particle77

I suspect that we see no real correlation because the Nurture component is typically completely uncontrolled. Hence breeders with a genetic predisposition to talk, may never learn to talk, but could still pass those traits on to some of there offspring. In any event Nature v. Nurture is endlessly debated, so... believe what you want.

Thought I'd add to this discussion, as I'm contemplating having Earl microchipped. While I recognize that the chances of the microchip helping Earl get safely back home, are very low, I figure its still a chance. Also, regarding the multiple types of chips used in the US, and issues with scanners. Scanners capable of reading all 4 common formats have been available for quite some time. also, even if an old incompatible scanner is used, those could sometimes at least detect that a microchip of an unrecognized format was present, which might lead to further investigation.

I can't point you to a link, but if a book is acceptable, "The Alex Studies" covers many aspects of this subject very well.

Thanks Dave, In the past I've flown with a parrot in the cabin, and prefer that method. While I'm aware of the special cargo areas, there are occaisional fatalities associated with them. I won't be checking my grey, due to the following: http://www.petflight.com/pet-incidents/details/159 So, I'm interested in people, who like me have flown with a parrot in the cabin. I need new information, because the airline I previously did this with has stopped allowing birds in the cabin(they claim this is because of bird flu...) I have confirmed that US Airways will allow a parrot in the cabin, but wanted to know of any experiences people had with them, or any other airline.<br><br>Post edited by: particle77, at: 2009/09/27 21:02

The corpus callosum is the part of the brain that allows the left and right hemispheres to communicate. In humans, when it is severed, the left and right sides behave independently. sometimes this is obvious to the person in question, they will be aware that one hand is doing something involuntarily, and other times they are not aware(we seem to be good at providing reasonable explanations for our behavior, and believing those explanations). Birds have this bridge between the two hemispheres, so it is likely, that as with humans, they are passing information back and forth. Like humans, many birds do exhibit strong preference for using one side of the brain vs. the other for tasks. This is why humans are left or right handed, and why parrots are frequently left or right footed. Interestingly enough studies have shown that ambidextrous parrots are not as proficient at problem solving as there left or right footed brethren. Its been theorized that this is because two specialized hemispheres are more productive than 2 jack of all trades hemispheres.

I'll definitely be posting pictures soon!

Ok, as Christmas is approaching I have a query. It seems American airlines no longer allows parrots(or birds of any kind) in the cabin. How many of you fly with your grey? Do you keep your grey in the cabin with you when you fly? What airline do you fly? Also please relay any bad experiences with airlines. So far, I've found that US Airways, and AirTran will both allow a parrot to fly in a standard carrier in the cabin.

1 ml = 1 cc.

Keeping Rishi in my thoughts. I think She had some excellent advise about trying to setup a phone consult between your local vet and an experienced avian vet.

Well, I was walking Earl around today, and he noticed his formula was being mixed up, so he took flight across the store(flying past where his formula was, and all the way to the other side of the store). He bruised his cere a little, but seems to be in pretty good shape. I can't wait to bring him home, and its looking like that will be soon.

Hmm... I've always done all day, but only left water at night. I was always concerned about attracting pests.

As far as I know most if not all plants in the Allium genus contain N-propyl disulfide. that would include chives and green onions. As others have noted these foods should be fine in moderation, but I'd avoid making them a major part of your pets diet.

I don't use the grate. Its easier to change the newspaper several times a day, than to carry a 4' X 3'6" grate into the bathroom everyday for scrubbing.

Agreed, my initial reaction to seeing this product was also negative. That said, if it worked, and was safe, there might be limited short term situations were it would be in the best interest of a parrot. I've flown quite a bit with a parrot in the cabin of an airplane, and luckily was blessed with a parrot that clammed up in strange surroundings. If I needed to fly with a noisy bird, and an avian vet assured me that the product worked, and was safe, I might consider it....

these are just my thoughts, as I've never adopted. I'm going the newly weaned route because I want to work from a clean slate. That said, with a clean slate there is a lot you can't know until after you are already committed. While personalities may change, I expect adopting will give you a better idea of what to expect long term from your pet. In particular, if talking is a trait you really want, then I think its best to adopt a parrot that already talks, as there is no guarantee even with a baby Grey that it will learn to talk (regardless of how well it is cared for). Its not fair to set those kinds of expectations on a baby.

Garlic and onions in large quantities are risky for any pet. They contain a chemical (N-propyl disulfide) that has been shown to damage red blood cells in cattle, horses, dogs, rabbits, etc.

for pellets you could try ordering mail order: http://www.roudybush.com/index.cfm regarding the grate, there are a couple possibilities. Normally those grates can be removed, which would allow the bird to walk directly on the newspaper. If you take this approach you'll need to change the newspaper even more frequently to maintain a sanitary environment. (there are also alternatives to newspaper you can be using which may be more absorbent). You could also use an open shoe box with 2 sides removed this would give the bird a flat spot to rest, and 2 walls, which may may it feel safer than being out in the open., just make sure to keep it clean.

Dave is giving good sound advice. That said, I am of the opinion that if you're not sure about your greys health, a visit to the vet is in order. On these forums we are going entirely by what you write, and our assessments might be quite different if we actually saw the bird first hand(beyond that, I at least am not an avian vet). Others may disagree, but I feel that when taking on a parrot you should be prepared to make extra trips to the vet that first 2 years. Sometimes it may turn out that your parrot is fine, but each time you'll come away with increased knowledge, so its not a waste.

This is a good list. One comment, cherry, peach, and apricot pits have far higher concentrations of cyanide than apple seeds. I'd be more worried about them. I found this information also, suggesting that apple seeds may not be a concern. http://www.exoticbird.com/gillian/apple.html I wouldn't purposely give them to a grey, but I wouldn't be overly concerned about it either.

First question: You mentioned the shivering in the same paragraph with bathing. Is the shivering only when he's wet? or is he frequently shivering for no apparent reason, when previously he was not? Second question: Do you weigh your grey periodically? Is it loosing weight? If the shivering is frequent, and not just when wet, or if your grey is loosing weight, I'd visit the avian vet. If you don't know if your grey is loosing weight because you haven't weighed him in awhile, but you believe he's not eating I'd also visit the avian vet.<br><br>Post edited by: particle77, at: 2009/09/19 05:38

I'm also awaiting my Grey. His hatch date was 7/10, and he's currently on 2 partial feedings a day, and likely to be on one soon. This may really only serve as entertainment for your Grey, but one thing I do every day, is go in before his evening meal and sit there with him and play with the food in his dish. I pick up pieces and act excited, break them apart, hold them up to my face and pretend to be eating behind my hand(not sure if he actually falls for this ;P ). anyway, usually after a few minutes of my little show Earl will come over and start picking things out of his dish to chew on. Maybe it has no impact, but I don't see how it an hurt to try to get him excited about real food .

I don't know, but I would be wary. Is the carport well insulated(many are not)? If not I'd focus on that before anything else.

I've been thinking about getting one of these. http://www.birdscomfort.com/traveler_bird_stands.html According to the description the top section comes off and can be set on a desk/table. might work for your case if you get a desk with enough space.

I've observed this behavior in my baby grey, as well as another one at the store. They cover the bottom of there bird cages with some paper pellet things that are supposed to soak up liquid waste more effectively than just placing newspaper, so when the Greys do this they end up kick huge amounts of stuff.

This is a pretty common behavior for many kinds of parrots. They seem to prefer the texture of soggy pellets.