Spock

Maggie here, Jays dictating to me,[lol] This water in the back air sac bothers me, it's probably nothing. Air is breathed in through two nostrils situated at the base of the bill, this air enters the "trachea" then passes down the throat until it reaches the syrinx (a bird's vocal chords). Here the trachea divides into two "bronchi" before passing through the lungs. This freshly inhaled air goes first, not to the lungs, but to the abdominal air sacs. These are the largest and most important of a bird's air sacs. Some of this inhaled air goes to the posterior air sacs also, this means [?] the back receives air after reaching the lungs [?] at this point it recycles to the abdominal air sac etc. Normally if water goes down the nostrils or it is swallowed wrong, you have breathing problems. Please keep us informed......Thanks Jay [Maggie]

Maggie here, Jay and I can't wait.........Thanks for all your hard work...

Maggie here, this is such a good question, nobody's answering? Okay, we feed our stuffed Macaw cornmeal stuffing........

Maggie here, whats a cage?

Maggie here, Dan, your so right, Jay says hi....

Maggie here, just type in Yahoo search "vitamin chart for African Grey parrot"....Same thing for minerals.... http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=vitamins+chart+for+African+Grey+Parrots&ei=UTF-8&fr=moz35

Maggie here, anyone who adopts a parrots is truly blessed. Thank you

Maggie Here, Good thread. Right now we feed ZuPreem Veggie and Zupreem Nut to Tango the "TOO. Joe gets Zupreem Nut. All of them get TOP's Pellet's and TOP's seed, also Volksman safflower seed mix, plus their fresh foods and smash. Salsa eats all of the above but no pellets. This is all balanced with nuts and some fruit as a "Treat", Our IRN and conures eat the same less pellets, and our 'Tiels eat "Universal Lg Parrot mix" from Walmart, don't laugh, it's very high quality, and supplemented with veggies. Remember it's not what we like and want to feed them, but what they will eat. If your baby/s have a diet that you feel needs improving, read the labels and balance with other foods. A parrot can live a good and healthy life on a good pellet and seed mix, a little carrot, a little broccoli, a little green veggie and a nut or two, and don't forget the water...... Maggie

What Dan says is true, but in the case of this companion the possibility of a baggage issue is always present. I believe it won't hurt to be observant for a while. In my heart I hope Dave is right. Maggie

Hi, Jayd is preparing a "Up-Date" on UV and our fids, keep a watch for it in the next day or two...Dave has done some wonderful posts on bathing, check them out...Thanks Maggie http://www.greyforums.net/forums/showthread.php?189753-Bathing-possible-method-1 http://www.greyforums.net/forums/showthread.php?189752-Bathing-possible-method-2

Hi Penny, I am going to try to give an answer to this one...the danger lies when the temperature of Teflon or non-stick coating reaches 350 degrees. This can happen all too easily, unfortunately. My personal feelings is to use it outdoors with windows on that side of the house closed, just to play it safe. PFE is just as dangerous... Maggie

Thank you... you're all so wonderful. I read this to Jay and it brought a tear to both our eyes. Jay said as soon as the med's calm down he'll be back. You all give him a reason to get well. I thank you for that.... Maggie

Greetings! Spock here...I am the flock leader of our flock here...Joey is the Elder, Salsa, the greenie, is the trouble-maker, Tango, the biggest, we just do whatever she says. We are not going to say anything about the other birds who live in the other part of the house...My servant, Jayd, posted this thread a while back that has numerous questions and fantastic answers from members of this greyt forum. It also includes what my flock and I are fed and how often. It will keep you busy but you will find a lot of good answers to your questions. Thank you. Spock Live Long and Prosper (Aka Maggie, Jayd, Spock and the flock) http://www.greyforums.net/forums/showthread.php?190489-Welcome-PROSPECTIVE-and-NEW-GREY-Owner-s..

Greetings! Spock here....Oh No!! Another greenie thing on the loose...What is the.....wait..wait, it's not your turn yet!...hehehe Salsa here...Louie, you go you...knew you had it in you. The trick to keep them one step behind is to keep high whenever they are looking for you. Oh, and when they call you, don't answer...freaks them out every time...hehehe...and you know, us Greenies can change directions, fly quicker and land on places no Grey has gone before...Salsa

What a little sweetheart!! They are such characters...Tango, our Triton, was alone for 8 years before we got her so she keeps to herself. She loves us but tolerates the others... Maggie

Hi, Read your post to Jay and he asked me to reply to you...Jay said (in my words) that Greywings' advice is great. It's best to stay away from all red meat products. Chicken breasts (a little) cooked well a couple times a week is good. A half-teaspoon of organic peanut butter, twice a day, spoon or finger fed is an excellent protein source. Scrambled eggs, dry and well and extra hard-boiled eggs are also excellent sources of protein. It sounds to Jay that there might be a deficiency. When you feed him something new, green leafy veggies, smash, etc., stick with the same thing for a week, the same time twice a day. Don't change off. He won't starve himself unless there is a medical reason. Keep a quarter cup of pellets and good seed mix (no sunflower and peanuts) at all times.If a Grey knows that you are going to bounce around foods, he will only eat what he likes. It is up to you to set up a routine. Chickpeas should be fed in moderation a couple times a week. They are very addictive and they stop other nutrients from reaching the system. Try cooked (frozen unseasoned) black-eyed peas, basmati rice. Try a couple of these at a time and stick with it for a week. No beef, veal or any red meat. They are full of saturated fat which can cause high cholesterol and heart attacks in Greys. You might try canned albacore tuna and steamed salmon a few times a week. This will provide Omega 3 essential fatty acids. Give your baby almonds (1-2 a day). Example: seeds and pellets at all times, assorted fresh veggies in the afternoon-disposing after 2-3 hours, and for a week, try 2 specific items. Stick with it no matter how much your baby tries to play you. The peanut butter every morning is a good choice. What does your baby weigh and how old? If your baby is over 400+ grams, don't worry. He will take care of himself. Try what Greywing says, but don't flood him with choices. Thanks from Jayd... Each morning, I make Jay 8 ounces of hot water with 1 1/2 tbs. of organic apple cider vinegar and 1 1/2 tbs of honey. When it cools (below 110), I feed it to all the guys by spoon. They all love to fight over it and each drink 2-3 spoons. It lowers the PH in their mouth, crop and in their digestive system and they are all healthy. This is similar to the acidic water that Talon (Penny) uses. Most of our fids are rescues and Spock is hypoglycemic and this has helped all of our fids. (the jury's still out on Jay...LOL) Maggie

We always love to hear about Issac and you and Issac is so lucky to have you as a "parront"... Luv, Maggie

I feel a better choice would be a Half-moon or Orange-front Conure. We have both, including Suns, with our 'Tiels. The Suns are more heavy-bodied and noisy. They kind of drown out the sweet songs of the 'Tiels. Our Suns get along better with our bigger birds, especially Spock. Jayd

Greetings...if I may, it is hard to judge parrots in general, especially by species when comparing to one and another. When it comes to plucking, Greys are the #1 pluckers. Biting? Your Eleanora, Lesser and Greater Sulfur Crested and Triton TOO's are known to be somewhat bitey where the Citron, not so much. Our Lesser is bitey to me but not Maggie and our Triton, not so much. In the TOO's family that we have worked with over the years, the Moluccan is the noisiest and bitiest followed by the Ducorps. A Bare-Eyed and Rose-breasted are loving individuals as well as your Goffin. Umbrellas or UMBY's are beautiful. Your Red Palm is the sweetest and the best with your Ledbetter being one of the hardest ones to deal with. A TOO is not a Grey. It is far easier, by a million to one, to take an older 'TOO and rehome him. We've done this with many 'TOO's over the years. As far as being over-demanding, that depends on how you take care of them and treat them. A 'TOO needs a routine much more than most parrots. Amazons: Mealy and Mexican Red-Heads are extremely well-behaved, good around young children and this is also a good choice for a first parrot. Conures: Picking a Conure can be like opening a can of worms. Green Cheeks are probably the greatest bet. If you get one that is a Fledgling and hasn't been hand-fed, you can train them easily. They are undemanding. Suns, and Nandays are considered the noisiest of the the Conures. They can be very loving and then very bitey...Mitrerd can be somewhat overbearing and ornery as is Cherry-heads. Conures are very similar in many aspects to your Amazons. Don't judge any bird by one bird. Each bird, as is their owner, different. Each species has similar traits and all these traits can be overcome with proper diet, care and most of all, routine. Jayd

Greetings, Spock here...I cast my vote for Cricket, even though she's green. Besides, I love peanut butter too and I have to stare at Salsa's messy face at every meal, 24/7/365. Hello, I am Joey...I can't vote but Salsa, besides being messy is noisy. I assume all these green 'Zons are that way... Hi! Tango baby at your service..."What's happening?" Oh, a vote...for me? No? Ok! Salsa is obnoxious, irritating, dive-bombs me and I vote, she should be kept in the other room with the little birds (the squawkers). Cricket's quiet...or at least her picture is...I can't vote? Fine! There's my two cents anyway!

Thank you all so much...it is so great to be back here with you and we are honored to be back with such wonderful friends like all of you in the Grey Forum. Maggie

Greetings all…I found two minutes between taking care of Jay and the flock family…Just wanted to bring you an update on them all... Spock here….I finally got to the computer...Sheesh! It has been harder than cracking into Fort Knox to get near a computer these days. Ever since the incident where I accidently dropped my load on the computer and then the keys stuck together, the computer has been off-limits to me. The flock has been flourishing under my control. Salsa is still a green pain but she is also my flying buddy so I can excuse her annoying behavior. We have a great time playing chase and dive-bombing anyone in our way. Joey even unbends sometimes and flies with us but then he remembers he is the elder and lands on Jay; pretending that he is above all this. Tango, that big white thing, talks a lot more now and has learned how to open her cage latch (hehehe…I guess she learned that from me) and she created havoc this morning when she opened her door latch, climbed over to Salsa’s cage while everyone was still asleep and started yelling at her and shaking her bootie…it was too funny… (Although not for Salsa…she was asleep at the time) The little green things (Loki and Luna-Green Cheek Conures) spice things up sometimes when they sneak out of their room and fly around ours. Boy; is Loki a mean thing…He has all the others buffaloed. Salsa runs and hides…Tango starts yelling and Joey goes to his perch in the kitchen. Not me though, I just fly away because I don’t want to get in the middle of the fray. Poppa (Jay) has been down sick so we all take turns taking care of him. Joey asks Maggie (Babe) “Where’s Poppa? Is Poppa ok?” and when she says he is still night-night, he says “Okay”. “He will be up soon”. Spock! Step away from the computer! I turn my back for two minutes and there you are!! What Spock was going to tell you is something that I find truly amazing and it blows our minds every time we hear them… Joey and Spock carry on conversations not only in Congolese but in English also. Joey will call Spock’s name and say: “Spock! Whatcha doing?” Spock will reply “Nothing” or “Whatcha want?” Joey will answer “Come here! Hehehe” Spock will answer “No! Whatcha want?” Joey will reply “I want a good nut?” Spock: “Good water?” and make a gurgling water sound. Joey: “No!!! Good nut!” Spock: “Okay” Salsa will chime in “Salsa’s a good girl!” to which Spock or Joey will say “Shut up Salsa” and Tango will answer “You B----s----d” (We didn’t teach her that…she learned that from her previous owners Oh MY!) Then Joey will bob his head really fast and Spock will sing “OOOOOHHH!” which is their signal to me to sing “Old McDonald had a farm” to them or the “Hokie-Pokie song”. When I go to get Jay up in the bedroom, Joey, Spock and Salsa will fly in and land on Jay’s head, shoulder and arm. Tango will start screeching and I have to go over to get her and carry her into the bedroom. She gets down on the bed and starts prancing around…too funny.

It was the night before Christmas and all through the house, the birds were flying freely, making all kinds of sounds... Spock sat swinging on top of his atom and chuckled to himself while Salsa did touch-downs off Jay’s head... Maggie was running to and fro, trying to stop chaos when they both heard the pounds... Tango, not to be outdone, yelled from her perch, “Whatcha doing mister!” Jay sat muttering to himself “When will they be going to bed?” All the stockings had been hung with the greatest of care but were in shreds by Christmas so we won’t even go there... Maggie in her poop-stained shirt and Jay in his sweats decided right then to skip dinner and go straight to dessert... So she picked up the bottle and he went for the glass...Merry Christmas to all and to all... a good night! HOW WE SPENT OUR CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY by SPOCK I have to tell you all, I don’t know what the hoopla is all about. We have fun all year and then around the time the days are short and the nights are long, my “parronts” bring in all kinds of stuff that they put around the house. At first, it is scary and they have to take all of us around and show us stuff…then they get upset when we want to play with it and just TRY to take a poop on it….boy, that goes over good!!!! Then they have this tree in and it is not even a real one….it also has points on it and it is not really comfortable to sit on…it was funny when Salsa knocked it over though. Joey just stares at it and no one knows what he is thinking about…must be very profound though… Maggie was cleaning the other day and she wasn’t fast enough to get our dinner so Joey told her…”Hey babe…light a fire under your butt…I’m hungry”. Salsa started laughing and so did Maggie and Jay…I am too dignified to laugh…I just blew a raspberry. Salsa has decided she likes to sing opera (please, just stick a stick in my eye!) so while Maggie sings a song that Jay says is Ave Maria, Salsa does her thing and tries to sing along…(I have heard aliens sound better) and I try my best to give constructive criticism but it is not appreciated. Joey just claps and yells “Shut up Salsa”…Tango dances and sings along too. I just fly around, trying to get away (honestly, there is not enough places to go to get away) I had been banned from the computer for a while…there was a small incident with a glass of water and a keyboard,(Sigh..) but Jay is easier to bribe than Maggie. I just go up and put my beak next to his cheek and coo… Peace and Good will to all of you…May the New Year bring much joy, wealth (and lots of new bird toys)… Spock Live Long and Prosper…

I just saw this, thank you so much, it brought tears to Jays eyes. [mine to] I'm sorry, I've been so busy I neglected you all, it's just been a worry....I wish each and every one of you the best, The Doc's say it will just take time.. .Love Maggie

A big heartfelt thank you to all from both Jay and I. Sorry I don't have a real good update, things are pretty much the same, when he's up, it's in a wheelchair, still has vertigo, Doc's say it could stop at any time, he's still weak and can't use the computer or watch tv, read, etc yet...You can't believe how much he misses you all and the forum. He say's he'll be back real soon, he has new plans and thread for the Amazon room. I never realized it would be so hard on the birds, first thing each morning they all call out "Papa". Love you All Maggie Spock and the flock say hi...