Mistyparrot

What a lovely looking Grey you have there! I think Misty is in love with Emma. Steve n Misty

I am sure you two will get on very well. It may take Tony a little while to accept you as a friend but I think you have the right attitude. You and Tony are going to be best palls. There is nothing quite like having a Grey as a friend. It is a very special relationship. Steve n Misty

I suspect Misty would say, in English translation "I try not to equate a Humans intelligence to an African Greys because I think they have an intelligence that us Greys probably will never fully understand":cool: I suspect this because of the way Misty looks at me sometimes! Steve n Misty

Oh dear Bluedawg. It's a hard lesson to learn. Your Grey should stay in his cage while you are away to minimise the risk of injury. He will be upset I expect because you are not around. His flights will grow back but depending on how severe the clip is it could take many months and the regrowing pins may cause irritation and over grooming so regular use of Aloe Vera spray will help with that. He will forgive you and you must forgive yourself. You were doing what you thought was best. I hope your hospital stay brings you back to full health. Steve n Misty

Thanks Katana600 . My problem is not posting the link, it is being unable to embed the video direct to the posting. I have done it before but now what ever I try just doesn't work

A Phoney growl!? What are you suggesting? Actually it is something he learned from me but the context is right for a play growl. He some times uses that growl when he sees me point the mister sprayer in his direction. As a rule if he goes where he shouldn't I just have to pick up the mister and he will fly to my shoulder with out any fuss. In this case he knows that I allow him to perch on top of the Mac so he treats me pointing the sprayer as a game so out comes the play growl. Steve n Misty

I see it at the very bottom of the advanced posting page. Permissions. Steve n Misty

I am going mad trying to upload a short vid. I have done it before so it shows direct in the posting but now all I get are links.Tried Photobucket, Flickre and Youtube with various types of links but none do what they should. What is the secret please before I go quite mad!:mad: I have noticed at the bottom of the page in posting permissions that " HTML is off". is that the problem? Steve n Misty

I am going mad trying to upload a short vid. I have done it before so it shows direct in the posting but now all I get are links.Tried Photobucket, Flickre and Youtube with various types of links but none do what they should. What is the secret please before I go quite mad!:mad: I have noticed at the bottom of the posting page permissions that HTML is off. is that the problem? Steve n Misty

I always have problems uploading videos. Be patient Steve n Misty

http://s667.photobucket.com/user/Stevelane_photos/media/MistyGrowl.mp4.html Trying to post videos is making me nuts!!! I am going mad trying to upload a short vid. I have done it before so it shows direct in the posting but now all I get are links.Tried Photobucket, Flickre and Youtube with various types of links but none do what they should. What is the secret please before I go quite mad! Steve n Misty

It is a bit odd for food to hang around that long. Greys are very particular about keeping themselves groomed. It is probably nothing but as he is new to you a veterinary checkup is always a good thing for a new adoption. Steve n Misty

Two additional questions I would ask are why is he being re-homed? Does he have any phobias? I think you are asking all the right questions. I am always happy to hear of older Greys being adopted. Please keep us updated on how you are getting on. I wish you both a happy life together. Steve n Misty

Ouch Katie! I think it's about time Greys evolved lips instead of beaks! Steve n Misty

There is no reliable way to tell just by looking at a Grey what sex it is. Some say that the head shape is a little different and the tail feathers also have subtle white fringes on the red. But the only reliable way is either an internal examination or DNA testing both done by an avian vet. To be realistic if you intend your Grey to be a companion its gender makes little difference. They all have unique personalities and all respond well to a caring and intelligent keeper. As for clipping my advice is don't do it. It is not fair on the bird. Their whole body has evolved for them to become flying beings. It is bad for both their mental and physical health and can be dangerous because a bird that cannot fly properly is an accident waiting to happen. Of course you need to ensure that your Grey cannot escape to the outside but a sensible precaution is to get your pet microchipped. That will ensure you will always be able to identify him if he is ever found away from home. It can be hard to provably identify your Grey just by description. A closed ring is also a good way to identify but not all parrots have them and there is not the same database available but obviously make a note of all markings on the ring so even if your bird is ringed have him chipped as well. At his age it would be easy to get him used to a flight harness so you can take him out with minimum risk. Good luck with your new friend.You will find lots of good advice on this forum relating to all kinds of things from feeding to teaching. Go to the introductions page and introduce yourself and come back here to tell us how you are both getting on. Steve n Misty

I think "Damn I knew I forgot something when I went to the pharmacy. More sticking plasters!!" :mad: Steve n Misty

My feeling is that it all depends on the Grey. If you are lucky enough to be found by a reasonably well socialised and responsive parrot he should be able to grow his life into yours and go with your changes and moves. But if you are called by a less secure and skittish fellow he might find moving so soon after he had settled a bit upsetting. What ever you decide do make sure that whereever you live is a suitable environment. A good cage and the vet cover are the most important expenses. Good climbing perches can be improvised with suitable tree offcuts and hempen rope so they need not cost much. There is plenty online about the best woods and what to avoid. As for toys you should have a collection of valued books and recordings or computer equipment within easy reach of the Grey so he can keep himself amused when you need time off. Of course you will probably find ways of making less costly and more practical toys from wood, cloth. rope and card. There is no need to spend a fortune. Just be ready for whoever chooses you. I wish you lots of luck and I hope things work out well for you all. Steve n Misty

Misty loathes my green plastic garden watering can. I have no idea why but he definitely doesn't like it. Sunflower seed heads are also ill favoured. Steve n Misty

Misty growls a bit at the vacuum cleaner even before I switch it on. It may be too snake like for his comfort. He also has his dyno growl. I think it's when he is being a tyrannosaurus rex. Both growls are distinct and different. Steve n Misty

Avoid GM corn. Use only non GM organically grown corn. Some say GM corn is potentially harmful. Monsanto claim it is quite safe. It produces pesticides to combat various bugs that love to eat corn but it is not something you can wash off. I would never trust it with Misty. Fortunately it is not sold in the UK where I live. Steve n Misty

Stroking a Greys back is not a good idea. It is usually felt as by the Grey as a sexual advance and can lead to frustration. Steve n Misty

You are getting on very well with Paco but it obviously has to be on her terms! Swings and roundabouts. Perhaps in America its Swings and carousels. It is still very early days and Paco has happily joined your flock but maybe she hasn't decided who should be her bestest friend yet. Steve n Misty

Poor poor Pepper! If you can fly to Brighton England I will adopt you. But if you think I am going to let you live on peanuts and chips or tear apart my books and computer leads and keyboard fergeddit! In fact I suspect you are a spoiled ungrateful brat! Not that I have ever heard a Grey say thanks for anything. Now I come to think of it you are probably better off where you are. Misty is quite brat enough for me! Steve n Misty

I would suggest putting the two names together. Initially start off with "Rebel Imara" and as she gets used to that you can start to drop "Rebel". She will hopefully soon come to associate Imara as her name as well as "Rebel" and understand that "Imara" means you are also asking for her attention. Steve n Misty

Thanks for posting this Lovethatgrey . I aim to live at least another sixty odd years to be there for Misty but there is a slight possibility I could fall under a bus or get hit by a meteorite. So I have left instructions for the kind of person I would like for Misty's next best friend and adopter. Steve n Misty