Mistyparrot

Er.. How's the Book coming on Dave ? :-)

Living with a Grey as a companion is such a wonderful experience I could care less what other people think. I am sure I have bored people to distraction with stories of Greydom and I apologize to them but I also feel sorry for them because they are missing out. Steve n Misty

I have a CAG and I love him to bits. He has been with me for about seven years but I would love him no less if he were a TAG. Just go looking and your bird will find you CAG or TAG. As he (she) could be with you for the rest of your life all that matters is that you give it all the love it needs and it will give back more than you could imagine.

Thats just how I feel! Steve n Misty

I love the way you fly your Cocoa. I am trying to get my Misty into a harness but he is an older bird and not very co-operative so far. I don't want to push him to hard so it will take time. Misty was poorly clipped when I adopted him at two years so he hated having his wings touched but I am gradually getting his trust in that respect. He trusts me in every other way. Steve n Misty

That's great news Greymondsmom. Is his new human an experienced Grey person? And is there any chance you will be able to keep in touch with him? My understanding is that in the wild Greys (COG) stay with mom n pop until around two years old and then are ready to go out in the world. So your little fellow is at a good age to move on. Perhaps you could extend an invitation to his new keeper to join this group ? It's good of you to take such care. I hope you find yourself in better circumstances soon and be able to offer a home to a deserving bird. Steve n Misty

I have never had to clip Misty's talons in the 7 years that he has lived with me. It is vital to give a Grey a wide variety of climbing perches preferably out of the cage. Many birds are kept in cages for a good part of the day and cage bars are totally useless for keeping claws trimmed. Likewise many of the perches in cages are static perches and provide little exercise for a parrots foot. If you think your little chap needs a trim then unless you are expert save your bird and your self from risking grief and have it done by a competent avian vet. I have just read your other post on you having to re home your Grey. I am surprised you have noise problems as generally Greys are regarded as the quietest of the medium sized birds. Try living with a Galah! You must be very sad to have to give him up. I am sure you will find him a good forever home. Steve n Misty

Well at least there are people still looking out for you. I noticed that there is a wooded area ( Google Earth) at one edge of your village. If I was a Grey I might head for there. Good cover and perhaps food. Forests are their natural habitat. I am sure you have looked there but you never know. Good luck Reggieroo. You deserve it. Steve n Misty

Any news about Murphy? Steve n Misty

It's a hard choice to have to make but if a parrot is clipped so that it cannot fly the chance of it having a serious injury due to a hard landing is very high. On the other hand a light clip might not prevent a fly away but it's risk of predation would be high as it would be unable to defend itself. Besides having been a flyer clipping would make him very sad and confused. Don't beat yourself up because you did not clip. You did what you knew was best for your bird. I still think you will get him back. Steve n Misty

I have to believe that you and Murphy will be back together soon. I don't want to imagine how I would feel in your position. I know you won't give up. Good Luck to you both. Steve.

There is no good reason to clip a parrots wings. I believe that if one intends to keep a parrot then it is essential to understand that being able to fly is a vital part of being a bird. Clipping is dangerous both mentally and physically. A clipped bird is at terrible risk from injury as it may be unable to land properly or escape the attentions of a predator such as a family dog or cat. If it takes flight due to a startle response it is at risk of crashing due to lack of control and flight skills. An unflighted bird may well lack confidence and be more prone to self mutilation. The bird will lead a much impoverished life as it will be restricted to its cage for much of the day for its own safety. Learning to fly is an essential part of a parrots development both physically and mentally. My Misty was clipped when he came to me at about two years. Fortunately his flights grew back over about nine months and his feather condition gradually improved as well. Now about seven years later he is a skilled flyer and he has the freedom of my apartment . As I am home most of the time he is nearly always out of his cage. It is mostly used for sleeping. Obviously I have to take precautions to avoid the risk from open windows and doors and make sure my home is parrot safe. Misty is smart, happy and social and I cannot imagine how he would be if he was unable to fly properly. Misty is trained to fly to me but I take great care that he will not go AWOL. He is chipped and that may improve the odds of him being recovered in the event but I am not prepared to clip him under any circumstances. It would be an insult to him. I believe wing clipping it a terrible practice and if one lives in circumstances where wing clipping is considered a serious option then that is not the right place for a parrot. Steve n Mistyparrot

Looks like you were sent on a wild Amazon chase! Good on you for trying to track the owner. You definitely deserve some good fortune in finding your Murphy. Is Murphy ringed or chipped? I have read that Greys tend not to fly far from home so there is still every chance. Good luck. Steve n Misty

I am keeping everything crossed for you. Was Murphy clipped at all? If he is fully flighted he should be able to come down. However his brain has been flooded with all kinds of new experiences so it will be difficult for him to get his perspective. If he has a whistled contact call whistle it to him as soon as you catch sight and see if he responds. I am sure you will get him back because he sees you as his flock partner. Good luck Steve n Misty

I did not realise I would have to give up two of my favorite foods, avocado and chocolate! Misty insists on sharing all my food so all I eat has to be parrot safe which is probably good for me as well but if I eat the forbidden foods I have to do it out of his sight and I just can't stand the guilt:eek: Steve n Misty

Don't you know it's the toys he hasn't got that he wants ! Especially your toys! Whilst I was writing this Misty made off with my cell phone!:eek:

My thoughts are with you Paul. You must be worried sick but I am sure he will come back to you soon.

Misty will go for any open draw and throw out what ever he can. I only have to open a draw and he will appear instantly and jump in to explore the contents. I once made the mistake of leaving a draw full of DAT tapes slightly open and came back to find he had opened the draw and then "carefully" pulled out the tape from each one before dumping it on the floor! In the end I gave him his own draw next to where I sit at the computer. Any thing I put in it he instantly chucks out and he has chewed large holes in the wood at the back and sides. Although I can interact with him almost anywhere with no sign of aggression from him and no hint of territoriality even his cage, if I put my hand in his drawer if he is in residence I can expect to get nipped. The only other thing he guards is his water bowl on his tree perch. He has also all but destroyed a book case from which I have now removed all breakables and books and given it up to him with just his toys, mostly toddlers wooden bead frames. Numerous shirts have fewer buttons and frayed collars. Jumpers with improved ventilation. Countless computer and phone charging leads. He can destroy those with just one bite if the fancy takes him. several computer keyboards have been remodelled. Any newspaper I try to read is at risk of extra editorial intervention of the Grey kind. Pens and pencils have to be taken from me in case I hurt myself apparently! Misty does care for my welfare. :rolleyes: Likewise he believes my reading glasses spoil my good looks! I suppose after reading all that, some might wonder why I dont keep him locked up but having Misty as a companion is my choice and I cannot bear to keep him caged for a moment longer than necessary for his own safety. Steve n Misty

A good reason to keep him off FOX but I suspect that he would be the same with any controversial TV programe. How about a swear box and spend the soon to be collected fortune on parrot treats etc. Steve n Mistyparrot

1111111 . Steve n Misty parrot CAG

Thanks Judy. Yes I will pop him down to the vet but I took him last year when the same thing happened and he could find nothing wrong with him then. They came back without any further intervention. Fortunately it does not seem to affect his flying ability. Steve n Misty

Last year just after I moved home Misty plucked all his beautiful tail feathers. All his other feathers were fine. After a few months they grew back. Now he has just done the same thing. He has just plucked all his tail feathers again! Again all his other feathers are perfect and he seems just the same in every other respect. Could it be a seasonal hormonal thing? Any ideas? :confused: Steve n Misty

I think it's because dogs and cats have a strong family bonding instinct. When we adopt a cat or dog into our family they will also have an inclination to accept other pets we bring in as family members and may even act to protect them. My dog Toby, now deceased, a collie-german shepherd cross would chase any strange cats but if our cat came on a walk with us he would fight or chase off any strange dog that came to close. If the cat was not with us the dog was much less aggressive. As I have already mentioned the cat Jezzie would happily tolerate Misty even though Jezzie was a capable hunter of wild birds. Steve n Misty

I used to have a black cat Jezzie. She was about fifteen when Misty my grey came to live with us. He was just over two. Jezzie took very little notice of Misty and if anything she was a little wary of him. They were both able to sit on my lap with little fuss although Misty would at times take an interest in Jezzies tail. When she had enough of Misty she would simply go away but she never showed any sign of aggression toward him. Misty learned her name and would call to her if she came in the room and he also learned the special whistle I used to call Jezzie in. Sadly Jezzie passed away a couple of years ago but Misty would still call to her if he was in the kitchen because Jezzie used to come in though her cat door. I am sure he missed her although they were never close. Of course I would never leave Misty out with Jezzie unsupervised. A single scratch or nip from a cat can poison a parrot. IMO cats and greys can get along but never never unsupervised. It is not worth the risk. I would think the same caution would apply to dogs. Steve n Misty