Greywings

Welcome back and nice to meet you and the flock! Always appreciate sharing our birdy photos Harrison is such a distinguished name.

Flowers and leaves- have a look at some Rangoon Creeper or just have fun and add whatever imaginary ones you like. [/url]Hibiscus flowers

Remember they are slow to accept change in diet, in toys, in routine and in their environment. This is a survival skill for them in the wild- to be aware , be alert to danger as they can be on another critters menu. It will take time but he will adjust, you act normal and happy and he will make the adjustment, albeit slowly.

Nice to have that information and good to move forward, YAY for you both.

Looking good and I know the feeling of finishing such a fun project has to be great! Lucky birds.

Until you meet a bird that shoves wood splinters and bits of food into the nozzle. Inventive minds and all that.

Greys are remarkable birds and can adapt to much more severe injuries so should do well. Impressed that your breeder seems to be quite up front, some shoddy ones would have glossed over the leg issue or just ignored it. I would see if the Vet has any remarks or advice after examining the bird just for your benefit. As she said the legs should be fine but I suggest having the babies Calcium levels checked to be certain that all is well metabolically to avoid any future fractures.

Parrots do tricks without looking April 29, 2011 Enlarge Diagrammatic representation of how the psittacine binocular field is orientated during exploration in (a) an approach to an object and (b) manipulation of an object. In both, the binocular field width is plotted as a function of elevation in the median-sagittal plane. The last point at 150° elevation was extrapolated. Note that where the binocular field (shaded in blue) ends, the blind areas below and behind the head begin. This illustrates that (a) a parrot is likely to approach a target object with its head pitched downwards, so that the object is near the point of maximum binocular width (at 90° elevation) within the bird's field of view, which is thought to be near the point of highest visual acuity. However, once the object is actually grasped (b), tactile exploration, using the bill tip organ and ygodactyl feet, is likely to dominate visual exploration, as the parrot can only see just below its bill tip. Also the unique shape of the bill obstructs seeing the detail of anything held within the bill. Image: Proceedings of the Royal Society B, doi: 10.1098/rspb.2011.0374 (PhysOrg.com) -- Ornithologists at the University of Birmingham have discovered that parrots cannot see what they are doing when they carry out the tricky manipulations of objects, for which they are renowned. While parrots have a good field of vision in front, above and behind their head, they cannot see below their bill into the region where all the manipulation occurs. The research is published today in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B. The researchers have been studying Senegal Parrots, which are popular cage birds but come originally from West Africa, where they inhabit woodland and savannah. They live on a diet of seeds, nuts, blossoms and fruit, and are known for their exploratory, playful behaviour and manipulative abilities. The Birmingham Scientists have discovered that the parrots’ visual field is unlike those of any other bird species. It has a broad frontal binocular field and a near comprehensive view around the head. The scientists suggest that tactile cues that parrots receive from their unique bill-tip organ have led to the absence of visual coverage of the region below the bill. Parrots simply feel what they are doing with an object using a special touch sensitive bill-tip organ, but they cannot see what they are doing. The eyes are placed high in the skull to give an extensive field of view in front, above and behind the head, which is very useful for seeing predators or checking out what other parrots are up to nearby. Because of their dexterity with their feet and legs parrots can if they wish bring food and other items up into their field of vision for close inspection before exploring them with the bill. Zoe Demery, from the University’s School of Biosciences, says, ‘It has always been argued that foraging method is the prime determinant of a bird’s visual field configuration, but here we show that an investigative, playful nature can also affect how a bird's visual field evolves. We were very keen to study the Senegal parrot as parrots are so unique in terms of their anatomy, foraging technique and intelligence. Dr Jackie Chappell, who was a co-author on the study adds, ‘Parrot fields of vision have never been investigated before. This research suggests that their vision has developed in this way because they are able to do so many things with their bill using touch that they don’t need to be able to see what they are holding. At the same time, with this expansive field of vision they can be vigilant against predators.’ Graham Martin, Professor of Avian Sensory Science, who also took part in the study, says, ‘We have never seen a visual field configuration like this in any other bird, and we have now looked at over 50 different species. It has always been known that parrots have many special features. We now know that their vision also makes parrots special.’ More information: This research is published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, entitled ‘Vision, touch and object manipulation in Senegal parrots Poicephalus senegalus’. doi: 10.1098/rspb.2011.0374 Abstract Parrots are exceptional among birds for their high levels of exploratory behaviour and manipulatory abilities. It has been argued that foraging method is the prime determinant of a bird's visual field configuration. However, here we argue that the topography of visual fields in parrots is related to their playful dexterity, unique anatomy and particularly the tactile information that is gained through their bill tip organ during object manipulation. We measured the visual fields of Senegal parrots Poicephalus senegalus using the ophthalmoscopic reflex technique and also report some preliminary observations on the bill tip organ in this species. We found that the visual fields of Senegal parrots are unlike those described hitherto in any other bird species, with both a relatively broad frontal binocular field and a near comprehensive field of view around the head. The behavioural implications are discussed and we consider how extractive foraging and object exploration, mediated in part by tactile cues from the bill, has led to the absence of visual coverage of the region below the bill in favour of more comprehensive visual coverage above the head. Provided by University of Birmingham

I live with 2 Too's and 3 Greys and I can tell you the Too's are the loudest. I also /volunteer at the local Parrot Sanctuary and work with all kinds of birds to me the Conures are the most likely to bite, hate feeling so helpless but am afraid I could accidentally injure one just trying to protect myself. They are also have the most piercing voices it goes right through my ear and into my brain-painful. Each too is as different in personality and interactions as we all are. Go read some posts old and new at Tooztalk.com for some insight into life with a Cockatoo.

Loved reading that! Wonderful interaction you have with him.

Wrong species but here is Harry Too in the Peanut Butter jar- he was eating the banana until I turned my back.

All I can recommend is Patience, patience patience you can eventually win her back over she just has to learn to trust you all over again. Sit quietly near her and read stories to her from a childrens' books with big bright pictures, have soothing music and let her see you place her favorite treats where she can reach them from her safe place inside the cage. She will come around just remember that she was frightened and in the wild she is a prey animal so it will take time for her to feel secure again.

Adaptable urban birds have bigger brains By Ella Davies Earth News reporter Urban birds are more resourceful City dwelling birds have larger brains relative to their body size, according to scientists. They have found that family traits are key to identifying why certain birds thrive in European cities. "Urban adapters" including tits, crows, nuthatches and wrens all come from families of related species that have large brains compared to their bodies. Scientists suggest that larger brains make birds more adaptable to the changeable conditions of city living. ADAPTERS AND AVOIDERS Urban adapters included blue tits, magpies, nuthatches, wrens and long-tailed tits Species said to avoid cities included yellowhammer, reed bunting, whitethroat and pied flycatcher Researchers also identified small-brained exceptions that have found ecological niches in cities such as barn swallows and white wagtails Watch crows with a unique city-centre method of cracking nuts Researchers from the Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala, Sweden and the Donana Biological Station, Seville, Spain studied 82 species of birds from 22 families. Focusing on 12 cities in France and Switzerland, they aimed to find out why some species of bird are more successful in urban environments than others. Their findings are published in the journal Biology Letters. "We were interested whether behavioural flexibility can increase the chance of a given species to successfully colonise cities," explained evolutionary biology expert Dr Alexei Maklakov. "After all, a centre of a modern city is a novel and rather harsh environment for most species and the ability to sustain a varied diet or develop novel foraging techniques and perhaps utilise non-standard nesting places, can be beneficial." The researchers analysed the family trees of the species studied and found one key similarity. Birds breeding in city centres, or "urban adapters" as the team called them, were found to have larger brains relative to their body size. Previous studies have highlighted the link between larger brains and behavioural innovation in birds and mammals. Scientists say this new evidence is the first to show that brain size is a key factor for animals' survival in urban environments. Although some small-brained species, such as barn swallows, survive in cities they cannot be considered true "urban adapters" according to Dr Maklakov. Whole families of birds are less likely to adapt to novel conditions and if we want to see them in the cities we will have to create patches of their original habitat Dr Alexei Maklakov Evolutionary Biology Centre, Sweden "Some of [the small] brained species are lucky enough to find niches in urban habitats that are by coincidence a pretty good approximation of their original habitat," he said. Dr Maklakov suggests that the specific ecological niches which support small-brained species are exceptional and not typical of true urban environments. The team say their findings could prove useful for future conservation efforts. "[The study] suggests that some species and even whole families of birds are less likely to adapt to novel conditions and if we want to see them in the cities we will have to create patches of their original habitat," said Dr Maklakov.

I have a friend who has been working with some Grey lacking feet and she can help you with some ideas just PM me for her contact information. You thoughts about horizontal caging rather than tall is right on the money. Something more like a Sugar glider cage with the ramps is a starting place but you might need to pad them to avid pressure sores on those feet.

Poor little guy, guess they gave him up when he stopped eating. Glad to hear he is well on his way to healthy.

Try running the veggies through a food processor so they are very tiny almost pureed then add to your bread batter, they can eat their veggies and never see them, p.s. you can also use coconut juice as the liquid.

Window glass does filter out some of the Suns rays your bird needs the full spectrum-unfiltered.

sounds wonderful, so good to hear about her returning to normal.

I have used it also usually if we are expecting a lot of company, it helps our big loud Umbie Too to be less into sounding the alarm. On the mutilating hubby just attended a conference where opiate blockers were used successfully to stop that behavior in primates and that researcher has started appling it to use in treating birds-so far so good. I don't know how much info you or your Avian Vet might find on the subject but it may be worth investigating. I live with a self mutilating Elanora Cockatoo so I know how exasperating and challenging it can be. Fingers crossed that a great fresh diet, real Sunshine a good Vet, uncompromiseing love and care can do.

You are right Jayd never thought to include that info as that is what I use as juice. Forgot about the Nutmeg but have seen many people use it when cooking for their birds maybe like the Cinnamon there is more than one kind of Nutmeg? Coconut oil if cold pressed would be one of the safe choices for cooking for our flocks.

I am so sorry for the loss of Milly so many things can go wrong so fast with these sweet babies. Her time with you was filled with love and caring that is important to remember.

I feel your pain.

Sweet Potato French Toast - feeds a flock 1 large ruby yam or sweet potato, fully mashed 18 medium eggs, or 14 large eggs 1/2 cup apple juice 1/2 cup cranberry juice you can substitute Coconut juice also 1/2 cup water 1/2 tsp. cinnamon Juices should be unsweetened and organic if possible 1 - 1.5 loaves multi-grain bread small amount of butter or margarine or Coconut oil (or non-stick pan spray) Mix all ingredients, except the margarine or butter, in a large bowl, with either a whisk or electric mixer, to form a batter Dip the slices of bread in the batter and fry both sides till golden brown on an evenly heated (medium heat) griddle pan, onto which you have spread a small amount of the butter, margarine or pan spray. I prefer butter, which is more predictable on a griddle pan. Any excess batter may be used to make sweet potato pancakes, also well received by birds. Serve to birds cut into eights or sixteenths of a slice, depending on the size of the birds, two points per bird. Leftovers may be frozen in whole slices and defrosted and heated in the microwave. Try it on your family, too. Just about guaranteed to please!

I think you need to let him be your shoulder to cry on. Let him know all that is going on that is bringing you sadness-he will listen and get the the emotion behind your body language. He may be feeling left out so include him and you will be surprised at the calm you will gain after unloading your emotional overload. Jasper is asking you to respond so allow him his offer of sharing those dark clouds.

We all need to develop respect for the birds wants and wishes among those we bring into our birds lives. Respect means not forcing an unwanted action before the bird is ready. To also understand that may never happen and that is ok too. People can look and learn with out invading your birds space, they can talk or sing or dance and gain interaction that way. Clean hands are required if your bird is willing to step up for them as disease is something we all wish to avoid. Greys are naturally wary of new things and new people so allow your bird the right to adjust and accept new people at her own speed and you will develop a braver more confidant companion.