Azzie

Looks like you all had a wonderful adventure! I loved the photos, except the last 2.

Animals don't have it in them to be mean or nasty. That sort of behaviour requires a conscience, an ego so to speak. If this bird has been left to his own devices, neglected and ignored, then it's going to take time to undo that damage. An animal isn't capable of rational thought. He cannot understand you mean him no harm and want to be his buddy. He is acting purely in instinct, how the current situation is making him feel. Persist, keep at it, but go slow. It is this kind of behaviour in a bird that turns them into neglected and abused animals, and those are the ones most in need of extra input. If he won't take treats from your hand, then don't force him to take it. Put them somewhere where he can grab them when he's ready. He will have seen you put the treats there, he will know they came from you. By trying to force him to take it from you when he doesn't want to, the bird can't help BUT become aggressive, because in spite of your good intentions, to the bird it is still forcing. The bird then lashes out because he feels threatened, and gets labeled as a bad bird. An example of that: A family dog gets hit by a car and has injuries. The owner goes over to get the dog and comfort it, and promptly gets bitten by his dog. Why? The dog is in pain, he is hurt and feels threatened, and the only thing he can do is lash out, even though the human's intentions are good, but the dog doesn't know that. Instinct kicks in and makes it react. You have to go at the pace of the bird. When he gives his warning signs, he's telling you it's too much, back off or get bitten. The more you try to push your will onto the bird, the less trust he will have in you. I know this has been mentioned to you before, but it doesn't sound like you are following this advice, if the bird is still giving you warning signs and "being mean as heck". I know you mean well, that much is very evident, but I am going to be blunt here. Who is being mean here, the bird by trying to tell you that you are too close and to back off, or you, who is trying to force your will onto a bird who's giving clear signs he's not ready yet to interact with you on that level?

He truly is a hoot! I smiled through the whole clip. Did he say "I like your parrot"? I think Biscotti is dressed up as an old fashioned convict for Halloween, with all those stripes on him. Mandy looks very sweet.

Thank you for sharing = ) That drawing is just amazing!

In New Zealand, the poppy is worn on ANZAC day, which is April 25, to commemorate the landing of the combined forces of Australia and New Zealand at Gallipoli in 1915, when Gallipoli was still in the hands of the Turks.

It's not a poppy is it? http://www.atangledweb.org/2010/10/26/wear-poppy-ignore-scumbags/

A pimple with hypnotic powers.....

Enjoy it while you can = ) When he gets a little older, the wanting to be cuddled will stop, and he will become much more independent.

Kip the keet is fine, not a thing wrong with him. He eats, he squirts his poop everywhere, and he had a bath earlier. At the moment he is playfighting with his cagemate Sam and making a racket.

Not sure Timmy's patterns will change. It is natural for a parrot to be awake and active at sunrise and sunset. Cleo is quiet usually until she hears someone up and about, and she is active all during the day. Occasionally she has a quiet rest period around 3pm, but she doesn't sleep.

A company called Kitchen Kapers appears to stock these clay pots: http://search.kitchenkapers.com/search?catalog=kkapers2&page=1&display_type=_Grid_&query=romer&x=26&y=6 and they have an online shop as well: http://www.kitchenkapers.com/store-locations.html Here's another store that stocks them: http://www.specialtyfoodamerica.com/CATALOG_ITEM/ROMERTOPF-Health_by_design.html Or here lol http://www.2007fordcars.com/ why it's called fordcars I don't know.

Nice work Hammco! It's about learning to understand your bird's language, and they DO communicate with us, very clearly. When we get bitten, it is usually because we don't speak the same language or chose to ignore it, as I learnt the hard way early on. There is no way you can force a grey to do something it doesn't want to do. Bribery often helps lol.

It was all unusually quiet in my house this afternoon, so I looked over at my 2 lorikeets to see what they were doing. One was grooming, the other just looked....well...wrong. He was sitting on his perch, bent almost double, with his little beakie resting on the perch, eyes closed, so I go rushing over in a near panic. I notice he is perched up on one leg, and he opens his little eyes, looks at me all sleepy, yawns, does a big stretch and lets out a happy chirp. Turned out he was just sleeping in a very strange position, and was using his beak to steady himself on the perch. I've also seen him asleep flat on his belly, head stretched out, inside his snuggle hut, and have read stories of lorikeets sleeping on the bottom of the cage on their back, legs stiff in the air. Little blighter.

Born in the Netherlands, moved to New Zealand in 1987, and will most likely be moving back to the Netherlands early next year (3 parrots and a dog in tow!)

Hammco, please read the article below about unshelled peanuts and this fungus: http://www.parrotparrot.com/articles/parrotdiet/aspergillus-are-peanuts-safe-for-parrots/

Whah, I just sent the Legacy Publishing Company a little email enquiring about this dual personality. No doubt it's Chet's twin brother right?

Peanuts in a shell - often not a good idea as the shell can contain dangerous fungi. Shelled unsalted nuts are better, but if he insists on unshelled ones, buy human food grade ones. Pringles chips - unbelievably tasty but unbelievably high in fat and salt! Is there another healthier treat you could give him? Mine goes crazy over unsalted corn cakes or rice crackers. Right hand vs left hand - perhaps your right hand is more steady than you left? Are you right handed? Pupils - that is called "flashing" or "pinning", and it's a sign of excitement of some degree. Depending on the rest of his body language it may mean he is getting ready to bite, or he is very happy to see you, or that he is annoyed. By itself it is hard to say what the pinning means. I know my Cleo does it when I first get up in the morning and she gets all smoochy, and also when we are playing and she is really getting into it, or when I am carrying her special treat bowl ready to get filled. As for no noise, don't worry, I am sure he will start soon. It's still early days for Timmy, and he's had some major changes in his life just recently. I'd be a bit subdued and quiet too in that situation = ) Just talk quietly to him, make some little sounds and show him everything is ok.

http://bakerssecret.com/index.asp?pageId=63 http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=15+1829&aid=2874 Scroll down to the paragraph called What products may have PTFE. Baker's Secret is mentioned as being safe. None of the sites mentioning Baker's Secret mention that it contains Teflon. I did find some stuff on the safety of silicone coated bakewear: http://www.birdboard.com/forum/f19/silicone-bakeware-15709.html

Hi guys There's a man by the name of Bill Volkart who runs the Mount Holly Duck Sanctuary in Ohio. He is quite a remarkable man, in that he died of a stroke a few years ago, but came back. When he came home, the first thing he saw was a flock of 7 ducks waddling up his driveway. This gave him a new purpose in life, and the duck sanctuary was born. Now, Bill has written a childrens' book called Meep Finds His Way, a true story about a little blind duck that finds a home. If you are looking for a gift for a child, I ask you to please consider Bill's book. All the proceeds go towards the upkeep of the ducks he shelters. He is on Facebook, as is his pet Canadian goose Howard T Goose. This is his website http://mthollyducksanctuary.com/

Parrots are very messy eaters, and most of it will end up on the floor (either by accident or purposely dumped there). As Jay said, have food available at all times for your bird, remembering to change/refresh it regularly so it doesn't spoil.

I'm inclined to agree with what Barbara said. If at all concerned though give your vet a call and relay the conversation with the nail clipper and your concerns.

Done a bit of research for you. Phantom is a chemical called Chlorfenapyr, and appears to be extremely toxic to marine animals and birds!!! http://wwf.worldwildlife.org/site/PageServer?pagename=can_results_chlorfenapyr http://www.domyownpestcontrol.com/phantom-termiticideinsecticide-p-209.html http://www.afpmb.org/pubs/standardlists/msds/6840-01-525-7139_msds.pdf http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/resshow/Albers/albers1.htm - WARNING this link contains a picture of a necropsy on a duck, GRAPHIC!!!

It doesn't matter what word you want to use for Marcus to step up, as long as you are consistent with the word, he will learn to associate the desired action with the word. It sounds like he is showing the baggage he is carrying from his previous home, and is trying to assert some authority. As Barbara said, perhaps using a new word and starting retraining Marcus might be useful, and of course totally avoiding showing frustration or anger when he won't (not as if you didn't already know that though).

I would say so, as NZ has incredibly strict import standards because it has so many unique animals and plants.

Lol check out the reply I got via email, when I wanted to find out if I was able to get these items into New Zealand for my bird: Hi Ilja, The whole fruit of this species is not permitted entry into New Zealand at this stage, however if you wish to import only the dried kernel of the Palm oil (Elaeis guineensis) plant this may be imported providing it meets the requirements of the import health standard (IHS) - importation of seed for sowing (link below). http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/files/ihs/155-02-05.pdf The nut (seed kernel) of the palm oil plant will have to meet the basic requirements of section 2.2.2 (page 12) of this IHS along with the specific requirements of the Elaeis schedule (page 63) which states: Seed covered in a fleshy pericarp will not be permitted entry into New Zealand. (ii) Approved exporting countries All countries except Guam, the Philippines and the Solomon Islands. Documentation Phytosanitary certificate: a completed phytosanitary certificate issued by the NPPO of the exporting country must accompany all consignments of Elaeis seeds for sowing imported into New Zealand. Before a phytosanitary certificate is issued, the NPPO of the exporting country must be satisfied that the following activities required by the MAF have been undertaken. The Elaeis seeds for sowing have: been inspected in accordance with appropriate official procedures and found to be free of any visually detectable regulated pests. AND been produced in an approved country and have not been produced in Guam, the Philippines or the Solomon Islands. AND been produced in a "Pest free area", free from Coconut cadang-cadang viroid. If satisfied that the pre-shipment activities have been undertaken, the exporting country NPPO must confirm this by providing the following additional declarations to the phytosanitary certificate: "The Elaeis seeds for sowing in this consignment have: - been produced in an approved country and have not been produced in Guam, the Philippines or the Solomon Islands. AND been sourced from a "Pest free area", free from Coconut cadang-cadang viroid. For further assistance please do not hesitate to contact me. Kind regards Brad Chandler Technical Support Officer Plant Imports & Exports Group I Border Standards Directorate MAF Biosecurity New Zealand I Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry Pastoral House I 25 The Terrace I PO Box 2526 I Wellington DDI: 04 894 5541 I