katana600

That is good news for Josey, you have been patiently waiting and caring for a long time and the moment of flight is going to be such a thrill.

Sorry that you and your little one had a scare and relieved that it has passed. In case it helps, our breeder had three in the clutch and they stayed together for almost seven months with no issues on separation.

Thanks for joining and kudos for making time for the kids, the birds and now the forum too. It seems all those are time consuming and plenty of hard work but the reward seems to be double the amount of effort. Love your little flock. Hope it always flourishes and brings you happy days.

Hahaha, welcome new member. I am trying to recall another member with a girl named Ben, could it be deja vu? Nope, even with a fragile memory, I smile just at the mention of your name anticipating the next joke and happy outlook on life.

Welcome Russ, Winston and the rest of your family. Thanks for joining us and sharing pictures of your birds and your home made stand. Great job on building that. I love seeing that your birds are interacting so close to each other on the new stand. Jump right in, this is a helpful friendly bunch, glad you have you here too.

It is natural and wise to have a healthy respect for a beak that looks like it could open steel cans. My family still has that apprehension of being on the receiving end of a bite. One thing I read on this forum long ago was to consider that the African Grey is a very subtle communicator. They don't bite if they can get their message across earlier with their body language. It all comes down to building trust, both the bird's and your own. From your description of Meggie, she has a sweet disposition and you are not pushing her too hard too fast. The only bites I have had was when something else in the room startled our grey, that is unpredictable, so keep taking caution as you learn what you can do with her as you learn to trust her. Congratulations on sharing your home with an intelligent, graceful companion. There is a strong learning curve, but you have come to a good place to read for ideas of how to keep her healthy and to build your own relationship with her. Enjoy the journey.

We have a shy boy and he loves the security of his cage. He has only been in our home for two months and although he will step up from inside or from the top of his cage, he makes it clear he wants to go back if you step away from his comfort zone. He is in a much smaller cage than we have ready for him, but since he has had some traumatic medical issues including surgery, if he is happy and feels safe in his small cage, we will continue to interact and allow him to decide when it is time to move up. We have a tall branch play stand next to his cage and he could come out any time he likes so we are letting him choose his own terms of interaction. I would love to know more about your little fellow when you have time to take your eyes off him. Isn't it wonderful to have him home?

Mezmo may have come to you in rough circumstances but he seems sweet despite the hardship and life change he has experienced. My guess is he wakes you so early every day because he is wondering if he is dreaming or if he will wake up and find he has a real family that loves him forever.

Thanks for the support. I am still working on the quilt, it is just a pile of bits and arcs right now, it is something new to me to put so many pieces into sections without being able to "see" the whole thing, but I will post pictures when it looks like something. I am so happy that Kopi likes everyone in the family now that our youngest is home from college graduation. She is going to live with us for at least a year while she works and goes to grad school. She has been away for four years and home for brief times, loves animals but was very afraid of Java... for good reason. Kopi waved a foot at her yesterday and when I told her he was reaching out for a step up, she was really scared, but held out her hand and he stepped right up for her. She was telling the family at dinner how scary it was and I said "Yes, Kopi was really scared, but he was very courageous to step up to you anyway." LOL. He WAS scared, probably more than she was, but the smiles and the happy chitchat later from Kopi made it all worth overcoming the fear.

The camera flash makes Kopi jump so I tried with a camera phone and he got up close and personal. He has been with us two months. He calls for the dogs and whistles and barks. I am grateful that he has been accomodating and has a quiet sweet nature. I have started letting Java out of her quarantine and she immediately flies to Kopi's cage to terrorize him. He usually drops to his hidey hole on the back of his cage and winces and tries to become invisible. This week we had a magical moment where he stood his ground and chased her and she has not come back so I think we are making progress.

It is just bad timing on my part to be traveling so much, trying to catch up and learning the new set up. I am very appreciative to have a forum home, it may just take me longer than most to get into a rhythm but I am getting it. I keep telling myself it is all the same people and a few newcomers joining our family and I will be skipping around here like old times again soon.

I have been gone a loooonnngg time. Sorry about that. I made many commitments when I needed to keep busy before I got Kopi. He has had the benefit of bonding time with every member of our family and a good friend too. I spent a lot of time on the phone with the car keys in my hand in case he wanted me to come home but alas, he has coped beautifully without me hovering over his shoulder. LOL. We have hopefully slowed the pace and tonight I had the treat of Kopi sitting on my shoulder for the very first time. We are coming up to his first bird day on May 23rd and his mama Ann and papa Tom will be coming to Atlanta for a celebration.

I can't think of a better moderator for this section. The baby pictures are adorable. It is only by chance that the baby we committed to was a grey and I wouldn't change it for the world, but it is still nice to see all the babies. This was the first place I came to get a forum fix while I get acquainted with the new look of our community.

How dare that big white bird put on her yellow crown, she is trying to assert herself into your kingdom. On the other hand, maybe she is looking to be your queen! But, you can bet your fuzzy little red posterior if she gets an inch she will try to become the ruler! Stand firm Spock. You are the king.

Pepper seems so happy, just playing and singing. I loved when he knocked on the wall. He is adorable.

Thanks for the encouragement. The work isn't difficult at all. Choosing colors is what gives me analysis paralysis... I think I need to use Dave's theory... "Clyde, go home," when I get stuck with too many decisions for the next color. Now that the center is a reality, the rest should chug right along. When I get stuck, I will just come back and read your supportive words and find my inspiration again. You all have been there with me since before the beginning and have been the light of my healing. Thanks so much.

The others have offered you good advice. Go away Clyde.. LOL. We brought home a bird that by rights was never expected to rise to the occasion. He is only ten months, but had some invasive medical procedures that left him lunging, biting and not trusting. His vet said his bite was the worst she has seen in thirty years. Guess what, he has been here a month now and transitioned beautifully, so I held back out of fear and lost the months he could have been here regaling us with love and laughter. I decided I would welcome him whatever the outcome and will never look back. This grey partnership is an awe inspiring journey. Welcome to the flock.

Welcome to the grey forum, that is a great introduction. Kito is a little gem and you are off to a fabulous start with her. Thanks for joining us and sharing your experience.

Preview of round one, I won't sew the parts together until I have all the main rounds done because of the technique. The center symbolizes the sun, I am going to try out some blue against the black for the sky on the second round, then green for trees and grass, ending with a rainbow to symbolize the rainbow bridge. I think it should be titled Juno's Circle of Life. There are almost a hundred pieces of fabric in this center section.

Thanks Dan for all the many hours you put into the forum and all the caring you share with our greys. You are one of those trusted, committed voices who make us laugh often and still make us stop and think about what is best for our greys.

This thread is like taking a tropical vacation to an exotic place. These birds are fascinating and extraordinary in their colors and descriptions. I learn something new every time I log in. Thanks Jay and to all the other contributors to your contests as well. I'm glad we have an Amazon room to live vicariously through members who have more than one bird.

Ouch on any bites, but double ouch on those lip bites. They look painful. I don't even want to imagine it. I am sure it was quite a shock. I'm sorry for your unfortunate experience, but the photos will stick in my mind in the event I every forget that having them close to our face isn't a good idea. Thanks for the reminder.

We had a DNA sexed male and our vet was absolutely certain his tests were mixed up based on visual sexing. He even insisted I feel "her" pelvic bones that were wide for the egg to pass. He was very sure that he was seldom wrong and we had a second DNA test and he was still a male. Our breeder also had a strong opinion before the first DNA came back but that was from three decades of experience with their one breeding pair and they guessed all three clutchmates were male and as it turned out with DNA they were.

Well done Joey! It is his time to amaze and delight with his newfound flight skills. I am glad he was determined to get to Jay and it propelled him to try something new. The whole house must have been in on that celebration. Good for all of you.