Lyric

They can look pretty shabby when they are young and while they are molting. Mine went through a very clumsy period where he kept falling off things and ended up breaking all his tail feathers. He looked pretty funny without a tail for several months before it started growing back. And then, he'd grow back one or two feathers and they would break off. Eventually it all grew back though. Like Judy said, you should give him some kind of bath- start off by misting with a plant mister and see how he reacts. Whether he likes it or not it is good for him and hopefully he'll grow to like it.

Hi everyone- in the US the bands can vary depending on where the breeder gets them from. For instance if you belong to an organization that provides bands it would be different than if you order them from a company that makes bands. Mine have my 3 initials, the abbreviation of the state I live in, 2 digit year code and a number which for me designates which chick in the bunch it was. The closed bands that breeders use can only be put on the bird when it is very young- around 3-4 weeks old depending on the size of the bird. The bands that are open are generally a sign of an imported bird- since importing stopped years ago in the US these would all be older birds. They have a code that indicates where they were brought into the US and a number to identify the bird. Hope this helps! I think microchipping is probably a good idea but I've never done it to my birds. At least that way you can prove the bird is yours.

In high school I was secretly seeing a guy that was a few years older, in my sister's class, she's 4 years older than me. My parents wouldn't have approved! I went to a soccer game that he was playing in to watch him and I met another guy there who was friends with the people I was there with. He had such a nice smile and he really made me laugh, great sense of humor and he still has it too. I guess I made an impression on him and he saw me at school a few days later and asked me to go to a football game with him. He was only 1 year older and so it was okay with my folks. I went to that football game with him and it was love for me- totally forgot about the older guy and fell head over heels for this one. He broke up with me when he was graduating because he figured he was going off to college and wanted to be free- I still had two years of high school left. Broke my heart and I pined for him for the longest time. Every other guy I dated never seemed to live up to my memories of him. Funny enough, I ran into him again at a friend's party the summer after I graduated from high school and we started up a conversation. The sparks were still there between us. He had to gain back my trust after dumping me the first time but he did it and we've been together ever since. I guess it's been 18 years?? For the longest time people would ask how long we'd been together and we'd say "10 years". Finally we figured out we'd been saying that for several years and we'd been together for 15. I think we were soul mates meant to find each other again. We don't ever argue about anything either and can't imagine why we'd want to. Don't get me wrong- life living with a man is never perfect or easy, but you put up with a lot from a man who's your best friend and meant to be with you!

If you are eating something healthy, let him have a bite or two and then put him in his cage with his food and if he protests leave the room. Perhaps the bite or two of your food will get him thinking about eating and make him want to eat. You may have to experiment and see what works for you. Lots of us share food with our birds though, just make sure it's good for him. Welcome here.

Hi Clancy- any change in their routine can change their behavior like that. I'd give him time to settle in to the new routine and see what happens.

Hi Jerrysmom. Try to give your grey the same level of attention he is used to. I'm sure he will mourn the loss of your other bird just as you will. If you get another he may like it or may not, either way it will be someone for companionship though. Best of luck in your decision.

You are going to have so much fun and very soon! I bet you can't wait. Keep us updated!

Ohh, he's so sweet. Thank you for taking the time to share that with all of us.

Hi Heather- thanks for sharing your story with all of us. We love greys and you have found a good place to talk about Opie and your adventures together.

This is a very sad topic and our hearts are with you Tari. I have a 16 year old terrier mix and I fear for the day when I may have to make this kind of decision. All you can do is give them the best life you can while they are here and love them every moment. We'll be thinking of you.

1. I don't have any children. My animals fill that spot in my heart. 2. I have lived with the same man for 15 years now and we aren't married. We both feel like we don't need a ceremony or piece of paper to prove our love for each other. 3. I love food, especially Italian or Mexican, but really I just like to eat. 4. My favorite books to read are historical fiction- Margaret George and Bernard Cornwell are two of my favorite authors. 5. I don't know how to swim. 6. I love ancient Egyptian history and anything to do with Cleopatra. I would love to see the pyramids some day. 7. I love to travel, but now I feel so tied down with animals it feels next to impossible to get away. I'm worried about what affect me leaving for awhile would have on Lyric because he's so bonded to me. 8. Eleven years ago I was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder, ITP (idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura). Basically it is an immune system disorder where your body attacks your platelets and destroys them and you could bleed to death. I had to undergo immuneglobulin and platelet infusions and take steriods before it got back under control. They don't know what caused it. 9. I love sci-fi and fantasy- "Lord of the Rings", "Star Wars" 10. I have one sister and one brother and love them both dearly.

Way to go girls! I wanted to donate some of my hair but it has grey in it and they didn't want that. I guess the people that get the wigs don't want the "mature" look. Oh well- I'm proud of you and your hair looks so great now MommmaFawkes.

That's funny! I wish Lyric would get started on a talking spree.... for as much as I talk and sing to him he should be talking up a storm but not so much as a single word yet. Oh well... I love him so much and he more than makes up for it for all the joy he brings to me every day.

Lovemygreys, I think you definitely have me beat! Great photos of your babies enjoying their room. Lyric would love his own room but right now he has to share the living room with us. Here he is playing on his playstand on top of his cage. I would love to make him a treestand so I hope some other people will post some photos and give me some inspiration!

When I was a little girl both me and my sister got to have budgies for pets. We both loved them and they lived a long time considering they lived on mostly only seeds (occasionally we'd give them celery greens or a bit of vegetable but otherwise just seeds). Didn't know back then what we know now about nutrition. Both our birds talked and were great companions. My sister's made the sound of a ball bouncing among other things. Those little birds were the start of my love of all animals and now I'm happy to be owned by all my birds, dogs and even some fish. This is a fun topic Joe, good idea!

He's a beauty- you are going to have such a great time together. Thanks for the pictures.

Wow, what great ideas and useful information. This is a good one Sugarbeth- thank you. Lots of things in here I want to try with my birds and I'm only a little way into the article. You are definitely going to be a greyt grey mommie when the time comes! Karma for that one...<br><br>Post edited by: Lyric, at: 2008/04/04 17:02

Sugarbeth- I had a budgie when I was little too. Both me and my sister had one and both of them talked and were so much fun. I know that is what started my love of birds so I can thank my parents for that. It's great you got your daughter one to continue the tradition! I'd love to see a picture of your playground when you get it finished. Keep us updated!

I voted! Great contest Tari!:cheer:

I am the office manager of a manufacturer's representative- we represent manufacturers that make computer related parts and such, for example the printers that go in the gas pumps that print out your receipts, or the GPS modules that go in certain products that let you track where they are. That's just an example, we handle several different lines. I do all the inside office stuff, I keep the office running smoothly and trouble free!

That's a cute story, he knew you were the person for him and didn't want to let you get away!

Hi Pam- it's great to have you here with us. You have a wonderful soul for giving Dorian a fresh start. The relationship you two can develop will take time but it will be worth it in the end. Let us know what questions you have.

None of my birds are clipped. Lyric went through a clumsy phase when he was fledging and ended up breaking off all his tail feathers. Until he grew some back in he didn't fly much because he just didn't have good balance or braking ability. Now that he has a full tail again it's hard to keep him in one spot. I've seriously considered clipping his wings just to get him a little bit more under control, but I do think it's good for birds to fly so I haven't done it yet and probably can't bring myself to take away his freedom like that!

Hi Coopersmom- It's great that you are adopting Cooper and giving him a stable environment. I think you'll find that having a grey is much different than a cockatiel or parakeet, they are a lot of fun too but a grey is such a deep character! Please let us know what questions you have and there are lots of people on here that will be more than willing to share their knowledge with you. I bet you'll be so excited to get him home with you!

Here is Lyric with his favorite toy. He just loves bells. He tries to feed it and then he tries to get the clapper out. He really loves toys that make noise. <br><br>Post edited by: Lyric, at: 2008/04/02 15:52