By all means make your own perches and toys out of safe woods. Karma to you for re-homing an older grey. If you have any pictures, we would love to see them!
Leia, clipping your grey is a choice that is yours alone. I believe you truly want to do what is right for your grey. In that regard, I would suggest that to properly know how to clip your bird yourself, you go to your avian vet and have him/her show you the proper way it should be done.
You sound very happy to have your old companion back. However, Buddy is a whole different bird now and you need to respect him as such. You wouldn't want to be treated as "Aunt Millie" treated you as a five year old would you???? :ohmy: As Dave said if you can remember some special things that you and Buddy enjoyed years ago, I would give them a try and your older Buddy may still enjoy them. Can't wait to see some pictures of Buddy and hear more about him!
Thanks Dan for sharing Dayo and his non-scary toy!!!! Reminds me I need to get Ana Grey a new stuffed toy; she has mangled her old one to shreds!!!:laugh:
My re-homed Eclectus is very gentle with his beak. When he uses it to brace himself on my arm he only touches me with it to steady himself. Now Ana Grey has grabbed hold tight but so far has not bitten hard enough to break skin or draw bleed.