Woody6

I'm sick. I'm glad the AFA is watching this closely. It is a shame and I would not be surprised if their theory is to head of a bird flu pandemic (I haven't read the link yet). Our legistlatures seem to always love to pass bills in the name of 'safety' or in the name of 'the children' when if fact that law will do nothing for either.

Welcome, your grey is beautiful. My greys do that when they want to come out again. It is their way of saying I do not want to go in the cage yet. Best to ignore it if you are putting him to bed for the night.

Oh, what a wonderful story. I'm teary eyed! congrats to your new addition of love and sunshine. We look forward to sharing in your new adventure with your baby.

Welcome and congrats to your pending new addition. It will be an adventure and we will love sharing that adventure with you.

Thank you so much for sharing. They are so adorable. .

Sounds like an overall great day. Thank you for keeping us updated.

I use the aviator bird harness for my greys. I have taken them to the park with me or down to the cabin or to the bird store to buy them toys and food and such. If we have them outside on a leash we need to be mindful of the types of predetor birds in the area. The only reason why I say that is because I used to take my greys to the cabin with me and let them be outside with me until I saw hawks flying around. That was enough for me not to take them to the cabin anymore. I did not want my babies grabbed by a predetor bird. On other note, I know fellow bird owners who take their birds to the store or the mall. They create quite a crowd around them when they do because everyone is so facinated by it. I know I had quite a crowd around me when I took them to the park. My birds seemed fine with it as long as they were close to me and no one was trying to touch them.

my band is letters followed by numbers and from what I was told the letters mean the breader and the numbers mean the 'number' hatched. that may be just for my band though. not sure.

thank you for sharing...harrison is a cutie.

He is such a cutie....welcome.

Ok, I'm literaly sitting at my work desk crying. I am so sorry to hear about this tragic lost and thank you so much for sharing this story.

it sounds like a normal part of the birds vocalization. My birds make all kinds of strange noises, whisles, and whines with occasional growls too. They are usually pretty content and happy when they are making these noises. My birds will scream (squak) when they are very upset about something or frightened. Maybe someone else will have more valuable information.

The band / letter number combo tends to be related to the actual breeder that bred the bird.

Welcome Jopalis. Bailey is right about taking her to the avian vet and posting pictures for us to see so we can offer advice. What is your grey's name?

Karma to your Spookyhurst for all this valuable information you have provided to the poster. I agree with the article except in one area. Breeders are just as guilty of mass breeding for a profit, not providing quality birds, and inexperience in giving solid advice or have impulse buyers as petstores are this is why it seems to be a personal choice where to go and most definately should have a vet check soon after you leave with your new bird. I got my bird at a repetable bird store (not a regular pet store) with a well trained staff and they expect and strongly encourage individuals to spend a lot of time with their birds during the weaning process while providing solid advice and instructions on caring for your new addition. Sadly, the article is so correct in its statement that uneducated buyers of these beautiful birds bring them back into the stores for consignment or to rescue shelters because they 'cannot' handle the birds behavior or demands. I'm saddened all the time by this fact. Do we hand our kids back when we find out their 'true colors'? Birds should be handled with the same care and forethought as having children. It is a lifelong commitment and these birds will need health care, attention, training, guidance, food, toys, a safe environment, babysitters (when you are away) and godparents just like your children and even to be willed in your will when you pass. Could I be ill rational in my thinking? Once again spookyhurst karma to you for all this wonderful information.

AWESOME

A pet shop that only deals with birds is a lot different then a general pet shop. The general pet shops do not give the attention and love to the birds like a bird pet shop. I bought my bird at a bird pet shop and bonded with him for 3 - 4 months (everyday) before I actually brought him home. We bought our female and brought her home the same day but she had been socializing with everyone while she was at the store. I know some like breeders better then shops especially when it comes to price but you can get a bad breeder just like a bad bird pet shop. As to good birds...there are tons. If you go to a bird store you can see what bird picks you. I almost had a blue-throat macaw if I had the money to drop because this cutie was trying its darnest to win me over (he successed too). Sweatest thing and he would already be here if I had the money. I was sadden that I couldn't get him. I'm gonna try and save up for just in case he doesn't find a home before I can save up for him. We will see what happens.

Thank you for sharing your new pictures. They are beautiful!

She is a beautiful baby girl. Thanks for sharing!

Personally, I would have someone house sit at the house (stay at the house) while you are gone. That is what I did when I went away for 11 days. The only thing is that individuals that were at my house while I was gone live at my house so these individuals were not strangers to my birds and they were able to keep my birds routines the same. It is so tough to figure out what our birds will accept without plucking themselves. If a person is going to house sit with the bird then that person may need to get to know your bird and interact with it a couple of months 'before' you go away so the bird is used to this person. That is just my opinion and thought. Someone else may have better advice.

My birds learned at babyhood. They usually say to introduce the harnest slowly over a period of 7 - 10 days before actually putting it on the bird.

Yea!!!! Congrats to your pending new addition. We look forward to seeing pictures. There will be a period of adjustment for you, family, and the little guy but the rewards will be awesome and awe inspiring. Many blessing to you and karma as well.

My heart is broken and my eyes are full of tears. I'm so very sorry to hear about your lose. When the time is right to purchase another bird you will know. God bless to you and your family.

Congrats! I love when they do that.

Do you think night frights are more common for individuals who have other pets besides birds? I ask because thankfully the only time I experienced night frights was from a loss floating balloon.