Gryphon

Great! Poopology has made me somewhat paranoid about diarrhea, which is probably a good thing. Thanks Dan! Stephanie

Thanks guys! It is a work in progress, for sure. The net is a get-a-grip medium-long. It cost a pretty penny and I deliberated on whether or not to buy, but it is well made and a great "center piece" to build around. So far Gryph likes to grab and chew on the ends but I'm sure he'll climb across to it eventually! We lived in an apartment until this summer and I've never had this kind of space for a bird. It is a real luxury. Thanks again! Stephanie

I know Gryph's ginormous morning poo is normal because he holds it overnight, but it is also a mix of normal feces and diarrhea. It is the only time during the day his feces don't look normal and I'm wondering if I should be concerned. We have a vet appointment (first visit) on Friday morning and will have routine tests like gram stain. Thanks! Stephanie

And Dave, thanks for that advice on the vet. I have an appointment for him this Friday. It was the earliest non-emergency appointment I could get. I'm still a little anxious, but hopefully he'll roll with the punches, so to speak. Thanks! Stephanie

Thank you! We are delighted. Don't know how we ever lived without him. And it has only been a week! We set up the bird room this weekend. He hasn't tried the net yet, but loves the boing! Thanks again, Stephanie

We just took in a rehomed TAG named Gryphon and he's doing really well. His owner gave us his cage and all his toys, which has helped him adjust. I spent the first couple of days just sitting quietly in a room with him, not attempting physical contact. After the second day he asked for scritches and was stepping up shortly afterward. I think a calm presence helped, but I should say that Gryph is only 18mo, which may mean the transition was easier. Good luck and congratulations! Stephanie

Hi all, I'm wondering what your opinion is on taking Gryphon to the vet. He is rehomed and just came to us on Saturday. He does seem to be settling in well but I don't want to overload him with new experiences and a vet trip can be overwhelming. He hasn't been to the vet in over a year and then it was just a physical; no blood work, no gram stain. Of course, I am anxious to get this done, especially since I don't yet know his behavior well enough to recognize early signs of illness, but I'm concerned about his mental well being. He hasn't even come out of the bird room for more than a few minutes so there's a lot of adjusting to be done yet. What would you do? Thanks and sorry to be question obsessed! He just went back in his cage and started snoozing. I don't know his normal schedule so I don't know if this is a cause concern or just a normal Gryph habit. Stephanie http://world-bird-sanctuary.blogspot.com/

We tried our new method last night and I think it went well. I put him in his cage with a treat at 8:30 and left the lamp on. The living room is right next to the bird room and he could do his contact whistle. We responded until 8:50 and then I turned the lamp off. He whistled one or two more times and then stopped. We turned off the lights and tv at 9 and went upstairs. Not a peep! Hopefully this can be our new routine. I think it helped that we cuddled for an hour before bedtime. He's already wanting physical affection, which I take as a very good sign after only three days. All best, Stephanie http://world-bird-sanctuary.blogspot.com/

These are very helpful, thanks! I like the idea of putting him in the cage a little bit before we actually go up. That way he can adjust and do some contact calls before lights out. This is only night number three but I'm feeling less like he might be scared in here...he's hanging out away from the cage a bit more. The first nights his little calls were breaking my heart. Thanks! Stephanie

I think that's right. If he can hear us, he wants to be with us. Down the road, I'd like to have a sleep cage for him but while he's adjusting we'll just take it night by night. Stephanie

Thanks! Birds I've cared for in the past have been on a 12 hour cycle but it sounds like these guys need less sleep? I am home with him for a good portion of the day, so it isn't a matter of attention, just how much rest he needs to be healthy and not cranky! Best, Stephanie

Thanks! I just put him in the cage. He can hear us and is vocalizing a bit, but not frantically. I think he would stay up all night if he could! At his previous home his cage was upstairs and the living room was down. Here the bird room is right next to the living room, so he can hear us. I'm a terrible worrywart. Thanks again, Stephanie

Gryphon was on a schedule at his previous home where he went to his cage when he was tired, usually around 9pm. I'd like to get him to settle down a little earlier, but don't really know how to accomplish this. I don't want to be cruel, since he can hear me in the other room. Should I keep things status quo for now? Should I shut his cage and turn his light out and just wait for him to stop vocalizing? It is about 8pm here now. Thanks, Stephanie

Oooo! I like the look of that. Anything that rattles is good. He just came to me for the first time. Crawled right up my arm and started kissing.

Hi everyone, Gryphon, our 18mo tag, came to live with us yesterday and seems to be doing very well, considering. He's very responsive to our voices, eating beans and pasta and fresh fruit (said no to green beans :lol: ), and playing all day. He's spent most of the time on top of his cage with his many foot toys and is obsessed with plastic balls with bells and/or beads stuck in them. He tries to get the bell or bead. Any toy suggestions based on that? He has plenty of inside the cage toys, but foot toys are his obsession. Let's see. He isn't stepping up yet and shows a little bit of territorial aggression on top of the cage. He did get startled twice yesterday and let me pick him up from the floor. He also promptly crawled up my arm to my head, as described. Today he hasn't shown any interest in coming to me (got in a few good bites before I learned his posturing) BUT he asked for scritches. I gave them of course. Bedtime last night was hard. He didn't want to go into the cage. We tried bribery, but no luck. Poor little dude was sitting one-legged on top of his cage just nodding off. Finally around 9 I tried again and he followed the grape right in. I'd like to get him on a 7pm to 7am schedule eventually. I guess that's about all! And it's a lot for one day. He's still very quiet...just a contact whistle when I am gone for too long. I'm wondering if I should wait until he's acclimated before taking him to the vet. Any thoughts on that one? He hasn't had his yearly exam and I'd like to have him seen soon. He's only been to the vet once before. Thanks for the advice! Stephanie http://world-bird-sanctuary.blogspot.com/

Hi Patsy, Thanks! I should have said he is 18 months so he is out of clumsy baby phase (so cute). I'm trying to think of what else I left out! The floors in my room are hardwood, so no carpet to ease a fall. His wings have been clipped, but he has been flighted in the past. Stephanie http://world-bird-sanctuary.blogspot.com/

Hi all, I'm wondering about bird room arrangements for a Timneh. I was planning on hanging a "get a grip" climbing net from horizontally from the ceiling so that it hangs about 6-7 feet high. Then the swings and atom and boings. I've read that greys fall easily (is that true?) and this can cause serious emotional problems (not to mention the physical). What I am wondering is if this kind of play set-up is too far off the ground and if anyone has good tips for a bird room that allows lots of climbing and swinging. Thanks! Stephanie http://world-bird-sanctuary.blogspot.com/

Thanks Dan! I'm home today getting the bird room ready and counting the seconds!! Stephanie http://world-bird-sanctuary.blogspot.com/

Thanks everyone for the kind words and welcome. We are very excited and lucky to have found Gryphon. I will definitely be here asking questions! luvparrots, I volunteer at the sanctuary and manage the blog. I'm glad you like Sid. He is a task master, I can tell you. All best, Stephanie http://world-bird-sanctuary.blogspot.com/

Hi there! I am adopting an 18 month old Timneh grey named Gryphon. He is coming from a very good home where he has been much loved, but his human doesn't feel that she gives him enough time. He is very bonded to her but otherwise seems well adjusted and happy. He will be coming to my house on Saturday and I'm wondering if anyone has tips for making the transition as easy for him as possible. I have bird experience and realize he will be grieving for his human as well as making a stressful change to a new environment. We plan on taking things entirely at his pace, spending time near the cage but not forcing him to do anything he isn't ready for. He will be coming to us with his cage and toys. Other things I know about him: he's never been covered at night; tolerates a shower but hates the spray bottle; is in the beak bite testing phase (I'm not afraid of bites...work with big parrots, corvids, birds of prey). I offered him my hand for step up when we visited. His human was right next to me and so, naturally, he wasn't having it. He did not exhibit fear or aggression but did slowly clamp my finger and squeeze hard to let me know his answer. I am most concerned about his emotional state as he makes the adjustment. I've never had a grey. Many thanks for your help and advice, Stephanie http://world-bird-sanctuary.blogspot.com/