Mistyparrot

Brilliant picture. If only I could get Misty to stop and pose for me mid flight like that I could take one almost as good. Steve n Misty

That woman deserves the exact same treatment that she gave to those poor poor birds. There are not many things that will cause me to lose my rag but cruelty to children and animals infuriate me. Steve N Misty

Nobody expects the unexpected Steve n Misty

Misty is twelve and he loves to dig away at the cushions on the settee! He hasn't done any damage yet. I think he likes the feeling on his talons because there is nothing there for him to chew or eat. Steve n Misty

Thanks from Misty and me as well Inara. Actually I don't think Misty can read but as he is a Grey nothing would surprise me! Steve n Misty

That is a great post. If any of my friends ask advice about adopting a baby Grey I will direct them to your post. It makes a great deal of sense. Steve n Misty Ps May I just comment on the appearance of your text. The script displays as light grey on my computer making it hard to read. I had to copy it into a WP to be able to read it comfortably. It was well worth the effort though.

I think that Greys beaks are quite sensitive. Misty enjoys beak rubs from me even when he wants no other part of his body touched. He also enjoys beak tapping on hard surfaces like bottles, windows and mirrors. It seems the harder the surface the better. He also dislikes any food sticking to it so he will rub any suitably soft surface for that task. His favourite is my jeans or sometimes my T shirt shoulder. Steve n Misty

Misty has discovered that pulling at my hair when he is seated on the headrest of my computer chair is very good fun.:eek: For me less so. It is not as though I have that much to spare! I don't consider it to be a jailing offence like hard biting but I have told him that if he continues with this behaviour I might pull his feathers. (Not really but don't tell him that!) Steve n Misty

OMG I read this with Mistyparrot sitting on my shoulder. :eek: I am preying he was asleep and not also reading it (I don't actually know that he can't read. He is full of surprises! ) I don't want him to get any ideas that Greys can be truly powerful! Steve and Misty

Problem solved. My new design will have lips instead of a beak. Steve n Misty

When you have enough you can make another Grey. I am still saving Misty's Steve n Misty

A sad and moving poem. It brings home the responsibility that an adopter takes on. Thank you for posting. I am off to give Misty a skrtitch and a cuddle…. Steve n Misty

Yes indeed Muse. This is a very fine group. The people here are very supportive, helpful and as a rule non judgmental. Even when someone trips over their perch and momentarily forgets their manners the rest are still kind and understanding. I can only assume that these are the qualities that do best to successfully allow our Greys and other parrots to be happy and healthy fids and an absolute joy to be with. Steve n Misty

I am not sure under the tree looking up would be such a great idea! :eek: Steve n Misty

Steve n Misty

I played it and Misty hated it! So did I. The parrot sounded as if he was in distress. Misty prefers classical, jazz and AOR. Steve n Misty

Misty is going through a phase where I have to chase him to put him in his cage at night even after he has told me it is "Bed time". But he never ever bites in the process. He gives in gracefully but he is not keen on being locked up! It is the same if he is going in for time out because he has bit me! He still goes in. He is not happy but he goes in without resorting to further biting. On the other hand if I put out his bathing tray, a large cat litter box, and fill it from a bucket he will dive at my hands and bite at my fingers! This is odd because he loves his bath and loves to play in it. I am assuming he just gets over exited at the prospect! Sometimes water does excite him. Steve n Misty

Hmm. Obviously the moral is don't fight in front of kids or fids or dogs for that matter. I am not sure cats care as much. Steve n Misty

Good news. I hope other countries follow suit. Parrots have been rearing parrot babies without "help" from humans for millions of years. If they hadn't worked out how to do it by now there would be no parrots! http://cityparrots.org/journal/2014/3/2/new-law-prohibits-hand-rearing-of-parrots-in-the-netherlands.html Steve n Misty

Misty has always been a good talker and although I attempted to teach him names of fruit and things with some success and he learned a lot, I think my technique was wrong or did not suit him. I think he thought I was just teasing him so I stopped. This was ten years ago and all he knows now is what he has picked up from observation and even actually listening to me sometimes! Because of this he will speak in context and with*intent. That said I have had to sometimes work out the context he intended. The other point is as you have with Cockey we developed an unspoken understanding so for instance when Misty wants me to offer him a hand he will hold his foot up to me. Some things like nuts he sees no point in learning to name because they are always there for him to snack on. You have a lifetime to go with Cockey and I think it a certainty he will pick up much more in the way of human words. Steve n Misty

My advice is put an absorbent cloth over the pot to dampen the sound before it is too late!!:eek: Also don't wait till spring to at least do a temporary fix. Damp will encourage mould and you do not want that anywhere near your flock!:mad: Steve n Misty

If I ever was in a position to adopt an Eclectus I would have to have a pair! They make such beautiful looking couples. As it is Misty is just about all I can handle at the moment! Steve n Misty

When Misty and I came together I always knew it was a long term commitment on my behalf. At the time I was living alone and I found Misty in an advertisement in a shop window. As I had long been keen on adopting a Grey I jumped at the chance. He was with good people but they told me they could not give him the attention he needed or deserved. Misty did not have much choice in the matter but he accepted me from the off. I understood that he is an intelligent and self aware parrot person and I made a one way commitment to give him the best home I could. After ten years we have a good bond and as much as I would like to find a human companion of the female persuasion, for me Misty comes first. That means that if I am lucky enough to find someone she will need to understand that Misty is a vital part of my life and he always will be. It will be a case of love me. Love my Grey. If she is the right person for me she will have no problem with that. As for Misty he is a good natured chap and I am sure he will accept any person who has the right disposition toward him. Steve n Misty

Note that is a microphone not a loudspeaker. Apologies to HMV! Steve n Misty

Oh my goodness! I hate to think how big Sophie's imaginary phone bill is!:eek: Steve n Misty.