bran

thank you! It's definitely about the journey and not the destination!

http://parrotearth.com/2011/09/22/just-relax-already/ I am very proud of this post on ParrtoEarth.com, and I think alot of parrot owners can relate!

Hi Guys! This film is now out in various cities, and looks like a winner!

I'm in the Sheet Camp, black sheets over their cages in the bird room, along with a night light, just in case someone has a bad dream. I think it offers them a security feeling , kind of like having a woobie to snuggle with when you were a kid. They actually ask to be covered now "are you ready for bed" is what I hear about 8:45 until they get covered.

wow, talk about MacGuyver! I am impressed!

Welcome Welcome Welcome!!! Love the name Matilda, and the pics you added!

First off, THANK YOU for even considering adopting an older bird. There are so so so many loving birds that need good homes in this world. What Dan said is true, there is baggage that comes with them, and you may be struggling with these issues for awhile. I adopted a 12 y/o Timneh who hated hands and a 9 y/o Congo who was always very cage territorial aggressive... but to tell you the truth, the victories of getting over such hurdles has made me a more patient person. I have changed my animal training philosophy and they are learning.... but I think the most important thing is, they are teaching me. Good Luck!!

welcome welcome welcome!!!

I used to be a avid shower perch person, and we even built one for our greys, with suction cups. Until I was at a friends place a few weeks ago, and his perch fell with his amazon on it in the shower. Not only did the poor bird break a blood feather, but after a quick trip to the vet, he broke a leg. Very sad thing to see! So as of this point forward, I am anti-shower perch, and have taught my greys to shower in the tub. It took a little work, but I think it is much safer, and they are getting used to it.

We got our Timneh the same identical cage, and he loves it. I recommend putting his food or water in a movable bowl, and placing it in the lower portion of the cage, we had to do this so Dexter would explore all the areas of his new digs! Also it helps with some exercise !

Barbara2... that is so awesome! I love how the bird loving community is coming together in unison to help!

my TAG Dexter loves little cat toys with bells in them, not to chew on, but to turn over and over in his talon and listen to the noises that he makes. This can keep him occupied for hours, he also likes smaller rope toys, rope is about the only thing he likes to chew on.

This is another hoarding situation from Portland, TN.... What is going on with people.... I couldn't even watch the whole thing! http://www.tennessean.com/videonetwork/1093057677001?odyssey=mod|tvideo|article

This just broke my heart, I have donated 20lbs of parrot food , and a cash donation! here is a video of the terror http://www.whiotv.com/video/28788901/index.html here is an article http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/dayton-news/nearly-100-live-dead-birds-inside-troy-home-1224395.html

such an ordeal, so glad that everything worked out!

Oh that dear Heidi, her house is NOT even close to parrot proof! I think I could count the many many things that could be harmful to her birds. Not to mention her Macaws flying outside, and being moving targets for hawks/eagles. If she planned her bird's diets better she could actually be successful, instead she is spending money on nuts and butter squash soup from whole foods. I also think it's rather poor on the part of Animal Planet to be sensationalizing on this rather "possible volatile" situation. She clearly could use some help, and needs some guidance. Does the drama of this kind of show bring in the viewers? Well I hate to say, but in this society, we have become nationalistically hungry, and are waiting for the next "train wreck". I wish that someone would one, help her get some sort of rain forest exhibit in Vegas, that could aid in her taking care of so many birds.... or send someone in, and teach her what will be best for her Macaws. Either way, it should be interesting if Animal Planet picks this up as a series. I am keeping my fingers crossed for her!

Yes, you read it correctly, I was a little shocked at the title of the show as well http://animal.discovery.com/search/results.html?query=heidi&focus=video and to be honest the jury is out on this one. There are alot of things that are very wrong with this show, and so many things that are endearing. Her mental state doesn't appear to be the clearest thing, but her devotion to her animals is in the right place. I don't agree with the diet she has her birds on, nor the fact they have free range over her and her house. I was actually going to write a new post on my blog about being a bird person, and the degrees... wham, there was a little present on my DVR. You have to love technology! http://parrotearth.com/?p=72 Did you get a chance to see Prostitutes to Parrots?:confused: Thoughts?

Well it's official, I have thrown my hat into the ring of aviculture/animal blogging.... feel free to check out my new project at http://www.parrotearth.com thanks for reading!

Fantastic Post! I also joined several forums, and this just kind of felt like home, and the members here are so kind. Happy Forumversary!

I would like to first off say that I enjoy what Judygram and Luvsparrots reply with (actually 100% of the time). They are both so positive, and open to different ideas, and just an overall great sounding board. So thanks to them! I have also been in your shoes, after reading something, and felt the sheer panic and frustration. "What am I going to do, I want to be the perfect parrot owner?" Well let me relieve you of a little stress, nothing will be perfect, and there will be times when you question your training methods. There are SO many pieces of literature out there, and it can be overwhelming, it is however up to you, what choices you are going to make. Parenting doesn't come with a handbook, and neither does Parroting. It does however come with a whole lot of various opinions, and TONS of them. I will offer you a suggestion, and one that saved me from hiding in a dark closet and screaming like a hyena. Find an author that you feel has the same panache that you do, and read their "stuff". I have found that when you see something that you like, it inspires you. It's similar to turning your own "training" into a positive reinforcement experience, instead of overwhelming, confusing and negative. Like Faith Hill sang "Just Breath". Also in this forum, I will say that there are people here with AMAZING experience, and everyone has stepped up to the plate and helped one another in a pinch. Even if it's just that need to vent, or to have a pep talk. So there is a great support system available to you! Good Luck, and don't hesitate to ask questions, we all start somewhere!

hi dm. Personally i have my greys wings clipped, there are thousands of various opinions of whether you should or not. I don't like my birds flying all over my house, because we have two cats (who don't seem to really care about them) and a golden retriever (yes RETRIEVER, who also doesn't seem to care about the birds) but there is that possibility of "one"time and that's all it takes. I have been working with my boys and them holding out their wing for trimming, and the woman that clips their wings is very gently, doesnt "strap" them to a board, and is a seasoned pro. She also makes sure their "landing gear" feathers are left in tact, so they can glide to the ground, and not belly flop. Like I said earlier, there are thousands of opinions regarding wing clipping, it is a personal preference. Just make sure you go to someone who is humane, and doesn't butcher their feathers.

Hi fellow forumers! I have had a blog now, for about a year. Now let's just consider that it's just little blog, but I am wanting to expand it. I am curious about your opinions!! What content would you like to see in a parrot blog? Would you like to see other animal content? thanks for your time in answering!!

I can understand your frustration! I am dealing with a territorial "drama queen" as well. From what it sounds like to me, is you are getting some sort of a fear response. Something in the equation has changed, and considering you have had him a short time, as my some of my fellow forumers here have said, there is always the initial honeymoon phase. There may have been some underlying issues with him before you got him, and he is now confortable to "show his true colors". Now this isn't a reason to give up, just a few strategies could help. He may be looking for trust, and the slow bonding of that "special person" and is still leery of his surroundings. My CAG did the same exact behavior at bedtime, so I tried cutting some holes in a white sheet, so he had peep holes, and put in a couple night lights in the bird room, just to put him at ease. Worked like a charm, I do have to talk to him softly, and get him to get to his swing perch for bed (similar to target training), but none the less, he now is calm and very happy to hit the hay! I was given a tip from a friend to read a book "The Parrot Problem Solver" and DVD's by the same author Barbra Heidenreich... http://www.goodbirdinc.com and I have to tell you the training tips, have not only changed my view on training, but are already working like a charm! Maybe something to try. take a deep breath, we all have those days where we just need a little time out. Good Luck, and please keep us posted on the progress!!

Okay... I feel like I am going to write a book report for my Parrot 101 class, but I have to say, this changed my view on companion parrots, behaviours, and how to handle them. Cover to Cover, I could not get enough! Now you must understand that I am not much of a reader, but this was intriguing to me, and I think that I actually broke my own personal record of reading a book. You see I was raised on a farm, and we had the "show the animal who's boss" mentality, however I didnt always agree with that philosophy. I had seen some training methods that actually repulsed me, and I think that I decided a long time ago, that I wanted to break that cycle. So in getting my Timneh Dexter who was 12 when I got him, I was expecting this problematic handful. I escentially got this amazing little bird that had his own distinct personality, and to be honest, not alot of behavioral issues. Of course I thought that I had it mapped out. Well then enter my 9 year old Congo Cooper, he has territorial issues, agression for no reason (or so I thought), and just kind of crabby. Enter Patricia Sund (author of Parrot Nation, and A Memo To Parker and Pepper in Bird Talk) who suggested to me that I read some books regarding postive reinforcement training, and just plain getting to the root of behaviors. This was one of the books on the list that she suggested, and I thought.... a-ha I am going to tackle my most important issue first, Coopers Agression. The book explains the origins of where our companion parrots behaviors in the wild come from. A day in the life of what they must do in order to forage, preen, sleep, and basically stay alive. Then it goes into the facts of territorial agression, vs possesion agression, vs personal agression etc. You start to relate.... It's the part in the story where you start to relate, then the clouds open up and a ray of sunshine slaps you right in the forehead. There are re-training methods to help people like me, pay attention to the body language of our fids, and allow them to participate in decisions. I think the coolest thing that I learned is a parrot should "want" to interact with you, and not feel like they "have" to. We have free-willed spirits just like they do, and submission is not allowing them to choose, and lead the enriched lives that we so diligently struggle to let them have. The Parrot Problem Solver has challenged me to relearn my relationship with my birds. It's not about having them be obedient, and step up, just because I say so. It's about making evey experience with them, a positive one, and them yearning for a relationship from me, just as much as I want one with them. It's about a true bond, that will last a lifetime. So in short, I will say, if you are thinking about getting a parrot, get this book. If you own a parrot, get this book. If you are an expert at parrots, and want something to just whisper in your ear, maybe something to challenge or reinforce what you know, get this book. Get this book!

:rolleyes:In the Middle of reading this book, and I have to say, it has changed my views on alot of training methods. I am so inspired, and I suggest if you haven't read this to do so!! http://www.amazon.com/Parrot-Problem-Solver-Barbara-Heidenreich/dp/0793805627