katana600

I am now trying hard not to conjure up a sound that would be worse than two cockatoos screaming. Just kidding of course, I have never heard one up close and personal. Some day Bubba is going to wake up and decide he has a fitting name for you. Before we know it I am going to start signing checks as "Lulu" as Gilbert is very convincing at telling me that is my name now. Can you imagine what life would be like if each of your parrots dubbed you a different moniker? Hahaha, that would be enough to give me some kind of complex. You have very creative ways of looking deep inside each of your flock members to find what they need, I think Bubba will come around in time and it will be magical for you to have his acceptance. Poor Oliver taking a header, that must have been scary.

Hi Mark, Welcome to the grey forum to you and to Frankie. This was my first forum and I lurked as a guest for six months. I didn't even have a grey then, I was trying to figure out another small African parrot. It was inevitable that a grey would come into our lives. Just like your visits and interest in Frankie have blessed your life with this little soul. You have come to the right place to share your ups and downs and inbetween moments. Great intro. Thanks for joining us. Dee

That is something I have not experienced yet and it scares the beejeebers out of me wondering what I would do. Did you get the bleeding to stop with the cornstarch or did you have to remove the feather? It sounds like you have it under control and I'm glad she is doing okay. It sounds like she just takes it in stride, she must be picking up your calm competence.

I bought a ticket to the Powerball and stayed up late to check my numbers. Not a single number matched but I have won the lottery tonight regardless. Gilbert is sitting on my shoulder as I am typing! When he was regaling me with night nights, I went to get him an almond and tuck him in as he was asking. To my greatest surprise, he reached out his foot to step up. I dutifully was helping him to his cage so he would have the choice to go to bed because he was trembling so. He stepped up on his perch, but reached for me again so I carried him to my chair. He sat on my knee and nuzzled my fingers. This is the first time he has initiated touching me in such a long time, I am incredulous. He is making his begging noise and telling me "hey" on my shoulder. When I stop typing, he is bowing his head and letting me rub his neck while he presses his whole body against my cheek. I feel as if I am dreaming! I have goosebumps, it seems as if I have the hand of an angel on my shoulder right when I need it most. I posted something today about moments with Gilbert that remind me of Juno and Kopi. As I started my day, I was working in the basement on a quilt and wondering if I can finish it in time for the daughter of a friend. She was in a car accident coming home for Thanksgiving. The family received the news that her MRI shows a devastating brain injury and it is really bad. When I got ready to go quilt, it is chilly down there, so I was rummaging around in the far back of my closet to get a sweatshirt when my hand was on the "Shades of Grey" gift from Juno's breeder. I haven't had the heart to wear it in all this time. I am wearing that sweatshirt while Gilbert is giving me his trust and warmth and love. There. I have won the lottery. Life is good. Thanks for being there to share this with me.

I keep trying to find a magical food for Gilbert. If I want him to go into his cage, all I have to do is even "think" about getting him an almond and he will run inside and ask for a cracker. That usually is only because he really wants to go inside his cage anyway and he wants to be rewarded for it. LOL. As he gets darn good and ready to come to me, I know by being patient he will do it with or without an enticement, but man would it be nice to find his "currency". Just like my fervent wishes for his gift of flight to return to him, I am marking the calendar on the day that he is bugging me and insisting on coming to me while I am intent to do something else... I will tell myself "be careful what you wish for". LOL. After so many months of seeing Gilbert hunched over clinging to his perch and shaking if anyone talked to him or came near the cage, when I see him dance and lean to get David close and then to nibble his fingers and nudge his hand for a scratch on the head, I am doing a big happy dance inside while I have a poker face for Gilbert so hopefully he doesn't realize how much I want for him to be free and expressive even if he forever looks at me as his "domestic help". LOL I might be stuck in a character role of chief cook and bottle washer for the rest of my days. "Woman, get out in the kitchen and make me some pie!" LOL or more like "Hey Lulu bring me some beans." I will take what I can get from him but I believe the day will come when I wonder why I wanted so much for him to come to me when he is destroying the keys on my laptop or otherwise tormenting me up close and personal. LOL

In videos from other members, I do often hear similar sounds or see mannerisms that are just like Gilbert. In fact, Dan's Dayo has a similar voice. In some ways when Gilbert would remind me of our two departed greys it would give me poignant moments and make me wistful for what might have been if our babies had survived and grown to be adults. As time passes though, the memories he elicits from me are of joyful times so while it was painful at first, more and more those little reminders make me smile. One of the most striking things that amazes me is the way he calls the dogs and exhorts them to go outside, then whistles the "come here puppy" sound because both Juno and Kopi did that. I call to the dogs, but I don't think I whistle to them, in fact since we got Gilbert, I got braces and can't whistle so it is a little eerie to hear that. Other little things he says sound just like the other two and then I think he must have heard me say it and his mimicry of my words sounds so much like theirs. Chico is the opposite of Gilbert though, he will eat only when he is inside his cage and if I hand him something while he is out, he goes through great pains to carry it back inside before he will relax to eat it. It is really interesting to see how many of our greys have similar traits but still are very unique and individual thinkers.

Where there is a will there is a way and it is just wonderful that Rocky worked so hard to join you for pizza. If there is one thing that will get Gilbert to fly eventually, I am guessing that would be it. We don't have pizza often, but when we do Java is the first to beg for a nibble. It is the only thing she gets really excited about and it is the only thing for which she will "meow" to get our attention. I keep wishing for the possibility of flight for Gilbert and occasionally see progress. Having two flying around might be better than going to Zumba to keep me on my toes. Congrats to Rocky on his efforts.

Bless his little heart, Gus has found his forever home with someone who works so hard to understand his needs and will help him overcome his fears and be the delight he is meant to be. Oliver is going to put you on a short leash so you don't bring home any more "siblings" for him to have to train. LOL. You seem to find time for each of your flock individually, I have to admit, I don't know how you do it all, but you do. Hopefully he will grow to accept Pat as well and you will have harmony and joy in your home as Gus begins to feel safe again. I also have to admit I can understand his caretaker being once bitten twice shy. I am the only one in our home who has been in Gilbert's range when he was so scared and unpredictable. The first bite was entirely understandable, but the second one was such a shock that it was a lot more difficult to approach him and be vulnerable. It takes a lot to overcome but slowly as he relaxes and is more trusting, so am I able to go back again and again to offer him my hand. I feel very lucky that he is learning a different way of expressing himself. Can't wait to learn more about Gus. Thanks so much for sharing your flock with us.

Hi Kristen, welcome to you and to Loki. Your introduction is lovely and your photo is endearing. Thanks for joining us, we will learn as much from your relationship as you will gain from sharing with our experiences. It is a wonderful place to discuss what makes your relationship work with others who share your interest and passion for our commitment to our extended flock.

Among our family and friends we are often saying "Who is parroting whom?" Believe me, Lulu is a promotion for me with the sense of humor this group enjoys. LOL. Gilbert is our fearless little ring leader of late. He has been roaming the house, getting into mischief, tearing things up, playing with toys and doing a lot of mumbling and chattering that leaves me wondering what we are going to hear next. I know he was pre-loved when I hear him saying things like "good morning sweetheart" and "night night. Sweet dreams" and of course telling me all day that "Gilbert's a good boy" and "Gilbert's okay". Tonight he climbed off his cage, trekked across the living room to my chair where he offered me an unsolicited step up. The thing is, my chair was between him and the object of his desire sitting on the sofa and once I lifted him up he wanted to go to David. Hey, whatever it takes to give me my moment and my smile. I don't mind being tossed aside for a better offer at this point. LOL. It is really sweet to think about Pookie getting her toys to give her a little head rub. That is just precious.

You are very lucky to have them getting along so well right from the beginning. Our first parrot is such a pip, she has tried to drive out every human and creature to come into our home and it has taken almost two years of protecting Gilbert from her to get to the point that both can now be out of their cages at the same time. I have to admit, I wouldn't have been able to answer your excellent questions but Dave has it covered, phew. I have lived with parrots for six years and still learn something new here on the forum every day.

Mocha is incredibly beautiful with all the bright colors and the irridescent feathers. Other than the photos you have posted of her, I have never seen a mynah. The little yellow "flaps" on the back of her neck are very interesting. As always, your photography is exceptional, thanks for sharing Mocha with us.

Hi Bri, Welcome to the forum. Your introduction is just precious with the pictures you posted and true to your description, Rosie does have a lovely elongated neck. Ours tend to hide that extra length until they want something and give us the go-go-gadget long reach. Lilly is a good sport and doesn't look at all abused, she makes a great reindeeer! It is funny that Rosie calls her almonds "popcorn". Gilbert calls everything food related "cracker". He is also a rehome about the same age as Rosie and it seems he got here just a few weeks prior to Rosie joining your family. I kept re-reading and re-counting , are you the number one "critter" or am I missing one? LOL.

How lucky you are to have found Chico, it seems this is meant to be. I am so excited for you as you bring him home and get to know him. I can hardly stand the wait myself and it isn't even me, LOL. I look forward to reading how the introduction to Fig goes and how Chico acclimates to having a new home. It is such a blessing to be able to have him introduced with the support of someone who loves him and helps with the transition.

It doesn't matter how many pictures I see, every grey has his own "look". Leo is expressive and just beautiful. Great job posting his photo, that is a little tricky sometimes. I'm sure glad you did it.

What beautiful pictures of your little girl relaxed in your hand. I see what you mean about the bluish feathers just in that one area compared to the surrounding feathers. It will be interesting to see if that changes after a molt. It would be delightful if she did keep her unique little feather patch, almost like a birthmark.

Your photos made me smile, everyone seems so relaxed together in your home. I loved the ceramic cat dishes on the cagetop, great idea. Thanks for taking the time to post your pictures and share your family.

It is so good to know that Gilbert is acting like any other grey. I have to admit, I was laughing to myself at the ferocity of his reaction to something touching him without his express permission. I'm a little like that myself, LOL. I just can't get over how we seemed to be at a standstill for so many months, then it seems like overnight, he has evolved from a frightened, shut-down and pulled tight refugee to an advanced interactive family member. I have to go back and check my thread to see that it really has been a four month gradual improvement. It is unusually early for us to be awake, but already he is up and out of his cage playing with toys in the dark. Last night he surprised me again with a fluttering of wings and "jumped" over my head and glided completely across the living room. He doesn't have any lift yet, but he certainly is showing a willingness and memory of flight. Putting the travel cage on the floor with rope connections changed everything for him. He gathered himself up and walked back across the floor and pulled himself back to the cagetop independently and I think that makes a huge difference in his confidence. He continues to bond with David and has been not only soliciting scratches outside the cage, he gets excited to see him come into the room and will run to lean toward him. Now he will gently rub his beak on David's fingers kind of as if he is greeting him with a handshake, he beaks his fingers gently and offers to step up every time. With me, I still have the bars between us but it is kind of funny if Gilbert is on the playstand he will be standoffish and reject an offer for a scratch, but if I put my hand inside his cage, he runs across the branch to the cage, grabs the bars and offers me a bowed head for a scratch. That is with me on the inside of the cage and he on the outside. When I fill his food and water he runs quickly to get in and guard his home against my "intrusion". David can reach right in and remove a dish while Gilbert stands next to it and he doesn't ruffle a feather. I'm happy to see the "boys" bonding and seeing the capacity Gilbert has to love again. This morning as he was going out the door, David called back in "see ya later Lulu". I am not so sure Gilbert is a good influence on him. Hahahaha.

Gilbert continues to show improvement. He has been having little episodes of temper fits. They are quite appropriate and he is learning to express his frustrations without damaging his feathers or chewing on his feet. He has been diligently stripping all the bark off his branch floor stand. There is a "boing" attached that swings and swirls. He spotted a fork in the branch that still had bits of bark on it, so he carefully maneuvered himself and was picking away when the boing slowly revolved and pulled him out of reach of the object of his desire. After a few rounds, he stepped off the boing and onto the branch and when he would duck down to chew, the boing would revolve back and bump him. He pushed it away, slowly and carefully at first, but as soon as he let go and went back to work, it would slowly come around and bump him again. He bit it, shoved it hard and it came right back and nearly pushed him off balance. All I can say is I am glad that was a rope and not my finger the way he grabbed it, shook it much like a puppy with a toy, then positioned himself for a battle on a grand scale. Later he repeated a similar battle with a hanging bell. In the meantime he has been gradually increasing the radius of his "foraging" territory on the floor. He has discovered a world of wonderland under his cage and on the shelf under the cage that holds his toys and treats. He continues to call me Lulu and keeps us laughing. When I discovered he had pooped on the floor, I got the cleaner and paper towel and it never fails that he associates that with his cussing but he changed it up a bit this time. After a couple of expletives he kept repeating "sh*t on the floor" and was disdainful and clearly agitated and it was his own poo this time. I kept telling him "it's okay" and he responded with "Gilbert's okay".

Don't be afraid of bonding with a four year old CAG, all relationships with our greys change over time and go through cycles. We have an eleven year old TAG. He was rehomed several times and was a bit of a challenge but he is slowly coming around, making great progress and he laughs with us every day. There were a lot of days when I wondered if there was something I should be "doing" to help him and make him happy, but the real secret most our forum members have taught me is to move slowly, let him accept one thing at a time and wait. It is a beautiful rewarding journey of ups and downs, give and take and I wouldn't take a million dollars for him.

We acquired our first parrot while I was sitting in the car determined not to go inside to look at any animals because I knew my resolve was at an all time low. She had a greater power than I did at the time, I finally went inside to gather my family and she pulled me in too. I try to stay far far away from any available parrot, but the pull of their mind is too strong. LOL. I don't regret for a second the time we have shared with our little feathered flock.

I am so sorry for what you are going through trying to find the cause of his illness. You are really on the ball with his care. Going back and forth to the vet and ruling things out takes a toll on your emotions to be sure. I would not have thought of the face cream, but since you mentioned it, zinc does seem to be in sunscreen and also in baby ointments. I would have never considered that but for your posting. I am hoping that you are ahead of this and will soon have better lab results. I haven't had any experience with toxic levels of zinc but will be reading more about it. Again, so sorry you are living this nightmare even though it does make me look more closely at what our parrots might get into that I would not have considered otherwise, so thank you for that.

It is such a coincidence you would mention this today. Although Gilbert is still not ready for such closeness, last night I was holding and snuggling with our smaller parrot Java and I don't know if I actually heard her heartbeat or if I just felt it against my cheek but it was a magic moment.

Congratulations on bringing home your baby. When we first got our baby, it was the same with bedtimes. His breeder had a husband who worked the second shift and they stayed up until two am. It was just a week or so until he got the rhythm of our home.

That is awesome. Gilbert would tell me "don't try this at home". LOL. Some day we will get there. Freddy makes it look like child's play. Go Freddy!