LadyLinda

This site is confusing, and I just lost a long post because it decided I wasn't registered. I'll try to remember what I said.... Thank you for telling me about Tyco. It's encouraging. Four homes in four years is terrible. When I was trying to rehome Reagan - I saw myself as a foster mom when I first took him from the store - a woman who runs a bird sanctuary told me it's better for a bird to go to a breeder than to be in multiple homes. I would imagine that home after home is devastating for these creatures. But when I went to see a breeder with the idea of swapping my bird, and saw all those birds paired up in stark cages, I said: no way is Reagan going there. The new sulfur crested cockatoo is home. We're calling her Angel. She is so sweet, such a dear. Really, the two birds are as different as night and day. I have them with me in the office while I'm working, and already Angel wants to be on me all the time and I have to encourage her to play with her toys. After trying to get Reagan on my hand last night I was bitten again for my efforts. What do these greys really want? I keep hearing about how intelligent they are, and it causes me some anxiety. How do I have a happy bird - especially when you consider his start in life? I read "Alex and Me" over Christmas, and was interested to learn that Alex never tired of chewing, that he liked to chew out openings in cardboard boxes. Well, there's a clue. By the way, I am thinking that perhaps Alex died fairly young because he never had an opportunity to fly. In no way am I being critical of Dr. Irene - it's just a thought.

Thank you so much for the responses. I have to say that though he will not let me close, Reagan is very good company. He seems tuned in to me, watches me, likes to play bird fetch. He will take food from my hand and loves grapes. Sometimes he rings his bell and I ring mine and we have a kind of duet. I have had many opportunities to sell or rehome him - and one was a particularly good situtation. Also, a breeder wanted to take him in exchange for a baby of a different species. But, having removed him from the store I just feel such a responsibility. And now, it's too late. It would confuse and upset him to change locales and people. So, I guess I'm in it for the long haul. Recently, I saw a woman in public with a CAG on her shoulder. The bird was 18 and the two had such a close relationship. He was preening her hair as we spoke. In a way it was hard for me to see this, but perhaps Reagan is in my life to teach me patience and loving kindness. And who knows? Perhaps what I saw is a snapshot of our future together.

Thanks for the encouragement. One friend told me that this expert's advice might work with a less intelligent bird. Don't know. Reagan seems plenty smart, however. Anyway, we are getting a new bird today - a baby lesser sulfur cockatoo. He'll be living upstairs and we will introduce the two slowly. It is my hope that when Reagan sees the baby on my hand and shoulder he might be inspired and his fears lessened. That's another thing this expert told me: don't get another bird for at least two months! But my longing for avian closeness trumps his advice - as does my desire to see my grey comfortable trumps his toweling techniques.

I have had my TAG for two months. He was in a cage in a pet store for three years, and never handled. I couldn't stand his situation, he seemed responsive to me, so after visiting him a week I bought him. Over these weeks we have settled into a routine. He lives in the computer room in our house, next to the only window. He is with me as I type. He is very nippy and shy and doesn't want me too close. He will "flap his wings" for me in greeting when I enter the room, or when I ask him to. He will not get on my hand - though he did my arm a few times - but he will get into the cage for me at night or when I have to leave if I gently nudge him along with a dowel. So long as I'm home he is on his playstand on top of the cage. About a month ago I was so discouraged with Reagan's unavailablity that I hired an expert to come here and work with him. The guy toweled him, clipped his wings, and brought him into the living room. He held the bird in a towel for some time before letting him wander around. He said the bird seems healthy and is still quite young and has every hope he'll become a good pet/companion. But the bird had quite a violent reaction to being handled. He now hates towels and freaks when I have one in my hand. We had a few bad scenes when I tried to treat him the way this bird expert did. I called the man and he said the bird was just trying to get the upper hand - but I have no stomach for power plays with my pet, expecially when he can deliver such a bite! So I have rejected this man's training methods. Now I'm letting Reagan be and go at his own pace. I just wish I felt more confident that Reagan and I will eventually have a close and trusting relationship which I long for. Am I being wise or the bird's patsy?