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crittergyrl

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Everything posted by crittergyrl

  1. I've had him bite me one time that broke the skin, but I don't think that was his fault. I was handing him a treat as I left the house, and I had fingernail polish on, which I never wear because of work, and I handed him the treat kind of sideways, so I think he thought my fingernail polish was what he was supposed to grab. I didn't yell at him or get mad at him, but I've heard him go "Ow!" a few times since, lol. As for his history... I don't have much on it. As far as I can tell, he never had an 'up' command and was never even allowed to step up... he was just picked up. He has issues with new perches of any size. He freaks out and will completely avoid that part of his cage. After a couple days, I just took it down. I don't want him to feel unsafe. I have a friend that has scratched his head while he was sitting on his swing. And he gives me the same feather fluffing, head down treatment, but he bites when I try. I know he wants attention because I've been around my mom's Macaw, and have seen the same behavior. I'm just afraid of getting hurt. I'm more than willing to give him all the time he needs to adjust. I haven't shut his cage door in weeks now, unless his safety demanded it for a few minutes. He has tons of toys to play with and I rotate them and replace them when he seems to get bored. If he doesn't like a toy, I simply take it back down. We've made a game of cleaning out his cage. I use a damp towel to wipe it down, and this agitates him, so I hold it up to him and he bites it and tugs as we both say "arrrhh". He loves to make that sound. I love this lil guy, and I want to make sure that he's happy, and he seems to be a tad lonely. He hangs on the edge of his cage at night and watches us go to bed as I say "Goodnight, Gandalf". His wings are away from his body, and he bobs his head and flaps just a tiny bit like he wants to go too. He even flew down to my bedroom one night, but I can't pick him up to take him down there to sleep on his perch. I just want to do what's right for him.
  2. I've had my Grey for a few months now. He seems to be adjusting well, he's picked up words, phrases, and whistles from me, and seems very happy.... except for one thing... he seems to want to be touched. But whenever I go to touch him, he bites me. I can't pick him up... not from the cage, the floor, not anywhere. I don't know what to do! He has bitten hard before, and I'm honestly afraid of that, but I don't want him to be unhappy in any way. What do I do???? :(:(
  3. I'm pretty new to having a bird this size and am having some trouble with the toys, lol. I buy him toys I think are sturdy enough, and he has them in pieces before I can blink! I save the pieces and have made new toys that way, but I'm trying to find chains to make new ones. What chains can I use?? It seems every where I go the chains have zinc in them or a plastic coating. Is brass safe? Does someone know where I can get safe chains and hangers?? And, by the way.... this forum is great! You guys have been so helpful!! Thanks a BUNCH!! :-)
  4. Patience is a virtue that I only seem to possess when it comes to animals. He's in the center of my apartment. He's in part of the living room that looks down the hall way, and into every part of the house. He can't see in every room, but he can see where I'm going and know where I'm at at all times. He's picking up words and phrases I use, and even started whistling like the train a few miles from here. Thank God it's so far away, so he just does it quietly, lol. I'm considering on how best to move some things around to make him more in the center of things. I'm sure he is a little nervous here as I've been sick for a week now. I give him treats, talk to him, make him toys, and am building a perch for him. The perch scares him, so it's just sitting there for now. He is getting more comfortable with me and seems to really liven up when I sing. I'm trying to find the "Rubber Duckie" song so I can teach it to him. I've had to towel him to get him back on his cage, and I hate that. I don't even have to be near him and he just flaps to the ground. He'll step up at first, but as soon as I start to move, he freaks out and flies off again and then he just growls and bites me. He doesn't break the skin or leave any marks, so I'm taking that as encouragement. I don't want to just sit on the ground with him because he starts to get aggravated and chews on whatever he can reach... electrical cords and furniture and the carpet. I'm afraid he'll get shocked or ingest a chemical from the carpet cleaner they use here. We'll get there, but it's going to take time. I'm hoping by this time next year, I'll be able to take him out and about with me. Any tips anyone has are very welcome! Thanks for everything so far!! :-) Angela, Roxy, & Gandalf
  5. Yes, that is what I was referring to! I'll fix that as soon as I can! It seems we've had a set back, but I don't understand it. He's flown off of his cage twice today to get away from me when I try to get him to step up. And once on the ground, it's impossible to get him. Unless I towel him... which I absolutely hate. When I have to use that method, I spend a little while holding him and scratching his head while I talk to him.... which he doesn't even seem to notice because he's so busy growling and chewing on the towel. I don't know what to do! :-( I hate upsetting him by toweling him, but if I put on a glove, he starts growling and grunting even more. And when I try bare handed, I just get bit. I don't know what to do. :-(
  6. PS... anyone know why it isn't showing my picture when I post?? I put one up in my profile and it shows up there....
  7. We're doing much better. He's taking treats from my hand without trying to bite me anymore. lol. I still haven't gotten to hold him, but I let him out of his cage to climb around as he likes so that he gets comfy with the place. He's in a main area, and while he can't see all the rooms, he knows where I am at all times. I'm in the middle of building him a perch, so I'm hoping that will help. I tried getting him to step up onto something, but he freaked out about that too. So, I'm just going to stick with using my hand and getting nibbled on until he trusts me. I'm not worried that he'll fall, I'm just a sissy about being bitten! lol
  8. Hello! The adorable little face you see in the picture, is Gandalf. He is new to my home, but is 5 years old. He talks quite well and seems to be happy here. I've had birds before, but nothing his size and I'm nervous about holding him and such. From what I've read, his behavior suggests that he's ready for me to have him step up, but I'm just uncertain. Any advice or input you have would be WONDERFUL!! Thanks so much!!!!
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