djzenjen

Hmmm, I never thought to warn them first. I'm going to start trying that strategy with my TAG. Thanks!

It almost looks like Rex is trying to look up at the ceiling, but can't figure out if he wants to dance or not at the same time. :laugh: Too cute, but it's normal for sure. My father's Grey does that type of head swinging thing, too!

Is it anything like this? http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=45674409 Mischief will do that to windows and cabinet doors. Sometimes I knock back with my fist and we take turns. Then, from the other room I hear my Amazon shouting "COME IN!" :laugh:

We play the staple peek-a-boo when Mischief is running around in her cabinet, and we play ball toss & ball tug of war. We also meow back and forth and name that tune with whistles! :cheer:

I'm not much for breeders.. :unsure: Even though it's rare to find a Grey at a rescue, check your local rescues. There are tons of adult birds in need of a loving home. We rescued Mischief when she was 8 years old and now I can't imagine living at home without her! We searched for about a year before we found Mischief. She is our little shining star! Good luck on your search, and be patient because you'll know the perfect Grey when you meet him/her.

That is horrible to hear, I am waiting to see what happens from here. Keep us posted! Poor birdies...

I submitted it several months ago and finally saw it! I wonder if they choose everyone or if it is random? Either way, all you do is send in your photo with a caption. they also post more bonus photos on the website. BirdChannel.com I think it is? Exciting! :silly:

Oh, I probably won't give in, but the feeling is there. I love working with them and showering them with toys and attention. I have every bird that I've ever wanted to own me. It just so happens that birds who need homes fall into my lap and they are just so cute... Everyone who knows me, knows I love birds, so they come my way. I either end up keeping them or finding them a home. My mother adopted an Amazon I was housing once, and I found a Cockatoo in a cage with no food inside a closed workshop. I contacted the owner ASAP and took it home to help find it a great home. Birds just seem to come to me sometimes! I need to keep going to Parrots in the Park to feed this addiction, but my limit would be just one more. B)

It all started in my childhood when birds were no stranger to my household. I grew up, moved out, got on my feet, and rescued a Cockatoo. (Which I quickly adopted out since I was unprepared to care for it at the time.) Then, it started when I adopted my dove, Big Bird. The bird fetish came back. I remembered how much I really enjoyed and loved birds in my life! So, I started reading up on different breeds. First, Koa came into my life. Then, I decided I wanted an African Grey, but my "other" was like no way. No more animals! I had to beg and plead, but finally I adopted Mischief. I thought I would be content, but then I wanted an Amazon... it was harder this time to convince my hubby that I needed another parrot. (lol) Then I got Perdy, which is an awesome addition to the flock. I thought I was content, but now I want another parrot... will this ever stop?! I feel like I would have to start smuggling them into the house and what's worse is that I think I'm willing to take that chance! LOL Anyone else have this problem? :woohoo:

He sure is a stud! Nice pics!

And just for the record, I did NOT come up with that caption. :laugh:

You know, come to think of it, I don't ever see Mischief drinking water either. I just see her dunking her head in it. That must be her way of drinking! :laugh:

I had to post this as I'm super excited! Mischief's photo was posted in the April addition of Bird Talk magazine! I jumped up and ran around showing her off to everyone I could. Mommy is so proud. :kiss:

I must say I don't have that problem with Mischief. Usually when I put a new toy in her cage or on her stand she'll go right for it. However, I do have a problem with putting her on new play stands or perches. I bought her the one below at the last bird fair and the first time I went to put her on it she was leaning so far back off my hand that she was practically sideways. :lol:

Come down and visit anytime! Bring the flock! B)

Thanks for the replies! She wasn't too happy about being stuck in the shower for a rinsing, but I went in to check on her a few minutes ago and she waved hello and gave me the happy chirp that I love hearing! I'll keep checking up on her to make sure she's not acting weird, but I don't think she swallowed much (if any) water. All seems fine! Phew!

A few times a week, I sit outside with my flock. They have an outside play gym next to a swing seat that I relax on. So, we enjoy the sunshine and nice weather together (when it comes around). Anyway, just a little while ago, something spooked my Grey and she flew into the pool. I, of course, jumped up asap to rescue her. She was flapping really hard and seemed to keep her head above the water the entire time. She flapped over to me as soon as she saw I was there. She was in the pool about 15 seconds before I got her out. It's Sunday so my vet is closed, and I am concerned that the chemicals in the water may be harmful to her or her feathers? I'm rinsed her off in the shower, but is there anything I should be worried about from this accident?

Mischief has her moments, but for the most part she is quiet. She never screams, squawks, or cries, but she loves to chatter and talk! She is very good at night, too. Once the lights go out we don't hear a peep out of her. When the morning comes, though, I hear her chattering away until I get up and go say Good Morning!

Here is Mischief's humble abode.

Mischief loves to tip her food dish when she doesn't like the contents, or if it needs to be refilled. And boy, does she have me trained! It takes her a couple of tries to get it out of the holder, and when I hear that clanking sound, I'm usually in the room around 3 seconds flat. I don't have this problem in her cage as the food areas have this bar to where the dishes can't be tipped from inside. She does this with her play stand perch dish because it's the snack dish.

My dad's CAG, Shadow, has been plucking himself bald for many years. My father has tried everything from changing his diet, to spending more time with him, to putting him out on the porch for a change in environment, etc. Every inch of his body that he can reach is bald. It seems my father has tried everything he can think of, but Shadow still plucks. We're not sure what triggered Shadow to pluck and even the neck rings don't stop him. He just chews right through them. He is a very loving bird and is spoiled by my father and his wife. Shadow was hand fed by my father, and is going on 17. We don't think stress is involved because the house is alone on the top of a mountain. No other houses are nearby, no screaming neighbor kids, no traffic noise, etc. So, we're baffled. If anyone has any suggestions he could try, or reading material he can check out, let us know. Thanks for your suggestions!

I had a similar experience with Mischief our TAG. We adopted her last July (she is 9 this year), and she had never been given pellets. She was fed tons of seed mixes and table scraps. I wanted to make sure she was getting the proper nutrition, but she wouldn't touch the pellets. All she would eat out of her dish were seeds. So, I gave her what she was used to every morning, but I put in a hint of the pellets. Every day I slowly increased the amount of pellets I put in her dish, and slowly decreased the amount of seeds. After about 3 months she was used to the pellets and now that is all she has in her cage dish. At first she would just throw them out of the dish, but in time she started eating them. She doesn't mind not getting seeds as much anymore because she gets her own portion of whatever I'm having to eat. :whistle: B)

The Orlando bird fair is tomorrow (Sunday) the 8th. Kinda late posting this but, if you're in Orlando it is a great place to get food, toys, and cages for your loved feather friend! Orange County Fairgrounds 9am-2pm $5 non-members/$4 members

Here in Orlando they have the bird cabin and the bird store for bird boarding. I have never boarded my grey there before, but I've checked out the facilities. I would think that since they are so young, this may be a good thing for them. A chance to get used to other people and different environments. I'd go along with what casper said. Maybe leave them there for a day, then come back and get them. Leave them there for two days, then come back and get them. They would get a feel for the boarding place and they would also know that you will come back for them. With mine, I take her to the park and socialize her as much as possible so she is used to traveling different places and meeting new people. She is 9 years old, and we just adopted her last June. So, it's been a long working road. When we first got her, she didn't like to be in the car or meet anyone. With the younger greys I think this is a good opportunity to get them used to it for when they get older. Good luck! <br><br>Post edited by: djzenjen, at: 2009/02/08 00:17

Yes! Great job on asking questions first! Most people just buy and then learn they can't handle it after the fact. I have 2 dogs, 2 cats, and 4 birds (including my Grey). Everyone in the household has a mutual agreement to ignore everyone else. B) The dogs never bother the cats, the cats never bother the birds, and the birds never bother anyone unless they are approached, which is rare. At first the other animals were curious about our new additions when we were adding to our flock, but after a month or so they got used to them. You just have to have a lot of patience working with birds, and you have to have the motivation and time to work with them very closely. They are messy. They are a handful. But they are fantastic family members and entertainment! I would want to work with the dogs, too to let them know that it's not OK to nip at the birds or etc. Good luck!