katana600

You are off to such a good start already. Dan is right about the bird dictating the home decor. I had a smaller bird for three years ahead of Juno and all her stuff fit nicely stacked in bins on the shelf under her cage. Juno has things strewn on the kitchen counter, one shelf in the pantry and one in the fridge, an armoire in the bedroom and half the living room now. Since Gabby is showing interest in being with you, I put a bunch of foot toys into a stainless steel bucket and keep that by my chair so they are toys he only gets while out on my lap. For the first week or so, I didn't try to touch him while he played. Slowly I started putting my hand closer and giving him toys and now he is soliciting touches on his head. Gabby will let you know soon what she finds tolerable and her trust of you will grow along with your trust of her. Those clamp downs with the beak do hurt, but you are right not to have an outburst as difficult as that is. I can't wait to see how she gets along when her personality starts to shine in your home.

I love the pacing cat on the post from luvparrots, that pretty much sums up the waiting, then bringing him home and waiting for him to show signs that he is wanting to interact.

LOL, the camera seems to be back together, but the next shots have blurred... will try some more and put that on the christmas list if necessary. It was the advice from all of you to hold back, don't push the little guy and he will get settled and start showing his personality. He looks forward to play time with anybody but so far he lifts his foot to look like he is waving to me when I come anywhere near his cage. I think he is showing his best step up to let me know he wants out. Only a few more days of meds, then another vet check and we should be healthy and more active. He gains a couple of grams a day. He does have a funny little hop maneuver when he is on my lap. Until I can trust him to behave, I block him from climbing my shirt or arm to get to my shoulder. He makes a running jump and doesn't even flap his wings to get from my lap to my head in one quick hop. He also tests me by flying off my lap to his tree. Now though within a few minutes, the goodies in the bucket on my lap entice him to fly back again. It is getting soon that I will be able to grab a camera in between his antics and hope to catch some better pictures. I need Lyn here to take photos while Juno is keeping my hands busy.

Juno skittered up onto my shoulder and while I was trying to get him to step up, he was cheerfully nibbling on my ear and trying to get my glasses off. This was the picture just before he dismantled the camera.

Juno is not just camera shy, he is camera mad. Tonight he was really cuddly for the first time. He has learned about the head massage and scratches. He kept charging up and nudging my hand for more. I am really happy because I thought he might be one of those greys that never wants to be touched. That would be okay, of course, but for him to make the choice and come to me for head rubs is nothing short of wonderful. My daughter took his picture and it upset him. He flew to his tree, then flew back to me for another head rub. He went back and forth across the living room several more times but never wanted to stay away. When she tried to take a second photo, he flew, hovered and snatched the whole lens section off the digital camera! I think I can fix it, but he is a little ornery about photos, I guess.

Congrats on your baby coming home. This is an exciting time for you. We have had our boy for two weeks now and it is getting more fun all the time. My best advice is to get a scale and weigh him every day so you will know if he is eating. It is normal for them to lose a little while they transition. It has been an assurance to me to get his weight because he was sooooo quiet for the first week and I didn't think he was eating.

I love that Dayo. He sounds so kind, so tender, so solicitous of Jake. C'mere, be careful, its okay. He certainly would have had me by now, but then again, Jake knows him better. They are both very clever and entertaining. You are lucky to have them Dan.

We all just do our best to give them healthy food, restrict the things we know are dangerous and use anything suspect with caution and moderation. We installed an outdoor venting range hood that has an automated thermostat so even if I boil water for tea it will kick the fan on and off automatically. But, that doesn't protect me from forgetting I have a pan on the stove.

Tevish is really a good sport about sharing his home and tummy rubs with the pup. They are both good natured, well loved little dogs.

After reading the forum for months, it was such a pleasure to be able to finally help someone else for a change. Our vet also mentioned to be very careful with microwave popcorn. The bag has a coating inside and it isn't an issue unless you burn it, but then it is as dangerous as the non-stick pans, oven coatings etc.

Since you have been offered to take her home, there must already have been some pleasant interactions and interest. You will build on that, but as the others say, time will seem to move very slowly as you work to gain her trust and learn to read her body language to trust her too. We have a baby, have only had him two weeks and he has been standoffish and very slow to permit us to touch him. Some birds may never allow the cuddles and touch that others sop up like a sponge. The day she comes to you for the first time will be worth all the waiting. Find out what is in the office that she seems to like and create some measure of continuity in your home, they like predictability.

He also looks like someone's mom when she says "Don't make me come in there!"

Every post on the forum is helpful for those of us new to greys. There is so much to learn and those who are brave and come forward to warn us when the unexpected happens shores us up to become better at keeping our birds safe while we learn about their unpredictable nature. Every admonishment comes at a heavy price for someone and I really do appreciate the love and concern you all have for my bird as well as your own.

Thanks Dan and Dave for the "recipe" so I can properly prepare for the big day with three new mouths to feed this year. Let's not forget to save the wishbone for the parrot.

I think these birds are testing our abilities to fix things. Those blasted scissor clips are wicked to get back on once they get them off. With Java I think it is also a message to stop bringing all these other birds into her house, LOL. I love when I have a video up and she goes behind the laptop to see the other side of the bird on the screen.

I have heard from others more knowlegeable on this forum that in spite of people who are sure they can tell the gender by looking at the bird, it takes DNA or surgical sexing to be sure. The second DNA confirms there was no mistake in the first one, Juno is in fact a boy. He is really getting comfortable now, playing a lot, making merry, taking his meds like a good boy and letting everyone hold him. He will step up for any of us. Dan, you will be happy to know he flew to me, landed on my back and pinched my neck! LOL. I thought it would be far into the future, but there you have it. He is trying to get on my shoulder for the first time. I fend him off and discourage it because he got up there and goes after a bra strap and if he breaks the wrong buckle someone could get their eye poked out. LOL. It was taking him off my shoulder a few times that set him into a little tizzy that ended with landing on my back and pinching my neck. The little toot. I'm pretty sure I heard him laughing about it too.

Oh Lyn, your pictures are spectacular and bring out the personality of your companions. I love this thread with everyone introducing the other characters who share our lives.

Please forgive me but when Bernie said he was wetting his boat I thought he was going to pee on it because it was so much trouble.

Maybe I guessed the wrong one was Bernie. Which one is you Bernie? All I can say is I am still laughing at this one. My family is going to want to start reading this forum. Suddenly when everyone is watching the television, I just start laughing and they all start asking what is Bernie up to now?

LOL, good one Judy. I think I have changed that section often on mine. Will change it more often if it keeps Jill happy.

That is a nice introduction Amanda. Your bird came home one day ahead of ours. It is a lot of fun and just a little scary getting to know our new family member. You will find a lot of very helpful information on this forum. It takes a little while to figure out the way things work but it is worth it and soon you will be familiar with it. Welcome and thanks for joining us.

I think he is imitating Robert Deniro "are you talkin' to me?" It is just a little spooky the way he looks like he is looking right through the webcam to my computer into my house.

Amanda, I think this might take you to the post you are thinking about http://www.greyforums.net/forums/the-grey-lounge/138595-warning-for-all-parrot-owners.html#138659

Look in the mirror, Bernie sprouted more than a hairdo... it looks as if he has a halo. I would never have guessed.

Lyn, I think she is censoring your posts, if she took the f and g and then grabs the k, the big bad naughty word will be the first to go. LOL.