JillyBeanz

What a fab house and obvious history! Can't say the same for mine - 2002 new build, bradstone brick and cement! And Harvey loves chewing the very cheap door frames! Not surprised you're apprehensive. Can't wait to hear of Harley's home coming

Arun, have you been in touch with John Hawyard at the British Parrot Society - he keeps the British Register for lost birds: jh@ntr.supanet.com also his phone number is: 01869 325699 and this is their website: www.theparrotsocietyuk.org/ Good luck with your search - fingers crossed that Chikki returns. Jill xx

What I great name! I should have called Harvey that - before I got the lock for his cage he could lift the latch and let himself out! Harvey used to like grapes - used to peel them and eat the insides - just tosses them on the floor now!! :laugh: He changes his tastes day by day! Just keep trying new things - he'll sharp tell you what he wants!

No No No Robin - the wine and tequila stay an integral part of the Parrot Owner's Handbook!!! When I had my lovely cockatiel I indulged in the odd beer - it's Harvey who has driven me to the hard stuff!! Had another lovely long shower today - still wasn't happy to lift his feathers etc!!! Oh well, I'm going to try the bottle (of water and aloe - I know what you were all thinking) and see if that gives a different aspect to Harvey's bathing patterns!!!

Ah - how sweet is Gracie! Those blanket pics are absolutely adorable - what an absolute angel. I've shown Harvey the pictures of what a baby should be doing - but he's having none of it! Gracie is such a sweetie - congrats on her homecoming.

Ha - I bet the vet felt like a right turkey!!! :laugh: . That was really bad - I'm sorry!!!

I'm just sitting at the computer ordering some stuff (parrot of course, I now spend nothing on myself!!) and Harvey is on the windowsill, playing with his ball. Harvey's just squawked, jumped a mile and raced back to his cage. I obviously got the shock of my life and when I checked what had spooked him there was this most gorgeous Red Admiral Butterfly on the window! I've brought Harvey back and he's now found his doc martins and is a bit harder - by trying to put the window out with his ball to try and get to the butterfly - it's not scared - it's not moving! What a big baby!!! :lol:

Harvey is flighted (and young) and goes all over the place. We've pretty much "toilet trained" him now and of course, we don't leave him unsupervised so can see the signs when he's out about the house if he is going to do the odd "non-bathroom" drop! The blinds and curtains and lampshades are the bane of my life tho - he's too quick - if he wants his beak thru them it does take more than an athletic sprint to stop him once he's made up his mind! You will lose some of your favorite accessories! Harvey goes in his cage when we are not around - there's far too much electrical equipment that he could damage himself on, or indeed kill himself, so it's much safer for him (and my belongings). You do have to "duck" in doorways and things when he feels like having one of his mad moments, when he flies madly through the house squawking! :ohmy:

That's great Sheila - such a weight from Marie's mind - what an awful predicament to be in. Please let us know more. Jill x:)

I've searched for that flip up button, but unfortunately didn't find it. Thanks for the tip Dan - whilst looking for the "flip up" button, I found the "on/off" switch. If you hadn't mentioned the "flip up" button I wouldn't have found it. Gosh, the peace is amazing.........!

Too right Dan - perhaps a new permanent thread needs to be formed - "Things You Need Before Giving a Grey a Home" - I'll start it: Cage, Toys, Food, Wine, Beer, Whiskey.....and if none of that works - Valium!

Well done!! The freedom is amazing isn't it! Harvey loves being outside on his - because he's as nosy as me! Hope you enjoy many more outings.

Harvey started going in the shower pretty much straight away when we got him and "enjoys" his showers. Well, I say enjoy - he tolerates them. He's not achieving the "the drench" as he sits low and tight and the water just obviously runs off his feathers. I've tried lifting his wings and squirting the water in there, I've ruffled his feathers while he's in there too - I still think he's avoiding the water! Does anyone have any tips so that he will fluff up and let the water get to his skin? I really don't think that he's getting the best out of his showers. He'll spend forever in the shower - but like I said - I know he's just tolerating them!

If I lived near you I'd give you the $50! Honestly - this is such a great story - Harley is going to be so spoiled by you - I can't wait to be some pictures and hear of the trouble he gets into! :whistle:

Oh yes - he's been spoiled alright. That's the problem!! One week home and he's still trying to rule the roost (which he does anyway!!). The bottle of wine went down lovely last night - as will the one I'm going to open shortly!! It's years since I drank tequila - but I'm sure there's a bottle in the cupboard........! :laugh:

Wow - they all pick up completely different tunes don't they! Harvey wolf whistles at even the ugliest people who come in my house - so I'm not sure he knows the origin of it! I'm laughing at all the tunes that they whistle - I've had to look a few of them up tho! One I am familiar with is "Marching on together" - needless to say Casper - Blaydon Races isn't been sang in this house much at the mo!! :laugh: so Harvey's got no chance of picking it up!!!

That's fab - congratulations - enjoy it - this bit is the best ever. Jill xx:)

I think parrot pet classes would be a great idea - not just for the pure simpletons, but for people like me who would want to learn more. Then again, I've got all you lot to teach me - accessible 24/7 and it doesn't take long until someone gives you great advice. I can't believe that the silly "lady" won't just give you Harley now - she clearly can't be bothered with him and you'd be doing her a favor. Jill x

Thanks for that Dave - I did take it from him. I didn't know about the fruit itself tho - I'll definitely not take the chance. Thank you so much for replying. See - this is exactly why this site is just so great - such excellent advice for such novices, like myself. Jill xx :kiss:

Ha Ha! Sorry there chinsNdobermans - I'm stealing your toys - perhaps you'd like to borrow some of ours from time to time!!! I must add tho - Harvey's also got a dog chew too in his cage - therefore I'm sure your brood could come and stop too!!

Ah, that's great Poppy - he's in such good hands - try and have a good holiday. Jill xx B)

Oh I've been on the floor - it's taken me all of this time to get back up! He's definitely not scared of it (it's huge - about 12 inches across) and he's pulled some of the shreddy paper that was peaking out of it. I can see yet more mess amounting shortly!!!! Actually, it would be a great hanging toy for a cage - I might try that later!

Handcuffs don't work on parrots and I don't think they manufacture "beak cuffs" so I've just been to the pet shop and bought this HUGE willow ball (to go with the rest of his floor play toys). It's meant for chinchillas but made up of shreddy paper, small wooden toys, caged inside a huge willow ball! I've put it right in the middle of the floor with his other toys and guess where Harvey is - yip - you're wrong! Harvey is sitting on my hand trying to bite the computer mouse and keyboard. Bah - why do I bother!!!! I know why I bother! I love him!! {Love-0002011D}

Poppy, that's awful ~ at least you were in the best place possible for it to happen. I'm thinking of you and George - let us know the update when you ring later. Jill x

Shook the eggs! He must have pelted Harvey's off the wall a few times!