Mistyparrot

I think you are doing a fine job. My only question is are you in the US or the UK? For some reason Cheerios in the UK have a much higher sugar content than in the US ( according to Wikipedia) so I would be careful if you are in the UK. Steve n Misty

Sorry DiabloGrey. I just had this horrible vision of two poor Greys banished to a dungeon. I am much happier now that I know you have proper aviaries. Good luck. Steve n Misty.

What can I say? I feel so proud of Misty today. For the last six or so years Misty has been supervising my washing up in the kitchen. For all that time we would argue over what was going on. He would watch me fill the bowl with water and pronounce "water" or make the Grey word for water by imitating the sound of pouring water.That was quite right. But then as I proceded to scrub the plates I would say " Washing up" hoping he would learn what was going on and perhaps one day even offer to help ( fat chance). But he would say "Water or "showa" every time. He was always very insistant. I would say "Washing up" or "Wash" and he would say "Water!". He simply refused to say "Wash" or "Washing up" . But then two days ago he started saying "Shhh" as I scrubbed away. So I said "Wwater" and then "Wwash" hoping he would put the "Wa" with the "Shhh" and today it happened! There we were, about to make a nice "Cuppa tea" as Misty puts it and I had to rinse a cup or two and out it came ! A fully fledged "Washh"! I am so proud of him. Our persistance came off. Now no more arguments over the washing up. All I need to do now is fashion a Mistyparrot sized washing up mop to begin the next exiting stage in his learning process. Steve n Misty

Hello DiabloGrey Why do you want to breed your Greys? It is not as though there is a shortage Greys that need re-homing. The idea of keeping your Greys in a basement on their own with automatic lighting leaves me feeling troubled. Are you unable to provide an out door flight cage for them? Greys are primarily social animals so although they live in pairs for raising young they are happiest in a stimulating environment with other flock members nearby weather human or otherwise. Have you thought through what you are doing and why? Steve n Misty

Are you sure they are all stumps and not pin feathers ? I am not at all sure that pulling them is a good idea. You have a very cute looking bird. Steve n Misty

Does Skye have plenty of other things to chew? It seems like he has got into a bad habit so he needs distractions. Perhaps some cardboard cartons or soft untreated wood, fruitwood twigs etc. Steve n Misty

Have you tried garden centers? I bought a plastic seed tray 18 by 14 by 3 inches deep and a round plant pot tray about 15 inches diameter. Both work just fine with Misty. Steve n Misty

Yes indeed! Misty has taught me almost all I know about him and how to give him what he wants. On the other hand I have taught him very little! Most of what he knows he has taught himself. Steve n Misty

I like your open cage philosophy Nancy. I would do the same If I could but I don't have a spare room to dedicate as a Misty safe room. So Misty is in his cage only if I have to leave him to go out or to sleep. Otherwise he is out all the time. I was also a little worried at first when I read your previous post but I did not believe you would leave your parrots and dogs alone together. I love the story of your first adoption. Did you have any idea how smart parrots are at that time? Steve n Misty

Misty mostly calls me "Babe" he rarely uses "Steve" . He greets me with "Hi Babe" in the morning and when I return from being out. He some times just lands on my shoulder and says "Babe?". What do your Greys call you? Steve n Misty

As has been mentioned Misty's nick names are Babe, Mistypie and Mistyparrot. Misty has a little song he sings that goes "Misty Misty Misty Mistypie" but he often changes it to ""Misty Misty Misty Mistyparrot" and also "Baby Baby Baby Mistypie (Mistyparrot as well). He uses "Babe" as his nick name for me. He greets me every morning with "Hi Babe" and I return with "Hi Misty" He greets me the same way when I return from a trip out.

Nancy is quite right. If you have a bird that you know is prone to biting you should never never let it near anyones face! It's asking for trouble. Bogy is young and still trying to understand humans so he will misunderstand intentions. It can take a while for them to tolerate the ways of humans and if they are not handled with respect and understanding they never will. After seven years with Misty I know when I can let him near my face but although he is happy to tolerate my friends and relations that he knows, I would never let them put him close to their faces. I am sure that if your husband is gentle, patient and forgiving with Bogy he will eventually bite less often. It is rare to find a Grey that never bites. Steve n Misty

How does Bogy come to bite your husband? Does he go to your husband and bite or is it when your husband tries to interact with Bogy? The fact that bogy lets your husband rub is neck shows that Bogy does not dislike him. Bogy is more bonded to you but all Greys have times when they just wish to be left alone and that must be respected. Are the bites just warning nips or are they hard bites in anger? Warning nips are quite normal and with a little experience it is possible to read their body language to avoid those problems. Steve n Misty

Mistypie and Mistyparrot are my nicknames for Misty. I will have to try to get a recording. Steve n Misty

That was sweet. Thanks for posting. Steve n Misty

Hi Tess Denise. They should all grow back OK but it could take quite a while. It may be an idea to have your vet check her over to make sure her feather follicles are OK. I think it took Misty more than six months to regain enough to get his balance. Make sure that she has soft surfaces to land on because if she lands clumsily she could damage her keel bone at the front of her breast. It took a while for Misty to regain his flying confidence and skills. I helped him relearn by launching him toward a soft landing area and then to the top of his cage. I would say "fly fly" as I launched him in the hope that he would learn "fly" as a command. That did not work out as intended. He learned to fly really well but he never learned the command. Instead when he goes for a circuit of the room he calls out "Fly fly' or sometimes "Fly Mistypie" . When when I adopted him he was about two years old. He is about nine now but he still loves to call out when he flies. Do you know how old your Grey girl is? If she has not been able to fly for a while it will take a little time to develop her flying muscles and her skills. With encouragement she should be OK but I am sad to say that some clipped birds never learn to fly properly. It depends to a degree on whether she was allowed to fledge as a youngster or not. I wish you both luck. Please come back and let us know how you get on. Steve n Misty

Nothing to apologise for Kitty. Steve n Misty

I would say Tommy is definitely having a molt. Quite normal and he may well have another in a year or two. He will be having feathers re growing which may irritate a little. Spraying with Aloe Vera juice will help sooth his skin. In the UK you can buy it in Holland and Barrat health food stores. I also buy a variety of different unsalted nuts there as well for Mistyparrot. I don't think you have any problem. Steve n Misty

The look on that dogs face is priceless! As for the poor Too someone should knit it a sweater:D Steve n Misty.

I am not quite sure what that means Kitty. They are very different creatures but they are both capable of empathising with each other and with humans who are very different from both. I find that really remarkable and wonderful. Steve n Misty

Yes I understand that. I am happy that Misty is not domesticated in the way that dogs and cats are. I am more than happy to put up with his wild Grey ways for the honour and pleasure of having his friendship and I hope his respect. Steve n Misty

Having just cleaned myself off after sharing a tasty banana with Misty I got to thinking about why it is that generally when dogs eat they leave very little behind but when parrots eat they seem to leave a significant part of their meal everywhere but inside them. As a rule most animals regard food to be precious, a resource that some preserve and most eat all that they can until hunger is satisfied but Parrots seem to be prone to distributing their meals far and wide as they continue to dine. Many birds distribute seeds in their faeces but I have never noticed that in Misty's when he has had seeds in his food. Is flinging food a parrots contribution to maintaining the forrest? Or are they just plain messy little tykes?:confused: It might also be interesting to discus other comparisons between parrots and dogs. I bet most dog keepers are very relieved that dogs can't fly! Steve n Misty

Much as I appreciate the kind offer Nancy I am only just managing to hold on to my sanity as it is.:eek: One more Little Grey Helper and I think I will lose it completely! So I must decline. Steve n Misty

Ain't that the truth!! :eek: Steve n Misty

Thank you guys. Misty and I are very appreciative of all your kind comments. Steve n Misty