Azzie

So Cleo has a toe fetish it seems. She's been eyeing mine up for some time, and today I thought I'd see what she'd do with them. She rubbed her beakie all over them, gently nibbled, butted her beak against them, held them lovingly in her talon, and copied the cracking sound my toes make when I move them.

Cleo will climb as high as she can on her boing to avoid having to step up to go to bed. She is also in a prime position there to nip at my fingers if I try. She quickly learnt though that I can REMOVE the boing from its hanging position. The look on her face when I do that is rather comical.

Did a quick internet search for you, and found these for you: http://www.birdloversuncaged.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7427 http://www.quakerparrots.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=17700 Couldn't resist adding this one...parrot birthday cakes!!! http://www.parrotrecipes.com/recipes/cake.php

Rice and cooked beans are a grey't source of protein, human left overs aren't Jay I really don't know what to think of that statement, feeding a parrot human left overs. What do you do, toss the bird a finger or toe to nibble on, or a rib? Lol.

As Jay said, it takes time to develop trust and a bond. Some parrots do it easier than others, but just because your baby is a bit slower to give his trust doesn't mean it will never happen. And once it does happen, you will have a new best friend for life. Go slow, go at Neptune's pace, not yours. He cannot move into our world, but you can move into his, and this is what you must do. Speak to him quietly, tell him it's ok in your most soothing sweetest voice. I read somewhere that lots of blinking at a bird is reassuring to them, as it breaks the stare that a predator might do at its prey. As for magic, there is none. This is just a process that takes time and patience. But it will all be worth it in the end, so don't give up on little Neptune.

What a remarkable photo and story! Thank you for sharing. I could not resist delving a little deeper, and came up with these: http://www.sarveywildlife.org/Gallery.aspx?galleryname=Freedom%20and%20Jeff&galleryid=1280

Hi Frozen Please check the following article to clear up a common misconception regarding height dominance in parrots = ) http://www.parrotchronicles.com/behavior/heightdominance_behavior.htm

Cute! Those eyes pinning is awesome. Just like a kid with a giant bowl of M&M's.

http://birds.about.com/od/behaviorandtraining/qt/regurgitation.htm

Your birdie loves you! This bending low, drooping wings and regurgitating for you are classical signs of a grey's mating dance. You might also notice some panting or little noises. Of course, parents will also regurgitate for their babies. It's pretty harmless as long as you don't encourage it. Perhaps quietly return the bird to its cage, without making a fuss, or use something to distract him/her. Don't pat your bird around its wings, back and vent area, as this can encourage this sort of behaviour.

Just to add to what Judy said about patience and trust being earnt... My Cleo is almost 2 now, and I've had her since she was about 4 months old. We bonded well, and trust has continued to grow over this time. It has only been in the last 10 days or so that she has felt confident enough to lie on her back, belly up, kicking her big feet and playing with me that way. This going belly-up is something she initiated during our play and wrestle time together, and as you see, it has taken a long time for her to get to this stage.

My almost 2 year old Cleo does the same. When in her cage and I am standing next to her, she will bend her head asking for a scratch. I move my fingers through the bar to do as she ask, only to have her shuffle just out of reach. I've no idea why she does it, as she loves to sit on me and play with me. It sounds like you are making great progress, and I think just interact with him on HIS terms for now, and keep working at it like you have been. The fact he was sitting ON your knee and grooming his feathers is a good sign. A bird is vulnerable when grooming, with its head turned and twisted away and not keeping an eye out for predators. So the fact he is willing to do that is a big step in the right direction.

Found this article most useful and wanted to share with you all: http://www.infosuperflyway.com/articles/firstaid.php

It's the unshelled peanuts that can cause problems. Check out this link: http://www.bird-cage-advisor.com/are-peanuts-bad-for-pet-birds.html

Oooooh cuteness overload!!!

I want to know who sat there and counted each individual taste bud on a parrot tongue....

Leave my proboscis and other appendages out of this!

My 2 lorikeets smell warm and sweet and fruity, like opening a bag of fruit candies...mmmmm

I'm so sorry to hear of the loss = ( At least little Juliet was well loved in her short years, and her passing was quick. My condolences to you and your family *hugs*

Cleo, if presented with a molted feather, goes absolutely bonkers at it. She will scream at it, shake her foot and throw it. If she happens to see one of those little downy feathers floating past, she will lunge and scream at it. I don't think there's any harm in your bird playing with a feather. If it keeps him occupied, then why not = )

The heat is a good thing. Birds use a lot of energy keeping warm, and a sick bird even more so. By providing warmth, the bird is able to spend its energy on other things. All the best.

Yeah parrots ARE pests. They poop everywhere, all the time. They throw food everywhere. They shred and destroy everything. They make a lot of noise, especially at 6am when I am trying to sleep. I wonder if you comment " I have to make her get off those places, because if I ignore her she starts happily wreaking havoc there (back of the couch, countertop, tops of doors... watching carefully all the time for my reaction)" might be a clue though. She watches for your reaction. To animals, attention is attention, whether it be good attention or negative, such as being told off and chased off a favourite place. Could you perhaps try playing WITH her, and reinforcing with positive attention? Also, greys do like to be part of the family, and shutting her in her cage in the bedroom, away from her "flock" may be distressing to her. If she was in the living area, she could still see what is going on, but she would be restrained by the cage.

Birdnut, what other sort of baby toys have you bought? I am trying to imagine Cleo with a little piano, but all I see is her ripping the keys off with vigour....

Yes, vet ASAP. This little bird needs to be checked over, have some tests done and be properly diagnosed. Birds falling off their perches is not a good thing.

Try as I might, I cannot find any baby rattles that are even semi-parrot proof. I've looked here in New Zealand, and even in the Netherlands recently when I was on holiday there. I might have to whip out the credit card and do some net surfing. Cleo loves any kind of toy with a bell or rattle in it, and spends hours at a time playing with them.