Mistyparrot

Aside from the fact that there are all kinds of legal obstacles exporting parrots to Lebanon or anywhere for that matter It takes great deal time and not a little money to set up as a breeder of parrots. Even if I had the money to send you a breading pair I have no idea if you are capable of devoting the time to do the job properly and it would do little to solve the problem. I prefer to give what money I can afford to the World Parrot Trust an organisation that has done sterling work in rescuing wild caught parrots and then helping with rehabilitation and release back to the wild. If you would like to help go to http://www.parrots.org/ Steve n Misty

You are probably better off following Varo's lead for head petting or neck scritching. Misty usually won't let me pet or scritch him without prior invitation. He invites me with "Your alright" or "Tickle tickle" and a slightly lowered head. He is quite happy for me to gently finger his beak at almost any time. Steve n Misty

Greys are expert readers of body language and will also pick up on emotional content of human speech. Once they are tuned to you they seem to know what you are feeling and what your intentions are before you do! It is a common feature of all intelligent animals. With social animals like Greys it is developed to a very high degree. You are absolutely right about the therapeutic value of the loving attentions of your parrot. Steve n Misty

Linnea. Nobody here will ever be annoyed at anyone asking for help. We all love parrots here and the people who love parrots as well. As you probably know parrots are wonderful creatures and with a caring and understanding human they will make companions like no other pet but they will also help you appreciate other animals all the more. They are like a doorway into another world that humans lost contact with long ago. All parrots and all Grey parrots have different personalities just like humans but they have also evolved to be social creatures and will appreciate the company of others. They may well favour a particular human but if properly socialised most will not show strong jealousies. I could not say how a Grey would feel about a lizard. Most do not like snakes so a lizard being similar may take some getting used to. I think a Grey could learn to tolerate your lizard. I think most lizards are not aggressive animals. Grey parrots do produce a fine dust that may be an allergy problem for you. The only way to tell is to visit some Greys. Perhaps you coud find a breeder locally who could let you handle a Grey so you could see how you might be affected. Good luck to you and I hope you can find a Grey. If you have got as far as this forum you probably have an idea of the commitment needed to give a Grey a happy home. Steve n Misty

To me catching and selling wild caught parrots is as bad as human slavery. So although there are laudable efforts to stop this deplorable trade, our poor parrots are still being decimated in the wild. For as long as there is a market for wild court parrots this evil trade will continue. On the one hand I am glad you have given a safe haven to your parrot but the fact that you bought a smuggled bird will encourage the trade to continue. Perhaps in return you could lobby your political representativs or you religious leaders to help bring the trade in wild caught birds in Lebanon to an end. Some might say these are Gods creatures so they should be treated with the respect they are due as such. Why would God respect those who disrespect his gifts to the world? Steve n Misty

Oh Talon. I hope that was a spelling mistake! Zipper porridge. Yum yum !:confused: Steve n Misty

Misty is nine years old and is also a snuggle bunny but only on his terms and at his request. If I try to initiate a tickle he usually just moves away. When he initiates a session it can go on until my hand is ready to drop off! This can happen every day but usually in the evening after he has finished his regular attempts at destroying our home, his toys or my toys .:eek: So you may well find that although Archimedes does get more independent as he gets older he will retain his love of a good grooming session with you. If I have had a trying day there is nothing better than Misty coming over climbing up my chest for a good beak rub and then a neck scritch to cheer me up and put life into a good perspective:D Steve n Misty

I was told he was by his previous keeper and they gave me a card from the breeder that listed his birthday and sex. Besides I am sure that no female could be as untidy, destructive, opinionated and bossy .............. hmmm on the other hand......... Anyway Misty has always been male as far as I am concerned but Misty's sex is not important as I would not want Misty become a breeder so even if I discover "he" has laid an egg I would be surprised but it would have no effect on how I feel about him. Besides although it does appear to be a unisex name. I have known of two other Mistys both definitely male. One a dog and the other a cat. Steve n Misty

Misty is a shoulder bird and I like to have him there.But at one time if I was preparing a snack he could sometimes nip my ear to attract my attention as he wanted a nibble of my food. (Of course being a Grey he regards my food as his food.) and that would lead to a spell behind bars until he showed contrition "Be good boy. No biting ....CanIcomeout?" It never took long for him to get that he has annoyed me. These days he has clearly learned his boundaries but he will still occasionally give a beak nudge to remind me he is there and I just say "OK be good". However I won't risk letting him on anyone else's shoulder. I cannot be sure he would respect someone else enough not to try a nip. Steve n Misty

Thanks Judy. Misty is very high on the list of best things ever to happen to me in-spite of the occasional mayhem!:eek: How ever I am 99% certain Misty is a male. Steve n Misty

Were you tempted to say "So what are you doing here?";) Steve n Misty

I am sure she will be just fine. Of course explain to her why you can't bring her with you. Give her plenty of homework to keep her occupied and perhaps the radio with some good music and intelligent chat. It is amazing what our parrots can understand! Steve n Misty

Shirt buttons. Woollen sweater shoulders. Pens. Pencils Books, Book cases. Plates (dropping) Cups. TV remote. Record sleeves. CD boxes. Dado rails. The draw on a chest. (To be fair it is his draw as I gave it to him after he commandeered it as a forage box!) If I open any draw or cupboard he feels compelled to jump in ! Can be quite a battle some times! A draw full of cassette tapes. He carefully picked up each cassette pulled it out of its case drew out the tape and dropped it on the floor!:mad: Emptying drawers is a favorit past time of his and he can open surprisingly heavy draws. Pulled walpaper off a wall. Two pairs of glasses. Countless assorted things. Computer keyboards. USB cables. My sanity!:eek: Steve n Misty

Misty has a new job! The paper stop on my printer has gone awol (possibly parrot related!) so Misty has volunteered to be the paper catcher so the printed sheets don't drop to the floor.As soon as he hears the printer start up he moves into position ready to do perform his duty. He does leave his signature mark though ! But he means well. What useful or helpful jobs do your guys do to earn their keep? Steve n Misty

Great video. Its good to see a Grey not destroying something for a change!

Thats brilliant ! What a smart bird. Any chance of a video? Steve n Misty

We will second that analysis Oblivion. Steve n Misty

I had no idea there was such a sub species of Grey! A non messy Grey would be in huge demand! Steve n Misty

I know all that but what are the down sides?:confused: Mistyparrot

Normally at meal times Misty has his own plate on a small table by his tree and I sit near and have my plate on my lap.When I come in with our food Misty flies to his table to wait for his plate. Generally he eats off that but when I have finished he will bring a grape or apple slice to eat on my now vacant knee! He often gives me the morsel to hold for him. His dinner is often based on mine so I avoid salt and fatty things although he likes roast potatoes. When I have fish he get the head. I am so grateful that he does not bring that to my lap!:eek: Steve n Misty

Misty loves bananas but the problem is that he will only eat if I am holding it for him! So I invariably end up covered in banana! I wonder where I went wrong?:confused: Steve n Misty

I am not sure what trimming is all about. Is it just to tidy him up or for flight limiting? If it is the latter it makes no sense to me. I do wholeheartedly agree that flying is very important to a parrot for all kinds of health reasons. I love the video. An obviously happy Grey. Steve n Misty

Misty has a water bowl on his "tree" and in his cage but I always have a glass tumbler of water that I offer him on request. I give him a drink of hot water with calcium and vit d first thing when I have my morning coffee. He likes a good glug of that but he just has the odd sip the rest of the day. Some times when I offer him the tumbler he has what I would describe as a bathing reflex where he tries to climb in to it for a splash. Of course it is impossible for him to get in as it is far to small so I offer him a spray or a splash in his bathing bowl. "Water" is one of his favorit words and he obviously understands what it means. Steve n Misty

I don't know but it could be the original Grey in the banner is a pet perhaps memorialised of the blog owner. I do like your new type face. Steve (n Misty)

Thanks for posting Ken. I love to read about re-homed older birds. It is so sad that some poor parrots end up neglected because they cannot fit in to their keepers lives. Thanks for taking Ruby in. It is good that her previous humans had the kindness to find a new home for her. Steve n Misty