katana600

Cage cleaning at its finest. What efforts we go through to keep our standards up for our feathered friends. I like Ray's idea. I like Dave's idea too, but cleaning has never been quite that much fun. Good idea on using the pressure washer though.

Her videos were adorable, I found myself eagerly awaiting every beep, whistle and her chats. She has the ability to talk and seems relaxed with you. If you leave a voice activated recorder in the room with you while you are gone, you might be very surprised at the things she is saying. Every day is a new day with our feathered friends. Rubi is fantastic.

It was made by the contributions of many for a purpose to benefit many. When the suggestion was made to start this quilt, I had no idea where it was going to go. It took me ten years to pick colors for the first one. Every time I was in fear that I couldn't do it, I had so much support that it was just one stitch after the next. I found the resources to teach me what I needed to learn, I found the fabrics in a lot of places from all over the world. I made new friends in the process and it healed my loss. Little did I know it would happen a second time, so I hope to be able to do another one for Kopi. Now, I am in the process of finding another bird to share the next step of the journey. We just never know where life will take us, we just have to be willing to try. I am glad you like it, it does mean a lot to me that this forum was my first welcome to African greys, my guidance, my solace and will continue to be a part of my life. Thank you all so much.

Everyone has different needs, this was just worked for me. It came from ideas on this forum to make toys. Someone had posted the general directions to make the orbit from lawn sprinkler tubing, plumbing junctions and jute. Some people use vet wrap.

Great ideas everyone. Something else that worked for us is to put a shower curtain tension rod in the entrance of a small hallway. It is high enough above the door frame the bird can't reach the molding around the door. I was a able to find a stainless ring that slips over the rod to connect a boing and an "orbit" ring set filled with toys. There was a little screen seed catcher from the wild bird store that will connect to the orbit to catch wood chips and poo before it hits the floor for the dogs to "share". I will try to get a picture. The best part for me is that if we were going to move again, there are no holes to patch and paint. You might not have the right size hallway, but it might work in a doorway just as well, it just wouldn't be so high.

I wish for every person on this forum who has stepped up for their own birds every day there is a quilt of love to cover you every time you lay down your head at the end of the day. I think of the researchers that have worked tirelessly for decades trying to find an answer. When they discover a small contribution, a drop in the bucket really, comes to them it may encourage them they will try, try again when they don't know what to do and for them to strive to combat any illness that threatens our flock. Quietly they search while quietly we struggle with the sadness of losing our birds. If this gives a light, a spark of inspiration, this could be the day that a discovery is made.

I just got the word that all the hurdles have been cleared and the quilt raffle has begun. Every penny will go to research. I would love to know someone from this forum be the lucky winner. Of course that would be a bonus because I think we already are lucky to have birds in our lives and friends here to share with us their love of birds. Thanks for everyone for your encouragement. I would never have had the confidence to start a quilt and put so much work into it without feeling so strongly that something has to make a difference and this was a good place to start. http://asabirds.org/pddquilt.htm

For the time I have been here, I keep looking at all our birds as "greys", hadn't really thought much about TAGs or CAGs, but for some reason today I am attracted to all the pictures and stories about TAGs. Sully is the poster boy for taking a second look and taking the plunge and going for a TAG. Perfect timing Sully. Thanks.

Some things are just meant to be. I have been thinking very seriously about rehoming a TAG. It sort of feels like starting over. I absorbed everything I could about the CAGs when I was making plans to get one. I have to say, I love their faces, the smell of their feathers and their big feet... in comparison to our small poicephalus parrot. I have to admit, I have never seen a TAG in person, but I think the right one may be trying to find me. I am taking deep breaths and trying to make a decision.

He is so beautiful. Great picture and good description of him spending his day entertaining along with doing errrands, he is a real multi-tasker.

It makes me know it is right to get another grey when the time is right just because of all the tender moments, happy whoops and shared moments. It makes me feel almost "normal" to know all of you are out there feeling the same way about your birds. Relationships are all about making our lives better by our connection with them than either of us would be alone.

@ MarcusCAG, no wonder your husband is annoyed by the concept of a clicker... he can't be trained either. LOL. Just kidding of course, I don't even know your husband.

Silly boy Louie, he is just starting to recognize he is in a loving home? He is just playing hard-to-get so you will appreciate it all the more when he has you wrapped around his littlest toe. You are greatly respected for your love and patience.

I am impressed at your youthful ambition with a wee one and all. You are like a superwoman. Congrats to you filling your heart and home with such caring and love. The picture of the three babies is one of the cutest I have seen. Poor little girl, her own momma hurting her, glad they had a camera in there so it wasn't worse. She is one lucky little bird to have you for a mom. You have good instincts, you will do well introducing her to Georgie and Louie. Just use your good judgement and you will be fine, you are a pro already with taking care of your birds and family.

It is always good to read updates on your life with Isaac. I am in awe (or perhaps awwww) of the way you communicate and listen to him and consider his best interest always. Your observations and technique changes to gain his cooperation in returning to his cage are as much about him learning new ways to challenge and negotiate with you as it is about the practical aspects. It just brings me to a happy place to know you are so caring and considerate with him. You are his astute protege. LOL. In a similar way as young children, our greys like to know what to anticipate and to be able to predict the outcome, it keeps them trusting and cooperative to have a routine with some changes occasionally just to keep it interesting. You have a lot of great ideas, thanks for keeping us always tuned in to your life with your wonderful little companion. You always make my day.

What a beauty. Shelby looks relaxed and comfy in her new home. She has a nice setup and you have a delightful new companion. Great job on the pictures and all her places to play.

She sounds well adjusted and content.... and so do you! I am so happy you are all getting along so well with the homecoming. Congratulations.

How lucky you are that your mom was such a considerate caretaker. I love how this turned out for all of you, especially Took. What a thoughtful happy event your vacation fostered. Thanks for sharing.

Until I met my first baby grey and then came to this forum to learn, I would not have understood just what the members here provide. I have been an animal lover all my life, but getting an African grey, or any parrot for that matter touches our soul in a different way than any other pet or family member. The great joys and delights are matched by the depth of despair when we don't know what to do to help them feel better. There is something magical about the way they do know you are giving your whole heart to them. You are among friends here who do understand where you are today. Take good care and thanks for your cyber hug right back to us.

I just reread your posts and you are very astute in figuring her out and noticing she was better and calmer after being in the cage for three days. I can also see your husband's side of insisting to let her out because he is thrilled with their time together, as anyone would be. Maybe if you were to use that time to have a bubble bath or other little life luxury while they have productive time together, it would not so much be a battleground time where she is trying to chase you out. In the long run, it could be the ticket to him being the one to get her settled and calm in her new home and then standing firm to her as you gradually come in and get closer. They do have distinct personalities and preferences, but he can still teach her good manners and how to treat the other lady in his life. Really, you time together is relatively short and as personal as it may feel when she goes after you, it really reflects where she came from and what she learned before she met you. Take your time, find positive ways to interact with her from a little distance and you will learn her ways and overcome her baggage and her best side will slowly emerge and you will take delight in her antics even if it is from a safe distance for a while.

You came up with your own answer, slower is better. Four weeks in the life of a grey is a blink of an eye. They have their own schedule and personality. No matter what her previous home was like, she is probably quite peeved at the change, even when it is for the better. They really like knowing how to predict their environment and their people. If her health is an issue she would be stressed double and has chosen your to be her "sounding board", scapegoat and nipping target. Take heart, it could be that she knows she has your attention. It took months for me to be able to approach Kopi when he first came to us and he was still relatively young. Talking gently to her while she is in her cage and you are protected will gain you lots of points with her. It really isn't punishment for her to be in her cage until she is more settled and earns the privilege to be out with her flock. If that is her happy place where she feels more secure for now, you can earn more trust in a gradual way. At first biting is somewhat reflex from the stress of her changes, but if she learns it is an effective tool, she might get more assertive about it. They say greys are subtle but if you aren't listening to the body language in their sublte way, they will go for whatever technique gives them more bang for the buck. Read up on the body language thread, especially the pinning of the eyes. Trade on the fondness she seems to have for your husband. The more she feels safe and comfortable with him, the more influence he will have in helping her to trust you little by little. He should be the one to pick her up and put her back in her cage and tell her "don't bite" if she comes after you. The more you quietly avoid the contacts that will elicit bites, and the more he shows her gently that she has to respect and tolerate you, the more his leadership will help change her behavior. I know it is really hard to be the unfavored one. My husband has had that role and while secretly in my heart it makes me glad to be chosen and trusted, I worked really hard to make sure not to reinforce that luxury but to keep everyone at peace for the greater good of everyone involved. You are doing so many things right, thanks for joining us.

I am so sorry that you and Kito are going through an illness. The cold weather must make it a little more challenging with getting her in the car and taking her to the vet. Although the logistics of warming up a car and keeping her out of the weather isn't so much of an issue, knowing you are vulnerable during that time is bound to add to your own stress. I hope you get some good news soon and she starts feeling better. Take good care of yourself too, you can handle whatever comes your way. If the feather picking and quiet are what you meant being stress related, it could be she is stressed by not feeling well and when the vet gets the medicine in order for the underlying condition, she will perk up and be her old self. Sending lots of heartfelt wishes and prayers for her speedy recovery... and for your stress too!

Great shots, you're a natural. Just this week someone was telling me about white squirrels, I had never seen one and then I open your post today and there it is! Way cool.

You put a lot of thought into naming her. It is a beautiful name. I like that you are including her former first name as her middle name to keep some continuity too. She is lovely.

Oh golly, I just love seeing all the new babies. I also love the idea of naming him Simon. Then when you are talking about him and say "Simon says" we can see how many people jump to play the game. He is just beautiful.