mabdewn

Hi everyone, my CAG, Charlie, lately only seems to be interested in seeds. I have one bowl for his seeds and another that I tend to put in the alternative, which is usually fresh fruit or other type of human food. A few months ago, he would happily gorge on the fruits. Now it seems, he just completely ignores the fruit. I come back home finding the fruit pretty much as is. The seeds on the other hand have been consumed. But furthermore, he seems to only like the sunflower seeds in his mix. What I've tried to do now is remove one bowl and put fresh fruit in it, with very few seeds. He seems to be strategically heading for the seeds and ignoring the fruit. I am hoping that he will eat, because he sees no other alternative. Is this a good approach? Or does anyone have other suggestions? Cheers

Charlie chose me for sure. The breeder had 3 chicks flying around in his kitchen and landing on the top of a cage. When I approached the cage to look at them, Charlie came down to me and looked at me and then jumped down on my head, then down to my shoulder and then nipping at my ear. I pretty much knew then that I wouldn't have a problem choosing

Cheers again mate. You're a godsend. My experience with parrots is limited to the family's grey, and he rather enjoys being misted. But with a baby like this one, I just couldn't get myself to continue seeing how upset he was. But if you say its normal behaviour, then I will just harden up. Again, cheers heaps

Ok, he went bonkers on me, when I tried spraying him with water. I didn't have the heart to go on. Is there an alternative? I don't want to risk losing his trust. He is very devoted to me already

Hi Dave, Thank you SO MUCH for your reply. I will try to wet him and see if I can get a cow bell from the petstore. I am praying it's just a phase and he grows out of it. Again, cheers for the advice!

Hey Dave, cheers for the reply. Is there anything I can do to prevent it? He does quite often go into a "spasm". He can be in the middle of something and no matter if he is hanging upside down, he will feel compelled kinda perhaps chew at his wings. To me it would appear as if, it was an itch or an irritation as you might suggest. But fact is, due to this habit, he has lost his ability to fly. Can it be due to his age? (4 months) and is there anything I am doing wrong? Again cheers for the swift reply

have a pic of a feather that he lost today. most of his feathers look like this that he loses. the look sorta chewed off. rather than coming out with its root. should I be worried???? edited by: mabdewn, at: 2010/02/15 18:52

I will try to get some pics asap. Charlie is not the type of bird that stands still very often or for very long. Guilt trip is killing me!

Cheers for the reply. I just noticed now. He can't fly at all, and he is well aware of it. so I am keeping him close to me. I still help but blame myself for his misfortune I like the fact that he was airborne.

my bird is 4 months old and no he is not clipped. There aren't any raw areas. When I say hole I mean when he tucked his left wing on his back, his back was still exposed (with feathers on the back). He has had a few accident around here when he gets his outbursts and thinks he should fly at superspeed around the house and bash into a window. I will try to take some pics, when I have an extra person near me. I don't think he is plucking. there are no feathers in the cage at all.

Hi, Sorry if I am starting too many new threads. But here I am again. My CAG seems to have been losing a lot of feathers lately. I know he should be losing a few here and there, but now his left wing, when tucked on his back there is a hole his back. He doesn't seem able to keep good balance and flying doesn't seem as easy. The root of 2 feathers that he lost here today seem like they've been like broken off. I am worried about my bird is doing ok, and if I have perhaps neglected or not done something right. Someone please tell me this is normal!<br><br>Post edited by: mabdewn, at: 2010/02/09 20:12

funny to hear what people have to say, and how the bird simply understands. I'm on my third week with Charlie now. Not that I expect that him to know his name by now or anything. but I can still call his name at any point, where he doesn't seem to pay attention. so I still can attest to 2 weeks is definitely not the case with my bird.

Anyone of you notice when your grey started recognising and acknowledging their given name?

I grew up with a grey in the house. He's an older gentleman of 32 years, and he doesn't do anything like this. If he did it when he was a chick, I don't know. The first time I experienced it he was flying over my head screaming big time. I was confused as to what he was scared of.

Will have an eye open and be more mindful when I touch him. Cheers!

One feather did fall off yesterday. But if that's contingent with his fits, I am not sure. However, he did express similar behaviour, when a friend of mine gently touched his tail. He hates that and usually grunts, but has accepted that I do it. But my friend was hissed at, then he screamed and flew off. The behaviour is very random. So not sure what's causing it, or if the bird is just a nutter which I don't mind :laugh:

I've noticed sometimes that my grey will get into a frenzy. He will act as if he is scared of something and yell and then fly hysterically about until he at some point decides to crash into a window or land on the floor. I am not sure what triggers this. There is no sudden movements, noise to provoke this and I am generally near him when he does this. Or he is sitting undisturbed on my shoulder. Is this normal behaviour? or is it just one of my bird's idiosyncrasies? or should I perhaps call an exorcist?

I grew up with a grey in the house, and dreamed of the day I would be the proud owner of one. Finally the day came and I am now a "daddy". Charlie is 4 months old and he's been with me for almost 2 weeks. I am looking forward to sharing experiences as well as asking others for advice Cheers