katana600

Thanks to all of you for our support, I would have made a lot of mistakes and tried to get close too soon. Kopi will step up for either of my girls, but still is wary of my husband. David keeps trying and being patient with him. We haven't had any growling at David in at least six weeks, so that is a good sign. Also, he will eat a treat when David drops it in the food dish and steps away. Before, Kopi would carry it to the edge of the cage top and drop it for the dogs, LOL. He will permit David to give him a lift from the floor when I set him down there, but he leans way away from him. I know it is because David travels a lot and it will just take time. I remind him often that Kopi could suddenly change allegiance and become his best buddy. We will just have to keep encouraging both the men in my life. LOL.

Since Kopi has shown a preference to sitting with me if I get a fleece blanket and recline on the sofa, we have had one to two hour snuggles every evening. He seems to feel secure to have the blanket pulled up around him like he is in a little tent, then puts his head out for me to scratch to his little heart's delight. He lays on his chest and lets his legs dangle, so I know he is totally relaxed. Last time I got too relaxed and drifted off to sleep. I may have snored a tad because I was quickly brought back to the moment when he pinched my nose. LOL I have to say, I have done the same to my snoring husband, so it was just what I deserved. It has been more than a month now since I have heard him plaintively say "wanna go back?". Since his grip isn't strong, I have also noticed he likes to have a blanket and be carried in my arms instead of perching on my hand. He will let me take him all over the house for "tours" every day. I also put a blanket on the floor and will lie down there with him while he tentatively explores a little, but he doesn't leave the edge of the blanket. Once though, I got up to go to the kitchen and looked back and he was very very slowly and cautiously following me. I thought it was courageous, but it didn't last too long. He was waving his foot for me to pick him up and I didn't deny him. We are taking such tiny little steps but he is building trust and shows an interest to be with me. I have an appreciation for "grey time" and I am happy for him to set that pace for me.

His short, unintended flight is a preview for you and I am guessing it was a surprise to Tobie as well. I am also in your corner with the best of wishes for a flighted Tobie forever and ever. Every time I read about someone else's grey regaining flight, I am thinking it will be our turn some day. Kopi hasn't had flight for over a year, he has one lonely little flight feather now and your success has made my heart sing with your joy.

She has the sweetest little face ever. When I see her calm and happy at your home, it really lifts my spirits. You are off to a good start Martyn. A little over a year ago, I was new to the African Grey experience and this forum has been a wealth of information and support. Does she have a name?

At Home Depot, there is flooring that looks like tile or wood, it comes in strips and self adheres to "float" on the flooring. It comes in a box of about 24 square feet and is about two dollar a square foot, but you could easily put it together in whatever configuration works best for your area. It is called Allure. It might be just the type of thing to help you set up an easy clean space around the cage.

Even reading about fleas makes me start scratching. Azzie, I read your reply and being that keeping our birds misted, sprayed and softened with aloe, my mind immediately went there when I read good luck battling the fleas, I saw "bathing" LOL and had to read closer to see who was giving fleas a bath. LOL. It is a serious subject though and so much work to get them out once they have taken a quiet little foothold inside. Good luck getting things cleaned up, it would be a nightmare if you had to use heavy chemicals and take Maggie out of her home right while you are making a transition anyway. Good luck and hope you get things sorted out and back in place soon.

Spock may think that radio is like an angry wife, first it won't say what he wants, and now she won't speak to him. LOL. Glad he is feeling up to having a tussle with the radio. It always makes me happy to hear about Spock.

Jasper is just adorable and I am amazed that he isn't the slightest bit self conscious or shy to share with you while he is practicing to talk. He is just a beautiful bird and I am sure he fills your life with joy. Thanks for sharing.

These are very touching photos, thanks for posting Dan. GoDiego is right about ther swallows returning to care and guard over the babies that fall from the nest. We had swallows in our barn, my sister touched one of the babies on the ground when she was about nine years old. She just put it back into a nest in the barn but the adult birds went after her. A group of them swarmed and pecked at her long after she had gone away from the barn. After that, every time she came out of the house that summer they would swoop down and try to chase her back in. She had to take to wearing a helmet and goggles to go outside. It was carried to the point of comedy, but those birds meant business and we learned to never ever touch a baby bird even if it looked as if it needed a rescue.

Dan, thanks for this link, although the subject of intruders is serious, I laughed at the very idea of them slipping in thinking they would just pick up a sweet little bird they had observed in a different situation and found a BIG surprise when he launched a counteroffensive against them. I imagine that the "thrown bottles" and mayhem were them warding him off and scrambling for safety. I hope they rue the moment they hatched their ill conceived plan and that the police do get enough evidence to come after them and hold them up to public ridicule and justice.

I am so sorry for Pepper's toe and for your feelings too. I agree that Pepper is probably grouchy because of the pain and doesn't consider you hurt him, just trying to keep you away from his boo-boo. I also appreciate you posting this so when the time comes that mine can fly, I can look for the device that would keep a door from closing accidentally.

I had no idea a parrot could be arrested for aiding and abetting, but this was on a Reuters site and appears to be the real deal. Did I hear it right that a thousand birds have been "brought in". I can only imagine the adjustments issues, much less the conditions of the birds in these small cages. http://widget.newsinc.com/fullplayerwvars.html?wid=2202&cid=5051&spid=98890&freewheel=12699&sitesection=ajc_top

Thanks for sharing your time with us to commemorate how vital your connection with Jimmy has been for these years. I am so sorry for your loss. If you give yourself a period of time for your grief, once the shock is absorbed some, you will find a way to pay tribute to your beloved Jimmy. If you do decide to grace your home with another feathered friend, you know it won't be a replacement for him, but an addition because of his charm. I was over fifty when I got my little guy and my daughters are with me and on board for taking care of him if that becomes necessary. They have known him since he was a chick and if it right for your family, you will make a decision together. I have a friend who is in her late nineties, still active and able to care for herself and none of us know our time here. This is such a sad time. When you are up to it, I would love to hear some of the stories of your life together.

Your willingness to try new approaches based on how it might help from Charlie's point of view and working so hard to overcome your own fears for Charlie are admirable. I know you put him in the hands of someone else who is dedicated and watchful and is working with you to find something that will help. All my best wishes are with you to reach a point of overcoming Charlie's issues regardless of the root cause. You are in our hearts and prayers just as much as Charlie is.

Congratulations to getting all these birds to flight level again. We have a little way to go yet, but are celebrating for you and yours.

I had too much time on my hands, wanted to get to know all the vets in my area better and to have someone here during the day to report to my husband my every move. LOL hahahahaa. Now, I mop my floors more often, clean my refrigerator every day, eat lots of healthy food. Having him in the house has prevented me from sliding into bad habits that are a byproduct of an empty nest, LOL. I had almost accepted the slide into bad language, junk food and general wickedness. LOL. Having a grey in the house makes me try really hard to be a better person. It looks like I may have to give up my favorite telemarketer deterrence program now too. After asking politely to be taken off the list, then giving fair warning that the next call will be met with unpleasantness, I have been known to test the smoke detector for "aversion therapy".... but now Kopi and Java sound like dueling smoke detectors. So, my number one reason to have a grey is to have help evolving into a a worthy companion for him. LOL. Thanks for starting this thread.

wicked funny, thanks Dan

I also love the names you chose for your companions. It won't be long before you wonder how you got along in your life without your two sidekicks. Best of luck learning about them and making friends.

What an inspirational outdoor area you have. My wicker sun porch may need to have a makeover next spring. I loved your videos and the practice and lovely sounds from your babies. Thanks.

This is cause for a celebration! I am so happy for you and for Alfie. We hope to follow in your puddles in the near future. Lyn, when I think back at how David was out of town and Alfie sat on your knee for the first time, then look at the progress you have made in winning her over, it gives me the faith that with slow and steady improvements we could be enjoying the same happy tears of celebration. So, I will just share yours today. Thanks.

That was the best entertainment I have seen in a month, who needs to go out to the movies when you have Biscotti to keep things lively... special bird, and he knows it. Thanks so much, it made me laugh a lot.

Thanks for all your encouragement, if I didn't have the pictures to look back on, I might think it had been a dream. It just takes all of us on the forum to be in the right place at the right time to be the wind beneath someone else's wings.

This is just so precious. I am eagerly watching and waiting for our turn. Kopi hasn't molted out any of his clipped wing feathers yet, but he flaps and flaps for practice. I like that a few grew in at a time so she can do short hop-flights, I can only imagine how fast and wild the flying would be if it came all at once. This gives her a little freedom at a time and she is building up her muscles and stamina. She is such a joy on this forum, and so are you.