Morana

Some sooner than others ;-) ...Practice makes perfect in my case..:-P Kidding.. We are doing much much better,-except when I am very little home because of work-. Then Zak becomes very nervous, which is understandable.. Unfortunately, sometimes I don't have a choice but to work late and long hours.. :-S @ and kins2321@yahoo.com, don't be condescending. This here are a brilliant bunch of people! Proud to be a flock member:-)

Can you ask Daddy how long did it took him to learn Chimay this sentence? And how come Chimay didn't blurt out a portion of it and reveal Daddy's intentions before he learned the whole sentence? (I know it is not a real question to answer but I'm impressed. Smart bird! :-))

Congratulations! This the best proposal ever!:-D Loved the video! All the best to you:-)

But in the video the bird has all its body feathers fluffed up, not just neck and head..

I'm sorry to tell you this but you need to have an avian vet. If anything happens to your bird or it is sick, normal vet can only assume what might be a right thing to do. not to mention that a normal vet wont know what tests to run or, if he is only assuming what is wrong with your bird how will he treat him? I would find one, take the bird for a check up (a very thorough one) and you are fine for a half a year or a bit more. But that is just my opinion..

Well, to me it does look unusual but it is really not that important what I think. The point I'm trying to make is- if you haven't taken your bird to the AVIAN vet (at all since you got him) you really should. IMO it should be sooner rather than later. But first, you need to find an AVIAN vet ASAP.

well, Zak is also molting now and he is not, nor has ever been puffed up because of it. And yes, there are feathers all over the place;-) PS: do you have a good avian vet?

When a bird has its feathers fluffed it can often be a sign of not feeling well (don't know how else would I say it). Did you get your birdie checked up when you got him? If not, do it now. It is very important. I'm no expert but I don't think your bird is slow because he is new to your home. It looks like he is under the weather a bit. Check up-s are a mandatory thing. Twice a year is IMO normal if the bird is OK. If there is sign of trouble then do not hesitate to go right away. They hide their illnesses very well. Do keep us updated.

My Zak shakes his head only when I sing! Lol I think it is his way of saying "why in the world do you ever need to sing!?" :-P Now, joke aside. The thing that would worry me is that your bird looks very puffed up, a bit cautious and slow and the eyes are a bit strange and not so active. I would rather be safe than sorry and suggest a vet check up.

hihi.. cute video!:-) And tnx for uploading it so fast :-) Do tell!-what is a "pillow game"?

Tnx Karen for the link. I have read that thread when you wrote it. It also inspired me to try the same thing with Zak and it went ok. Unfortunately, I soon enough forgot to play the game with Zak again so I was excited when I saw Gwen mentioning it again. I thought that I missed a video (sometime when I wasn't on the forum). I would very much like the see it so when you'll have the time..;-)

He thinks so too;-P Lol His favorite question is: Who is a pretty bird? (in a singing voice).. Of course my reply is Zak is the pretty bird and there goes his wolf whistle.. Then some variations of the same question but mainly he is concerned that he is the prettiest bird in the whole wide world! Lol Sometimes he feels so good about himself that he praises himself and reminds me by saying: Zak is a good bird, pretty bird and so on, and on,.. and on.. ;-P

What a great update! :-D Love to hear about your flock;-) Can you show me how you and Marcus play a tent game? :-)

Well, if nothing changes in her eating/playing/talking habits for more than a day I wouldn't worry too much. Observe and if something is up, you'll notice it. Yesterday my Zak choose to stay almost all day in his cage although it was open all day for him to go out. He way playing with a roll of paper and it was enough to keep him in. This happens almost newer-to stay in the cage when cage doors are open..but when he got out he played some more and he was just fine;-) Now he is preening on the top of my bedroom door.. Lucky me:-S

Well, obviously things are not FINE. Why don't you move everything back as it were when she liked it? She is in distress. IMO,if this behavior persists for another day, put everything back and observe her. If things don't get better after the move (not the same second because she will probably expect to be moved again) maybe it is something else and you need to visit the vet. What about her eating habits? Playing with her toys? Something else out of the ordinary?

Any other signs of an illness? Pour appetite, not playful/talkative/active as usual?

You have a thread where pro/con for clipping is debated and you also have a thread about importance of a bird, especially young bird, having its flight feathers. Also important to know: a clipped bird CAN fly away. Sometimes not very far away but sometimes it is enough for it to get in the harms way.

But it is still no guarantee. They could seem uninterested for number of years and than BAM!

IMO that you can't rust that hunting instinct in cats or dogs never ever. When out together they should be supervised constantly and even if the bird is in her cage she/he should never be alone with the cat/dog unsupervised. Better safe than sorry. It could have been a fatal accident with your bird. Why risk it?

Play chess! Lol No, I'm kidding, I'm sorry..;-) I just couldn't help it.. :-P But you can't compare birds in the wild. They do not sit in the cage! They move, look for food all day long. They are on the lookout because of the various predators,... Well, this little piece of information you just gave colors this situation a bit differently.. So, there is a bird in need of a home.. I didn't mean that Howard was necessary bored or unhappy- that was my impression because it seemed like you want to get another bird solely for that purpose. Still, there is so much to consider. I'm strongly against taking a bird on a trial run because the bird might get hurt. For me it is take it or leave it type of situation. Can you ask that person what does she intend to do with the bird? Why doesn't she just keep the dog and a cat away from the bird?

Oh, and of course I forgot to mention... Two birds mean double the cost of food, toys, problem when traveling/going on vacation, two bills for vet, two regularly vet checkups if everything is just fine and two birds to think about when you get old and have to think of finding new home for them before you leave this world... +Don't forget simple things like bathing, double the mess in the house, double the avian lighting, carriers in case of emergency, two different routines, preferences,.. and things like that..;-)

I'm still under the impression that you are looking just a companion for Howard and ,IMO, that is the wrong reason in so many ways. You are not viewing this from other birds perspective , nor from your own. First, the other bird is equally important as Howard. It has feelings and is intelligent and she will be hurt if things don't go as you wish them to go. The biggest question is what if they don't hit it off? You said it yourself- you work a lot and sometimes travel, Howard is often alone so that means that when you are home you have fairly little time to give to Howard and then what about the other bird? If Howard doesn't like new bird, and you really don't have that much time for one, let alone two birds, what will become of a new one? Will you keep it although you can't offer her your best or will you traumatize her again by looking for a new home for her? It is a huge decision in my point of view. If Howard is alone much, teach him how to forage, buy/make him lots of toys to keep him preoccupied. Turn on the radio/tv when you are gone but don't do this lightly. A innocent bird, or two will suffer and you right along with them. Adopting another bird because the first one is bored is not a good enough reason to risk all that chaos and pain. You need to be sure what you can offer to that other parrot (regardless of Howard) and decide weather you can provide loving, fulfilling life for that creature. Also, IMO, two birds without enough toys and amusement are still just two birds bored to death ( but this time in pair). I don't see that helping situation even if they get along just fine. What will they do?-talk about weather all day (while you are gone)? Sorry to be blunt, but maybe the real issue here is that you have a bit of a guilty conscience because of working long hours and if that is the case, you'll have the double of amount of it with two birds. You need to deal with that first and do it separately. IMO, the only reason to acquire new bird is to give her a better home if in need of one, or if you have enough love, time and motivation, that is to say, big enough heart to make two birds equally happy.

what is the "Water tumbler"?

Before you put them together be sure that the bird you are bringing has a clean bill of health.

She has such a beautiful name:)