ecodweeb

totally should not have read this thread!

Few things to try: Get some Aloe Juice, it's a branded product you can get at walmart. if you can't find it, get regular aloe and mix it 50/50 with water. Spray that on them, helps the feathers and can soothe dry skin. Install a second shower rod and let him hang out on that rod and take in the steam. Perhaps you can work it so that it's a shower perch and he can sit just on the other side of the shower curtain while you take a shower. bathing is a tough subject. they gotta do it but not all birds like doing it.

Phoenix was taken in 11 years ago by my partner. Many bites and much training later, except for the winter time when his hormones goes insane, he's a loving little guy who is extremely social but very quiet. Talula has lived with us 4 months and she is a plucker who seems to have mostly stopped pulling whole feathers but still shreads them while preening. She has a cage that is nearly 3x the size of the one she had been living in for the past 4-8 years. She could not step up on a hand when we got her, but she does now. To my surprise she's been biting everyone but me lately, so I guess we're finally bonding. I cannot hold her on her back, and I barely can pet her, she lets me rub her beak and I can hold her. She's very clumsy, she has fallen off her cage a time or two...usually trying to climb over onto the food shelf... silly parrot. I hope that Talula continues to build her vocabulary and leg muscles (it's sad to see that she can't swing across the doorway of her cage by her beak like phoenix can). I hope that she becomes more trusting in time.

You know I thought mine liked the shower. Phoenix will scream bloody murder. If I put him in the tub he'll fall over on his back screaming in fear of the rain. He hates rain storms (no idea why). talula is much better. Sometimes she sits under the stream. She usually is OK so long as I dont hold her head-first in the stream. She'll walk around the tub clucking like a chicken, it's kind of funny. I'd say a grey that likes water won't scream, flap to fly away, or bite you while you try and hold them in the shower stream / put them in the water. Phoenix likes to bath in his water dish but he can't get his back. He's been extra birdie (ie he's extremely hormonal, tempermental and dusty) and he HAD to have a full on bath this weekend. I coudn't take the dust.... he hated me for it, but such is life. Parenting isn't all kisses and candy.

Phoenix is 17. In 5 years I've heard: Hey Buddy! (most common) Come Here(second most common) I love you (ONCE) It'll be OK Right? (twice)

I've only heard Phoenix say it once. When he got covered up for bed one night. So lucky you are

We're still here for you, and I'm very happy you've found some solace from your grief. Please post a picture of Sunshine for us

A white candle burns in my home for Rishi's return to health. My thoughts are with you.

hi Ishmael, you've got a special one on your hands. Not all Greys are this playful. Enjoy it and encourage it!

Talula is acting similarly. I try and talk to her but it's as if she's conversing with a ghost.

I wouldn't say it's impossible to rehome a curser. I did. She still calls some women the B-word. I can't help but laugh as internally I'm agreeing with her.

Very good news. Looks like good times ahead!

I have a 10 year old female plucker who has lived with me 4 months now. By the end of the first month she was starting to step up on a covered arm (similar family history as yours) and by the end of the second month I'd gotten her to trust my hand (but not necessarily others). It takes time. Leave the door open, let him come out on his accord. They like feeling as if they made a choice, a decision, in any matter. So opening the door and walking away lets him decide if he wants to come out. Doing this will lead to "come pick me up" and you may see an offered foot one day. Remember to be sweet talking, and don't be afraid of the inevitable bite.

WOW! Thats the most impressive thing I've seen today!

OH I feel for you. I made the mistake of leaving the doors open and dozing off on the sofa. I woke up to a screaming Grey standing in front of me, nipping at my shoes!

LOL! I hope you can get the mobile repaired or replaced. This is why I get "bird insurance" on portable devices. Talula has taken most of the right side of my netbook's keyboard apart. Unlike Phoenix, she left the white scissor mechanism under the key. Pheonix pulls that off, too, and dismantles it. I know which one used to be a Mario brother.....

My vote is squirrel in a former life

Phoenix does this, but Talula does not. I think its because she has not so good balance. it is funny to see them lean all the way over!

I have noticed this with both of mine recently. I noticed my female will gather a poo pile on the grate below the dish if I don't clean the cages soon enough. Some say that in the wild they walk around and eat things covered in all kinds of poo, but I'd clean it out and try to discourage the behavior in a positive way. "No no Benji, that's for eating not pooping!"

We took Phoenix to Carolina Beach, NC last summer. We had lots of questions from Amazon and Macaw owners, a few people who had lost greys came up (one in tears almost) and said hello.

They understand. They comprehend. They communicate. Dr. Irene Pepperberg's books based on her 30+ years of working with precious Alex would be of much interest to you.

To answer the question, no i've never actually sprayed them down with anything to try and clean them. I suppose hot water would do it like any other fruit or vegetable tho.

It may be some kind of coo.

Hello! Here is what I'd suggest: First I would network with this site to find someone in one of the quarantine cities. Set it up so that you can stay w/ them for each weekend out of the month quarantine. If you can't find someone, try and get a good deal on a hotel near by. I would see the parrot even single weekend and never miss a single time. This gives her the stability she seeks. I have faith that only the best work in these facilities, and she will be well looked after and stimulated (might want to ask about this, call the Fish and Wildlife service from the link posted before I did and ask them about the process in detail). I'd then drive her (or fly? If so go US Airways so she rides in the cabin with you) to your home in Dallas. Given Irene M. Pepperberg's travels with all her parrots over the past 30 years, granted it was not international, I think she would do OK. That is a long flight. My biggest worry is if she has to be "checked cargo" .... someone else posted about flying their birds and birds freezing to death under the plane on long flights. So there are a few hurdles: 1) can she fly in the cabin or does she need to go by ship to the quarantine facility? 2) Travel and lodging between Dallas and the port city she comes into for quarantine for visits 3) Is she required to be kept in her own cage, and if so, can you provide her with new toys when you come to keep her entertained? It's a big deal, and I understand where you're coming from about it might be better to leave her with family. Tough call. I hope you find your answers.

I am contending with this with my 17 year old male, i'm 4 months into having my second grey (10, female). Today he bit me pretty hard so I went and got him some more tofu to try and calm those hormones from the season change and his newly acquired flight feathers. time heals all wounds. just keep the routines up. I've been saying pretty bird to my new girl for some time now and she's started to say it back "Talula! Pretty girl, pretty bird!" it makes me smile to hear it, but it's taken a while.