Xtreme575

Howardine! Where are you? I've missed you regular postings!

You Brits crack me up! Jill, as long as the first and last letter of any wrod is in the crrocet oedrr tehn we are albe to raed it. Our birans raed the wrdos in thire enterity. There are web-browsers out there that spell check? Wow, who knew!? Like Jill, I'm a crack speller and an excellent typist, even on my iPhone! So any errors that I make, are purely intentional! LOL!

Well, we had an adventurous weekend. Yesterday I decided to do a deep clean of the living/bird room and cage. While cleaning the cage I knocked off one of the panels of the seed skirt which landed on both my foot and my hardwood floors. First, it hurt, but it also left a deep gouge in the floor which irritated me. I made the mistake of letting the "F" bomb fly, something I am so cognizant of not doing. It was no sooner out of my mouth than Paco said it back to me, with the same exclamation that I said it in. There was no denying it, I couldn't blame anyone else, it sounded like me. I ingored his exclamation and immediately took off to the kitchen in the hopes that it would distract him. Sure enough, he started calling his name, and doing his crow caw, so I came back and finished the job and I haven't heard him say it again, so I'm hoping I might of dodged a bullet there. Later, I loaded him up in the car to do our weekly journey to a friend's house for dinner, and where we stay the night. On the drive there, I decided to push it a bit, ok, I was speeding. Anyway, all of a sudden from the back seat travel cage a loud police siren started. I actually checked my rear-view mirror and THOUGHT the "F" word again before realizing that it was Paco keeping me in line. I think this has been the chattiest weekend we've had together, he's really grumbling and mumbling what sounds like longer statements. It'll be interesting to see what he ends up saying. I keep trying to think what he might have heard me say, but for the life of me, I'm not sure...

I don't know if that fan would help of not. I can't imagine that it would be strong enough to get all their dander, but I don't know if anything would be. Personally, I use a fairly large air purifier with two different filters, one catches the larger dander, the other catches the really fine stuf, but it still doesn't get everything. I'd still have to dust twice a day to keep my table with the "wet" sheen, so I don't even bother. I figure I am getting more enjoyment playing/watching my parrot than I do from a well oiled "wet" looking piece of furniture. Dan recently posted that he thinks a humidifier helps draw the dander to a landing place as opposed to continuously floating about for us to breath in, I tend to agree, and I also keep a humidifier running. Between the two machines at either ends of the room, I do notice an improvement. If you do try the exhaust fan, and if it does work, then let us know! As far as the draft goes, I'd ask our more experienced owners to either agree or disagree, but my understanding is that cool or cold drafts are more the concern. My understanding is that the Congo can get quite cool, and our birds can deal with that, but they don't get the cold temparatures and wind that say, I get in Canada. So, that being said, with summer approaching and the weather nice, I'm leaving all the doors and windows open (with screens) and it can get breezy in here, but nothing more than I'd expect in the jungle, and the breeze is fairly warm...

Ya, I'd like to see a picture of the pink area above your parrot's beak. I know that I've noticed my bird can "blush" in that area when he is annoyed or really active, it's like the blood rushing to the area. Judy and Maggie are dead right, many of our birds do this, especially if young. I haven't seen my do it in months, but I suspect he may still do it while he is alone.

I haven't had personal experience with one, but I do know of someone who has one of these on their parrot to keep it from chewing/plucking. I hope someone can offer you more helpful advice.

Hi there, I'm sorry, I'm not really familiar with your parrot, how old is the bird? Depending on it's age, you could have a bird in a molt. My bird is a year in a couple of weeks, I noticed that larger feathers from the back (wings) area started to come out in December, then a red tail feather a few months after that, then finally a clipped primary flight feather came out, quickly followed by two more. They have already grown back in, and both my parrot and I are watching these new feathers closely for damage as they quite unprotected the way they are. If when you scratch your parrots head you feel pin feathers coming in, you can't miss them, then you know your baby is in a molt. If you have any concerns that it might be anything other than a molt, go see your vet. I've only had my parrot since last September, but I've been to two different vets a total of three times. The sound mind is well worth it.

Ha ha! Nice job! I do the same thing as Lyn with the loop in the buckle, silly Paco goes right for it and usually tightens it up himself so that I can just wait. It's getting it off where I lose my fingers and he steps on the harness as well. This morning I had Paco out and about with me and we had stopped in a parking lot to allow me to finish my Tim Hortons (Canada's favourite coffee) when Paco let out a very loud wolf whistle. First the large, angry man looked at me, I quickly pointed at the bird on my hand, he walked away shaking his head, then an older lady came up and thanked me, she said it was the first time she felt that she had been whistled at in some years. She was quite smitten with Paco, but thought that I was the Bird Whisperer that had coaxed a wild bird to me! LOL!

What a fantastic experience for all of you. I especially like that you were close to home! That's my kind of camping, I like to be able to zip back if I forgot anything, or if I'm not enjoying the air mattresses. It looks like Alphie had a great time, and I'm certain all that fresh air was just wonderful for her! Gorgeous horses too!

He he! This is kind of a fun post, thanks! It'll be interesting to see what gets posted. Paco The Good: After any moment that causes him any stress at all, he immediately wants kisses, even if that stress is from a stranger, like the vet. This started when he was very young, and it continues to this day. The Bad: His newest and most favourite repetoire is to do a very loud immitation of a crow cawing before moving into a police car's siren, then my telephone, finished off by snorting like a pig! I'm not crazy about the crow sound, so am trying to ignore it, but man is it loud and happening alot! Oh, there, right now! LOL! The Ugly: He is a walking destruction crew! He goes through toys faster than I ever imagined, shreds wood, paper, busts plastic and lets it all fall where it may! If he doesn't get this interaction with destruction, then he gets quite nippy with me.

Wow! I'm just catching up, I was down with homework all week, and school this weekend, what an amazing thread. Tanya, you have some many positive attributes to have taken on this feat of hand feeding two babies!!! Jayd and Maggie (and of course Spock) thank you for being there in person to assist Tanya with this extraordinary effort. The babies are amazingly beautiful, I loved the pictures. Thank you!!! I hope to find out more from all of you! Ryan

Paco is on and off with talking. At 8 months, he was talking up a storm, and it was clear as a bell. Then he started to molt, the talking stopped, and now at 11 months, he is muttering but not nearly as much. He did say "Paco" really clearly tonight though. I don't think you can give up hope in not having your talking African Grey yet though, remember, it is supposed to be 12 - 18 months to start talking. The vet's technician told me that some Greys prefer noises over talking and vice versa, she suggested that Paco would be a noise bird, although probably still talk, just not with the largest vocabulary, has anyone else heard/experienced this? He is like your birds Lambert, noises and every wild bird in Canada except the loon, which is ironic considering he is a bit loonie! I even heard a mimic of the owl that hangs out in the forest near my place this morning, after the crow of course...

Hmmm, I'm interested in the asking them to poop. Normally I ask Paco to "step-up" every 20 minutes or so when he is on me to to go, and sometimes they are really tiny as well. I hadn't considered the prolapse, he usually lets me know that he doesn't need to go by trying to climb up my arm, and I accept that as him not needing to go.

I've noticed this at times too. I ask Paco to step up and am shocked that his feet are so warm, and yes, his beak always seems to match. I also notice his body temparature, nowadays he only gets shoulder time when the lights are off and we are cuddling a bit, I end up being the one to call it off because it is like having a round heating pad sitting on my shoulder, I start to sweat and call it a night. I especially notice it after we have been outside and he's a bit anxious with all the new experiences.

Jill, I agree, and thank you for recognizing these people. I admit, I couldn't hand-rear a chick either, and knowing what I do now, I wish I had waited even longer to adopt my chick (he was just over three months old when I got him) and "fully weaned" according to the breeder. For those who may be contemplating adopting an AG and are viewing our posts without having joined the forum yet, or even for those who have joined but are awaiting the arrival of your baby, do yourself and your bird a favour, don't rush brining it home, you will have a lifetime together, allow the bird to be mature enough to actually be weaned, they will be a better bird for it. I really believe that many of the emotional and psychological problems in a parrot are caused by "rushing" them along in the weaning process as well as moving them to a new home before they are actually ready. Not to mention the deadly mistakes that one can make in hand feeding a chick.

Thanks for filling me in on the snake... You are going to be amazed at how attached you become to your parrot, any problems, injuries, etc., are devastating!

I use the same cage as Judy, both Paco and I are really happy with it. It's big enough to give him room to crawl and play, yet small enough to easily put him in the back seat of the car.

Depends, kids or birds? If they are kids, you can keep them! LOL!

I'm sorry, did you say "your snake"? If I read that correctly, please keep in mind that snakes are a natural enemy of a bird. Please keep the two far, far away from one another, the poor snake will only be doing what's natural, but I have read of people who had both as pets woke up in the morning to find their snake in their parrots cage, to engorged from swallowing the bird to be able to fit back out through the bars. I can't imagine the shock and horror that would cause me! I'm sorry, this might sound a little harsh, but I wouldn't have the two in the house together, it's just to dangerous for the parrot.

I work full-time, plus... I get up a half hour earlier than I need to, I use some of that time for "me" time (coffee), then I let Paco out to stretch, flap his wings, etc., before taking him to the kitchen to make breakfast together. He loves doing this with me! He eats while I get ready for work and then I tell him where I'm going and leave at 8:30 returning anywhere from 5 - 6:00 pm. As soon as I get home he comes out and stays out until we go to bed, usually 10 pm. He is happy, and seems to have a great time with his toys during the day, I just make sure he has a constant rotation, and leave the tv on. Good job on researching before getting one. Make sure you understand the responsibility and expense you will be taking on. I thought I knew, but it is way more than I thought, but I'm not complaining, I just had to make lifestyle changes.

The other night I was on the phone with my Mom, Paco was happily playing on his spinning playgym and got a little to rambunctious and slipped a bit, losing his balance for a moment. He looked at me and hollered "Woooooowwwww!" I use this exclamation whenever him and I are doing something that I think might cause him a bit of fear, or hesitation, or when I want him to know that we are doing something that is an adventure. Even without really being able to make a facial expression, it was clear that he was relieved he caught himself and was ok. Thanks for starting this post Dan, I hope I can continue to add to it.

Janet, I've made no secret about how amusing I found it that sweet little Ana Grey was imitating a crow last year... This morning when I got Paco up and started to make his breakfast I noticed a whole host of new sounds. The first was a perfect imitation of a police siren (I live on a fairly busy street), followed immediately by a perfect (and loud) caw like a crow that I knew he heard this weekend, finished off by an immitation of my telephone. I didn't react, just ignored it and carried on with my day. Now I'm sitting here trying to write a paper for school tomorrow and all these new noises are loudly being immitated! The crow is especially concerning as it nearly scares me out of my skin everytime he does it! What an adventure... I hope spring is bringing you all new sounds as well!

It takes a while... I took Paco to the vet three weeks ago, and he has just started saying "Hello" again as of yesterday, but not very frequently. He remained stand-off-ish with me too, but I think we have come around a corner in the last two days, he even accepted some food from my hand today. Be patient, it takes a bit of time, but he'll come around next time he wants scratches.

Paco does this as well, I have to change his water as soon as I get home from work, and again at night. Even when the water looks fairly clean, I can't stand the smell, and I notice that he avoids drinking from the bowl when the water isn't fresh.

I may not make the toys (not talented in that sort of thing), I do find myself doing an awful lot of cooking, more than I've ever done for myself. And I actually considered eating the steamed veggie mix myself, rather than making a whole other salad.