bran

he loves Lady Gaga and Cher too... also house music, anything with a steady beat.

My TAG wont dance to save his life... I have also tried, but alas, it just isn't in the cards.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Crybys76Xk This is "Shasta" dancing a little bit to Grillz by Nelly. He came with this talent from his previous owners, and it's adorable when he relaxes and actually gets into it. Here's a sample.

the really interesting part is... he won't retreat to the back of his cage, he is front and center, and watching like a pit bull in a junk yard. I am going to try and have some reading alone time with him this evening. I will say he wouldn't take treats from the previous owners husband, and he will take treats from me. Thanks for your great advice.

thank you! He is clipped.

Hi there! Thanks so much for responding!! I am doing a brief quarantine period, Shasta has recently been to the vet 6 or 7 months ago, and there were no issues. The main things I am focusing/concerned over are : 1. He has been very territorial over his cage, according to his previous owner... very territorial. Where I am from, when a horse doesn't get out of his pen in the stable, he will automatically want to return there, and for that matter not want to leave. The term for this behavior we use is "barn sour" so i guess in this instance the term is "cage sour" lol. Dexter my TAG was when I first got him, but he eventually got over it. Shasta on the other hand seems VERY agressive in regards to cage distance. He even will attempt to strike if you open the door, or feed him. I have been just sweet talking him... and basically leaving him alone in my bedroom with the door open. I figure let him settle in, and we can see what tomorrow brings. 2. Shasta has been owned by a woman for the past six years... and DID NOT like her husband. While we were there, he seemed happy, and stepped up onto the arm, however she was in the room. The husband was actually not allowed to handle him, because he gets extrememly agressive with him. Is this something that I am going to have to be concerned over? Since my partner and I are both males... I was hoping that the "people are people" and the sex doesn't necessarily matter. Am I wrong for being optomistic? Okay... now I know these seem like "basic" questions, and I may know the answers, but sometimes it's nice to bounce ideas off of people, and get different perspectives. Because I plan on making Shasta a part of my home permanantley I want to do the best job integrating him and making it a very easy transition for everyone. I have the ultimate faith in the members of this forum, and have seen some amazing insight and advice! Thanks again! brandon

Hi everyone! I would like to introduce my new 9 year old Congo "shasta" (to be renamed). He is a beautifulcongo, and on the large side. He was brought to my home by his previous owners (they wanted to meet my Timneh, and I'm sure make certain he was going to a good place). I put him in the bedroom and not out in the living room, so he can have a sense of security, and not feel thrown in the mix right away. Dexter my timneh doesnt really seem to care that there is another bird in the house (yet) and is just going on about his merry business. I can't wait to see what this little guy has to offer our family, and all the spoiling I can give him. I am curious of introducing the two... as in time line. What has worked for some others in that department? Tips would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to add your advice... I heard that for the first few days I should put him in another room away from Dexter for a couple reasons. 1. first of all for health reasons (quarantine) he does have a clean bill of health from a local avian vet 2. To gradually introduce him to Dexter's world and into our flock... Are these correct? If he has a clean vet bill, is it necessary to quarantine him? Thanks again for all your help!

Well... I am a firm believer in fate, and I think that sometimes things just happen for a clear reason. As my friends like to refer to me as "the patron saint of parrots" I happen to find an ad on craigslist for a Congo that was 9 years old, and was looking for a forever home. I immediatley scanned the ad, and sent the owner a harmless email, just in ask a few questions. The lovely owner contacted me, and we went back and forth, and eventually set up a time to meet. Well... let's just say that I wasn't planning on getting another grey just yet, but like I said, things happen for a reason. The meeting went amazing, and the owners were serious about their boy going to a good home. Shasta (as the bird is called) DOES NOT like her new husband, and as a matter of fact, he had to talk to us from the hallway outside the bird room. We spent about an hour talking and getting to know the owners, and "shasta". We both decided to serperate ways, and think on it. It wasn't more than minutes after we left, we got the text they thought we would be a perfect fit! I am soooo excited, because "shasta" has such a cute personality, and is very different than my timneh Dexter. I am hoping that eventually Shasta will bring Dexter out of his shell a little bit, and not be so serious. lol. Anywho, I have never integrated a new grey into the home where a bird already rules the roost. So I would like any pointers for those of you out there who have brought home a new addition to your flock.

hi lino... when Dexter came to me his original name was "twixie", and lets just say I didnt care for it. So I decided on a name, and called him "twixie Dexter" for a few weeks, and then dropped the "twixie"... worked like a charm. he responds well to his new name.

AWESOME!! He looks like he had a great time!!

Hi there!! Well let's put it this way, sometimes you feel like wearing tennis shoes for comfort, and sometimes throwing on a flip-flop... depending on the mood. Let's not forget comfort, as long as you have several perches around in different sizes, you're fine. My TAG Dexter loves to sleep on his swing, and his tension stretch cord toy BUT he wont play with the toys, but likes the bounce (he's pickier about his toys, than his food). Every bird is different, and you will be surprised how true this statement is! As far as him sleeping, he's probably had "a day" and is exhausted from all the new stimulation. Give him some time to get used to his new diggs, and get used to your household... Congratulations on your grey by the way!

what's the phrase "mess with the bull get the horns"?

Funny thing happened this weekend at work. I am a manager at a sports bar here in Seattle, and we received a letter from Washington State Department of Health, and they have outlawed e-cigs in all buildings, and you have to be 25ft away from any structure to use them, same as the regular cigarette laws.

haha! I only smoke when I have cocktails, and it just seems to go hand in hand. Ok, sometimes with a morning cup of coffee... :-)

Hey guys, I read this on the net http://www.tobacco-facts.net/2010/04/new-york-moves-towards-total-e-cigarette-ban research is saying that nicotine is still released from electronic vapor cigarettes in the vapor itself, instead of smoke. I smoke occasionally (so I am not on a DONT SMOKE tyrade)... just some information, I thought I would share.

I have a question... what kinds of treat foods does Chili Pepper like? Dexter (my TAG) has a natural fascination with sweeter items, like bananas, grapes, sweet potato, fresh pumpkin etc. So in order to "persuade" him to try new things, I will take fresh banana and mix it in well with the food item I am trying to get him to try. This way he tastes the outside and recognizes as "food source" and takes a bite. Then passed the banana , he gets the true flavor. Kinda like the M&M commercials with the pretzel inside *wink*. Give it a try, and see what happens!

I recently purchased a kit for making parrot toys, it included leather laces, some alphabet bocks, and several different shapes of wood. I think maybe if you just went to a toy store, and threw in some bells, and some different sizes and shapes of wood that you carved out... you would be in business! Trust me I am always looking for ways to save money, and the justification of building something that your birds love...priceless. good luck! Let us know how it goes!

hi there... Just breathe! You are going to have a long life with your grey, and it's up to you to have the patience to realize that "rome wasn't built in a day". The advice above was awesome, and I would only ad one thing. Until you get used to your grey's body language... view this http://www.itsagreysworld.com/fun/bodylang.htm this will help you with reading him a little better. Also, I would like you to try an exercise before handling him, take a little walk outside, get some fresh air, and get everything into perspective. Your baby is looking to you to be a strong leader, and any apprehension or anxiety on your part is going to make the bonding process longer and longer and longer. African Greys are the most intuitive and sensitive of the parrot world, and need a little more time than other species. You are not a bad owner... I sometimes think that is the hardest thing to rememeber, and that biting or anything in that nature is not a personal thing towards you. Birds are birds. You'll be fine!! good luck, and please keep us posted!

soooo much better to be safe than sorry.

well... i wouldn't leave it in the cage for over a few hours, same as any fresh food... no one likes spoiled food!!

Hi All! Well it's been a long time coming and I decided to take one of my days off and try one of Patricia Sund's Parrot Nation Recipe for "Teeny Weeny Beanies" . My partner and I were out dining, and I thought last minute... I need something to do tomorrow. Well, Shazam, the room just got a little bit brighter, because there was light bulb floating above my head. So, went to the local supermarket, and found that most of the organic ingredients were sold in bulk, and fresh! Lentils, Quinoa, Barley, Beans, Wild Rice, Carrots, Corn, Green Beans, Anaheim pepper is everything that I put in my batch. Now I didn't make quite the recipe batch, because Dexter being the little picky bugger he can be, I didn't want to just walk in the toilet, throw in $40 and flush. While I was cooking, I had a sense of pride, and joy come over me. I was making a quality product that would escentially aid in Dexter's health, and help in extending his life span, well and let's not forget give him something other than the pellets that his previous owner ONLY fed him. I cooked and stressed over a hot stove for four hours, made my mix, individually bagged it( and with two tbs with his pellets, and other goodies this small batch will last three months, and it was $14.00)... and off to the races. Dexter ate a little of it... I threw in a little fresh banana (because he likes the sweeter fruits as opposed to other foods) to encourage him to take a step in unfamiliar territory. He is gradually realizing that all of this stuff in here, is food... We will have to see how this little experiment goes.

You can try a large bowl in the bottom of the cage, they sometimes tend to like shallow water and can splash around in it. Worth a shot!!

Hi Big Jon, Welcome!! You have been given great advice, and I agree 150%! So I can't say anything that hasn't been already said. I will send you a link that I have shared in several forums many many times, and I swear by it http://www.itsagreysworld.com/fun/bodylang.htm this is something that I have laminated on my coffee table for quick reference! Try it out and see what you think!

Your question inspired me to put all the precautions we have taken with Dexter traveling, and put them in my blog. I went through extensive research... and came up with some good tips. http://morethanabirdbrain.blogspot.com/search/label/travel