Birdnut

What a precious baby, and you are giving it such loving care. I think I would find it hard to give it back to the owner after 5 days.

Sorry about the disappointment. I'm sure you would have done a great job with a B&G. But hadn't you had your sights set on a lilac crowned amazon before? I've never seen one, but I read that they're great birds. I think a B&G would be too much bird for me. At the bird store where we trade, there was one available for rehoming once, and she took quite a shine to me. I was so-o-o-o tempted, but my husband reined me in.

Looks like fun. Has Emma tried it out?

@ Jayd: Oops! I think we had a bit of a terminology misunderstanding. By "shelled" peanuts, I meant peanuts that have had the shell removed. (The act of "shelling" is the removal of the shell. Just like peeling is the removal of the peel. A peeled orange is ready to eat!) As for "unshelled" peanuts, I would understand them to have the shell still on. (They have not been "shelled," hence "unshelled.") Hope that clarifies a bit what I meant to say. I understand that they should not be fed peanuts with the shell on. Thanks for making this important point so emphatically. You're the best!

Did not know. That's very interesting. I have to admit I haven't gotten into the sprouting yet. I bought a nifty little sprouting kit, but haven't tried it yet. Are you sprouting? What seeds, etc. do you recommend for sprouting?

I have been experimenting with Lego blocks. I can snap a handful into different colorful shapes, and Moussa has learned that he can work at it and take it apart and then play with the pieces. After a while the pieces get too damaged to snap together, and then you can put some in an empty water bottle or something where they will rattle around. They're not "cheap," but we got a big starter set in a nifty storage box for about $30. My husband plays with them too.

Birds are just amazing creatures!

I think that guy spends a little time with his bird! lol!

The bulk bins at your local health food store is a great place to find shelled unsalted nuts and seeds of all kinds, both roasted and raw. I buy a lot of the birds' food at Sprouts or Whole Foods!

I don't think you will find anyone here who will think you are nuts for loving Isaac so much. These birds seem to make such an intense connection with us.

Welcome Kim. Congratulations. Your baby is precious! It will grow and develop very fast. I know that feeling of waiting anxiously to learn if you have a girl or boy. Ten weeks is pretty young to bring home. We brought our Moussa home at 12 weeks, and he was barely weaned. Don't know if TAGs are different. When we brought Moussa home, I put layers of folded towels in the bottom of the cage for a cushion. It was easy to change them out and wash.

Thanks for these bathing tips, Dave. Bathing is always a challenge here. I had to work to hit upon each bird's acceptable bathing method. (Acceptable to the bird!) The biggest challenge is the too, and we have resorted to the sink bath as you describe. She flaps and struggles to get out of the water, but doesn't stay mad or anything. Moussa the grey wants to play in the drinking water, and I'm trying to work with that. Will keep all your tips in mind. BTW: Come on down to Texas, where you can find water outside that's warmer than your bath water!

Sounds like a great opportunity for someone who's been dreaming of that special too, but hasn't been able to handle the high price; and a great bird that deserves a good home!

Robin, sounds like that might be a way to get the birds to accept the Harrison's. My birds don't like it, except for the pepper flavor.

I'll have to try Moussa with the shower thing.

I've felt the "steam" with my hand, and at the point he's doing this, it's just barely warm.

This is just weird. Moussa likes to go over to the dishwasher when it's on the dry cycle and put his face down in the steam coming out of the vent. He'll bite at the steam, like he's trying to catch it. Then he'll just hold his face in it, like he's giving himself a steam facial.

That's a nifty little table stand.

Don't want to get out of the bed Thinking of chores that I dread But the birds must all be fed That's why I get out of the bed Oops! Forgot to add new word. New word: mistake

Well, I hadn't seen it before, and it cracked me up!

This is all just too funny! But hey, we did ask for smart birds!! So we sort of asked for it, huh? Bonnie, I can sympathize. Moussa doesn't do this (yet) and we don't have a dog, but Gwyneth the cockatoo loves to fling pellets everywhere (and not just her own pellets, but the other birds' as well) and when the dish is empty enough, if she can, she'll fling the whole dish. Those pellets do get expensive!!!

I agree with above comments. I don't even feel comfortable leaving Moussa in another room alone for any time without peeking to be sure he's fine. I do hope Lola is recovered safe and sound. It does sound like this lady is a bit eccentric. Also, I have to wonder about an interior designer who would describe a grey's tail as orange.

DrTak makes some good points. I spent a lot of time at a big city animal shelter as a student vet tech, and I also question the 90% purebred puppies figure. I also know that many of the adult dogs at the shelter had severe behavior issues and would sometimes show up again and again, as people were charmed by the dog and then got them home and discovered that they couldn't manage the problems. The problem is not that prospective pet owners go and seek a companion they want to share their life with and obtain it from a responsible breeder or retailer, or even from a neighbor's backyard. With dogs and cats, the problem is overpopulation. With parrots, the problem, as DrTak points out, is false expectations, lack of knowledge, and lack of commitment. But even with the most loving and responsible of pet owners, stuff can happen: death, illness, and other disasters that life throws their way. There will always be sad situations. The best we can do is keep our hearts open ... to the pets and to the human beings who are doing the best they can at the moment. (So sorry if this was preachy. Just my thoughts at the moment.)

"Ahem! Is that a mosquito on my tail? No, wait, it's my lunch!"

Love your stories. Please keep them coming.