Joolesgreyuk

I love the updates on Darius and always read them. He is one gorgeous parrot. He sounds like a lot of hard work but I'm sure he's worth it. Bet he costs a fortune to feed though lol! He must be near his target weight now yes?

You already know the answer don't you? Do you want to continue with the quiet house, forever making you think of your lost one? You know you will never forget Macey and you aren't replacing her - you couldn't because she was unique. Go ahead I say.

Jan, I think this is what Dave is saying you don't allow... :blush:

Oh wow, that is amazin'!

Talking of clumsy, does Harvey ever fall from his perch? Beau does this, all of a sudden I hear a thud and he has fallen. I really worry that he will hurt himself. Is this normal?

Aww bless him Jill. Some pics please? Let's see if he is as shabby as you make out :whistle:

.. for boring you but I had to share, I'm so excited! Argyle is really coming around to us, he has been on my shoulder this afternoon, getting a head sctatch and I even got a kiss!! He had a nibble on my finger (whilst I was giving him his scratch but I asked him first, spoke softly and approached gradually) but it wasn't mallicious and didn't hurt at all. I'm so happy! I love by fids sooo much :-)

Thanks Dave & CM for your replies. The Jute rope sounds excellent - and cheap!

Thanks Judy, you are always there first with answers to my posts and I thank you for that. I will wait for further comments before going ahead making toys.

Hi, I wonder if anyone can enlighten me, I bought some sisal rope (parrot size) to make some toys for my fids, I got it at half price in my local DIY store. I think it's untreated but I'm unsure now. This is what it says on the pack: Biodegradeable Resists sunlight Natural colour & texture Good handling in oily conditions May shrink 12.5% when wet Ideal for bundling & Garden uses. I thought it sounded untreated, it certainly shows no signs of being treated. Could it harm my babies?

You mustn't blame yourself, you couldn't have known.

Oh this is much happier news! Paul seems to be a natural with birds, he really doesn't need to try too hard does he? Looking forward to more updates as & when. ;-)

I just thought I'd share my thoughts about this forum. I enjoy my (almost) daily visit to the forum as it's such a happy place to be and everyone is so nice and friendly but not least because if there is something bugging you (especially parrot related) there is usually someone to talk to about it and help out. Sometimes a parroty problem can seem too silly to contact a vet about and this forum can be reassuring. Ok there have been one or two minor spats I've had with a couple of members but I always try to diffuse an argument I feel is brewing mostly though since I joined in April it has become my daily fix. Seriously if you want confrontation, a football forum is the place to be but I'm quite proud of the fact I can hold my own with a bunch of testosterone-filled rival football fans on there too :laugh: I love you guys :kiss:

What a terrible thing to happen, losing two birds this way and so avoidable - if only you knew. These sort of things aren't publicised enough. Like Judy, I thank you for bringing this to our attention. Sounds like your son has a way with birds. I'm sorry for your loss. I'm sending you karma for making everyone on this forum aware of this danger.

All parrots should have the chance to go outside as much as is reasonably possible, unfortunately in the UK it is seldom possible, we have to make a special effort to get our birds outside when we can. These pics are great and you can see that Ben loves it outside.

Thanks everyone for your kind comments. Argyle's previous owner had two small children and my guess is that this is part of the problem with Argyle and hands. I do know that he was loved and well cared for. I also think that part of the problem was having a new home with new owners and that the trust needs building up again. We have had him 3 weeks (I think) now and it has only been the last few days that I've felt that Argyle is beginning to show signs that he is more settled with us.

The best way to decide is to list the two birds and what you require from your bird, the one which ticks the most boxes wins. "Told them that I want a bird that talk a lot, tamed, can be pet, will sit with us, active and not loud all the time." This describes a grey perfectly but you will have to teach your little girl not to touch the parrot and my guess is that the same applies to most large birds. If you are buying specifically for your little girl the a tiel or a budgerigar would be a better choice and these will take up much less of your time. I may be bias but to me a grey is the best companion bird and great talkers too.

Great video of Ana Grey, the foraging wheels are great aren't they? Beau has one too, they can see the treats inside and it drives them crazy lol, Beau spins his round fast and sometimes the treats fall out and he also removes the plasic post lol. Hours of fun though eh?

He still doesn't like hands but sometimes he will allow if he feels secure whilst sitting on your shoulder. Here are some pics of him sitting on Steve's shoulder, nuzzling and getting a head scratch :-) As you can see he is a real cutie and so sweet. When I call Beau into his cage, Argyle repeats "come on then" - so funny

Sheila you are an angel for enlightening us. Karma to you!

I must be the only person on this planet who doesn't like Susan Boyle. Yes she has a good voice but it really isn't THAT exceptional, the only reason she is so hyped about is because her voice doesn't suit the look/persona and is a bit of an enigma. She didn't even win the X factor (or was it Britain's got talent) I actually much prefer Leona Lewis and Alexandra Burke oh yes and JLS. Yes I know I'm a miserable git!

Oh Jill, I really do sympathise with you, I had the exact same experience with pomegranite - it's deadly to walls, curtains, carpets etc. After I had given Beau some, I had it on my cream walls & cutains, I had to take the curtains down & wash them and wipe down the walls. Occasionally I still see a splash I missed. Pomegranite is now reserved for special occasions only.

Hi Sheila, I think I read about Blue on an old thread about a week ago, I didn't realise you were about to have him again. He sounds a right character. Looking forward to seeing some pictures of him.

That's brilliant news Pat. Darius has a friend now as well as a mom.:laugh:

This is an excellent post and karma to you for having the presence of mind to photograph these conditions. I'm afraid though that as Dan says they are probably marginally within the confines of the law. I bought Beau from a chain pet store here in the UK "The Ark", I'm not sure if they are nationwide or if all the branches are in and around the city I live in, I think there are at least 4 here. I have to say that not all pet stores are like the one you discribe, I pay tribute to Beau's breeder as Beau came to me a well-adjusted parrot, very tame and cuddly with no fear - that came as he got a little older. I know the girls in the store loved him and missed him after I brought him home. I saw birds being cleaned out when I was in the shop and Beau was taken out daily also he was in a large cage. Sadly not all pet stores are like Beau's. It is so sad that birds (or any animal for that matter) are treated like meat and are just the means to ££$$.