DaffyToons

I'm so sorry your mom (and Gabriel) are going through this right now. Let me just say that bird rescues are wonderful. Please do not hesitate to find a reputable one in your area that will find the perfect home for Gabriel. Two weeks ago, I adopted my second African Grey, Poppy, from a rescue organization. The hoops those people had me jumping through to prove that I'm bird savvy, you just wouldn't believe it!! They really do their homework. Good luck, and see if there might be more than one rescue organization in your area that specializes in parrots. Keep us posted!

Your bird loves you and just wants to be with you. The only thing I can suggest is that you put him IN his cage and then close the door. When you do so, give him a special treat so he learns that going into his cage is a good thing. Put the treat in his treat cup, do not hand it to him directly. Regarding the shoulder thing, you do the same thing that I do. I angle my arm so they cannot climb up as easily, but sometimes they succeed anyway. I'd love to hear others' suggestions in this area, too!

I agree with all of the above. Take it slowly, and definitely give your TAG her own cage. After your CAG has settled in, take things slowly and do not be intimidated by a nip. There can be no reaction whatsoever. No "ouch!", no wincing, no flinching, nothing. Sounds difficult, but you can do it. Good luck, and please keep us posted!

Can't say that I've seen it, but all of my greys are older. Could he be bonding with you? Does he regurgitate his food in his cage when he is alone or does he do it when interacting with you? Are there any signs of distress?

How wonderful, Kylesheart! Sounds like you're doing a great job getting Loki adjusted.

I just use a Brita filter. It's easy and not too expensive. I buy my filters in bulk at Costco when they're on sale.

I have only noticed a difference with Maestro, one of my canaries. All the others came to me after Maestro, and they had the full-spectrum lighting immediately upon coming home. I have all my full-spectrum lights on timers so I don't have to worry about running around the house turning off lights. I do adjust them periodically throughout the year to mimic the natural change in daylight hours.

I would encourage paper shredding, as it may keep her busy with that instead of biting or plucking her feathers. My one CAG, Sylvester, spends almost his entire day shredding rope toys. I pick up handfuls of string that he demolished during the day. It keeps him busy! You can buy safe paper toys for your bird to shred. That will ensure the ink (if any) is bird safe.

I live out in the country and have well water. Our water has an extremely high content of sulphur and lime, plus a lot of iron. I filter water for my birds, as recommended by my avian vet.

I think it depends on the bird. One of my African Greys, Sylvester, is insistent that I not remove his favorite toy. When I did change it once, he started plucking his feathers. As soon as I replaced it, he stopped. So, I will change around his other toys every other month or so, and that seems to suit him just fine. My other Grey, Poppy, does not play with his toys much. When he is in his cage, which is not very often, he will do laps around the inside, using his toys to move around, but play with them he will not. He loves his swing and pumps his head to swing even higher. I wouldn't suggest using kids' toys as toys for your Grey (or maybe I read that wrong). Buy only bird-safe toys made especially for birds of that size that are tested tried and true.

I use full-spectrum floor lamps with all my birds, and it really seems to make a difference in their disposition. I had a canary that started to molt in early October. By mid December, he was still not singing. I took him in to my avian vet who suggested a full-spectrum lamp. I bought one on eBay for $30 and within two weeks he was singing his heart out. Coincidence? Maybe, but I don't think so. Since then, I have purchased more lamps so all my birds can benefit.

Oh, he's as cute as a button!! Love the pic! Welcome home, Petrie! Can't give you any help about the whining, tho. I'm sure someone else will chime in. Congratulations on your new addition!

Welcome to you, too, Kasuku! Tell us about yourself. You could start a new thread so that others can "meet" you!

Ooh, what fun! A new "baby"! I really have to figure out how to post pics!

Give her some time to adjust. African Greys are notoriously afraid of any kind of change. Keep the humidifier close by her cage. She is probably very afraid of the spray bottle, so, for now, at least until she is better acclimated to you and your home, I would forego it. A trip to an avian vet is a good idea, too. Go slow, slow, slow with her. Let her build her confidence in you that you are not going to hurt her. Also, when she stands on one leg and extends the other leg out with her wing, she is just stretching. All my birds do it. ) Please keep us posted! Jen

In addition to the humidifier, you could give him a mist bath. I do it for my guys early in the day so their feathers are sure to be dry by the time they go to bed, and they enjoy it so much! I bought a new spray mister (not a recycled one that had chemicals in it at one point) and I fill it with lukewarm water. I spray it over their heads so the mist gently falls on them. They lift their wings up so that I can get every inch. Very comical! Jen

If given the choice, a bird will go for the seeds. But that is not what is best for him. If your bird was raised on pellets, by all means stick to the pellets! You can give him an occasional unshelled peanut as a treat (mine get three peanuts a day), but from a nutritional standpoint, the pellets are the way to go. Jen

I think it is individual. I have two Congos. Sylvester makes the most amazing sounds, but does not utter a word. Poppy, whom I have had for only a week and a half, comes up with new stuff every day, in pure English. I am absolutely amazed. Give it a while, he may come around. I do spend a lot of time with each of them alone talking to them. They enjoy every moment of it and it helps them bond with me. Good luck, and keep us posted! Jen

To Jackie with Tanner: I don't think I would let Tanner sit on my shoulder. Sometimes they get to feeling a bit higher than you on the totem pole in that position. I have always read to interact with them at chest level or lower. Also, when you ask Tanner if he wants a head scratch, maybe he bobs his head up and down because that's what he has been taught. He might not know it means "Yes" in our language. Example: My CAG asks me lots of questions, but he isn't specifically looking for an answer. It's just what he has learned to say. Try not to be intimidated by bites. If your bird learns that he gets his way when he bites, he will continue to bite. Take the bite "like a man," don't make a peep, and have the bird step up onto your arm as if nothing happened. Good luck and keep us posted! Jen

When does he nip you? Is it when you go to remove him from his cage? Or is it when you are holding him? Is he on your shoulder or on your arm? Lots of questions, but I need more information if you want some suggestions. )