GusandGloria

This last bit of advice is the BEST advice given in this thread. Your negative reaction to your bird's vocalizing is YOUR problem, not your bird's problem. Your reaction needs to change, not his behavior. "Gus" makes THE loudest, most obnoxious noise in the universe to get my attention. He does this when he needs something. And he will continue until his needs are met. Why should I ignore that? What's important is for me to determine what he needs. If he is in serious need of something, I tend to him. If he is just trying to get my attention, on his emotional level, that's still a very real 'need' and I'm not going to do the opposite of what he needs and leave him (!). I put him in a quiet, dark place where he can still see me, and where there is minimal stimulus. I give him a treat for 'something to do' and he calms down every time. If I had a child that was crying (regardless of the reason) I wouldn't ignore it or leave the room. Gus is no different from a child for me. He can't tell me what he needs in English, so he uses Parrot which, unfortunately, can be a horrifying language. Birds are not like children or dogs -- they do not learn by being punished or ignored. They only become more aggressive, or worse, they can turn on themselves, which in the end, means even more problems for you. On that note, ignoring a grey when it's needy is a risky thing and you need to understand the consequences, which can be *real* behavior problems like self-mutilating, plucking or chewing, to which, incidentally, greys are particularly prone. If you don't like loud noises, you have no business owning a parrot. It's as simple as that. Yes greys are mostly quiet and not screamers like Amazons, but they have the ability to be LOUD when they want to be. And they shouldn't be ignored or punished when they behave like birds. You need to adjust your attitude toward the behavior. We're a lot smarter than them and it's easier for us to adjust to them than to force them to adjust to us. Wouldn't you agree? Take comfort though, that parrots can go through "phases" where they begin an odd behavior, and then they can just stop all of a sudden. Let's hope that's the case with the ringing. But, be prepared for the next odd behavior and educate yourself on how to handle that one. And so on ... for the next 60-70 years. Don't punish your bird by ignoring it. IMO, that's the worst thing you can do. It weakens the human/bird bond and it's cruel. If it's making noise to get your attention just put on your headphones and go about your normal business. Seriously. I do this all the time and we have a very blissful, happy little birdie family. ***Think about this ... if you really love your bird, imagine the bird gone. Imagine the silence. Now, wouldn't you rather hear the noise? Cherish the bird, cherish its personality and cherish the time you have with it because it could be gone tomorrow. Remember Alex.<br><br>Post edited by: GusandGloria, at: 2008/07/01 11:39

Sounds like a classic "night fright" episode. Something, a strange noise, an odd shadow, a big nasty bug crawling across the floor, a bad dream, whatever.... can jolt a bird out of its sense of safety in the cage and throw them into absolute blind panic. You did everything right. Treat them like a child and try to calm them and alleviate whatever fears might be causing it. If the bird is flapping wildly in the cage *do not* open the door immediately for it could bolt out of its cage into a door, out a window, into a wall, etc. in a blind panic. Best thing to do is turn on the lights. Go to him immediately and let him see you, hear your voice, assure him he will be fine. Open the cage door slowly and carefully and don't let him bolt. Leave the lights on and stay with him until he calms again. So much like little kids.....

I have had parrotlets for 12 years. I would advise against bringing one into a home with small, uncoordinated children. They are just too fragile. Small children are not coordinated enough to handle parrotlets with the finesse and sensitivity these tiny birds require. Just stumbling the wrong way or sitting down without looking can kill it instantly. Please think twice about this.

Thanks, it's good to know that's what it is. My vet is always so busy when I'm there, I get scatterbrained and forget to ask! It really freaked me out!

It's fascinating that a chili pepper was the culprit because you described something which is very real. When I took Gus to the vet once he became highly stressed when the vet tech toweled him. The lower part of his eye filled with blood and turned red. Completely freaked out I jumped up and frightened the doctor. He said it was perfectly normal with greys when they become suddenly stressed. He was right. The red left and he was fine. I haven't had the chance to ask my vet and meant to ask the question here. Does anyone know what this "sudden red in the eye" is? That was the scariest thing I've ever seen.

My TAG's name is Gus too! Sometimes he harasses me too much for "snuggly-wugglies." When your bird is relaxed on your lap, try to cup your hand over his head -- cover the whole thing but don't squish his eyes! You might have to scratch his head to get him to stop squirming or convince him to stay. I've heard by many grey owners that their bird likes this head-cup. Gus loves it and it calms him instantly, like a drug. It's like a drug for me sometimes, too. That's a good first step to snuggling if its a foreign activity for you and Gus. The idea is to make him feel good during this snuggling time, and to teach him that 'hands don't hurt.' This snuggling time is also a good opportunity to continue the taming process - when Gus is very relaxed, he lets me touch him all over. I massage his legs, wings, back, tail, feet, I scratch his beak, etc. This is essential for the bonding process as well as for taming. Someday you may need to handle him extensively. I have Gus so tamed, I can do anything, or touch him anywhere. He even lets me file his nails. So, if I have to yank a blood feather or something tragic, I can handle him with no problems and without his being scared.

I know how stressed you probably were. Once I took Gus to the vet because he cracked the tip of his beak and it needed to come off. While being worked on he was screaming and I was out in the waiting room sobbing and balling my eyes just as hard. I could hear how scared he was and it ripped my heart out. It was a wretched experience. I feel for ya'

Wow, you're quick! Had one too many "http"s in there. It's fixed now!

This is a video of Ginger, our BCC. She goes on these 'rants' and it's hysterical -- she gets her wings involved, shows some attitude with head gestures, etc. It's garnered quite a few views over at YouTube. Enjoy! edited by: GusandGloria, at: 2008/03/07 23:01

Very good point about biting. I tell anyone who is shocked that my birds sometimes bite I say "you keep parrots, you're gonna take a bite...." Biting is simply another form of communication for a parrot and the sooner a parrot owner realizes this, the faster a bad bite can be understood and forgiven. Poor Gus's "dad" bit his owner once and the poor bird was banished to his cage -- never to be handled again. It could have been as innocent as biting from being suddenly startled, but the owner did not try to understand why the bird bit, and now it is punished for the rest of its life. Kudos to you for trying to enlighten and educate.

sorry I haven't responded so far! I'm finishing this danged book, and working round the clock. I apologize! I love to take photos of my birds, thanks for asking! My favorite is the photo of Eddie and Ginger. Though it looks violent, Ginger will always give up her goodies for Eddie. Winston (Senegal) yawns after playing hard. Winston found my knitting needles. And my slippers..... And my hat..... Edward loves to pick the seeds of strawberries and out of kiwi. Edward always harasses Ginger, especially now that he's become protective of her. I don't know what that's about. He has made her give up her cookie on more than one occasion.

I am not certain what might be causing the chirping but hopefully it will pass. Gus recently started this unreal high pitched "WHOOP!" when he wants to be picked up. It's annoying as all get-out. I don't think parrots understand the concept of tough love or punishment or withholding something in order to learn a lesson. Parrots are all about body language and vocal communication and most of the time they are doing something or vocalizing for a reason and not just trying to annoy us. If you could make a video of this behavior, his body language might help us to understand the behavior better. When Gus gets overly excited and starts that chirping for me to go and get him, I get up and go get him. Why should I not? Just because he is annoying me is not a reason to punish him. He needs something and I wouldn't want to be ignored if I need something. It is important to remember that committing to parrot ownership is committing to the needs of the bird and parrots have many needs. I try and keep this in mind when I'm pulling my hair out. If there is no apparent reason for the vocalization and you're overwhelmed, you could try moving him to a dark-ish, quiet place, the idea and goal being to calm him and change his state, and not punish what is no doubt a very natural behavior. And this way you are helping him, and not causing him more distress. Good luck! Hopefully it's just a little stage he will grow out of.<br><br>Post edited by: GusandGloria, at: 2008/03/04 05:25

I swear, my birds are a trip. They've been living together for many years, but recently begun forming alliances! For example: Eddie (p-let) has attached himself to Ginger (BCC). He has learned her name(!) and somehow knows when we are specifically talking to her. We cannot even speak to her without Eddie flying out of his cage and bombarding us with chirps, whistles and threats! Ginger has attached herself to the *dog* and the dog's owner can't speak to the dog, can't tend to it or feed it, without having Ginger on his heels ready to attack. Winston (Senegal) protects his owner from everyone and gets fiercely protective of him. Nobody cares about me or Gus This behavior is all new. My birds go through all kinds of strange phases all the time so it's not surprising, but this is a new group kind of thing! Lol. They keep me entertained. I love my babies.

That was really sweet. I loved the raised foot action

Many thanks for the link! It's fun to try new stuff on them. Seems like whenever I go through any great deal of trouble with a new recipe, they turn their beaks up at it. Give them an old shoe to chew on and they're happy little clams. Birds ... go figure!

Thanks again! You guys are awesome. I'm a sad pup these days, but this forum and like-minded bird lovers make me very happy

One of my parrotlets was missing half a toe one day. He showed no signs, didn't limp or anything. I just came home from work one day and it was gone! The stump was a tiny bit bloody but I could not find the toe anywhere. He exhibits no disability from it whatever and is juuuuust fine. I'm sorry to hear this. Hopefully it was a defect, or it happened long ago and he doesn't remember it. Or maybe it was just an accident and not abuse. No sense in being sad. Just think of how good he's got it now and the lifetime of love you will give him and promise him nothing like that will ever happen in your care

Augustus was named after my favorite character in my favorite movie "Lonesome Dove."

Thanks for looking, I often think about the poor bird. There is a lot of bird theft here in south Florida and it's really horribly sad. Hopefully whomever stole him is taking good care of him. I can't imagine my birds ever being stolen. I would very definitely lose it.

I am wondering if anyone here knows the fate of the CAG owned by Adele, of "Adele's Parrot Place" in Fort Lauderdale, FL. This bird was a shop resident, whose cage was right next to the entrance of the store. The bird was stolen one night. It had belonged to Adele for a long time supposedly, and needed medication. It's been forever since I've been back to that shop so I don't know if she ever got her bird back. I think the CAG's name was "Tuki." Any info would be appreciated. Thanks! Gloria

Thanks I am enjoying the recipes very much. I don't really cook for them, other than the 15 different kinds of fruits and veggies I chop for them *every blessed morning of my life!* Lol. They just climb into our plates and eat with us at meal times. But I do need a good bird bread recipe. And I'm looking for a good mash recipe for my parrotlet. "Adele's" in Ft. Lauderdale had a good one but it's about 20 miles down the road.

Hi all My first post here. My birds sometimes get bored in the afternoon and I give them each a half-slice of Pepperidge Farms 12-grain bread. They don't eat the bread but pick all the little nuts and seeds out of it. It's a foraging-type snack that's lightweight which all five of my birds go crazy over. It's messy as you end up with little bits of discarded bread everywhere but it's no big deal for me. I sometimes buy sesame bagels for my parrotlet Edward. He will pick every blessed seed off and it's so fun to watch him. I am enjoying all the posts and have already picked up a few great tips!

Thanks very much for the warm and enthusiastic welcome! I am spending time reading the forums and look forward to all the stories of all the wonderful little grey birds around here!

Howdy folks! Just wanted to pop in and say hello. I love this forum so far. Found it through "Tui's" videos on YouTube. Gus is my grey and I'm a photography enthusiast and have posted some cute pix of him in my profile. Enjoy, and have a wonderful week!