katana600

I didn't think the little fellow was going to make it. The transformation with medical care and a loving home is an amazing testament to the ability for the little guy to forgive and trust humans again. It seems there is a news story every day with atrocious acts upon innocent animals. There are just no words for the suffering they endure.

Well done Pat and Lisa. I love that the garage is soundproofed and made into a practice room. Little did you know when you were doing all that prep work it was going to become the cockatoo's nest instead of the cuckoo's nest? Just kidding, those drummers have a wild reputation. :-)

Yes! This is a look we have seen way too often in the ever evolving Miss Gilbert. Usually it is a warning "be careful, Gil's looking owly". Gracie has the classic look in that photo that I would call Gil's 'stink eye". Whoa, both of these photos give me that uneasy feeling like nothing good is coming next. Recently I see this look when she gets on the stair steps to give her honey the come hither but he is detained and I come instead to bring her back downstairs. Interesting now that I think of it... he never brings her down but gets real busy when its time so he doesn't get on the receiving end of that look.

Ray, over the years, your words have been a beacon pointing the way for us to learn about Miss Gilbert and to lead the way for her to become an integral family member. It takes a delicate dance of knowing when to give them space and when to give a little nudge to get them moving in the right direction. I like to think of it as resonance. If you push a child on a swing at the right time in the natural frequency they will soar higher. If you push when they are on a downswing it will stop them abruptly. We have just had to learn Gil's natural frequencies. Your gentle teaching and guidance and words have been so helpful to us.

Miss Gilbert is my organizer and trainer. She is uncanny and knowing what needs to be done around here and motivating me to get it done. When I was thinking we need to replace the 25 year old builders' grade carpet one the steps, she started pulling out the fibers to motivate me. She is also a relationship expert, who needs marriage counseling. She is so determined to hear the voice of "her" man that she drowns out my words and admonishes me to "be quiet". We have to go into a different room to have focused conversations. Wait-a-cotton-picking-minute.... maybe her REAL job is to give her daddy peace after a long day at the office.... no henpecking, honey-do lists or complaints from the lil missus. Hahaha... see, she knows what I should do before I even think of it. Now get out in that kitchen and make him some pie!

I thought Alfie was hiding from the water mister to avoid a shower. I love that little peek-a-boo face looking out. It is great to have an explorer. He has a job to do back there with that big water container. At least the ping allows you to know right where he is, a homing ping if you will. What a cutie.

Ok, I have to fess up. I know why Miss Gilbert went through a bad spell that led to biting Java. About a week earlier, I got out of bed when I couldn't sleep and about 2 am, I didn't want to wake my husband when I got back into bed. It was only a short distance and I was sure I didn't need to turn on the light. Luckily when I kicked the bedpost and broke my toe and fell hard, I didn't get more seriously injured. But, I did hurt my arm and I was slow getting around for a week or two. In that time, I was getting up later and feeding the birds a little later than usual. I always give them five times more than they can eat and she always had fresh pellets. But from her point of view, she had been neglected before and this was a bad sign. I think that is why she was saying words that we hadn't heard before like calling David a wiener and a naughty boy. It wasn't until she bit Java and started chewing her feathers that I was trying to figure out what I could do to help her. Whether she has food in her dish or not, she needs that security of getting fed the minute my feet hit the floor and they better hit the floor about 6:30 am if she has her way. The first day in a week that I got of bed at the usual time, put her food in her dish at the expected time, she cooed and immediately ducked her head for a scratch. What is interesting is she goes to sit in front of her food bowl as soon as she awakens. But, when I fill it with fresh food, she doesn't eat. She just needs to know its there. I feed them in increments throughout the day, but that morning feeding seems to be her touchstone. I'm sure seeing me lay about on the couch wasn't reassuring to her either. All is well, she is back to her happy little self again. Java's beak has healed and we are keeping a close watch on it and she is happily back to normal too.

I love this Ray. I look forward to hearing more wisdom from Professor Cricket. Thanks.

We started Gil on parakeet size toys, wafer thin bits of wood, shredded paper, acrylic baubles, adding machine paper tape. Something that really got her interest in chewing was birdie cabobs. I believe they are made from cactus. Its softer than balsa wood. Another toy that caught her interest was a wooden bean pot on a chain we picked up at a bird fair. I found a photo online to show you what I mean. I would hide almonds and other things in the bean pot and over time she got the idea to chew the lid. She is still a little timid with toys. Like you say about Dorian, if she would take an interest it would open up her world and give her more activities. They are going to take their sweet time but some days we just happen to hit upon the right toy on the right day. Ah heaven, to please the little grey minds.

It rained hard and washed off my markings and the bird came back. It's more than a knocking, it sounds like a duel to the death. My husband helped me out... by laying a rake across the top step. The bird perches on the rake while presumably laughing like those birds on the Windex commercial as it contemplates tripping me up with this booby trap. Man, scratching around disturbing my shingles would surely be unnerving.

That's a powerful gift from your friend. It's amazing how well he knows you and offered his best to you. My condolences on your loss.

It doesn't seem possible that a year has passed Ray. It seems like a blink of an eye that she was with you, bringing a very special kind of zon acceptance and love. From your posts and videos we got a glimpse of unconditional love. I enjoyed everything about her life with you.

I would love to hear Phenix laugh some day. I am in awe of Gil's changes and even more impressed with her memory, intelligence and free will. Miss Gilbert has been a snot all week. She climbed off her cage, bit Java and now she is the one who is mad at the world. She has been picking feathers and chewing a bald spot on her chest. Tonight as David came home late we wanted to go out for dinner. Just before we left, I asked her to go in her cage and she did not want to go. Usually all I do is stand up and she is in a big hurry to go inside. I thought if I went around the back of her cage and her beloved David was in front, she would scurry right over to him but she surprise me by trying to jump off my side in an attempt to bite my face. It was swift, intentional and purposeful. I walked into the garage and David asked her nicely to go inside and she obliged cheerfully. When we returned, as we walked in the door she was speaking to him and I didn't quite understand it but at the end she called David "You naughty boy". Again it was real clear and in her Cajun accent. We have never heard that before and it isn't the wording we would use. With her new words (new to us), it makes me wonder if her surliness of late is a flashback. She has been asking for Jim this week too. She is a complicated girl, sometimes vexing and frustrating, but if I knew how to make her world right and give her peace and happiness, I would do that for her. Something is off for her right now and as much as I feel like being mad at her for hurting Java and being really nasty to me, I just feel like there is more going on in her mind and she is the one frustrated and upset. I will give her the grace to come through this and level out again. I have seen her much better and I know we will get there soon.

Welcome to the forum. Alex is doing well for being in a new home for just days. For him to take food from your hand and not reject it with a toss is a good sign. As you talk to him and build trust you will learn more about his body language. In the video, his chirps don't sound at all distressed. Greys make a growl and there is no doubt about it when they are upset and afraid. He doesn't seem afraid of you at all. It is hard to tell about the wing position in the video. It could be a preparation to take flight but he doesn't appear trying to escape from you. I am guessing the cage and setup are new to him as well. While you are building trust, you will learn what he likes and how best to communicate with him. I would recommend announcing yourself as you enter the room and tell him where you are going when you leave so he can learn to predict what you are doing. He is a beautiful boy and looks great for being in your home a short time. Congratulations on your new companion, you will learn more from him in the coming decades of your relationship. Take your time, don't push him too hard to accept you. It looks like you are doing great. Keep up the good work.

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your new companion. It will be fun to watch him grow with you.

My condolences for your loss. Peck had the best life with you even though it was short, it was filled with a lifetime of love and care. What you learned from him will multiply and bless many parrots both in your care and through you in ours as well. While your heart is breaking, he is sharing his love with Marden and they will greet you again some day. Until then, your love for them will ever be in your heart and soul. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Thanks for posting this link. In eight years, I have seen a family of crows pass through twice. In January, they came to our backyard right before an extended freeze and ice storm. So, of course, I read to see what I should do. I was wondering if I fed them are they going to stay and become a nuisance. But, I couldn't let them freeze or starve, so I gave them some peanuts. Before I got to the inside door, one had alighted on the deck rail with a great thump. They were surprisingly polite and orderly. They perched in the trees and came one at a time and each took one peanut. Within five minutes, it was fascinating to see them sort the peanuts. One learned quickly that taking the biggest peanut first would act as a lever in its beak and prevent them from picking up a smaller peanut. Quickly sorting peanuts by size, taking the smallest one first, one payload could be up to four peanuts. I quickly ran out of peanuts so I went to the grocery store and bought five pounds of unsalted peanuts. It's only two miles to the store. As I came back down my street they were waiting for me and recognized my car and began "cheering". Over those few freezing days I fed them several times a day. As soon as the cold weather was gone, they didn't beg or hassle me. Subsequently they left me two small gifts on the top of our hot tub. First it was a metal base and filament of a candelabra light bulb. When I saw it I had just cleaned the spa so I had changed the position of the lid and I know there wasn't anything on it. We talked and wondered if it was a gift from the crows, but decided to leave it there in case it was dropped accidentally. Later, as I thought about it, I wondered if it was a slight if I refused their gift, so I went out to get it. I had not seen them near but as soon as I picked up the offering they were excitedly calling to each other. Then they left a screw there. So, I put a shiny button in its place and they took that. They hung around a while and then seem to have gone. Now a new family is here and they are not so polite. They didn't sort the peanuts, they threw them about, ate right on the railing and the got on the deck which the first group did not. They are loud and abrasive and not at all like the first ones in their unkempt appearance and the sound of their calls. They don't take turns and they don't seem respectful of one another like the first group.

My sister is a fan of Miss Gilbert and when I told her she said to imagine how long Gil has been thinking of doing that before she got the nerve. Java has a vet visit coming up so I will have her mandible checked. The picture was taken while it was fresh. There is a little crease across her nostril. I am so grateful that it wasn't worse. After Gil's attitude that day, it was a sobering reality check that indeed she is an unpredictable wild animal. We have to be vigilant and set her up for success in the future and not give her the opportunity to get close to Java again, even when we are right there beside her.

We let both parrots out early Saturday morning. We got our coffee and were within 3 feet on either side of the two cages. Swiftly and silently in less than 30 seconds, Gil came out of her cage, scaled the stairs and came down to Java's cage. We had no idea until Java screamed. The little thug Gilgirl had Java pinned in a corner and had bitten her face. Gil was determined to stand her ground and was so arrogant as to eat Java's food while she looked me in the eye challenging me to move her. I reached past her and scooped Java to safety and it wasn't for a half hour that we noticed her sneezing and saw the blood. I watched her carefully and did not put anything on it because it is on her nostril and I was afraid she would breath it in. She is just fine now but we can see just how close we were to a tragedy. We are moving the room around and separating Gilbert from any access to Java. Poor little mite didn't deserve that. Gilbert was hostile all day and made hissing noises at all of us that sounded like something from an exorcist movie. Today they are both back to normal, thank goodness.

I still can't get over seeing a new parrot come right in and be active and involved. When Kopi came into our home, we knew he was sick and he was scared and reclusive. We have worked four years to get Gilgirl away from her cage and look at Vincent just coming right out and enjoying his life with you. He is a cute little thing. Your house is a never ending source of excitement and delight. It looks like a happy place.

When I saw the headline saying 9 and counting, I thought I could have sworn your flock was bigger. Then I realized this thread was started a while ago. Vincent is adorable, hope he gets along with Lucy too!

If Miss Gilbert was banging on the front door, I wouldn't mind a bit. This tiny little brown bird sounds like the police are banging the door down to make a drug bust. How it makes so much noise is a mystery to me. Sterling, I love your idea, I will write NO SOLICITING on the brass plate tomorrow morning.

For five days a small brown bird has been pecking my metal front door and it is seriously driving me 'round the bend. It is apparently seeing its own reflection in the brass kick plate. I tried lots of things to dissuade it, from setting a box out there to block its view to throwing a shoe at the door. I just went out and used a wet erase marker to draw Xs all over the kick plate and it has been silent for five minutes. Maybe, just maybe we will get some peace.

It was funnier than the shock value of her cussing. If only you could have seen the look on his face. "What?" He was basking in his favorite, can-do-no-wrong status and she deliberately took him down a peg. You know, lacking eyebrows, and a face that is rigid and has no expression, how in the world does this parrot "look" so expressive? She does this haughty little sideways look with her shoulders hunched up, I swear it is a stance that says "There! How do you like them apples?". I guess it's all in the delivery and comedic timing. It was refreshing to have an uncensored belly laugh reaction to something acceptable enough to not hide my amusement. David might have muttered for fifteen minutes wondering why she would DO that to him? Because she can.

It is only natural to get discouraged when you are trying so hard to make it better. I have had times when I looked at GilGirl and thought "What now? What more can I do?" and as it turned out, nothing. Nothing we do creates change to magically to turn a switch in their little brain. What others think of you when they see Isaac is not that you are a bad companion, but that you can't live for him and change his needs. This could be a time phase in his life where he is frustrated and it isn't a lot different than a child chewing fingernails out of anxiety. You are not creating his anxiety, he can't help himself and isn't doing this to make you look bad. Plucking is on the list for reasons people give up on their parrots, I don't think you are there yet because every change and new home decreases the chance of a successful outcome. Stephen, I know these are just words, but you have gotten to know us over time and I believe you when you say he seems happy and well adjusted in every other respect. It could be more of the expectation that you have given up and sacrificed to help him and you don't see results based on the time and emotional investment. For some reason, probably because GilGirl came into my life already in rough shape that I didn't take it personally. Believe me, it was anguishing, but I kept telling myself it takes time and she will overcome it, and so very slowly she is. Maybe you could keep a journal. That way, you have a written record. While you are consumed with it, it seems a lot bigger and overpoweringly painful. If you could see on a calendar that his bouts are less frequent to give you something to hold on to, that could help. I am so sorry for both of you because you are so good together. Isaac is the same age as Juno would have been and we might be in the same circumstances as you had he survived. All I know is you have my unconditional support. You need a bird sitter for the weekend to go have time for yourself, or for a vacation.