ecodweeb

SunnyBird: Jeep Liberty's have built in bird perches: As do VW Beetles.... which is the next car to replace my Jetta...

I think you may have a win-win situation there!

Given we cater to them hand and foot, I'd say a step up from the human world.

proceed with extreme caution.

Try sitting and reading the newspaper aloud to him in the morning.

wow... you've got a great voice Lyn! where was that? can you take alfie out to the pubs? (If so thats just awesome) I posted this to my facebook, I love how she just takes off from your hand, and lands on your hand. I wonder if I'll ever know that joy?

When you make car buying decisions based on built-in bird perches...

Someone asked me if Phoenix was a hawk once, but that's still in the same species.... or perhaps she was just having a really off day?

I was warned that Talula was a hall walker and a jumper. Both have been proven true. I say it's kind of common, both of mine will walk back to their cages and go inside if I put them on the floor and say go home.

You'll find the birds often help you eat better as you incorporate more veggies into your mealtime planning for them to eat, and you eat them too. Red palm oil is pricey, but easy to cook with, and a vital nutrient to greys. I have a decade old plucker, rehomed for the third time. She only stepped up on a covered arm or a stick. Have you tried either of these methods? Once you establish what her favorite treat is (nut or whatever) try to use it as a coaxing tool to get her to step up. Don't expect miracles. It took me 3 months with a parrot who liked men and would step on their arms (sometimes throw that foot up and fall off the cage when I walked by in long sleeves). Getting her to trust my hand took at minimum 3 months, but now she will offer her foot when my hand comes up and puts her head down. She wants to be a good bird. Remember also that your baby has been thru a really traumatic experience and is still grieving. She needs time, and space. It might do you both good to try burning some soy candles (no scented ones) and perhaps burn a small bit of sage to cleanse the air in the house (I don't believe that sage is in any way harmful to a grey, and it's very pleasant smelling). Lastly, I suggest reading books to your new friend. Sit with a chair, in or out of cage (leave the door open and see what happens), ignore the whistles and distracting noises, and read to her. I bet she will start to mimic you in short order with this. Be sure to greet her properly every time, and try to have others do the same. Using the same phrases becomes familiar, home-y, and will help her relax. They just need unconditional love. I had scars on my hands at first with Talula but just yesterday she had a feather that I needed to check on her wing and she gruntily but submissively let me hold her on her back (in "parrot hold" you use your thumb to hold their neck just below the beak -- not for the fait of heart, and not something I'd suggest you do unless she's bleeding for quite some time) and look at the feather (turns out it wasn't broken). I always treat her and say good girl talula when done. You should also invest in a product called Aleo Vera Juice, get it at walmart in the health and beauty section near the pharmacy. Get a spray bottle and spritz her every other day with the Aloe and then in between with warm-ish water (luke warm). This will help foster her feather regeneration, as well as a high veggie diet with some red palm oil (whole foods carries this). Good luck to you, she's not impossible. You were wise to come online and seek guidance, karma to you for helping this troubled one. My flock sends their condolences for her loss.

Thanks Dave!

hm.. perhaps i've been kind of hard lined for no real reason. Thanks to all for opening my mind up a bit on the subject matter.

I feel bad for giving you vigilante advice.... Hang in there, and the school posters are a grand idea.

I have had my newest rescue, who is 10 years old, for a little over 6 months. She's only started talking in front of us in the last two. She was utterly silent for the first two months. It just takes time and patience.

score one for the bird people

Boomerang or Cartoon Network. The downside is that the little girl has started making 70s cartoon noises that are most annoying. the more irate i seem the more often she does them

talula was very similar at first, and over time, she started to trust my bare hand.

he looks very content hanging in his door there

The short answer is: they should be capable. However without the lab's cooperation, they may not be equipped to do that kind of testing, it's uncertain. I like where you're going with this. I can tell your a very honest man, if I am ever in SoCal and need a car I will come see you.

sending good thoughts Tobie's way....

If I were you.... I'd stand at his door steps and call the police and have them show up. That lone will make the neighbors pay attention, hispanic neighborhoods to my experience DO NOT like neighbors that get involved with the police due to many family members not being legally documented within our country. The pressure alone will make him give up the bird. Even if he denies things with the police, it should be rather easy to prove the animal is yours. He should fly to you on command, right? If you'd never seen this bird before, that wouldn't happen. That's just what I'd do. Actually, I'd have busted into the house when I was there and he wasn't and just taken him to be totally frank. No one kidnaps my children.

Hi there. My advise is simple and to the point: the bird does not trust males for whatever reason. It's going to take a lot of bite-taking, treats, and sweet talking to get this guy to come around if he comes around at all. I'd not force him to step onto their hands or submit for petting -- try to coax that from him. Find his i'll do anything treat and only let the boys give it to him. Have the boys sit by the cage and talk to him, even read a news article aloud to him. Also out of cage time would be important, if he gets on the floor have one of the men pick him up and put him back on the cage. A firm "no bite" or "bad parrot" is all that is necessary when they latch down on a thumb (and he probably will, make no mistake, these are cleaver and crafty critters). It's not impossible but it's not something I'd expect to happen in the next 3 months either. 6-8 month goal would be to have him stepping up on command on a male's hand, and it's going to be slow progress to get there. You can do it with persistence. Good luck! Karma to you for taking in an adult parrot.

That depends on the parrot. My 17 year old is pretty friendly, my 10 year old girl is quite shy. Some people they will instantly take to, others may take warming up. Some they may never get along with.

Tame != domesticated, but what does domesticated really mean if not tame? Inability to survive in the wild? If that were true cats aren't really domesticated as they are the fastest of any species to return to feral nature when left to their own devices. (Looking forward to the replies, I enjoy the many viewpoints of this forum on topics like these)<br><br>Post edited by: ecodweeb, at: 2010/01/12 15:52

You have a baby. It's playing and talking.