bettyboop

Ha Ha , everyone calls me betty , my name is Mary .When I was growing up Bettyboop was my favorite cartoon . So , no one used her name that I ever saw , so it's mine now .I did notice another similar which was BetsyBoop , how funny..... Anyway yes the Alexandrines are bigger than the Ringnecks , probably double as Pat suggested .They are awesome birds and have been normally kept as avairy birds , till just some short time back people have started having them as pets .You can look back in the past post and see all of our babies . We also have Greys , which mine and Zoomans Alex's and Grey's don't like each other. So , normally I don't think Alex's bond well with other birds except their own kind.They do talk and bond very strongly with their owners, boy do they ever . They are as curious as a cat , and love being right in the center of everything . Glad you read our post , the three of us act like it's our own little world of friendship over here.However there has been a mutual friendship established , I think I can speak freely about that for the other two as well as myself . I am so pleased to share such a long thread with both of them .They are very kind and knowledgeable about their birds..... As you can see we love our birds and enjoy writting about them , thanks for stopping by . Mary

They are smart .... My birds fly around with toys in their beaks all the time .They will go to each others playstands and steal stuff and take it back to their side of the room .Then whoever was stolen from will squawk till someone replaces or recovers it . Just like having kids.

You are correct my State and I did not vote for him . I believe McCain with his war History would have been much more stable.I could but won't go on about this . I followed this election coverage from day one to the end , I researched , confirmed and knew what was the truth , I am concerned that the American people chose who they elected . You are correct , it was way too long. This is very kind to give the playstand to the lady , I am sure her Grey will love it ....That would be awesome to have a heated sun room . The birds would really enjoy . Yes , that is what I think that Z doesnt have a chance to talk , I do keep her out of the bird room where he is in the day time , however we can hear him in their talking up a storm .He is sweet and it's not his fault .Ha Ha I do read to them a lot and have childrens shows on , the learning ones , I heard him saying A B C the other day and he will say sometimes , Which one is Orange ? It is so funny , he does make us laugh , and when we laugh , then he laughs.... Our weather is being very Fallish and pleasant also .Our leaves are actually getting some reds , orange and yellows in them .I love it . Take care, M

Great news Pat , I am glad he is adjusting so well . Figured he would , being with you . M

I think our tone has a lot to do with some birds , however Sammy just picks up words , he has different voices , he can even sound like someone who has a very raspy (SP?) voice when they first wake up , so I don't think this applies to him . Zsa Zsa picked up NO NO , when I said it with excitment , she was chewing on the rubber seal on top of fridge....I think also thelittle childrens voices excite them , my Grand girls sing and giggle , he picked their voices up the first time he met them , now he can talk in their voices and it's just like they are here , also it's not just things they say .It can be anything in their voices. He is very smart , and quick ....poor little Zsa Zsa doesnt really have a chance to talk .I think they love drama. About the Election , I am glad that part is over , honestly , I am disappointed.

Yes , I know what you mean .Sammy says ouch , all the time , then I'm sorry .So all day it's "ouch , I'm sorry " Who knows ????? But , I wish he would pick up another .He also says Zsa Zsa , I love you . I know she would flip him off if she had a middle talon .Ha ha , she hisses at him .What a pair.

Yes I do have a large family .I buy for about 25 people .Our family is very large . Oh it is fun, I don't mind . That's why I think my two don't get along , being different species.No Zsa Zsa hasnt said anything else.She will mimic new whistles , I understand about their getting on your nerves.Sammy never shuts up , he talks all the time and oicks up a new word everyday .You can even make up a silly word , say it once and he will say in about 10 mins. He recites parts of books , he is amazing . Have a good day....

This is perfectly normal , don't they want everything ? The mail , keys , phone , magazine , purse , brush , they are just exploring , like little kids .The best thing you can do , what someone else suggested is eat healthy food and she will too. Then you both will be healthy . My birds eat all the veggies we eat , plus fish , pork , chicken .Baked of course . My Alexandrine loves pineapple , and the CAG loves acorn squash , baked and mashed .They are so funny , they get their dinner on little plates at the bar . It is fun to watch them smack their beaks and I know they get good food .It makes me cook healthy food also , which is great for us . I have learned they like wet moist warm veggies and food over dry , raw .They really eat a lot and neither are over weight . Good luck and happy cooking .

Along with what Dan wrote , remember she is a female and I think most females are more protective than males.My female Alexandrine is very nippy around our three year old Grandson , as Dan said you never know what he is going to do . Perhaps when your Grey gets older , she will settle down .

Zsa Zsa still does not like Sammy , and probably never will .She is still going after him every chance she gets , so they are kept apart till eve. Then they are both in the family room with us , we keep them busy so they don't really get a chance to mess with each other .Sounds like yours have fun .

Way to go Pat , sounds wonderful and things are really moving along ....Gizmo sounds so cute , I am glad you have each other .When will the rest of the flock meet him ? The food thing , they can be so picky .I know my guys do better with unfamiliar food if they think they are eating mine , so I always introduce new foods when they see me enjoying it .No , I don't eat pellets , so I cook with those , as I have told you before . Keep up the good work , your a great bird Mommy . M

None of the work , geeze , it seems like I have my 3 year old Grandson almost as much as his Mother does. He is precious and so adorable but a handful .We are all so busy , she needs help sometime and I am the one she can always count on.... I agree about Christmas , I decided to cut back on the money spent on each one this year , well it's not going to work , the amount won't cover squawt...This is our fault , we have 4 Grandchildren and we have always lavished them with presents . So that is why I have tried to start a bit earlier , ha ha , not much it's already November. Oh well , it will work out .I do still cook Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners , we will have about 24 at our house .I love it , if I can get my house cleaned the way I like it . Probably be up till midnight a couple of nights before the events..... How are the birds doing ? Gizmo , doing ok ?Has Raja said anything ?

Work ...Bummer ...I am so busy , I don't have time , most of the time to go to work ....LOL.... I would love to retire , but I am a long way away .... So , I will just make the best of it . Everything seemed fine when I got home last night, birds asleep , dogs fed , house still intact..We had fun , it's been a long time since I got away like that with just my Daughter for the whole day and part of the EVE... We did some Christmas shopping , which is good...I saw a lot of awesome decorating ideas.... Have a nice Sunday.

No firworks here .Just out to eat with our Daughter and her three year old , then some trick or treating in the neighborhood with him . Spiderman , so cute . Today we are going to Canton Texas , she and I to shop till we drop .Running away , it's about two hours from home . Lots of fun little shops .... My birds are great , except I was pretty busy this week , so they didnt get all the time with me , but I will be home all day tomorrow.Daddy will have them today . Ha Ha...... Take care , M

HAPPY HALLOWEEN , Be Safe ......

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

How exciting !!!!! You are just what he needed , a loving birdie Mom .He has the correct address , he is home , where he is suppose to be .I am so excited for you Pat , sounds like he is going to love you as much as you love him . So happy all is going great!!!! Hugs, Mary

Yeah , you gotta watch yourself in Texas , we all pack guns and everything is bigger here .LOL.... The slogan just means , you will go to jail if you break the law .Or thats what it's suppose to mean , I don't think anyone goes to jail anymore . Our system is really bad. I think they show interest in our furniture because we do , it's ours and they seem to want what we have .Funny , yesterday , Zsa Zsa was on top of a door which is in front of my washer / dryer and she took a hunk out of the door .I couldnt believe she did it so quickly . Gosh it can happen in a second , I just shooed her away . But like you say , we love them . We do .... I guess wherever we are , we grow weary of the weather . Texas is so extreme in the summer but we normally have very mild winters , with a small amount of Fall and Spring . I like Texas , it has a lot to offer .

Yes , they are like little children , they have to be watched. Zsa Zsa is pretty good as long as she sees us every few mins. Sammy doesnt really show an interest in anything , except my two chairs in the den , I keep a towel on the top part , and as long as that is there , all is well . But if it isnt , he will bite at the fabric .Little poots !!!LOL...(laughing out loud) I do try to keep them busy ... I am sure you grow weary of the cold and the snow , but you guys can always move to Texas , and then you just do like the rest of us ....Wait a minute , and the weather will change .Nothing last too long around here .

The biting will most likely stop , but remember if he gets you , show no reaction .It takes a long time to undo a reaction to a bite. The way I broke Zsa Zsa from biting was just stuck my hand in there a couple of times and took it .I know this sounds crazy but she never even tries anymore , she knows I am not afraid .I don't mess too much with Sammy , he loves to bite me , he is truely my Husbands bird .I have tried taking the bite and showed no reaction and it helped but not to the point I trust him . Hopefully this guy hasnt always been a biter . You will calm him down , just take your time. Hugs, Mary

Snow in Fort Worth Texas , is very rare, however we are getting some very early cold snaps this year , so it might be different . Back in 1978 we had a ton of snow that lasted 8 or 9 days on the ground . It was beautiful . However we arent used to snow , so it is sort of hazardous . Ha I had to really work with Sammy to leave my furniture alone when he first came , just telling him NO, and placing him back on his stand , since at that time he didnt like the playstand too much . Now he loves his playstand and stay there a lot. Zsa Zsa goes after the rubber strip on my fridge , so we do have to watch her . As far as poop , I really don't have a lot of problems with it . Ususally they poop on their stuff and ocasionally , there might be a little one somewhere. Now we do not let Sammy out first thing in the AM , he really poops big , yuck , in the Am , so he stays in his cage for a while. Birds are very trainable... Enjoy the snow , I am jealous.

Pat , congrats on the new bird . Just go slow and allow him the chance to adjust to all the nice new stuff you are providing . I would wait on the bath , and just allow him to settle , this time next week , he will be all over you . Hugs , Mary

Pat , glad you had a safe trip . Looking forward to hearing about the newbie . Hugs, M

Yes , I have a very extensive collection of snowmen for my Christmas tree .I have been collecting for about 25 years . So when we got our first bird , I ended up having a second tree , which is in our dinning room where I can close off and they can't get to it . Then the tree in the family room is decorated with a little more bird friendly stuff .Not only breaking but chewing , was a concern for me .A lot of those ornaments have lead in the paint . I love watching my birds fly , and I do have to be extra careful all the time .We always put them up when someone comes over and we notify each other when one is almost home , that the birds are out .They have never shown an interest in the doors , so hopefully they never will . Yesterday at the store they have a fresh bumper crop of nuts in the shell . I bought some and they both were so excited when I gave them one , they spent hours working on them .HA HA , IT WAS CUTE....

Yep , thats the key , if they don't have toys when they are young , sometimes they won't play with them . Does he ever chew on wood ? No , my birds don't knock things over , they just follow me around and usually Z is on me and Sammy is walking on the floor or on a T stand .We have a place for them in each room .My Husband made T stands out of dried pieces of large untreated bamboo , mixed concrete in a clay pot and stuck the T in the concrete.He used sisal rope to attatch the T and we have one in each room .They know where they are , so thats where they perch , I also have a wooden playstand that is an extra that rolls around , so they can both be in the same room .It works out great .They never bother our stuff . They are good birds , the only thing Z ever got into was sweet -n-low packets on the counter .I now keep them put up . Sammy chewed on an Antique table when he first came and I put in a room they never go in.I also have bells on their playstands , so I can usually hear where they are or arent .I put bells on my Christmas tree also , that way I can hear the little tinkling sounds if she is on the tree ....Works great.Zsa Zsa loved the Christmas tree last year , she would hide in it , talk about funny , she blends right in .Sammy came in Feb. So I have no idea how he reacts to the tree yet .We will see . So in other words they come looking for us , if they arent busy with a toy. M