Greywings

Welcome to you both. From talking with our Avian Vet he reports that many plucking or barbering birds that do so on a localized area such as a chest or wing are often showing us that they have a health issue in that area. Knowing she has a plucked chest area may indicate that the arrhythmia is some thing she knows is not right. The barbering may show some improvement with the frequent mistings and adding some good fresh foods to her diet along with some unfiltered Sunlight.

Yep, I use the with Sunflower most of the time but also order with out just to offer variety as they are sight feeders I want them to eat what is offered with out balking at something new in case of difficulty in availability. This morning they also got Butternut squash cubes and last night Purple cabbage shreds.

I believe it must have damaged the cuticle base and it will now always require some maintenance. This can happen to a mandible that gets damaged.

An outdoor aviary can be a good thing for your bird as long as he has indoor access for interaction with you all. They are a flock bird so require social interaction, just like us they were not meant to be hermits alone and disengaged. The Sunlight and fresh air are both very good for him so perhaps you could build and enclosure that also serves the family as a patio area to spend some outdoor time with him as well as indoor time in hubby's office. Sharing a healthy fresh veggie plate with him on the patio would be good for all.

Well described by Dave and it does give you a guide line. I live with four Greys and have excellent relationships with two of them one of the others is my friend but adores our youngest son. For another I am merely room service and the provider of cleaning service functions, he adores our next oldest son. To complicate things the TAG is fascinated by the largest silvery CAG and it is not mutual. Pookie can share a cage top with our Elanora Too but not with any other Greys. Whisper CAG is quick to chase all others away from her palace. Smokey Joe CAG loves to enter other cages, play with toys and sample food dish contents and little Smartee Pants is the most territorial of all our FIDS, even though he moons over Whisper. The dynamics of any flock will vary between individual birds and may change some what over time.

Yes Volkman makes excellent products and has been since the 1890's, very clean & dust free. I use some of their products as does the Exotic Bird Sanctuary I volunteer at. You can order on line or ask about distributors in you area. Do add fresh foods like Kale, Broccoli, Sweet Potato, Carrots and a little fruit as well. Some cooked Salmon, Tuna, or Egg scrambled will add some extra protein and variety. You can get adventurous and make him a veggie omlette. Volkman - Bird and Parrot seed, feed, and treats http://www.finefeatheredfriends.net/volk.htm

I agree, if he is still behaving as if he is a happy guy with you then keeping him may be healthier than changing homes, routines and flock (you are his flock). Don't let guilt make your decision for you.

they are "Too" smart and read us so very well, makes if difficult to know who is playing whom.

My heart is heavy for your loss. A beauty indeed.

Cockatoo's do that emotional back turning as well, Love hurts sometimes but it is still there. Controlling Grey minds punishing the servants.

Do keep any loose strings trimmed off as birds can become entangled when they work on destroying the boing and can result in injury or death.

Maybe he fed off the family members fears of the boys survival? Hard to know even more difficult to prove one way or another.

They really do adopt that look when wound up or excited or even just the joie de vivre. They can also be a very loyal and gentle companion, that Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde thing. Beautiful, loud and a lot of fun and very very busy. One of my friend who has a Too trained her Umbie to put up that crest when she says show me you big hair.

Hubby calls that puff hideing the lower mandible is them saying see I won't bite-no beak.

Progress slowly don't rush just let him move forward at his own pace. Like us some start late or never, some start early and never look back. Let go of any expectations and just enjoy they journey. What ever seems to work for you and Irwin is good advice.

It would also not be unheard of if they were both female and set up house so to speak. Greys are complex and it may be in their best interest for them to be in a home where they are cared for, fed healthily and appreciated for just being them selves, no pressure to breed and no pressure not to. Allow them to show who they really are as facts are not readily available.

Love when a plan comes together, great to hear how well he did. that is one secure bird.

It sounds like travel has some how helped him feel more secure, what a great outcome for him. All the best for your family members healing.

Hmm a Citron /Umbrella hybrid = Citronella? Sorry had to do that, you have a beautiful birdy boy there.

Most likely they will always prefer each other, you mentioned they were friendly can you expand on that please? As Ray mentioned no need to over think but please do read some of our sticky threads to get some answers to many of your questions. We will be here to help you transition into a Grey bird person. Keep in mind that each Grey is unique and may not fit into what is average behavior you might have read about. Now some questions for you. Do they have ages on this pair? How long have they been together? Do you cook with non stick cookware? Do you smoke inside? Can you accept having a messy floor?

No creams or oinments please, you can mist her with either plain water or Aloe Vera juice-not gel. The Aloe and the water will both provide some soothing relief for her injured feathers. She may have some bruising that would be hard to see under the feathers. Be patient with her and treat her as normal as she can read your stress and it will add to her upset feelings making her feel less secure. Chamomile tea in her water would be safe to use to help her relax a bit.

Sounds like all is progressing well and he is feeling more comfortable in his new home and "flock".

They both need to watch the salt content though, lol I can picture that scene.

That will be interesting, thanks.