Elvenking

His feet are 4 inches front toe-tip to back toe-tip...Isaac's are something like 3.5 ....measure yours. This baby has giant feet. It's amazingly cute though He is like spider-man in bird form. Never fails to snag the perch. Super outgoing personality. The most curious of explorers. 

Have you seen flap time yet? Kind of figuring that if you have, you'll know what I mean by "flap time". Ha!

Anyway, no matter how you slice it, when you bat an eye his way, he does nothing but make you happy and fill your heart with joy. A new baby exploring the world and having a lot of fun...being allowed not to be afraid. It's an experience that forever warms your heart, and you feel touched by this  gift from the universe that you can share such a precious time with such a precious life. My daughter and I share a beautiful bond around this baby that we are truly grateful for. We are gonna have to go see him soon.

Thanks for loving him. He is the most innocent soul when you watch him. All you see is the magic of life as you stare at whatever he does. Every living and breathing motion is filled with the magic that makes life so beautiful. Each little pout as cute as the last. Beautiful curiosity. Adorable questioning glares. He's an ever flowing tap into what makes living the most beautiful thing of all. It's a true gift to share in the youth of a precious creature such as an African Grey. They really are like children to me. This was the most difficult thing I have ever had to do in my life. I cannot remember having to turn on my heart when it was so strong. But I am glad he is going to be happy and loved.  Thank you for giving him love and I hope he carries your heart away the way he has ours. 

My baby is going to be happy.

1 hour ago, Greytness said:

Teak wants to welcome you, Casper, and to let you know that there's plenty of room to play! And even bathe!

This is awesome!

1 hour ago, Greytness said:

Elvenking, I know how unbelievably difficult a decision this is for you. We've shared many joyful stories about our greys along with those that presented certain challenges.

My heart aches for  you knowing that although you've given it your very best, that  you weren't able to find harmony. 

I am honored that you have placed your trust in me and are willing to share his little life with my family. There's a whole lot of activity going on around here each and every day! He'll have our giant aviary to soar around in and will have time to meet and great his new fid family. Maalik loves other birds , so I'm predicting that he and Casper will become the best of friends in time!

The crying isn't over for sure. Thank you for taking my baby in for the best possible result from this. I cry for the happiness he will have when he has all that room to play with other birds. I cry for the hole this wonderful little love leaves in my heart.  This baby...he is the best in the world! This one is going to steal your heart like you were blind. You watch.

Well, Greytness has stepped up and volunteered to take in my baby and give him a good home with a few other Greys. We are working out the details, but I feel that I cannot do much better than the life he is going to get there. 

I think we may have already completed the mission of finding Casper and outstanding future. 

Yeah, that is the one thing for sure. I have to know he is going somewhere good. I'll never give him up otherwise. It is truly hard, cause I love him so much. 

Okay, I'll be going now. 

Well guys. I have been trying this out and have decided that i make a very tough decision before we get too far down the road here. I am going to seek out another great home for Casper. There are a lot of factors, but I believe that at this time, the best decision for the longevity of everyone is to make sure I get him to a home where someone can dedicate their time to him and give him an area where he is free to roam without consequence. I could keep explaining, but the best of my thoughts and feelings comes down to this. It makes me cry and breaks my heart a ton, but I cannot lead my life with them both, I am stretched to the limits. Having Isaac is already a balancing act with work and life, I was hoping that adding Casper might change that balance for the better, and it is only making my life more unmanageable. So far, things have gone well enough and everyone is okay, just trying to keep things that way. So, I am going to be actively seeking a family for Casper. If you know of anyone in the San Diego area who is looking, now is the time. I am seeking families who won't clip him, have someone home most of the time, no smoking, etc....good GOOD bird homes. I am willing to surrender Casper with his cage and all his toys for 2000 dollars. There will be a barrage of questions and possibly a visit to the home he will go to before any agreements are made to meet him. No bird flippers.

Again, I am not in need of getting myself talked out of this. If the emotions I have around Casper and the love I have for him was not enough, nothing can be done. This kept me awake a lot. This is simply the painful course. I believe that Casper is still open and not firmly bonded to anyone yet as he flies between anyone happy to see him. I think he will transition well and I will see to it. Help if you can. I could use any comments that don't make me feel like the worst person in the world. I am trying to do what is best for all in the long term. 

Things are going really well. I had some doves nesting near my aviary so I have been waiting for them to leave so I can clean out the area and prevent returns. The doves outside now have chicks and I am sure that given the day I saw em, they should fledge and all leave in about 10 days. Then I get the use of my outdoor aviary\sun cage and that will also help me balance time with the boys. As soon as Isaac can fly again, I'll really have to balance the air space for a while. For now, I am keeping everyone happy and I really feel good about that. It's pretty much what I do on my off hours. I got all organized with vegetable bins I pull out of the fridge in the morn, all my veggie pre-cut and ready to go. My bags of chop all rolled up for the week. Containers for all the dry feed. Ordered bulk newspaper from ULine...600 sheets...I highly recommend...made cage changes so sweet. Isaac is still being Isaac...cute...sometimes cuddly, and funny. I think he might even be looking at the other bird and saying "Hi lil boyeee", I am optimistic. He is less startled now by Caspers flying..as Casper is really taking a liking to figuring out where I am going at all times. Super cute to have a little love sponge following me around again. So it's either Isaac is calm and preening so that I can have Casper out as well...or one of them is in for a little bit and the other is out. Have to go this way until Casper gets passed the early baby days. He is soo damned cute.

On another note, I peeked in the house with my cloud camera today and got a feeling of harmony when I saw them both playing with toys. That was the first moment that I thought maybe I have done something right in this.

I would be lying if I didn't say that I often have this feeling that I made the wrong decision, but it is also way too early to tell. So long as when Casper gets older, he can hold his head up and either fend Isaac off or get along, I'd be cool with that. I just don;t want any parrots getting hurt. Keeping Casper close and Isaac under vision. I feel like working with them on the ground as they feel each other out might be helping. They were actually walking around on the floor together minding their own business, I was doing a mini celebration. Please send tons of hopeful thoughts my way, I need them. So scared that I am simply an idiot solving issues the wrong way.  The next step is to find my way into a larger house, saving up my down payment currently, will start the active search.

Yeah, as many of you are suggesting, I am thinking it is going to take some time because Casper is still young and needs to get some more confidence. He is starting to fly really well. It is sooooo cute when they are learning to fly. It has only been 4 days. The challenge is going to be to give them both out time and to also keep them separated....soon to be two flying parrots.  I feel I am going to have to dig pretty deep for some strength...LOL. 

On a side note, of course Casper is a pure sweetheart and this time around, my daughter is really interested. She loves him up good when I am loving Isaac up. I make sure to keep my normal interactions with Isaac going while welcoming the new boy. It is challenging, it almost breaks my heart not to give Isaac 100%, but I think he is okay with it because I probably give him more than he wants sometimes anyway. If you have lots of birds.....tell me your stories...let me know any bits of wisdom for my journey. 

For now, I am just going to be patient and let them interact under supervision. I will keep reinforcing that Isaac should just be sweet. LOL. It'll take some time, but we have it.  i'm doing all kinds of stuff with new baby that I wish I had done with Isaac, showering with me being one of them. Isaac loves the new set up, Casper is as curious as ever. Things are going good. Advice is welcome though. 

Okay, so I will be posting some pictures in a while, but I wanted to get the current status of affairs out there. This weekend, I brought a new grey into the home. Casper is just about 13 weeks and beginning to take his first flights. So at first, Isaac was pretty curious as expected. Slowly approaching. Then Isaac seemed to want to feed him. Then like....trying to nibble at his toes kind of...not playfully...but more like not even knowing what this new thing was and probing for a response. Then it looked like he wanted to pry the beak off of Casper. So.....so far have to keep them separate or under heavy supervision. I can;t figure out what Isaac thinks, but I feel like Casper needs to get his bearings more and well as Isaac getting comfortable with a new bird in the house. On all other fronts, Isaac seems like business as usual, the encounters are precarious. If anyone has any advice on how to get Isaac to play nice, pass it along.  I'll post some pics when I get back from lunch.

I talked to a pro bird-keeper and he suggests limiting the time out there or just waiting until the Doves fledge to really go for it, then take measures to make sure no nesting can continue there. They fledge in a couple weeks or so I'll play things real safe and take care. Thanks for all the responses. Cheers guys!

2 hours ago, Talon said:

I have an outdoor aviary & never felt the reason to worry about bird mites.  I do not leave them out there full time,but in the last 4 years, the only thing I watch if the wasps that may make it inside which I am right there to make sure they are gone asap.

Yeah, I am not planning full time outdoors either so I think it is a reasonable risk to take to give them outside time. I'll take some precautions though.

Yeah, I am hoping this is a bit more rare than it seems. However, soooooo protective of my babies. Any possibilities get me worrying like crazy. I am not taking any chances though....going to lay down some plastic over the top of the cage where the dove nest is. When they fledge and vacate, I'll take measures to see they nest somewhere other than above the aviary just to be sure. From what I read, mites do not really want to leave the host bird, so it takes direct contact and some luck anyway. There are some scary links though. 

Hello all. So I went ahead and got an Aviary for my patio. Very cool...built it over the weekend and it is on its way to being a cool little haven for my...soon to be two....African Greys. I was doing my laundry this evening when a guy was telling me about a case of bird mites he got as place.....could feel them on him and see them walking on his phone screen. He had them sprayed for and such...but it raised a major concern for me. I currently have nesting doves directly over the top of my new aviary. Should I run those Doves out of there and clean like a mother? Now that I am going to try to have my birds outside to get sun....now I am worried about them getting mites. Anyone have any experience with this and can help understand what precautions I should take. I am about to make some Doves very unhappy.

Mmmmm...aaaround...July 20th. Let the Lord be with me around then...hehehehehe.  ☺️

4 hours ago, Talon said:

I am all for another bird.  My greys have no use for my Amazon, but knowing they are not alone while I’m at work is a source of comfort for me.  They all have their own cages, but I think they like knowing they are a “family”.  They don’t preen or play with each other, in fact Talon my grey and my Amazon play chase at times.  But they do see very secure in the fact that they have other birds near them.

Thank you man...it's gonna happen....great big cage....tons of toys....i'll give them both all my space....I'll love em. I truly believe I can create the relationship where they can be happy together when I am away. I give full attention when I am home..but I don't want want a few extra hours due to some plan changes to mean disaster for Isaac. he is sensitive. and I think another grey will distract him. I need him to not need me so much. HA! Quite honestly though..and on a much more serious note,,,I think if I were to die today...Isaac would follow quite quickly. I know cause he so needs me.....so please have hope for me to relate him to another grey. ::))

To be really honest....I wish I would have thought about the apartment life and my work life before getting Isaac. I had Pedro my green cheek and figured it's all good. I mean, for how much I love birds, I figured there was no doubt I would give Isaac a great life. I LOVE him so immensely. Once you live a grey thought, you feel their empathy, and you really feel it away from them. I have a camera so i can look in on Isaac and talk to him any time. If another bird would even pique his interest, my heart would be warm. If he actually appears to enjoy the presence of another grey, I will cry so profusely. I will be so happy. One bit of interest, I'll be a mess...truly. Hehhee...and if there is work to do to make it work..then I am prepared. I love my birds. they are my heart.

Oh yes, I was in touch with the rescue already. Totally willing to help, but i would really have to check everything out first. I am trying to create a more harmonious situation at the moment. In the future, I would love to harbor and rescue lots of greys ...even this one....but a long term buddy for Isaac...we'd have to see. Hopefully you understand. 

Yeah, it really makes sense. I feel like I know Isaac and think he would just be so amazed at that moment when we would take another Congo Grey out before his eyes. I see the way he approaches my Green Cheek with such gentle curiosity...but my green cheek is simply just a bit too aggro. Not having it. So...as much as I would love ti find a rescue...I am looking for a tame friend for my boy. So I am going to be biased toward that (hopefully not to the scorn of my flock mates). I will over the weeks be seeking high and low but am in touch with a possible solution which would land me such a fine friend for my boy. He is likely to be a big brother. I truly believe he is the kind of grey....would absolutely love a buddy. I am hopeful...it'll be many weeks before we close on all this. As little as 3 and as many as 12. But be sure, my boy is going to see life with a friend. A grey one. :)

Thank you for the replies. Hhehehehehhe....I got some votes for birds. LOL Yeah, I feel like Isaac is a real good flock-mate and that he seems open to new members. As for the birds buddying up and maybe not giving me as much audience, I think i would be fine with that. I would love to know that I am not the only thing Isaac really desires. I have to really sit and think on it some, look around for possible candidates. It's a big decision, but I really love my little guy and if it would make him happier to have another of his kind around, well I would just be ecstatic. 

Thanks for the welcomes. I will have to keep you posted on what I do. I had a busy day today so sorry for not answering back earlier. 

Well....long time no speak all. Me and Isaac are now going on 8.5 years together and still a good pair. :) I still have issues with him grazing on his tummy feathers, but he is pretty consistent now and I know what to expect. What I continue to wonder about is how I can make life better for him. I feel like would benefit from another of his kind around him. The curiosity he expresses when he sees other birds is super gentle and I think he would not be hostile toward new members, but more curious. I work during the day and I feel like added company would help along with all his toys and stuff he plays and forages with. This would be another corner cage next to his so they would have separate space, but be able to see and observe each other. I am overcome by this idea that they need another of their kind. I also would not mind having some of the spotlight taken off me as the required playmate. It is not that I want to play with him less, it's that I never think I can give him enough. Recently, I went to a thing for my job where I ahd to be gone for two ays. I paid someone 200 dollars to come over and handle my baby, feed him...etc. He still did some major damage to a wing and i am still waiting for the flights to come back. Only one wing, but it grounded him and I have been struggling to keep him safe as he lets them grow back. (Hopefully) Other than work, I give my baby a great life with tons of attention, toys, showers, everything I can think of. He appears to be a very happy bird.....I just think the time alone sometimes wears on him. I have been battling the feather barbing for years now and have hit the limit of things I can try. I want to try to put an aviary out on my patio so he could be outside during the day.....well....then I fear of someone being malicious somehow. Someone help me if you can. I can dedicate the time to another Grey for sure just like I do Isaac, it's a bit additional, but hell, I never leave home these days anyway. I have the greatest heart for these birds and want to keep my baby happy. Let me know thoughts. Thanks!

Is this a bad idea?