katana600

Happy Hatch Day to Biscotti! It doesn't seem possible that two years have gone so quickly. I love that you are celebrating with a special treat. Great photo, thanks.

Eva looks like such a dainty little beauty. Will you be able to go see her once a week? She does sound like she is very advanced. I hope she continues to entrance your for decades to come. Congratulations on your little one.

We are just northeast of Atlanta Georgia. I looked up the range on this American Finch and the map shows them year round as far north as Canada. One thing though, it does show a winter season in the southern states and into Mexico. The male is a different color, lighter golden during winter and the bright colors during breeding season. I had to go to a book to look it up. He does yell at me. There are several, we have some purple finches, a lot of cardinals, wrens, warblers. They all have a habit of coming to the living room windows and pecking and making a racket if the squirrel guard gets stuck. They can see the seeds but they can't get to them so they come peck and beat the windows with their wings and put up a fuss. LOL. I dutifully go pull in the feeder, flip the top up and they come flocking almost before I have the feeder back on the post.

If we could sit in a quiet little corner and observe our birds when they thought no one was looking, just think of the memorable moments it would give us. They are so clever and motivated to be out and about. I wonder what they would do with full freedom in our homes and a day to themselves? I am pretty sure they would be helpful, washing dishes, picking up the messes from the floor. Sure, they would. I would love hearing what the little rascal Murphy is thinking as he plots his escapes.

No sooner did I mention these little birds wanting to have the feeder reset, this one stayed around for a half hour trying to come inside with us. There is something very peaceful and magical about having a bird in the house. I love taking care of mine, they make every day a smilefest.

I agree that this is the time to enjoy all the closeness and bonding with Simon. Even if you were to teach him now that you wanted him to go to a friend or a stranger to him, he will grow up and have his preferences and individual personality. You are both learning from each other and are nurturing trust and confidence.

This is just too funny. I have never seen such a thing. It had me laughing so hard tears were falling. Both my birds were laughing with your laughing and mine combined. What an attitude your little Billy has, thanks for the big laugh of my day.

What a delightful moment with Sully. It is so funny that we have these little minds that can come right out with what they are thinking. It is such a good time when we get a glimpse into their world as they share ours. Thanks for sharing.

In the photo where you are stroking his head, he looks like he is smiling. He is such a cute little guy, it is a happy time for him to live with you and Bean. Bean is beautiful too. Life is good.

It is fun to take a fresh look through the eyes of a visitor. Even the wild birds have me trained well. We have bird feeders with squirrel baffles, the squirrels still try and sometimes the little baffle cage comes down and gets stuck. The finches were the first to figure out if they try to get seeds and tap on the plastic, they come to the window and hold onto the wooden pane separators and peck on the windows to get my attention so I can come out and release the feeders so they can get to the seed. It is as cute as can be to see a little finch on the window tapping and flapping and bringing it to my attention. My husband claims they are looking in the window to see the posh life our parrots and dogs enjoy and they are trying to get in and have a bit of that lifestyle.

We had friends visit from out of town. It was their first time to come to our home. One of the dogs rang a cowbell we have attached near the front door. They thought it was the bird ringing the bell. They remarked that each of the birds have a bell of their own, they ring the bell and I come to bring them snacks, water or food. The dogs ring the bell, I am on my feet, letting them out. They said I am a glorified butler waiting on all the demands of my pets. LOL. Hahahaha... Yes, yes I am, and I do love it. Then, I found a hotel ringer bell and put it in the guest room.

I got over the nips a whole lot faster than the apologies. Gilbert had been saying pretty much the same things repetitively from his previous homes and now he is saying "I sorry" and "Gilbert sorry" four or five times a day. It is not necessarily the first new words I would have wished to hear, but it has been memorable, that is for sure. I was visiting with a friend at our grocery store and he asked about Gil, when I told him about the new words he was amazed as I am that the tone and empathy. I said to him, I have been with my husband for more than three decades and Gilbert has said he is sorry more than my husband ever would... then I said, "maybe I should bite him!" Hahahahahah LOL... Yes, Gilbert was the one who bit me, but I think my telling him "I'm sorry" for all the commotion is what I think he picked up on. He is back to his loveable little ole self again. I have to say, I am looking forward to when he can fly and maybe he will even manage to sneak in one of the neck pinches, Dayo style. LOL.

I wonder if all the noise and excitement is too much for him, he doesn't seem distressed, just vocal, but I am far from experienced at this age. I wonder though if they have a quiet room where you might have one-on-one interaction, if that would make a difference, if he would be calmer, or maybe he is just not ready to be far from his clutch mates and is looking for security. It will be a while before he is weaned so it may all change over the course of your visits with him. He is just adorable.

I really commend your soul searching and am confident when you make a decision it will be the right thing for you and your new companion. Congratulations on having the foresight to think this through and to research and make your choices based on research and thoughtful consideration. I can't say anything for other birds, we have had only African greys, but I can tell you that it wasn't love at first sight with two of my guys and through building trust and taking time, it developed into a great bond. I have read that birds can bond as small chicks and change loyalties later and shun the one they loved at first, we have not had time to develop that and will just adjust to that if the day comes. We just never know with any of them what tomorrow will bring.

We are watching over Jay's resting process, sending love and prayers and keeping his spirit in our hearts. We love you Jay and Maggie.

This is heartwarming to see that Dominic stayed around and visits Maria/Mario in the zoo setting and the caretakers recognize the importance of that bond. It illustrates to me how unique the connection is between us and the bird that chooses us. It makes it all that much more important for us to commit and stay committed to our parrots once that bond is established.

Fantastic. I love all the little "firsts" we have while we are getting to know our birds. All of our pets communicate, but when one can look you in the eye and actually say what they are thinking, it just never fails to rock my socks. Without ever saying a word every one of our birds shows us the innate intelligence that will never fail to take my breath away. The talking is a bonus and Gabby is ahead of herself with bringing you joy. Thanks for sharing.

It is a given that we all will make mistakes, it is the ability to keep moving forward and not let a little backslide destroy the progress you have already made that makes for a rich and rewarding relationship. We learn every day what exquisite creatures are living in our midst and I am grateful for the opportunity to have every new discovery and the joy of the process through both the good and the not so good parts. If everything was smooth sailing all the time, we would become complacent and bored. The joy of discovery and the high points help to soothe the rough spots and I think that is the nature of our relationships. Marcus could not have come to a more loving and nurturing home.

Great job Ray. Never say never. Many of us might put in a toy, or new food type and if it is not accepted, take it back out. Your experience shows me to try try again and to be a thousand times more patient to wait for results. Whatever was the catalyst for this growth spurt in Cricket, she is quickly identifying each success and taking it further. I am so proud of her! I like to think of things in grey time, but zon time may be even on a different scale. Your post has me thinking about every bird within each species may have some expectations but each is as individual as a snowflake and we can always try to meet them and learn from them. What a celebration you must be having for Cricket coming out of her little bubble to enjoy your world with you. I just love it.

I firmly believe our birds bite as a last recourse when their subtle body language is not recognized. Gilbert was quieter and was retreating inside his cage and I didn't notice his posture when he came out as everything got quiet and back to normal. I was exhausted and had been otherwise occupied. Once he did bite me, I became a better observer. While I was shocked at the sustained attack and how he actually chased me, I tried hard not to cause him any more upset by yelling. I told him it hurt and it scared me and gave him some time to get calm, then left the door open until he was the one to make the first move. It is all a learning process and I was enjoying so much his willingness to be close to me, I did forget that he is just getting to know me, and that weekend, I became unpredictable to him. He is back to his happy little self again and that is the important thing to me. It would be easy to hold back and be afraid while almost every finger on both hands has punctures, I recognize he was holding back because they were tiny nips compared to his capability. I like to think of this as a detour rather than a setback and he has given me the grace to move forward and not hold a grudge.

That was a very interesting article considering we have an African grey as well as a member of the Senegal family. I have noticed the groping and reaching with my greys and when I put Gilbert into his cage, I bring him up to his favorite perch in a way that he climbs up to it because he objects to being lowered. I had no clue it was a visual thing rather than just an odd preference. It might explain why all three greys prefer climbing upward and Java goes to the floor, maybe they are going where they can see ahead of time what they are going after. It makes for an interesting change in our approach with toys and play areas. Awesome area of research, thanks Dan.

My little boy Kopi had crop surgery and was biting for a while. He never had a good grip and I found it helped to let him perch on my wrist instead of my hand and then I would curl my arm so he was close to my chest so he felt more secure. It also helped to get some fleece and wrap around my arm so he had a place to hang on that he couldn't get his toenails caught. It took a long time for him to learn how to stabilize himself if I was moving but he came around and it was wonderful. The right name will come and you will all know it.

I love that! She looks like a Lollie. I would like to think of her as Princess Lollie

I think your patience and willingness to meet Louie on his own terms is going to pay off big when he makes the decision to relax for a little scritch on his head. I love that he flew to your lap. It is such an amazing feat of patience and trust when they make the decision to fly to you. He is beautiful.

Happy hatchday to Josey and happy anniversary day to you too Judy. This may not be the day she came home to you, but it is the day your heart changed with the first crack of one little egg. I know you are celebrating with your whole flock. Five years, amazing. She is a beautiful girl and I appreciate your presence in this forum and sharing from a perspective of someone who has been through the juvenile stages and into adulthood with your girl. Happy dances all around for your flock.