katana600

To think that Java is my "easy" parrot. LOL. She is asking Santa's elves to continue to give Lulu distractions that will make me forget to guard the cookies. When I discovered her and started to snatch those cookies and then backed off and laughed at the "give blood today" she cooed and giggled with glee. She doesn't talk much but that sweet laugh of hers is too funny for me to stop her from her naughtiness and she knows it.

The still shot that links his video looks like he is smiling. What a happy fun time you have with him. That looks like a blast. He really has hit the jackpot to come home with you and Pat and the rest of your flock. Wonderful start for Gus. Love it, love it, love it.

Talon's okaaaaay. It's okay now Talon. Mama needs a long hot bath and a cup of tea. She was making a nice warm fire to keep you warm and cozy. The smoke monster blew his nasty breath in but Mama and Josh kept you safe, that is the best thing. Make the big noise of the smoke detector lots and lots to remind everyone how to do a fire drill, that is going to be your job for at least a week. I still remind my Lulu every now and then. You really are okay, mama will keep you safe and warm without the smoke next time. With love, Gilbert

You have a lot of good things going for you. You were chosen for Casey and his beloved introduced you and gave her blessing to him you so I think that is hugely fortuitous adding to a handover that was the least stressful for him. It is different when you get to your house and allowing him to quietly get the lay of the land and a predictable daily interaction will open his heart to you and in a little while you will get to know him better too. Having his cage where you spend the most time daily is a great idea. If it is good for you and your family to also put a floor stand in your living room, he may start getting friendly to get a ride out there when he hears you all gathering and talking. Thanks for joining our forum, you will get some ideas that may be adapted to suit his personality and your home perfectly. Expect him to be slower in coming around than a more domesticated pet, our rehomed Timneh African Grey (TAG) is just now starting to be comfortable after almost two years with us. It is well worth the wait.

That was an ambitious project, well done. Love how Jellybean took right to it and claimed it. Lovely pictures, thanks.

The video of your playful boy enjoying a game was adorable, Bubba was cute too. LOL. Your description of Gabby setting Bubba and Oliver in motion was enough to make me laugh too, I can barely imagine how much fun you have at your house. Gilbert is going to be asking for siblings on his Christmas list the way you make it all work in your home.

Such good news, thanks for your update. That was a significant weight loss, kudos to you for your close observation and getting him the help he needed. That was certainly a scary time for you. What a relief to get a confirmation that he is on the mend.

Rachel there is an ebb and flow to life with a parrot, Emmy and Dutch have had a whole lot of life experience before you came. You have such a good heart and perceptive instincts, they are just way ahead of you and have you outnumbered. Please don't fast forward on us, you would miss too many fabulous pinnacles of success and joy. Having two at once has its advantages, when Emmy is hissing and giving you the stink eye, Dutch is calling you sweet names to take the sting out just a little. When we had two little girls, I used to say that we were given total opposites for a reason, one to make me happy and one to make me humble. Humble because I learned that the one or the other making me happy at any given moment was not really a credit to me doing things right, but that I didn't "cause" the happiness, I was just being blessed with it for a time. You are doing a great job, it just takes a long time to see the fruits of your efforts with a parrot, they are unlike any other creature on earth. But when the rewards start to show, it is worth the wait.

Oh dear that was so funny I was laughing like a crazy ole bird woman. I feel like I spent my life in a dark cave compared to finally understanding how much fun a parrot can be in our family. I am measuring the room to see where the next cage will fit. LOL. I sent this link to my husband and kids entitled "Christmas Wish List". Just wait until they open that link. LOL I will be extra vigilant for a few days watching for the net and the men in the white coats. Too funny.

I couldn't resist getting another photo of her enjoying the spoils of her "hostile" takeover. Gilbert may get a lot of press, but this little girl is the one who led me to you and to get a grey. She may not talk much, but she is silly and playful and a real jokester that one!

This was delightful and inspirational. Anything that keeps our little charges occupied and intrigued is a great invention indeed. I loved this video, thanks so much.

When I was reading this thread tonight all I can hear are the words of Biscotti listing off his food choices and thinking "hey, I want to live in his cage and make a list too". LOL. The favorite food that is a once-in-a-while treat is the Limeade diluted about half and half with water. From the time I saw Phenix having a little sip, I tried that out of desperation to make a connection with Gilbert and it was the very first breakthrough we had to winning his heart. Keeping it as a very special, seldom offered treat has preserved the magic because nothing else has ever made him swoon.

Ray, I just read Santa Bird and maybe I am up past my bedtime, but you pulled a heartstring for me. As much as I dearly enjoy the sentiment of good friends, every single member of our forum deserves to be member of the year because we are a family with such a strong love for our feathered companions that we would read and seek every good thing to understand them better and give them the very best we have to offer in our homes and hearts. Every day I am grateful to those who have come before me and created this forum and for every new person coming in with curiosity to learn more before taking the step to bring home a little one, a needy one, a previously loved one or those who have become captivated and are already sharing their lives with a feathered friend and just want to share the delight and to seek answers for positive change. You all make this an evolving, wonderful place to share our passion for parrots of all kinds. Thank you.

Dear Santa Bird, Gilbert would like some magic fairy dust to light his way to shaking off all his fears and opening his heart all the way to allow the fullness of joy. If you have a miracle to spare, the gift of flight is on his wish list. Please give him a kiss on his little grey head and let him know he is okay.

After laughing at her playing and also another video of Arie, now I want one! This is so playful and fun, love the video.

What a serene beautiful place with such lush greenery. It is a blessing that you could visit and we can share in your travels. Thank you.

Well, how do you like that? I had never considered freeze dried foods in bulk before. I keep beans, rice and pasta on hand with canned foods for emergencies and use frozen veggies for convenience, but these soup mixes and wild rice sound divine. I am going to peruse that web site and make an order, thanks so much for the idea for this thread and for the link and good advice.

I was reflecting on Gilbert and his recent growth in every area but especially in the things he says. He keeps me guessing every day at the things he might say to reveal his story of where he has been loved previously. He uses distinctly different male and female sounding voices for his verbalizations. This Lulu business keeps me laughing, it sounds female almost childlike. He uses phrases I haven't heard before but when he includes his Lulu it is in that same voice. Tonight he announced "Gilbert okay" and David said "Of course you're okay Gilbert, did you think you weren't okay?" Gilbert answered "No." We laughed, he laughed and you know, Gilbert is okay, we are more certain of that every day. Something I have noticed lately is when I come close and talk to him, he may cock his head and look at me suspiciously with one eye, but his chest is no longer quivering when he is in that "alert" posture. It has been ages since he was so hesitant to allow me to scratch his head through the bars of his cage. He hasn't spun around to take a swipe at me in a really long time and he now is eager for a head rub every time I am walking around the room. He doesn't flinch at sudden noises or launch himself off his cage. Some of that defensive behavior ebbed away so slowly, I can't quite recall when the last time was just a gradual realization that he is in a whole new mindset. Perhaps he saw that haul of ten pounds of almonds I found in the grocery store because it is the holiday season and that gave him the idea he is here for the long haul. Nothing says forever home in bird speak like a year's supply of almonds stashed in the freezer.

Java was keeping me company while I was washing dishes when she fell silent. I found her in a package of cookies and started to snatch her up out of there when my eyes fell on the "warning" on the package. "Give blood today"... take a cookie from a parrot, LOL. How did they know? Must be the Keebler elves.

This week has been busier than most and Gilbert has been stepping up his game. He has become obsessed with climbing down the front of his cage, bracing his feet, then pulling the handle of the bottom tray to open it. At first I thought he must have dropped an almond down there, so I opened it to see what he might be after. He didn't want anything. Even after cleaning the cage, he opens it while it is fresh. He just is doing it because he can. Also, while I am in the basement sewing, he has been calling for Lulu hundreds of times. It is the funniest thing. He uses a voice I have never heard from him, it sounds like he has a mouthfull of water and is gargling. It sounds like a woman's voice and he is definitely referring to me as Lulu. "Hey, Lulu" "Whatcha doing there Lulu" "Where'd ya go Lulu". He is also playing with all his foot toys and he will wander on the floor intermittently but with much more curiousity and nerve. I am just loving the new blossoming of Gilbert. What a character.

I just love this forum and the way it includes all the different aspects of parrot companionship and the rescue room helps so much so newcomers understand that every situation is different and the way we might have to treat a new parrot, or traumatized one is a little different than bringing home a baby. With a room of our own, we don't have to explain that on every post. It never ceases to amaze me when there is a older rehome that has just a perfect fit and thrives in a new environment. I just love what every member of this forum offers to create an experience of good advice mixed with light hearted humor and caring compassionate members from every walk of life. Glad to have company along for the journey.

Welcome to the forum, your pictures are so sweet, love to see those babies coming into committed loving homes. So glad for you to become part of the forum family.

I have to admit, I thought you were telling a funny story and was laughing right up until the drawing of blood. She is getting willful. I was delighted at how much she is talking to you now. For the food tossing, our breeder gave me some heavy ceramic bowls, I think they were cat food bowls actually and I was just thinking I may have to go digging them out of storage since Gilbert has started removing his food dishes and giving them a toss. I do know this trying stage will pass and hope Gracie doesn't stop wanting sweet kisses.

Arie is ahead of me! My husband and kids have iPads and I will have to see if they have that game for Gilbert to give it a try. Good job Arie!

It's great she came a day early for you. Bless her little heart. She has had a long scary day but I bet in just a day or two she will be settled and wrapping you around her little talons. I love her name.