Barbara2

LOL! Great story!

I'm certainly no expert. I have just always done what I have done. I do not have sleep cages and I also don't cover the cages. The birds are in the solarium which is right off the family room. There is light that comes into their room in the morning but they don't make noise until they hear someone stirring upstairs. Occassionally our Sennie will "talk" to the birds outside in their language. It doesn't seem to bother them if we stay up late watching TV. The mini macaw will say "goodnight" a few times but then it's sleepy time.

You might want to do a search of the "birdtricks" site. I would look for reviews before I would spend a dime.

I thought it was interesting that all of the birds are at a rescue center. Someone gave up that very smart little grey girl. I can't even imagine how they could do that.

Interesting article on today's msnbc page: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43487684/ns/technology_and_science-science/

Flour is the first thing to use in an emergency if bleeding is involved. That would be something I would use even before driving to the vet.

Here is a page that shows a few: http://www.exoticbirdexpos.info/

Bit of a funny story: I have a Hahn's macaw (one of the minis). I was getting ready for work one morning (I taught art in a high school) and had Paco on my shoulder. Once in the classroom, several students kept giggling. I had no idea what was going on. Finally a very kind young lady pointed out to me that I had something on my back. Yup! It was bird poop! (Always do a check back check in the mirror before you leave for work.)

I would say it's important to have anyway. I know that windows filter out the beneficial rays so only being outdoors would really give the health benefit. When it is cold, going outdoors for a grey is not safe so you would need it for days when the temperature outside is low.

Beautiful judygram! That's the kind of dad I was fortunate to have and that's the kind of dad I was fortunate to marry. And he is a great dad to our fids too!

All of you dad's out there who love your kids and your fids, have a fantastic day!!!

I love your post! It's great reading about all your positive steps in such a short time. I had to go back and read your introduction because I missed it last week. Wonderful story and wonderful pictures!

I just spoke to the office of the avian vet who did the necropsy on Neo. He said there were lesions on his liver and kidneys. He believes it was either a toxin or infection. He wants to send samples off for further testing so I won't know for sure until after July 5th. He does think it's possible that it was something he was born with. If anyone here has any insight, even if it is a guess, I would welcome your ideas.

Beautiful! Gotta love it!

Thanks to all. I've been missing him so much even though we were only gone a few days. I was just thinking before the call came about getting home and getting him out of his cage for playtime. I'm feeling pretty lost. Based on the description the vet doesn't think that my other birds are at risk. Whatever happened was very sudden. Neo still had food on his beak as if he was in the middle of eating. I hope I can find out what happened to him because right now I'm feeling that "I'm such a failure, I let him down." feeling.

We just celebrated Neo's 1st birthday and now I'm mourning his death. I was out of town for a long weekend and was on my way home this morning. I got a call from my pet sitter and she said that she came in this morning and found Neo dead on the bottom of his cage. She said he was fine last night, eating and playing. I told her to leave him and I came home to take care of him. He still had food all over his beak as if he had been in the middle of eating. He is at the avian vets now for a necropsy. I will follow up and let you all know what happened when I get the report.

I found this one and it doesn't show "out of stock". http://www.birdsnways2.com/flog/#order

He is quite the companion! I finally got around to taking a couple of pictures. He doesn't like the camera as you can tell by his fluffed up feathers. He is also molting so that's making him a bit cranky too.

Neo is ONE today! I don't have pictures yet. Hopefully in a bit.

This tornado weather is crazy. I hope eveyone is safe and out of harms way. It did make me think though. Does everyone have an emergency plan to get their birds to safety in the event of a tornado?

Congratulations! I can't wait to see pics!

Hopefully the doctor has it sorted out by the time you read this but here is an article I found on seizures in greys: http://www.exoticpetvet.net/avian/seizures.html

It's great to have you here Amanda! (Wonderful introduction!)

If it's too painful for me to do a "step up", it would be time to go for a nail trim. I have three perches in his cage that are "nail trimmers".