Xtreme575

Oh Jill, please do adopt the stealth position in order to get this shot of Harvey, it'd be so worth it for us to see, but then I'd like Michael to do the same to get you on video in your stealth mode. Your descriptions of laying on the floor pretending to do other things amuse me to no end, it's only fair that we all get to actually see then lengths you go to!

Hehehe! Be careful ladies, the smell of cinnamon is a natural aphrodisiac for men! LOL! Get ready to run, or not...

Dave, once again you post with honesty, humour, and great wisdom! GorgASS, thanks for posting this, I'm experiencing my baby's first molt as well, it's an interesting process for sure. Dan, how long did it take for Dayo to be able to fly again?

I get some holes around the shirt of my neck if I'm not paying attention or giving scratches, so yes, I have some dedicated bird shirts. As well, I don't mind if he has an accident on these shirts, but he's pretty good, but it all weighs on whether I'm paying enough attention to the cues that he needs a poop!

I lucked out with Paco's trust. I purchased him sight unseen from a breeder at four months after his original buyer had to back out due to an accident, I bought him and the breeders sister brought him to me via a two hour ferry ride in an enclosed carrier. After waiting at the terminal with unbelievable anticipation I saw her coming. She opened the carrier and pulled out a gorgeous bird that melted my heart right away, I put my hand out and he stepped-up right away, it was love at first sight (for me). He's been great in his trust with me ever since.

I've struggled with this question myself... I agree that what is done is done, but that isn't enough for me. I am able to reconcile my decision better by thinking that I'm certain my parrot is better off with me than he would be in many other homes. From what I've observed on this forum, this is the case with vast majority of members.

Dave, what a fantastic job on writing this! Very impressive, I'd like to see this go viral on the internet in the hopes that more people considering a bird for a pet would realize what they are getting themselves in for. I read a few books, checked out some parrots at stores, and really considered the fact that my life would change, if not forever, than for a really long time. After much thought, I still wanted to move forward, and boy am I glad I did... My experience has also had the opposite effect on many coworkers who thought they wanted a bird. Just my telling them the amount of cooking I have to do for my parrot changed their minds on that.

Yup, I have to offer peppers as well. I've posted before, Paco is going through a phase where he will only eat his veggies if they are slightly steamed, peppers included. I do a mixture of different peppers along with leafy greens, and other different veggies. I had been feeding him corn but had to stop, he put on an incredible amount of weight in short amount of time!

Yay! I'm so pleased to hear good news about Spock! Let's all keep the prayers and positive energy going though!!!

Great pictures, fantastic playgym! It looks like your baby is settling in great! My Paco is clipped from the breeder as well. The others are correct on the harness training, it'll come in so handy when your baby flies. I learned early, I took Paco out with his harness, a gust of wind came by, Paco was powerless, the wind grabbed his feathers, he puffed up and away he went. Had it not been for the harness, I'm sure I would have lost him, and he is severely clipped!

Great! Thanks Stephen, I'll give them a try. Paco's playing is always an independent activity, usually involving him hanging upside down from something while he attacks with his beak and screams like a dinosaur. I don't go near him then! Other than that, the big game is "Nip the Toes and Run Like Hell". I don't find that game nearly as funas he does.

Yay for Harvey! It is your angst over your holiday that he is feeling. Perhaps the relief you're feeling about the volcano thwarting your plans is being picked up by Harvey. I am a little jealous, now that the Olympics are over in Vancouver, I have nothing to blame for my actions, I wish we had an erruption, just not close enough to actually impact my life. Hmmm..... I'll use yours. I can't go to work today, the ash from the volcano. Perfect. Paco is entering the biting phase... I hope Harvey keeps it up, it can give me some hope!

I can't help but wonder why Bear couldn't travel with you, unless you are going out of the country. There are a number of us here who travel with our birds, with great success! My Grey has a travel cage that is large enough that I don't feel bad having him spend a few days in, ensuring that he gets a lot of time out when I am indoors, or using the harness to give him some freedom when we are outside. I am also planning on adding the Celtei (spelling?) Pak-O-Bird for this summer season. My parents live a good 8 hours away from me, Paco goes with me and loves it. I have yet to find a hotel that has refused me for having a grey with me, I just have to assure them that he will always be caged (I cross my fingers on that promise) and that I will not leave him in the room alone, not a problem, he goes with me. If travelling with you is not an option, then make sure that whoever will be looking after Bear is known (and liked) by Bear and prepare yourself to face that that person may become his "favourite" over you. Greys are one person birds at the best of times, learning to tolerate others only. I also read on here not to leave my bird until I've had him for at least a year, or face breaking the bond that we have built. So, that being said, I've not done a weekend away, dinners/nights out mean that I take the morning off work to ensure that enough time is spent with the bird, the television is on a timer, the lights are on a timer, and I always make sure that I am the one to greet him in the morning. As far as getting a second bird, I agree with Dave and Jayd, I would only get a second bird because I wanted to have a second bird. Earlier, I thought it was a great idea, but as I've noticed the changes in the last few months, I know I can't handle another. Besides, I'm only one person, I wouldn't be able to give two birds the fun experiences out and about as I am able to offer Paco. Also, Dave eludes to ulterior motives for a breeder telling you to get another bird, are they just looking to make a buck off another bird sale? Dave is very respected for his knowledge and experience, as Jayd said, he is both an owner and a breeder, use the advice they are giving you. Private message Judygram and ask her to send you the link that she used to get her travel cage. She and I have the same cage, we are both happy with them, and she too travels with her bird. She always has the best links at the touch of her fingers. Good luck with whatever you decide. Ryan

Thanks for the update Stephen... Tell me, what do you use for the foot toys? I can't get paco to show any interest in foot toys at all. If I try to play with anything with him he just looks at me like I'm on crack and moved my hand back to his head with his beaks to scratch.

I'm with Jill on the "rah-rah" for the Aviator. It is a pain (literally) to get it on, but once on and out, it's totally worth the effort! I'm the opposite in that I find it easiest with my bird facing me, but on a short perch where he can't get away from me while I slip the collar over his heads. The wings are easy in comparison, and the real trouble comes with getting it done up, or undone... That is where I might lose a finger, or an arm.

Good to hear some progress Jess, I get the chicken noise as well, and I know that Paco has never seen one in his life. So I agree with Judy, I think it is a parrot noise that they develop on their own. I now have a strange noise that has started, it's sort of a click cluck, I know I recognize it, but I don't know from where...

Wow! What a gorgeous Grey! Thanks for sharing his story. I love that he has taken on a big-brother role for Spock, although I'm sure Spock will deny it, before putting me into a Mind-Meld to try to convince me otherwise. The joke will be on him though, he can try as he might, my head is empty. LOL!

Welcome to a fellow Canuck! Since you are a bird person, I will even excuse the fact that you are from Ottawa. Sorry, you know I have to tease anyone who lives in our nation's capital, but in all honesty, Ottawa is one of my favourite Canadian cities. Welcome to the forum, ask, share, and enjoy!

Hahahaha! Welcome Katy and Dusty! As I hope you can imply, everyone on here is great, supportive, and the knowledge is surreal. I hope everything continues to go greyt with you and Dusty, you're certainly not weak at heart to take on such a young baby, I was scared to take mine on at just over 3 months! That being said, it sounds as though you are doing a wonderful job, keep it up!

Hi Jeanna and your yet to be named baby Grey from a little north of you. I'm in Vancouver, so it's nice to know that I have someone online that understands my rain complaints. Our friends from the sunny UK just don't understand... Sigh! In all seriousness, welcome, now name your baby! If I hand't found Paco to be so funny that he makes me crack right up and laugh out loud, his name would have been Cooper.

Welcome and thank you for the greyt story. I look forward to learning more about you and Nala.