CuteMandaPanda

I enjoyed your photos. Yoshi is a very attractive bird. Nice work. Thanks for sharing.

Very enjoyable!

I have been enjoying your videos. Is the whole loud noise/bang thing just a sound your birds like? Or is it something most like? Also, I saw the video of Dayo taking a bath in the pie pan. I realize the video is over a year old, but does he still do that? Do you notice a difference with the Aloe juice? I know you suggested it to me once.

He loves getting his scratchies. I've graduated to be allowed to give him scratchies with my own hand. But he takes scratchies from everything. Yesterday I discovered that instead of wanting to step-up on his stick he wants scratchies from the stick and will not step-up to come out. You would think with his passion for scratchies that he's be saying the word scratchies but he's got a limited vocabulary. Maybe one day he'll surprise us. Does anyone else have a Grey that is obsessed with wanting scratchies?

Thank you! That's exactly the one I was looking for =)

Can someone please link me to the post about the new microwave oven/conventional oven that killed someones birds? I read it on here (I'm pretty sure) and I'd like to pass it along to someone. Thanks in advace =) Amanda

Jane08, that's what I was referring to as far as eye games. Thanks for clarifying because I haven't had a chance to come back to this post yet. It's mostly for shy birds that are uncomfortable by making direct eye contact. From what I read it says often times a bird will be less nervous if you look at them through squinted eyes, squinted eyes that are even almost closed. You can look at them with one eye, maybe even alternate which eye. Did you ever notice that a bird will only view you or an object with his head turned?

Awww that's a good story. Thanks for the good laugh before bedtime. Have a great week =)

I realize I haven't officially introduced our family so now it's time =) My name is a Amanda and I live with my boyfriend Rob. We recently moved into our own home. We work opposite shifts with his being a day shift and mine being a 2nd shift. After spending time around African Grey Parrots, we decided that having one of our own would make the perfect addition to our family. Rob diligently looked for adoption options as we thought it would be great to give an African Grey a great, loving family. In the mean time, I researched and read all that I could about Companion African Grey Parrots. On Nov 6, 2009 we welcomed Baby to our family. He hatched on Dec. 14, 2007. He came from a family that used to live in a bigger home, but downsized to a smaller apartment. They didn't want to have to put baby up for adoption, but there was one apartment neighbor in particular that was giving them problems on account of "a noisy bird." He came to us with everything he owned including a marvelous spacious Macaw cage. They seemed to treat Baby well as he is pretty relaxed and others say he's well socialized. Granted we haven't had him for long, we can say he's not a "noisy" fid. He loves to talk, chatter, and be vocal in terms of whistling and other sounds. He hasn't displayed any obnoxious fid noise as of yet. He vocabulary is limited, but what he does say is enjoyable. He has been practicing to mimic our voices as well as words. I'm diligent about practicing repetition. He loves to play (in his cage and on a travel perch) and takes well to new toys. He has a very hearty appetite which is delightful. As expected he does have some bad habits but it could certainly be much worse and over all we are very pleased with Baby. We are very excited to have Baby boy as part of our new and developing relationship and family. He's in good hands and he's here to stay!

Love the photos! How do you go about maintenance/cleaning her swings and perches?

Has anyone been able to train their bird to be tolerant of any activities/exercises that revolve around toweling? Our vet recommended that we should try to get him used to it because it will benefit Baby, ourselves, and vet/grooming visits. He's going to be 2 in Dec. so I know he's still impressionable and can be taught new things. What has your approach been to teach toweling with a bird that hasn't been raised with it or accustomed to it?

I read the body language most frequently seen post, well parts of it. I just wanted to throw this out there? What have you learned in terms of body language, but with their eyes? I notice their eyes dilate in different ways, but haven't figured out yet what I might be able to know about his eye language. I've also read that there's something called "eye games" that you can do with your bird. Has anyone done this sort of exercise with their bird?

At this time, Baby has pellets all day. We mixed Harrison's with some kind of fruity pellet (smells fruity and has some in different shapes like grapes and is colorful) During the week he only gets his seed mix when we're not home, in addition to his pellets. Before I leave for work, he gets something fresh for breakfast and I place his mixed seed dish in his cage. When Rob gets home, he removes the mixed seed and replaces it with something fresh for dinner. Now, this weekend, we forgot to switch out and give him his mixed seed. I don't think he misses it, and that's fine with us. However, he finished his 1/2 cup serving of pellets. Actually, he eats around the Harrison's and will generally throw the Harrison's. I guess he's not a fan of that. When we came home and realized his pellets were empty we gave him another 1/2 cup serving of pellets before bed. When we woke in the morning he had already eaten his whole serving of pellets. My question is can he eat too much pellets? I know the pellets are his nutritious well balanced food, but can he eat as much as we wants? Also, a seed mix is optional. Is that correct? Thanks in advance, Amanda, Rob, and Baby

Hello. I feel it's time for a post as there has been some progress today. I think Baby boy and I have gone further with bonding. The past two days he was stubborn and had no interest in stepping up on anything, not even his stick to come out of his cage? Strange? Today, he's been interested again. He came out for Rob and enjoyed T-perch time while we did dishes and prepared breakfast and dinner for later in the day. While he was out, we added some new toys that we think he will really enjoy. We even bought a BOING =) I'm excited. We also rearranged some of his other toys, to accommodate the new toys. He handles it really well and goes right to everything to inspect it and get to playing right away. Rob left to do some errands. I sat on the floor by Baby's cage, with his cage door opened. I like to leave it open so he knows he can come out, however it's rare that he does come out on his own? While I was hanging out with him, I ruffled some of his toys around so he could hear the bells jingle and the different noises they make and see what he can and should be doing with them. He seemed VERY calm. I was talking to him. He was hanging out on his perch. I was testing the waters and asking for step-ups with my hand. He wasn't running, and he even put his foot out and did some toe touches on my finger. I guess he still isn't sure about actually stepping up because he didn't actually do it. Maybe he was testing the waters too. Then, unexpectedly he regurgitated on my finger. It wasn't lovely, but I loved it none the less. Then he ate it? Is that normal? He also open beaked me, he had no desire to I proceeded to ask for step-ups and he continued with what seemed to be the thoughts "I'm thinking about it, I want to...but I'm not ready yet." I walked away and let him play. He stayed on his perch chatting. When I sit on the couch, generally he comes to the closest side of the cage, and usually eats, or this time throw Harrison's pellets. He was saying "Wanna come out, come'on, come on out." So I went back over and he greeted me on his perch and I asked for step-up. He repeated the same process, and also made the regurgitation motions only this time, he didn't actually bring anything up. He received some scratchies. More toe/foot to finger touches. I think that this is a good sign. He didn't seem to have any desire to bite? I'm thrilled by this, but I hope it wasn't just a fluke. Looking forward to hearing everyone's comments =) Amanda, Rob, and Baby boy.

Wow, thanks friends!! I love the suggestions. I'll keep you updated. Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

He's probably just waiting for you to turn your back. Baby tends to play when he thinks we're not watching.

I would love to get rid of the stick. I wish there was a way, but we can't get him to do anything without the stick. It's frustrating.

I've discovered something today. I've mentioned in previous posts that Baby will willing step-up from floor to hand, and that's the only time we don't need to use the stick. As of today, I learned that I need to clarify something. Actually, he will only step-up willingly from floor to hand when I'm in a standing position as if to retrieve him. If I'm sitting on the floor or bed or same surface as him, or even crouched down he will lunge for a bite if my hand approaches. We are consistent in our efforts and don't want to give up with this. He's only been living with us since Nov 6. I don't even know if he knows what step-up means because his little foot goes up just at the sight of the stick. Or if I'm standing, his foot goes up to be picked up off the floor...both instances happen even before the words step-up come out of our mouth. However, we do say it regardless. We've tried rewarding him with good floor to hand (in standing position) step-ups with good praise and even offering a peanut but he's not interested. His eyes always stay wide and black during these exercises and never "closed." Is that a sign that he's irritated by this and not comfortable? Do you think it will ever get to the point where he will step-up from any surface to any surface esp. hands? Is there hope? Or is he two set in his ways at 2yrs old and conditioned to using the stick since it is what his "before-mommy" taught him? For whatever reason...?

Thanks for sharing! That was really nice to see. Great work to both of you!

Luvparrots, thanks for all of your encouragement!!

Danmcq, Baby isn't having cage aggression. He's 100% comfortable with us being in his cage, messing with things. His aggression shows when you give him the step-up command and approach with your own hand. He will display this behavior both in and out of the cage. That is why the stick is our closest interaction for holding him at this time. He's willingly stepping up to the stick and allowing to be removed from his cage. The only time we can ask for the step up command with our own hand successfully is when he's on the floor. He's more than happy to be picked up off of the floor. He's well understanding the command, just for whatever reason he's conditioned to the stick method. Thanks for all of your input. I really do appreciate it.

Great photo! She's beautiful!

Thanks. I'm thrilled with our progress. You would call it progress, right? In the video, the tone you hear in my voice is the same that I use with him at all times. Today he didn't want to step up on his stick to come out. He wasn't mean about it or aggressive, just simply didn't do it and put one foot on the side bars which means safe zone and I'm not budging. It's ok. He doesn't need to come out if he doesn't want to at the moment. He did want some more scratchies though, so I gave him that. Do you notice how he puts his foot to his face and caresses himself while he receives a scratchie? Does anyone else have a Grey that does that? I think it's the cutest thing! It reminds me of how a dog gets a sweet spot and twitches a leg when you scratch the sweet spot. I hope he never stops doing that because I love it!

Thanks! How are things on your end?

Hi everyone. It seems Baby is making progress This week he has been willingly coming out of his cage. Granted, we still need to use the stick method as he lunges for a bite when our hands approach him with a step-up. He's fine with our hands being near him, in pretty much any way but as soon as you ask for step-up and approach with your hands in position for step-up, you better be prepared for a bite. He's been showing interest in wanting to leave his cage by not running from the stick and instead flailing his little leg for a step-up pretty much before you even ask for it. He has visited multiple rooms of the house this week and spent time in each room while hanging out on his t-perch. He's finally showing signs of being less nervous about being away from his cage. He hung out in the bathroom on his t-perch while I took a shower. I let it get nice and steamy in there and played peek-a-boo from behind the curtain. I'm trying to incorporate peek-a-boo whenever I can because I hope to get him familiar with playing peek-a-boo with the towel game. During my shower I kept saying "Baby boy, whatcha doin? I'm takin a shower. Do you want to take a shower?" And things of that nature. I would mention the words water, fun, wet, etc. I tried to make it sound like I was having a grand time. After I took my shower I sat on the edge of the tub and chatted with him. I got the feeling he wanted a scratch, so I offered him one. He was very comfortable with it and it lasted a while. It was very nice for both of us. I've also been allowing him to hang out on his t-perch in close proximity to me when I'm hanging around. Tonight, he sat on his t-perch and watched me on my laptop. I got the feeling that might be boring for him since he doesn't allow a lot of hands on interactions at this time. I decided to pull out one of the toys he brought with him from his other home. He seemed thrilled to have something to do while I had something to do. I guess we kind of played together as I tugged on his toy while he had it in his grip. I also retrieved it for him when he dropped it. He was also in the mood for more scratchies. I decided to jump on the video band wagon. The quality isn't that great, but it's only a camera and not a camcorder. is Baby's first video. (I just uploaded the video, so it may not be ready quite yet:P) If your interested here is Baby's photo album.