rbpittman

Lovely Smokie! He's quite the swinger! I don't use the seed catchers either, were too difficult to clean, food getting caught between the catchers and the cage, and I can't take Dixie's or Sterling's cages outside to clean them, so the weekly "Heavy" cleaning is done where they sit. I keep lots of newspaper on the floor for the "accidents" and that's about all it's good for except for the Sudoku. -- Robin

Well I have a U2 and Sterling vocalizes quite loudly in the morning and the early evening. It's normal, and it can be heard outside, but I've made sure that he gets his chance to vocalize when appropriate. He's never loud before 8 am or after 7 pm, his vocalizations are beautiful and loud and they signal the flock that it's time to eat or time to sleep in our house. He's also a great alarm clock for my son. With the number of dogs barking from all around, the cats that climb on my car from inconsiderate cat owners and the birds outside that can't be silenced, the neighbors need to get a life and understand that nature is one of the most beautiful things we have to enjoy that's free and they are being serenaded by nature! -- Robin PS - no people skills here either.

Dixie and Sterling have rolls of adding machine tape in their cages - hanging from rope - if they aren't untyping the rope, they are shredding paper - gret fun. Thanks for the video! -- Robin

Seeing as I have three reasons to drink (fids, kids and husband) I belong here!!! Sorry for the delay there - had to get a tissue to wipe away the tears of laughter from reading the other posts. Oh wait, you didn't see that delay. Damn, (and this is the only place I can say that without it being repeated!) I really do need to be here. Please don't try to cure us of our way of dealing with errant birds, especially those that are probably smarter than we are at times. Will have to say, the picutre of Harvey whistling at the man on the street was hysterical and would have driven me to drink if it had been me. Someone pass the peanuts. -- Robin

Those exotic foods are more than an aphrodesiac Jim, and while they may not look that enticing, I'm sure you'll understand the Federation's view on healthy living of mind and body as one. Spoke may have to use that Vulcan Mind Meld on you to get you to understand that! -- Robin

Can't type - tears from laughter running down my face. This is tooo funny! I can only imagine the guy on the street walking his dog getting whistled at! Now teach Harvey to have better taste in men! That one calls for more than a few tequila shots! -- Robin

I had completely forgotten about the if I eat it they will eat it aspect. That has been the biggest trick to getting Dixie and Sterling to eat, it doesn't matter if they've turned their noses up before, they will definitely give it a try then! Sometimes they do find things they don't like, but if you eat it, they will! Great advice Azzie! And I learned that here to begin wtih! -- Robin

That being the case - may it should be AA w/Grey (or insert any other type of parrot). -- Robin

They sell the swing at my local bird shop - I'm headed there today and will inquire as to the price. I'm sure Bob (shop owner) would be willing to work out orders or tell me what brand so you can get your own shop owners to order them. I suspended the swing from a cedar arbor (only learning that cedar was a no-no) after the fact and we've bird-proofed one side of it (the side she prefers). I did have to get ceiling gaurds since she found out she could climb the chain I had it suspended from. Glad everyone enjoyed the video - she chatters non-stop and I apologize for the loud background noise, but summertime in Charleston and the A/C runs almost constantly. -- Robin

Not that Dixie's vocabulary is that extensive, but she does know "pretty girl" and "LP wake up". While I'm not sure this fits into Dan's scenario's Dixie now has started saying just LP and putting it with pretty girl. I'm sure LP (my 13 yr old son) really appreciates being "LP pretty girl". He is extremely handsome however. Great question by the way Dan! -- Robin Dixie is 17 months old. I got her in late April (early mother's day gift) When I got her the extent of her vocabulary was: Hello Gimme a kiss Wolf Whistle Since then she has added: I love you LP LP wake up WooWhooo Dog's whistle (my call for them) Paul Be right back Whatever OK House Out Don't Bite Don't Bite Dixie Dixie Good Girl Pretty Girl and a bunch of other stuff that is unintelligible. -- Robin Post edited by: rbpittman, at: 2009/08/07 01:00<br><br>Post edited by: rbpittman, at: 2009/08/07 01:02

What wonderful happy news! My husband has a habit of bringing Dixie or Sterling to me while I'm at mom and dad's (they live right behind me) and it's only a short walk. I've begged him not to do so unless they are in a crate or cage. NOW he completly understands as he read this entire thread over my shoulder. Thank you for sharing and thank GOD and his messengers that Chikki is home safe. -- Robin

When I was a kid I had a dog that would make three laps around the dining room table, around the living room (to include getting on the sofa and chair which were off limits) and down the hall into her bed. This was her thing every night just before bedtime. Who knows? -- Robin

thanks everyone - i set up the camera and just let it run then edited it into 3 clips for viewing and they are still long! she's such a diva!. all this and i have 2 exams on thursday! -- Robin

and here's part 3. edited by: rbpittman, at: 2009/08/05 00:46

Here's more - I was busy today studying for exams can't ya tell! This is part 2 - part 3 is loading! Robin

B) I've finally done it, I've gotten Dixie on video!!! Here she is on her swing, chattering away! Enjoy! -- Robin PS - LP = Paul (13 yr old son)

roflmao -- Robin

Seems that you have hit the nail on the head with the names of these two Greys. Spock, more introverted, cautious, thinking before speaking, and extremely intelligent. He understands that Jim is much more arrogant and demanding and self-assured. GreYt logs, keep us informed. "live long and propser" -- Robin

Dixie and Sterling are at opposite ends of the spectrum on their diets. Dixie eats everything I give her - but that has resulted in making sure I giver her foods to choose from every day since I got her. Her diet at the bird shop was a pellet/seed mix and white rice and mixed vegetables. Now she gets fresh banana, grapes, strawberries, blueberries, kiwi (whatever fresh fruit I have that day) in her breakfast bowl. Some days she eats the fruit, some days she doesn't. Depends on her mood. An example of what I give her for breakfast is a few slices of banana, a few grapes, a half a strawberry in her bowl. She always has her Harrison's (only brand I've found her to eat). Dinner consists of some form of cooked pasta or long grain brown rice with some form of vegetables - usually whatever I have for dinner. She loves sweet potatoes but they have to be cooked, slightly warm and with a little bit of cinnamon but not mashed. Finding that combination was a lot of experimentation. Broccoli also has to be cooked, but squash and zuchinni are great fresh - go figure. Sterling won't touch Harrison's but loves Zupreem pellets. He's learning to accept "fresh" foods - the same things I fix for Dixie, but is not completely there yet. Give Houdini time, he will learn to accept the fresh fruit and vegetables, and as long as he eats his Zupreem and is drinking plenty of water he's fine. He's still settling in, learning about his new home and learning to trust you. This bond will strengthen over time and the idea of trying new foods will increase as his bond with you increases. You're doing a fantastic job - keep up the good work. -- Robin

Jane - what a great idea! Now I have something to work with. Dixie does exactly like Harvey - nothing to do with it whatsoever, but this gives me another way to make bathtime fun - other than my watching in laughter as she trys to bathe in her water bowl. Jilly - cuban cigars??? I thought those were banned! Smuggle me in a few for Sterling - can't you just imagine that majestic white U2 holding a havana! Tequila shots on me for everyone! -- Robin

A wise person once told me that if I made my children the center of my world, to my own detriment, that they would grow up to be self-absorbed, self-centered and unfit to live in the rest of society. I should love them, care for them, provide for their every need, some of their wants, and only few of their wishes. I should praise them when warranted, punish when necessary and love unconditionally. In doing this I also had to make sure I had time for myself, my husband, and my other family. I would be showing my children that I was someone to be respected by respecting myself, someone to look up to, because I kept myself involved with the rest of the world, and someone to depend on, while teaching them independence. And while my children are far from perfect, they are pretty darn good people and I am proud of them. I treat my birds the same way. I have a life outside of my birds, and my birds have a life that doesn't always involve me. Dixie (AG) is perfectly content to sit on my shoulder all day, or sit on her cage or playstand. We enjoy being together in the same room! Sterling (U2) started out very much like a "velcro" bird, since it is his nature. With lots of patience, work and persistence, he's learning to entertain himself, enjoy the ambient aspects of us as his companions, and we get to enjoy watching and learning with him. If I were to adopt a mindset that the world stops because I am now a Grey parront I would not be a very good one, if I had decided that when my first child was born that all my time, energy and capacity would be spent on him, I would never have had the 2nd, much less the third. Did I have kids to keep each other company, heavens no, I had them because I wanted them. Dan said it best, we all have our own schedules, our birds and other critters understand and accept our routines and count on them. Judy just wanted you to not set yourself up to a routine that you could not possibly keep up. -- Robin

Houdini is so peaceful looking, you're abviously doing a whole lot right, and he's so beautiful. Congrats on your new baby! -- Robin

Tango, I would never in a million years consider giving any of my pets (fids or dogs) any type of alcohol. My uncle used to do it, and I knew no better, I was about 16 and it was my experience with a bird. Mind you 31 years later I do know better. Heavens, I won't let George, Dixie or Sterling drink out of the same cup as I do, forget anything stronger than water. It was a joke, meant as nothing more, and what my Uncle did, well I can't speak for him, but the joke about the alcohol, brought back some funny (albeit ignorant) memories of some of the dearest people in my life. -- Robin

So glad to hear that YummYumm is with you and that you've had a wonderful day. It makes my heart sing to hear the joy of a new baby! Keep us informed! -- Robin

My uncle had a tiel named Pepper who liked to drink beer out of a spoon. Now at the time I didn't know you shouldn't give a bird beer, but I remember the response. my uncle: "Pepper want a beer?" pepper: "Pepper beer" my u: "Pepper get drunk?" pepper: "Pepper drunk" pepper: "Help, help pepper" Pepper sittig on the edge of the coffee cup, sipping beer, looking like a lush. your comment Oh well, I'm going to try the bottle made me think of Pepper and his beer. IF you give the hard stuff to Harvey, you shouldn't mind getting wet in any way...lol. By the way, Pepper lived to be 30 before leaving us. -- Robin