rbpittman

Having no intention of getting a companion for Dixie (Grey), I ended up with Sterling (U2) when his former owner passed and the options were unspeakable. I didn't intend for them to be friends, I hoped they would tolerate each other. After 3 weeks in the same room - separate cages, separate perches - I had to move Sterling to the living room out of my office. Sterling was walking on the floor, Dixie on her porch. Dixie flew down to the ground and the scuffle started. Dixie leading the charge. I separated both birds before they actually made contact (I was already up and moving when Dixie left her porch), but the fear was there. Sterling could easily kill Dixie with his beak and Dixie I'm sure would do major damage on her own. Dixie is a much happier bird now that Sterling is not "invading her space" and Sterling gets the company of my 13 year old son for most of the day. Even though we had done the "first bird gets everything first" routine, Dixie was obviously not going to have any of it in "her" house. Not trying to make a decision for you, just think long and hard about adding to your flock for the reasons you listed. -- Robin

Now that you've found the on/off switch doe that mean we have to put the tequila and wine back on the shelf? Dixie refuses to enjoy the shower, spray bottle mist or bowl of water I place in the bottom of her cage every day, she does however truly enjoy taking a bath in her water bowl. Unfortunately the only part that actually gets wet is her belly and her feet. It is quite hysterical watching her attempt to put her wings in the bowl...lol. BTW - no flip up button on my model either, and no on/of switch. -- Robin

Dixie has been saying I love you for quite some time, Sterling says it, but not as often. The strangest thing was when Gracie died two weeks ago, the only thing either of them said when I told them that Gracie had passed was "I love you". It's like they both understood exactly what I was saying and they knew the correct response to such a devastating situation. They know when you need to hear it, even if they don't say it all the time. -- Robin

I have 3 birds total, Dixie (Grey), Sterling (U2) and George (lovebird) and would gladly take on another in a heartbeat! There is a baby male Grey at the bird shop where I get all my toys and pellets from that I have been helping socialize and would so love to bring home. The cleaning up twice daily is not a big deal, especially since I'm OCD on cleaning, I would be doing it anyhow...lol. At this very moment Dixie is taking her daily bath in her water dish, and of course water is flying everywhere. I'll clean up after her in a few minutes when she's done. I managed to have four children, one or two more birds are not much different...lol. My problem is figuring out how I would add the additional cage to my office without removing my husbands favorite chair. My family loves the birds as much as I do, Paul (my son) is the primary person for Sterling, they have adopted each other in a way I never thought would happen. Dixie has determined that my husband is her favorite (at least for the moment) and George adores my daughter Sarah.

Dixie wolf whistles perfectly (thanks to my husband) and she also calls the dogs on a routine basis with her imitation of my whistling for the dogs. She has the first three notes to "Dixie" but then again, I'm raising a politically incorrect Grey. -- Robin

Dixie's favorites - anything orange - mango, cheeto's, peanut butter cheese crackers, sweet potato. If it's orange she'll eat it. Sterling loves pine nuts and almonds. -- Robin

OMG! I just figured out what's up with Harvey! I was reading the other posts (I'm behind, studying for exams!) and I saw where JillyBeanz has just returned from vacation and Harvey spent the time with his Grandparronts! They did exactly what all Grandparronts do - they spoil the fids rotten and it comes out when Mom gets them back! Will need more than alcohol to solve this problem! -- Robin

I know and understand the feeling - I went away to summer camp for a week and came back to a Grey that wants nothing to do with me, but she loves my husband and my son (son was with me at camp!). I'm the one who feeds her, I'm the one who cleans her cage, I'm the one who lets her out, but I get one, maybe two head scratches a day....the rest of the time she wants Daddy! She will step up when she wants to go from her cage to her playstand, or vice versa...I'm gonna forget the wine and head straight for the tequila! -- Robin

Well since I have Dixie (Grey) and Sterling (U2) I would have to say my Dixie is very reserved and refined, unlike Sterling who the class clown. Just as I'm trying to type this, he's managed to jump all over my desktop, flip over the cup of paper clips and is now moving from my shoulder to the back of my chair. Dixie prefers to see life happening - Sterling is going to be in the middle of it! -- Robin

This forum is the first place I learned about quarantining the fids before letting them be close to each other. While I had no intentions of adding to my flock earlier this month I did exactly that with a re-homed U2. Quarantining him would not have been a problem, but I was lucky enough to have an AV who answered the phone after hours and who was also the medical professional of the U2. While I didn't have to keep Dixie and Sterling separated, I did have vet checks on file for both of them within the last 3 months. Keeping this information up to date is extremely important, as well as waiting to introduce new fids to the flock until all is checked out and there is a clean bill of health. While Sterling has been a wonderful addition to our family, I would never have put his or Dixie's health in question until the AV had been consulted! Sterling wouldn't have made it into the house without this information. -- Robin, Paul, Dixie, Sterling and George

I like Mia, especially since the meaning is "mine, wished for". It could mean you wished for her and she is yours, or when she says her name, she is reflecting on her own name as being hers, and that you are her's and she wished for such a wonderful parront as you! Good luck on choosing, all are absolutely wonderful names. -- Robin

Congrats on the new fid! I was in the bird shop yesterday getting new toys and food for mine and they had a Scarlett and a B & G that were available. Both were less than 6 months and I spent about an hour playing with them, very cuddly and beautiful. I would be a bit afraid of having them in my home, they are so majestic in size and coloring. Maybe if I win the lottery...lol. You'll be a great mom Pat, and taking this baby in will enhance his life as well as yours. Congrats again.

Congrat's on Ecko being a girl, I knew she was a beauty! -- Robin

I say a beautiful young lady, especially since she holds herself so well! (And if I'm wrong, you go Studmuffin) --- Robin

I'm a stay-at-home mom and a full-time student, although most of my classes are on-line. Granted I've only had Dixie since April and Sterling since 7/4/09, they both know that I won't be here all the time, everyday. I do have the son I'm staying at home for! LOL. What's really funny is how they behave when they see my car pull into the driveway. If I don't come into the house immediately, they will both start looking for me vocally and it's pretty funny, Sterling (U2) starts with, Hello, Hello, and then his flock call, Dixie say's "Mommy?, Mommy?" and then repeats Sterling's call or her "hawk scream". They do adjust, but they also love it when you come home, it can be very special for them! -- Robin, Paul, Dixie, Sterling and George

I let both Dixie and Sterling sit on my shoulder, they are both very calm while there and I have managed to train both of them not to "potty" while on my shoulder. My chair on the other hand gets cleaned quite often! I have a high backed office chair that both of them will jump onto to "poo" and then back to my shoulder. This has also helped in training both birds to not poo anywhere that paper isn't put down! It's not 100%, but I would say 95%. I do however confine the shoulder to while I'm sitting at the computer and not walking through the house. This keeps them from getting spooked from something that may cause them to react in a way I'm not ready for. There is a strict no shoulder policy for Paul (my son) for the simple fact that Paul moves too fast for either me or the birds to be comfortable. I wouldn't want them to react to him doing something and he suffer the consequences of the birds doing what they would normally do. -- Robin, Paul, Dixie, Sterling and George

Absolutely love the poem, so perfect! Thanks for sharing with us! -- Robin, Paul, Dixie, Sterling and George

OH MY! I'm so glad Jeepers didn't get out of the door and I hope your daughter is ok. You're gonna have to teach Jeepers that he needs to be a gentleman and inquire after a lady in distress instead of looking out an open door! Just Kidding. I know you were at your wits end with that experience. So happy it was almost and that it didn't happen. love the idea of the net or bead curtain, it most definitely will deter those who are interested, if only long enough to get doors closed. -- Robin, Paul, Dixie, Sterling and Geoge

Thank you all, especially you DaveyJ, I didn't cry until I read that, guess I had to be strong for Paul. Thank you again, it made my day. -- Robin

Thank you all for your kind words. Paul has been heartbroken all day. To make things worse, it happened just before his birthday (today). George appears to be handling things ok, as well as Dixie and Sterling. Yesterday when I told them all that Gracie was gone, instead of their usual antics on/in their cages, I was met with quiet birds whose only words were "I Love You!" Whether they knew what was really being said or not, it was most appropriate and very much appreciated. Dixie's vocabulary is much larger than Sterling's but they both said it and nothing else. George is eating and pooping normally, although yesterday he did call out for Gracie vigorously yesterday afternoon. I know he is as heartbroken as we are. -- Robin

I'm not sure what happened, or how, or why, but Gracie the Lovebird has died. I came out this morning and gave everyone their breakfast, fresh water and changed paper and all seemed well. Just before I had to leave for school (around noon) my son found Gracie in her bed, in a very bad state. She passed at 12:15 p.m., I didn't even have time to consider getting her to the AV (30 miles away). She had been trying to build a nest, but without knowing what sex (I'm assuming a she) I have no clue as to what could have caused her to suddenly become ill. She had not exhibited any signs at all of illness and was her normal neurotic self, chattering, eating, pooping and tearing apart her pinata. We are very sad, as is George, her cage mate. -- Robin, Paul, Dixie, Stering and George.

Sterling now has his own page at Facebook - its Sterling U2 Where is the African Grey Group - here or on facebook and what is the name of it on facebook? -- Robin Just joined the African Grey Group on Facebook<br><br>Post edited by: rbpittman, at: 2009/07/19 22:01

That's Wonderful!! Dixie now has her own page - working on Sterlings. You can become a fan of Dixie - search Dixie Bird Grey -- Robin

Guess I'll have to make a facebook page for Sterling and Dixie now...then I'll have three of them to keep up with! I'm Robin Brewster Pittman if anyone wants to add me! -- Robin

Ernzzz you are so right about the demands of these birds. I also had wanted a U2 before getting Dixie, but had talked myself out of it by going to the mytoos site and reading, and reading, and reading. It broke my heart, and I couldn't make myself give into the my wishes just because they are pretty. I ended up with a U2 anyhow, go figure, I guess it was meant to be. I adopted Sterling on 7/4 and so far (yes we're still in the honeymoon stage) all is well. We have our days and it gets frustrating at times for my son, but he and I are learning more and more everyday about the demands this bird has as well the rewards of having happy, healthy birds. I'm not saying I'm a special person, but it does take quite a bit of understanding and patience, and I wouldn't trade one bit of the time we've spent so far for a "quieter" bird. What I've learned with Sterling so far has actually brought more trust into my relationship with Dixie (AG), she's become more loving since Sterling showed up on the scene...lol. -- Robin, Paul, Dixie, Sterling, George & Gracie