Mistyparrot

Thanks Jools. I was just about to post the link here when I saw yours:) Don't they just melt your heart Can you imagine having a conversation with one of those:laugh: They look smaller than Misty's head! Steve n Misty

What a sweet girl Emma is. :lol: Thanks for the video. Steve n Misty

dhorje wrote: Misty preferes my computer keyboard. Steve n Misty

dhorje wrote: I am not so sure about that Dhorje. They are very smart but so are Greys and Toos. Who made that claim and how did they arrive at their conclusion? Steve n Misty

It is not just crows that will mob predators. When I was a boy (just after the stone age) I remember watching in amazement as an owl flew through my garden being chased by a mob of all kinds of small birds. There were thrushes,sparrows, bluetits etc all making a terrible ruckus as they mobbed the owl. It was also unusual because it was daytime and owls usually only venture out at night. I guess if that is the reception they got it's no surprize:lol: Steve n Misty<br><br>Post edited by: Mistyparrot, at: 2009/09/05 19:36

Crows are very smart birds and are very protective of other crows. I think there are two possibilities here. One is that they mistook your GAG for a predator. Parrots beaks resemble those of hawks. The other which I favour is they saw you as a predator with a captive bird and were trying to rescue it ! Crows can remember individual humans as friend or foe. Have you been back there on your own and did the crows react to you? Crows are every bit as smart as parrots and have a complex social life. They are also capable of problem solving and tool making ! They can even learn to copy human speech. Here is an interesting web site about crows http://www.zeebyrd.com/corvi29/ Steve n Misty

Please go back to your breeder and shackle his feet. It seems to me that many breeders do this horrible thing to their babies as a matter of course. Please let your Yoshi grow his flights back. He will be much better off and healthier. Steve n Misty

Thank you RudysMom. As a rule I am not a great sport fan but I could follow these teams anyware:laugh: Steve n Misty

I have sometimes called Misty "Mistypie" as a term of endearment (not a threat) When he is chattering he sometimes repeats "Mistyparrot Mistypie". I did have a video of it. I will post it if I find it. Steve n Misty

If you look on your profile page there are a number of Grey keepers living near you. Perhaps you could contact them via our group to see if they have lost a bird or know someone who has. It might be worth a try. B) Steve n Misty

The Huffington Post an on line news magazine has honored the two year anniversary of Alex's passing by putting up a video of him in action. I expect most here have seen it before but it is good to remember such an outstanding ambassador of Greydom. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/02/alex-the-parrot-the-smart_n_275462.html Steve N misty

I just found this video. It has nothing to do with parrots but i thought you all might enjoy it Steve n Misty

I hate the whole idea of stuffing animals. I particularly hate the idea of so called hunters killing and stuffing animals. The only good reason to hunt is for food. Hunting for sport is simply unspeakable to me. If any "hunters" are offended by this then that is the very least they deserve. I would much prefer to keep photos or paintings of lost and departed loved ones If you are happy to keep your departed wife, husband, child or pet as a stuffed memento then good luck to you. I would prefer to let them rest in peace. Steve n Misty<br><br>Post edited by: Mistyparrot, at: 2009/08/30 23:23

I whole heartedly agree with the general sentiment of this thread. In short, there is no correct way to trim a parrots feathers only bad ways and worse ways but if you absolutely must. have it done by a sympathetic avian vet. I know you love your bird Leia but you should ask yourself if you should be keeping a bird in your present circumstances if they are so chaotic. Steve n Misty

I have just got it from Amazon as well. £1 £2.75 postage At this rate it will end up as their best seller :lol: Steve N Misty

Sorry Luvparrots and Quickdood. A spurious full stop got on the end of the URL i inserted. http://www.parrotmag.com/dvds This works I promise Steve n Misty

I have just watched "Parrots Look Who's Talking" it is a great documentary about parrots in general including African Greys. Each section is "introduced" by a talking African Grey. It was made by the BBC Natural History Unit. You will love it I guarantee ! It is available from: http://www.parrotmag.com/dvds They are currently doing a subscription promotion offering this DVD although that offer may only apply to UK residents. Anyone can buy it from their DVD store where they have a large range of parrot related DVDs. Steve N Misty Post edited by: Mistyparrot, at: 2009/08/29 13:36<br><br>Post edited by: Mistyparrot, at: 2009/08/30 19:25

Grey parents give their young ones names but humans never get to know them. As long as your new bird associates with the name you give him it will be fine. You might find it helps to use both together at first. Of course what ever name you give, your bird may think it is your name because he will hear it when ever he sees you:) I find Greys will readily learn the names of other family members and pets When I call to my Grey Misty he seems to understand that I am referring to him but I suspect that his real name is a particular signature tune that he has. Steve n Misty

I agree with pretty much all in the article. I certainly have severe misgivings of commercial breeding. I also strongly believe that as a rule Parrots know best how to bring up baby parrots. They have been doing it for many millions of years with great success before we came along to screw things up for them. I am very lucky with Misty. I don't know his breeding history but I adopted him at two years old and he clearly sees me as a close friend. He can be very playful, affectionate and chatty but he is not what I would call cuddly. He is not afraid to use his beak on me to express irritation for example if I offer him cold water when he wants it hot. He lives out side of his cage all the time and is fully flighted but he needs lots of attention and he is not a child substitute. He is a bird. It worries me that to many would be parrot keepers see them as cuddle bunnies and they have no idea of the commitment involved in keeping these smart and sensitive creatures responsibly. The idea that anyone could walk into a pet shop and just buy one is very troubling. Ideally there should be strong licensing involved in breeding selling and keeping any intelligent animal, Steve n Misty

That's exactly right Jillybeanz YOU CAN'T WIN:P and the sooner you get used to it the better. Misty is just the same. What is more he is much worse when I am with him !!:laugh: He climbs or flies to the Place Of Contention and then looks at me to challenge me to do my worst. If I am out of the room he is usualy as good as gold. I know this because I have had a camera on him just to confirm my suspicions. Steve n Misty

I am so glad you got your bird back. Nevertheless I think it is a mistake to clip her wings. Several times you say that one of the problems in getting her back was because she could not fly down. That is typical of clipped birds. Had she been fully flighted (remember she is a bird !) she would have been able to fly down to you. Also you would have been much less likely to put her in a position where she could take fright and take off. Clipping is bad for your bird. There are better solutions than mutilation. Steve n Misty<br><br>Post edited by: Mistyparrot, at: 2009/08/25 19:58

What great pictures Caitlin:) :) :) Karma to you. I am very jealous:sick: I can never seem to get good pics of Misty in flight:dry: I guess I will have to improve my technique some how. Got any good tips? Steve n Misty<br><br>Post edited by: Mistyparrot, at: 2009/08/24 23:29

I am generally reluctant to recommend Parrots like African Greys to anyone in your situation. Your life is far from settled and African Greys are a significant commitment. They typically have a fifty year lifespan, about four or five times longer than a dog. If you decide to go away to college, Join the army or go traveling who will look after your Grey? I am sure you understand they are sensitive intelligent beings and they need a sympathetic keeper. Are your parents prepared to bail you out as care givers? You might be better off waiting until your personal circumstances are more stable. Greys are not a responsibility that should be taken on without due consideration. I suspect you know that because you came here to ask advice. Thank you for that. Karma to you Steve N Misty<br><br>Post edited by: Mistyparrot, at: 2009/08/24 21:27

Misty is seven and very active as he should be. The thing is, he makes me feel like a kid again :lol: Steve N Misty

I sometimes get an itch on the end of my nose. I have found that Misty's beak makes a perfect nose itch scritch. At last I have found a way for Misty to be a useful member of the familiy. He has attempted to be my computer keyboard service engineer but he never finishes the job, he would just leave it in bits so I had to sack him. Have others found any useful occupations for their Greys? Steve n Misty