Char

I leave the tv on for Whisper on a cartoon channel. I have it on a timer so she can rest in the afternoon. I can't tell if she cares one way or another. She has a vocabulary of over 150 phrases but not one of them came from radio or tv or any thing like that. It is entirely things I say to her.

They are smart but they are also an animal that has survival built into them. Their instincts rule their actions more than thought.

I wonder if it is more that a grey is a one person bird. Perhaps they were previously bonded to a female and therefore bond easier to another female. It is hard to tell what goes through a bird's mind or why they dot he things they do. Whisper is generally shy around strangers but will warm up to a female quicker than she will a male. I think it is because I am female and she is more confortable with a female voice and mannerisms. Many years ago I had a bird that would not have anything to do with strangers who came to the house unless they were blond. He would go crazy in love for anyone with blond hair.

DNA can also be done on feathers. Do you have any of those left around? I would imagine it would be more expensive to do that kind of DNA testing than just male or female testing. Call the lab and ask them.

Greys constantly lose those down feathers. They will appear to be pulling them out as they loosen when they are preening. Whisper is losing a lot right now due to molting and the dryness in the house. Sometimes it looks like an explosion around her cage there are so many of those little down feathers. Don't worry unless you start to see bald patches.

My fingers are crossed for you too.

I agree. Take the police and go back there. You have nothing to lose. It is going to be hard to prove he is your bird but if he is not then you will know. You don't know what may come of the situation. The guy may be frightened and give the bird up.

I doubt very much you would find this vaccine at your local vet office. Jill, I wouldn't worry unless you plan on visiting a chicken farm.

I am very sorry for your loss. Also contact all the local vet offices.

My birds had the polyoma vaccine prior to weaning. They were also tested for PBFD and Chlamydia. There are not very many breeders that do this but mine does. One reason I highly recommend Hilltop Aviary in Harrodsburg, KY, USA.

JillyBeanz wrote: Nope! Mine is now 26. I cannot believe he lived this long becuase between the ages of 15 to 18 I thought I would KILL him.

I am more closely bonded with Whisper (Grey) than with Tango (DYH Amazon) for a couple of reasons. 1. I have had her longer. She is 2 and I have had her since she weaned. Tango is only 6 months old. I have had him sice 8 weeks. 2. My husband and I were seperated for nearly a year and during that time it was just the 2 of us. She helped get me through that difficult time. 3. Amazons are a more independent bird and Tango is not as cuddly as she is. I could lose Tango tomorrow and it would hurt terribly and I would miss him but I would be devastated if I lost my Whisper girl.

Whisper is molting right now too.

Whisper gets crazy with her toys sometimes too but you should see my Amazon play fight with his toys! He is hilarious! Much more active and playful that my Grey. He will grab one hanging toy with one foot and another with the other foot and hang there suspended upside down flapping and screaming.:laugh:

I just put about 15- 20 Harrison's pellets in the bowl in the morning and then more in the evening along with nuts, seeds and other foods. Whisper wastes a lot also. This is normal for birds. I am sure they are eating some of it and dropping some of it. This is normal. Food is plentiful in the wild and they are programmed to choose the best morsels and drop the rest. Besides that, have you seen the way the pellets crumble up? Also they will waste more if you give them too much.

Wow you certainly handled that emergency well. Glad to hear that all is better. I did not know a bird could get constipated.

Sorry to hear that you are having problems. It probably is hormonal. Give him more dark time and shorter days. That will help quiet the hormones down. If if is hormones it will pass. Watch the body language carefully during this time and try not to invade his space unless you have to.

I have had lots of small white down feathers since day one. I think it is part of the territory with greys.

I can only imagine with a teenager in the home.:blink: I have a friend who said his Grey all of the sudden started making these loud rude belching noises. He was confounded because he said he does not do that. He has 2 teenagers at home. I told him that is the source. Just the kind of thing that teens think is funny.:laugh:

He sounds great. Like I said I am no expert. I was only comparing him to my baby. The climate certainly does make a difference from what I have read. Sorry to hear about your vet situation over there. There are a lot of vets in my area who "see" birds but only one who is avian certified. Jayd: Please don't take offence at my quick reply. I certainly did not mean any. I was just clarifying my answer. I am at work and have to post quick between patients. :kiss:

Jayd wrote: I was asking if Sunshine has been vet checked.

I have a 6 month old DYH Amazon. Are you saying that your bird was molting at 4-5 months? My Tango is 6 mo old and has lost very few feathers. He is just now starting to lose a few down feathers which probably has more to do with the dry winter heat. I am no expert but it seems kind of young to me for your bird to be losing so many feathers. Has he been vet checked?

I know nothing of males but I can tell you about my female 2yrs old. She is small. The vet called her a petite and dainty little thing. She is very neat and clean compared to my male Amazon. Her cage is very easy to clean. She tries to do all her messing outside her cage and will go out of the way to keep from pooping on me. Like I said very neat and dainty. She is sweet and cuddly but only with me. She is also skittish and the slightest thing will spook her. she has a vocabulary of over 150 phrases (I stopped counting) and talks non-stop. Yak, Yak, Yak. Like I said typical female.:lol:

How awful! I hate thieves!:evil:

My husband just got over a cold also and you guessed it..Whisper now sneezes. Achoo, Achoo:laugh: