oblivion

I'm on a roll grabbing vids of him now. I JUST missed him really beating up the hanging bottle in this vid, but this is kind of interesting to watch how carefully he has to choose his footing with no talons on one entire foot. This whole video is kind of noteworthy, because the only times he's used that swing since I put it up 2 years ago were when I put him on it. Today, he got up there off of his cage by himself. Enjoy:

So bittersweet. BTW have you gotten to Alaska yet? It. Is. BEAUTIFUL.

Credit where credit is due, the PVC 'play top' came with him from his previous home, as did the boing/bell arrangement - which is probably why he likes it so much - a bit of old familiarity. The truth is that he's really not up there much, he's much more inclined to roam around on the floor, which I allow, since it's 'The Pet Room.' All of the chewed up stuff is up there because I'd just vacuumed the floor and it had to go somewhere. But yes, he does a good job destroying cardboard and the like. I just threw out two mangled oatmeal containers. I would like him to spend more time 'up top,' but he doesn't. And well-spotted on the red mark - it's just food. He does have some stray red on his rump/legs, though. I wish I could get a good video of him abusing that bell. For only having a couple toenails, he's amazingly daring in how he hangs off that boing.

Jeff, I don't know much about Capes, but I see no reason to rule one out. I was a subscriber to Bird Talk long ago when there was a big discussion of Capes versus Un-Capes - splitting off a subspecies or something - that's about all I've ever really read on then. Thanks, Judy, that's very kind.

If the blanket has a 'new' or chemical smell of any kind, I would NOT use it. Covers are totally optional/bird specific as it is, so if there's any doubt, don''t use it. As for sleeping, as long as it's quiet, dark, and you don't keep peeking in (I know, it's hard not to), the bird will sleep when tired. It the first night - taking a wile to settle in is not unexpected. And the standing on one leg thing is generally quite normal. Good luck/congrats.

Thirded, especially if the bird isn't eating.

I've heard of folks mounting a perch inside a dog/cat carrier. No reason that won't work if that's the only concern. For a 'carrier,' I have two small cages I use for trips.

A little video of Spencer from today. Can NOT catch the little turkey in action. This combination of boing and bell - his all-time favorite hasn't been up on his play top in a while since I had the bell in his travel cage and the boing in his main cage, but he had a riot with it today. [video=youtube;ypRdtGYM-T4] A little after this, he fluttered oddly in the shower and lost a brand new blood feather from his 'bad' wing. Ugh. Can't ever get them to come in whether he picks them or not. Oh well, the bleeding was minor. He had a lot of outside time by the pool with us today and many treats. BTW, Kat, I was a BAD finger-chewer as a kid and sometimes revert as well, so that totally hit home. Also, my wife just got braces a year ago. Funny. But she could NEVER whistle. And yeah, that was me with the bottles - still the best way to entice him in or out of a cage when he's being grumpy.

Thanks, Kat. Your words and others' as well convinced me not to take any plucking or barbering personally in the past. The fact is, he still looks a lot better than the condition I got him in. It's funny you put it in terms of a person chewing his or her nails - I was just doing that as I checked my messages. *shakes head*

We went out to C.A.R.E. today to drop off Anya's food and meds and visiting the ton of birds needing homes. Heart-go-breaky. We got there early by prior appointment - more than 2 hours before they open to the public - and they were very kind in letting us look around while they were feeding and cleaning cages and they were very grateful for the donation. One cockatiel was working HARD for my attention. There was also a blue and gold macaw and a cockatoo which literally reached their talons through their bars at me while whistling. A one-legged sun conure was hamming it up, essentially yelling, "Pick me! PICK ME!" There was a Severe macaw who was shy at first and then started begging for attention. Em said that bird would be perfect, "Because I'm like that, too!" Another cockatoo stopped me dead in my tracks by calling out, "I love you!" as I walked by. Sweet, cute, and heart breaking. Many, many stories waiting to be told and yet more to unfold there. I wish it was closer so I could volunteer. Kat, there's a red-bellied there as well and I read up a bit on them yesterday. This one didn't try to leap out of the cage into our arms like the other birds - was more laid back and just kind of checking me out. Of course it's impossible to judge a bird by one quick pass down the rows of cages. S/He's definitely not ruled out. Similar, a quaker there. No one begs for attention like the cockatoos, though - crests were showed off without shame! While standing in front of 2 B&Gs and a Severe, one of the workers tried wrangling a newer 'too which had escaped its cage. The 'too flew right down the aisle towards us and sent the ENTIRE room into full SQUAWK mode. MAN was that loud! It settled down fairly quickly and the 'too stepped up with little ado. I said, "Wow, that was loud, huh?" My daughter excitedly exclaimed, "He brushed my arm as he flew by!!!" I have a few other feelers out, including a line on a potential 'red macaw' in need of a home (do not know if a scarlet, GW, ruby, etc.), but adopting from them is an attractive option. They have a fairly involved adoption/interview process, which I may get started on. My 5-year old still says we should get a macaw - she really liked the ruby there, but I didn't interact with her much. My wife hasn't yet ruled it flat out, but there are real concerns about her trying to conduct work from home - much on the phone - as it's already tough enough with just Spencer around. We'll see.

I agree with all you said, Kat. Sadly, I just noticed today that he's actually barbered a pretty good collar of chest feathers. At the risk of anthropomorphizing too much, I have to assume he's either picking up on my sadness about Anya, or he's grieving himself. We did have some good floor time this evening, though, so he doesn't seem upset with me directly. I hit him with the aloe spray and we'll see where this goes. He has a new tail feather coming in, still encased, so I hope he leaves that alone. Thanks, as always, for the encouragement.

Gallahs are definitely heart-melters. Amazing that they are 'pests' in the native Australia (as are many 'toos).

Some of the luckiest birdies ever!

Spencer came with his name - I still haven't gotten the story on that, but I keep meaning to ask his original owner. I'm not crazy about the name, but he says is several different ways, so there was never a thought of changing it. Anya/Anyanka was named after the Buffy the Vampire Slayer character. She acted independent and fierce around strangers/new things, but was a marshmallow and a bit dopey for me. Moving on to other pets, the cat was a barn kitten who bit me the first time I picked her up so I deemed her 'sadistic,' thus "Sadie." Honestly, though, she more often just goes by "Cat." Maggie bunny is a rescue who came with the name "Party Time." We deemed that just a BIT too stupid, so renamed her. She's a black and white dutch and we'd just been to Ireland and fell in love with the magpies there, so "Magpie/Maggie" fit. And I've always loved the name 'Maggie.' Should we have another daughter, that shall be her name - one of the rare cases of reuse for us. Our labs, Sommit's Chocolate Martini (Martini) and Sommit's Vodka Martini (Stoli) (mother and daughter) kind of speak for themselves if you know the language. Former bunny Harrison, also a rescue, came with his name and he was a big white New Zealand with a silly/dopey little head sway, and the name just seemed to fit. Former budgie, Nimue's name comes from Arthurian legend and in one version of the tale was the priestess who beguiled Merlin and lead him to his death. That "angry ball of sunshine" lived up to that name. She was one of the most beautiful budgies, if not birds, I've ever seen, but MAN could she bite! Fun thread. I love it.

I'm shocked by how soon after losing Anya ('tiel) that the hole she's left in my heart and home is begging to be filled by another bird. I know she will never be 'replaced,' and I don't want her to be, but even before she got sick, I knew there would be a successor. I'm not going to rush into anything, but I can't help thinking about, "What should my next bird be?" This is more of a 'thinking out loud' thread as the fact of the matter is that my next bird will likely pick me, as Spencer did, and will be a rescue/rehome, as Spencer was, but I'm throwing it out there in case any one wants to pitch their two cents in. First, I've ALWAYS wanted a macaw, but am still not certain I nor my family are ready for one (though my daughter is lobbying for one HARD ). That said, I didn't think I was ready for a Grey when I took on Spencer, and we get on pretty darn well. The two big concerns are, of course, noise and beak size. Noise is mostly a concern with how my wife would handle it since she works from home a day or two a week and already gets annoyed when Spencer tries 'joining in' on her phone calls. There is also still the (although fading) hope that she will get pregnant again, and noise and time would be a concern then (as it would with any bird). Beak size my be mitigated by 'the right bird,' whether that be a good-tempered one, and/or one of the minis. But macaws make macaw noises a macaw volumes. They just do. One of the reasons I want a macaw, aside from the sheer beauty (in my eye), is their clownishness. That leaves me thinking a conure would be a good next bird. Colorful, boisterous, clowny, with a smaller beak - could be win/win. Other than my old budgie, who occasionally got wound up, my birds have been pretty reserved, and I kind of miss out on those 'hanging upside down by one toe and beating the crap out of a toy' antics. Anya was WAY too proper for any such shenanigans. I do NOT believe I have the time 'toos are reported to require. I think Anya was pretty close to a snugly 'too in disposition, but she was also independent enough to not pine/self destruct when I was away. I don't deal with 'clingy' well. Ask about half of my ex girlfriends (the half _I_ broke up with). I'm a bit intimidated by some of the reputation Amazons have, but the 'Zon room here as well as other reading has mostly quelled that. I'd be open to the right one. I wouldn't be averse to another Grey, but would prefer some variety in both color and disposition. For some reason, I think I want a bigger bird - a conure being about the smallest I'm interested in. Other than 'toos and probably lorikeets (my sister had one) and other 'difficult to keep' birds, I'm not really ruling anything out. Again, I will adopt whatever bird ends up picking me/us out and will work with Spencer, kid(s), a bunny, dogs and a cat around, but if you have any thoughts on species I should give a longer (OR shorter) look, let me know. BTW, we are going to C.A.R.E. tomorrow to drop Anya's donations off. Thankfully, there's a lengthy adoption process, so I won't be inclined to come home with a new bird, but we will get to meet a TON. But to reiterate/on a more serious note, I am NOT going to rush into this. This speculation/thinking out loud just feels good in helping me cope with the loss of my beloved bird. Any decision will be rationally made, and probably outlined right here. Thanks for reading.

I LOVE the idea of the Christmas tree stand. Fantastic. If it proves to be too tall, you can always cut a bit off the bottom . One thought is that they might get freaked out be predators out those big windows. I hope it woks out for you/them.

Spencer 'interacts with' anything with whistling or electronic sounds. Whether or not he 'likes' them is debatable. He has a local 'Adult Alternative' station on all day (WXRT), but sadly has not picked up any of my favorite DJ's mannerisms yet. Edit to add: When I'm playing guitar/singing, sometimes he's nice and listens, other times he 'joins in' or tries to drown me out. Again, debatable.

Was this a trick/Quaker question?

Oh, I'm not going anywhere, I still have my flightless, gimpy, sometimes grumpy Grey.

Since I've been back on the forums up update about Anya's passing in another thread, I thought I'd update here. Spencer continues to be Spencer. There haven't been any major 'plucks' since he pulled that one flight feather. He's a little upset about missing Anya, but so far that's just limited to a lot of calling and taking a while to wind down at night - so far no plucking. There's still good days and better days - luckily very VERY few 'bad' days. He's getting more and more adept as mimicking my voice. It's going to break my heart the first time he says, "Go to bed, Anya!" again. I love that little dude, to pieces, though, even though he is still a bit aloof.

Thanks for all of the love everyone. We're all coping fairly well now, though I still started to her corner last night to cover her cage - old habits die hard. A local rescue is happy to take her leftover food and what meds they can, so that lightens my heart a bit to know she is 'sharing' with other birds in need. And though I'm not LOOKING for a new bird yet, I've put out to the universe (and Facebook) that my heart is already open to one should he or she call. I thought I would need more time in that regard, but I think the last 5 months accounted for some of that time. BTW, I took the above comment in the spirit I'm certain was intended - details and nuance are easily overlooked in forums with many active threads. No harm done, only love and care. For now, I'll leave off with my current Facebook profile picture: Extreme Anya Closeup by oblivion9999, on Flickr

I hadn't heard this one before either, though inadvertently followed it for a long time - all of my birds were originally Australian (cockatiel, budgie, and zebras), though in reality, of course, they were all American. Once I branched out and got Spencer (TAG), considering the similar dust levels, I think the Australian and African got on well together and given their vast size difference, had different pellets anyway.

My limited experience supports Ray's theory in part. My female budgie and 'tiel spoke not a word, and the 'tiel barely made any sounds at all. My male TAG talks quite a bit - enough to entertain non-bird people. *shrug* Again, it's quite a small sample.

My late great Anya bird (full name Anyanka based on the Buffy character) was: Anya-banya, Nonners (my wife, mostly), On, Non, and other variations thereof. Lately, I've taken to calling Spencer, "Bender," based on one of his pronunciations of his name - it comes out like "SBEND-serrrrrrrrrr." Other common names are Spence, Goof, Buddy, Bud, Snot, Big Bird, Spendy, etc. Our old Nimue budgie's most common nicknames (other than the obvious, "Nim,") were Cumulonimbus and Nimbostratus.

I am very sad to say that the day I have been expecting with heavy heart has come and gone. Anya flew to the Rainbow Bridge on July 5th or 6th, 2012. She was about 12 and a half years old as far as we know, and held on just over 5 months since her initial diagnosis with kidney disease. As usual, she traveled with us for our 4th of July trip up to my parents' house. She was fine on the drive up, but seemed a bit 'off' the next two days. On Thursday night, I gave her her meds, kissed her, and put her in her cage for the last time. The next morning, I got up early, ahead of everyone but the dogs and my mom, and headed out for a wonderful sunrise motorcycle ride through Wisconsin's farm and lake country. When I got back, the birds were still covered and as I caught the tail end of breakfast, I hurriedly sat down to a plate of waffles. Just before I took my first bite, my dad walked by the cages and said, shocked, "Your bird is dead!" She was on the bottom of the cage, wings folded in, eyes misty, crest fully up and incredibly 'majestic' - my wife and I both commented on it. We each held her one last time, put her in a shoe box with a dandelion my daughter picked on the way out to the family pet cemetery, and buried her with many other beloved pets, including our old budgie Nimue and bunny Harrison. On the last couple check-ups, her uric acid levels continued to climb despite being more aggressive with the meds and changing to a prescription diet. I had initially feared that she had aspirated some of her medication on her last night and that I had in inadvertently killed her. However upon cleaning out her cage, I realized that all 4 of her Nutraberries - her favorite food in the world - were still in her bowl from the morning before, so I'm confident that she was well into her decline and there was really nothing else I could have done for her at the time (vacation on a lake being what it is, I, of course, was not watching her as closely as I might have at home). Spencer had only known her a bit over 2 years and they never directly interacted, but he seems to be missing her. We got home last night and settled back into The Pet Room (where I REALLY lost it), but he was constantly calling, and my replies weren't enough. He usually stays quiet after we cover him unless there's a big noise, but he took over an hour to finally give up. he's going to be really lonely in there today since his other roommate, our Maggie bunny, isn't home yet. I'm just hoping this doesn't trigger a plucking episode from him. On the walk out to the woods, my Em asked, "Can we get another bird?" "Not yet, hon, not yet. But when the right one finds us, like Spencer did, we'll be ready." Thanks, in advance, for any/all well wishes and happy thoughts past and future. I knew this day was coming, but I'm not sure yet if that has made it any easier or harder. It certainly hit worse than I expected it to. But I got 5 'bonus' months with her, and I can tell you, I did not take them for granted.