ecodweeb

It is molting time (winter), so it's probably just her preening herself. I wouldn't worry unless she starts to pull whole feathers.

Talula will start doing an old woman hacking cough if someone shows her a pack of cigarettes. I wish I could take credit for "teaching" her this.

If you ask me, YES. Girls are far more skiddish, and harder to regain trust. I wouldn't say mine was aggressive when we got her, but she was not afraid to strike you. Compared to the boy (granted, I didn't know how upon immediate adoption) his mean spirited attacks to my hands because Ive "replaced" him are far more violent, and I'd imagine if he was petrified of people and inable to step up to an offered hand like Talula was, he'd be a real bad bleeder. I think female parrots are more often pluckers than males. I have nothing but anecdotal experiences to back that up. However once you win over a female, which seems to be harder to do than a male -- I read that on someone's site but don't recall whose (like Barb Heindrich/Good Bird Inc or similar), they tend to be pretty affectionate. I don't really know that first hand, Talula still clucks when my hands go towards her head. But to say that my boy and my girl are "the same" is like saying that all English speaking countries are the same. It's just inaccurate! I love both my birds, but if I was suggesting one to someone, I'd probably suggest a known male. They may be more playful aggressive, but that's easier to work with than a highly emotionally disgruntled female who makes no indication of what you did wrong or how she perceived it wrong, and starts yanking feathers out until she bleeds (thats the state we got Talula in). Take this with a grain of salt.<br><br>Post edited by: ecodweeb, at: 2009/12/22 21:16

Thats adorable!

Slowly. Try perching them in the same room on separate perches well out of striking range, perhaps while watching TV.

I realize the first try was not successful, but I would very much hope you will try to rehome another Grey in need. You have learned a lot through this experience and that only will help you in the future. But I know that knowledge does not ease the pain you feel.

Would it be possible to remove the divider and cover it with a thick felt or other material that would give privacy between the two halves of the cage? Perhaps that could help with the situation of privacy?

Lately Phoenix has figured out how to open the food and water dish bowl door latches while out of his cage. He does it so quietly too. We didn't notice (at first) and put him up for the night, to find him ontop of the covered cage the next morning. I am sure the look on my face was both terrifying and priceless when I saw this. It took me a while to figure out exactly how he was doing this. Clever little critters they are.

First I want to say I am terribly sorry for your loss, I can not relate to your pain right now, but I know that it is great as I watched my mother melt down during the first Christmas without her dad not very long ago. With this in mind you're not crazy, you're just stressed out. You can't imagine losing another loved one right now, and because of this, you've entered into an extreme mommy mode of sorts. You want to ensure everything is perfectly OK as you just can't afford to spend any more time worrying. Given the situation, I think mom would be best surprised if you told her "No cleaning, let us handle it. We want to try some new products while we are here." In fact, I'd let mom sit on the sofa and not let her near the kitchen (PTFR/Teflon/Nonstick cookwares) or cleaning closet ... that way you provide two benefits: mom gets to take a rest (I am sure she's just as upset if not more) and also you know your birds are in a pretty safe environment. YOu didn't mention any other pets being there, so I assume it would be just the parrots. If either are big talkers this might be a good thing for mom. I don't know her situation, but I know my grandmother strongly considered a parrot for company after losing my grandfather... instead her sister moved in (she still says the parrot was the better bargain). The others advice is what I would suggest: use blankets to cover cages while transporting, warm the car before you put them into it, drive cautiously, etc etc. Karma to you, because you need it right now.

Dave is the best for advice on this subject. I believe the correct course of action would be to ensure the broken quills are pulled from the wing so that they can fully regenerate.

Oh my heart bleeds for the family.

I would say mine talk more after I got two.

I can't be the only one who is reminded of this, now, can I?

My flock sends their karma your way.

Simba looks very very happy

Fresh is suggested because it will help the feathers grow faster. I try to mix fresh veggies in with the pellets, but my birds (Both plucker and non) are on a Roudybush pellet diet. I mix in nuts to taste every other day, and treat them often (esp. the plucker, and call her pretty -- these things have helped me).

"in theory" the all-red mutation (I call it an albino) could have occurred in the wild. Humans sped the process up by "selective breeding." My concerns lie in diminished mental capacity and other health issues with these domesticated designer parrots. I claim these as domesticated because the videos I've seen, the breeders will pickup a baby sitting between its parents on a perch and the parents don't attack. While I am no breeder, this seems to be contrary behavior to how 'normal' greys reproduce/act around the family unit.

I am praying for your flock.

Yeah first test would be to take her into a very bright room and see if her eyes stay dilated, if so I'd probably have her checked out by a vet. If they contract to adjust for the light it probably is nothing to worry about.

Bathing is super important and some bids just HATE it. If it wasn't mention mix some aloe vera juice into the water and spray with that, helps soothe the incoming feathers.

Phoenix does this a lot. I always thought he was mimicing someone else snorting. Guess not!

OH my, I dread reading stories about attacking greys. Best advise is to have them sit in a chair and talk to him, so he gets "used" to them, if he isn't clipped... a small clipping would also aid in this training.

I am just now reading about Angel's trials, I am glad he's recovering -- have you recovered from your spill off the bike?

I have a 10-year old female plucker, who has more recently turned to shredding but leaving the feathers semi-in tact. It takes time. I've only had her 5 months now, and she's already got a lot of her back feathers restored. She's very funny, talks a lot, but won't step up for just anyone. I still can't always scratch her little head. I think you're on the right track. If you can, when you travel, take Francis with you. I've found this is actually a good thing, as the birds like being included. I am going away for a week in jan, it'll be the first time Talula hasn't seen me for this long. That will be what tells me how she handles being alone/away from me. We do have two greys, and I think that helps her since she has someone who she talks to every day (they can't be in the same room tho, the boy is jealous to the 10th degree). Karma to you for taking in a 'special needs' baby

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