SamsDad

Wow! That's super! There's no doubt you two are "tight". The plucking can be a real tough one because so many things can trigger it. My prevous grey went through a couple of periods where he would pluck at his chest feathers when he was frustrated. I just tried to avoid those things that would trigger it, and discovered by accident an alternative outlet for his frustration. I had purchased one of those rope perches and he took to chewing on it instead of himself when he was mad. He also had a small toy that hung from the top of his cage with a bell on the end. When real mad he'd go beat-up his toy - DINGDINGDINGDINGDING. He eventually chewed through his rope perch so I got him one of those thick rope knot toys and placed it near the bell toy in the corner of the cage. Sometimes he'd beat-up the bell toy, and other times he's chew the knot while grrr, grrr grrring under his breath. The plucking almost completely stopped. Only the two toys suffered - hehehe. Congratulations of the flight training and good luck with the plucking. Tom

Sid: I feel your pain! My previous grey Nelson would do the same or worse yet, he would pick a part of the cage to pluck at with his beak. I would sound like he was taking a small hammer to bang on she sheet metal of the cage. I would say to my wife that the "prisoner" wants out of his cell because it reminded me of an inmate banging the bars of his cell with a metal dish. What to do? DO NOT re-enforce the behavior. If the bird ends up getting what he wants you are doomed Ignore it, don't react is all you can do. Nelson never completely stopped doing it, but it wasn't one of his common tantrum tactics. When your grey uses a more acceptable behavior to get attention, re-enforce it by giving it some attention. Good luck - it takes time and patience. You have to train the bird rather than the bird training you. Tom

Great question! I agree about the security risk. Can you image our national secrets being sold for "peanuts" :ohmy: Besides, the last thing we need is a newly signed treaty with North Korea shreeded into teeny-weenie-itty bits! :silly: Tom

Thanks all for the warm welcome! And thanks for the suggestion to post to the memorial page - I will do so when I gather a some pictures of Nelson to share. I consider myself extremely fortunate finding my new CAG Sam. I was expecting a couple weeks of adjustment for him after bringing him into my home. Instead, just 3 days later he was fully adjusted and acting like he's always lived here. My 22 year old daughter came by last Saturday to meet her "new" little brother. She returned on Sunday for Easter dinner and Sam was excited to see her, making it clear he wanted some attention from her. I placed him on the floor and he walked right over, she picked him up and he spent the next hour getting scratched and petted. Every time she'd stop he'd nudge her hand with his beak just like a dog to get her to start again. He was so nice and gentle to her. Its only been 10 days but Sam is practicing some new words - in my voice. I couldn't have found a better bird! Tom

I found this forum after buying my new Congo Grey "Sam". In less than a week I've enjoyed reading many of your posts. My Previous Grey, a imported bird named "Nelson" passed away in January after being my great friend for 20 years. My house was sooooo quiet for almost 3 months!! Sam is already starting to fill that hole left in my heart by the loss of Nelson. As you all know, these are amazing birds!