Birdnut

Looks like you've got a great bird there. Don't give up on the toys too soon. It may just take him a little while to warm up to them or for you to find the type of toys he likes to play with. My boy loves his bell. He also loves to play with things that dangle down from the perch he's on; he likes to lift them up and then drop them and hear the noise they make. He also likes to play with smaller toys dangling on a chain that he can throw around.

Mine are not clipped. They are very strong and fit, and I enjoy their exuberant flights through the house. But the safety of our birds is very important, and I think each household must make their own decision based on their circumstances.

Here! Here! I have to add my voice to the concerns and well wishes for Jay.

I love the snoring stories! If I try to lie down on the couch and rest when Moussa is out with me, he'll hop next to my head and start regurgitating for me. So I have to put him in his cage or go in another room. I don't know if he thinks I'm getting romantic by lying down, or if he thinks I am dying, and he's trying to revive me.

I think one thing I have learned that people considering a large parrot should know is that the parrot will be a HUGE presence in the household. It is not a creature that will exist in the background, to be brought out when you are ready. Not that I expected that, but I didn't appreciate what a huge presence and factor in the day to day activities of the house he would be. As Elvenking noted, bringing a large parrot into the household is less like acquiring a pet and more like bringing another person into the family. I didn't anticipate how much i would fuss and worry over him. Is he getting enough "out" time? Does he have enough toys and activities? Taking care of a parrot is a lot different than taking care of a cat or dog. It goes far beyond ensuring they get proper food, clean water, exercise, and safe, comfortable housing. You have also got to be much more concerned with their mental and emotional well being, especially with a grey parrot.

Issac is looking great! And he's beginning to look quite grown up, too.

I have this toy. It works all right. As others have said, it only works for small treats -- I use pine nuts in mine. Moussa manages to get the pine nuts out. I don't know if he's pushing and pulling, or just shaking it, but it takes him a while to get the treats out. Once the treats are on the bottom, it still is a bit of a challenge to get them out with his beak, but he manages. I have also seen my pionus play with it.

Tybalt is quite the Casanova with some really smooth moves. I wish I could have seen that!

I love you guys! Sigh. <<<Group hug>>>

I love the flight photos! Lovebirds really are beautiful little birds.

This ridge on the beak is not unusual. My grey has it. So does my cockatoo. When they go to the vet's office for grooming, they will smooth it down for cosmetic purposes.

The sky is gorgeous in those pictures. I especially love the last one.

Thanks for the vid. I love to watch them having fun. Marcus is beautiful, by the way.

Now that is a wet bird!! LOL!

Yes, that is quite funny. I had seen it before, but always good for a laugh. I think in another place in a video somewhere, Stephen says this may be a clue as to why these birds are going extinct.

We have a number of birds of different types. They are all female, except our CAG and one of the blue crowned conures. We have had egg-laying problems with only one of them: a lovebird. Parrots will definitely lay eggs without a male present. But some species are much more prone to this, like lovebirds and cockatiels. Some of the birds are friends with some of the other birds. Some of them want nothing to do with each other. Whether or not they get along seems to have nothing to do with whether they are the same species or not. I would not get another bird with the idea that it will keep your bird company. Your bird will be perfectly happy with you as his friend. He just thinks you are a big, ugly bird with a built-in tree. He may or may not get along with another bird you might get, and the new bird would just be competition for your attention.

Thanks for the stories. I always enjoy reading about Marcus. He is quite the character.

Molly looks like a real sweetheart. I'll bet you're excited looking forward to bringing her home.

Moussa loves his head scratches and will turn his head every which way so I can get every spot. He also uses it as a stalling technique when he doesn't want to step up. At the approach of my hand, he'll drop his head below his feet to solicit a scratch, like, "A head scratch? Thanks. Don't mind if I do." I must say, Eva is a very pretty little girl!

Moussa loves his head scratches and will turn his head every which way so I can get every spot. He also uses it as a stalling technique when he doesn't want to step up. At the approach of my hand, he'll drop his head below his feet to solicit a scratch, like, "A head scratch? Thanks. Don't mind if I do." Eva is a very pretty little girl!

Moussa is an 18-month-old CAG. (1 = rarely or not at all / 2 = sometimes / 3 = often / 4 = very frequently) 1. Does he/she get on well with more than one member in the family? Yes, 4 2. Is he/she receptive to strangers? 2, He's kind of shy of strangers. 3. Is he/she receptive to chance / new things? 4, He has no problem with new toys, etc. 4. Is he/she cuddly? 1, Not cuddly like the cockatoo, but does love to have his head and beak rubbed and scratched. 5. Is he/she aggressive? 1, So far, he has been very good natured and gentle. 6. Is he/she playful / energetic? 4, Yes, he loves to play exuberantly with his toys and on hanging bungees 7. Is he/she moody / grumpy? 2, Not really grumpy, but does have his moods as to whether he feels like being petted or not 8. Does he/she speak? 4, He imitates all the other birds, household sounds, and also speaks in my voice and in the conure's voice. He can be quite chatty. 9. Is he/she loud, noisy? 2, Especially when imitating the other birds. But he is quiet most of the time. 10. Does he/she damage household objects they shouldn't? 2, It's official - he is a parrot.

Dayo is just amazing. It's fascinating to listen to him talk. He sounds just like you!!

Janet, it looks so pleasant on your deck. Can I come sit there with your birdies? It's so hot in Texas, if I put my birds in the sun, they'd be fried birdies. I tried to sit on the porch in the morning, in the shade of the porch, with my grey. After a few minutes, he was holding his beak open from the heat, so we came back inside.

Cricket's a beauty for sure. I love that picture showing the blue in her flight feathers.

Great stories! Sounds like Corky has the positive reinforcement thing down.