch that comes down from the top then curves back thru both sides of the corner of her cage. I think it creates the feeling of a protected space because it's pretty solid & it surrounds her. Even though she's still relatively visible if you know where to look, she loves to "disappear" back there. So she gets her hidey hole, but there isn't any way she should be able to take it for any kind of possible nesting area. Which is perfect because I really don't want to be giving her any ideas! Very pretty girl btw. What's her name?

Sounds like you did okay inspite of the few vendors & I'm still jealous. Bird fairs are pretty small & kind of scarce in these parts. Even still, I enjoy going to look at all the beautiful birds Have you guys tried vinegar to clean your cages? I just spray it on & rinse w/a rag & clean water. It does a really good job of cleaning & disinfecting & won't hurt the birds if any of it accidentally gets left behind

How cute & what pretty colors! They looked like pigeons, to me, so I thought I'd try a search & found the original http://animalworld.tumblr.com/post/4720524840/orange-breasted-green-pigeon-and-chicks-treron

Careful what you wish for, Dee. lol Think things are going to take on a whole new definition of interesting after that. Glad to hear you guys are happily settled back home.

I'm so glad you didn't edit that vid! He almost sounds like a cartoon. So funny! So cute & so happy ... right up until you said playtime was over. Should direct any member looking for lessons on body language to watch this. lol

We're lucky too because you're another source for more things about parrots. Thanks for telling us about that bird. I'd love to see one, but I guess I'll settle for more pics for now. For some reason, I'm particularly fascinated by the birds from your part of the world.

I know how hard it would be to let my guys go, especially to a stranger. I'd like to think I'd do what was best for them, but I wouldn't know that unless it happened. I sincerely hope I'll never, ever have to find out The owner may think it's a better arrangement because he knows his son & can stay connected. This way he can still watch out for his fid. It may have been all he could handle when it came down to it. Since it is less than likely to will work out, it might be a good thing to keep your connection open, like Janet said. The owner may be more likely to recognize things aren't working w/the son if he knows there are options. And he will have gotten some distance from his fid, too. Maybe help him to finally part w/him. I am sorry this happened, for all concerned. Admittedly, rehoming isn't w/o challenges. But they really are worth it & I hope this won't change your mind.

Cocoa certainly looks like a poster child for a healthy Grey, Sangay (...no offense to the handsome Dayo, or anyone else ). All of your fids do, actually lol Is there any particular reason why you feed coconut oil, or just for the variety?

Greyt to hear everything's going well & it will be nice to see pic or two. It's just fun to watch everyone's fids growing up. How are she & Chu getting along?

Those first real moments when we finally make that connection! Even though he's your fourth it never gets old, does it?

That's a handsome baby. Looks like you're going to have another beauty in your flock, Sangay!

The pics look great, thanks for sharing them. It looks like a fun day! What type of bird is that between the tiel & the ekkies? Do you have any more pics of it?

Greys...? possessive ...? Let's just say it's been known to happen! lol But if you make it a point to let Jess know that you want her to make nice w/the rest of the flock, you've got a fighting chance of minimizing some of her possessive behavior, maybe. Beyond that, your wife needs to do whatever she can to make her own relationship w/Jess. But at the moment, it sounds like Jess has picked you as her favorite. I don't know of any problems w/greys & bunnies, specifically. But you might want to watch the hay, if you use it, because of the mold that can be in some of it.

Thanks, guys! A lot of us certainly seem to like the Red Palm oil. Which is why I thought I'd give it a try. I was hoping some people would have tried the coconut or hemp oil because they look like they could have some really good health benefits, too.

I can't specifically recommend anyplace, either. But I was wondering if you'd asked your vet or the local bird clubs? Maybe the local SPCA knows someplace. Most of them aren't set up to handle birds & might have someplace to foster the ones who come in. Really impressed w/your commitment to this fid. Please let us know what you work out.

Funny, you posted about something you'd like to change but all I kept reading was good things. Good that you get so much time together. Good that he's so comfortable being out. Good that he politely pushes you away rather than bites. Good that you respect what he asks. Really sounds pretty good especially considering it has only been 2 mo. Like Dan said, some birds just don't care for scritches. Mine don't. But they love to have beak & feet rubs & occasionally a bit under the wing. So, I've gotten trained to accept that. lol My ekkie really loves to cuddle into the crook of my arm w/my hand cupped over her, just being held, though. I think that's more than fair trade for no scritches. You could try other types of affection &/or keep asking him to let you scritch him. He may eventually change his mind or you might.

I've been smiling the whole way thru your posts because you sound so-o excited. It really sounds like the beginning of a very happy life together. Congratulations!!

Love the expression in every pic! Happy Hatchday!!

What he's saying is that this is the way it's been done in many parts of the world for many hundreds of years. He's saying that he's trying to do everything he can to keep improving things, inspite of not having all the advantages some of us can't & won't even try to imagine living without. He's saying he cares enough to do all he can to find out what's best for this bird. In fact, he cares enough to have opened himself up to some very strong ridicule from some people who he's looked to for knowledge & advice. This might be a very good time to remember that this is an international forum whose readers live many different types of lives. We can impose our idea of the world on the people who come here for knowledge & we can judge them OR we can work together to help each other.

" ... I think it's going to be a horrible number. " Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Press Conference September 11 2001 Half a generation later, people around the world continue to suffer because a relative few chose to become something less than human. We will never really know the number of casualties caused by those few hours, ten years ago. But today, we can do something extraordinary. We can choose to be humane and mourn the staggering number of victims from that horrific act of violence no matter who they are or where. We can try again to make peace with the past to create hope for the future. I wish this generation can finally heal, not only from the wounds of September 11, 2001, but the global wave of violence & war. Like so very many before me, I wish this generation will finally find peace.