JeffNOK

I would keep calling the avian vet. I would see if there is some emergency vet services you can use. Don't wait...be proactive. See if there is a pet poison hotline in your area. Call and keep calling until u get action. I am praying for you.

Ray, your post here and the others that responded were touching, deep, and significant. They testify to the beauty of our relationships with our parrots--each one unique. At the same time, it is heartbreaking and I am glad I was alone when I read them because I couldn't help but cry. Bless you all for sharing.

Your fids are gonna love it!

Gracie is pretty chill most of the time. She loves to climb and play and attack toys, but she is never manic. The thing about Gracie that I love most is our verbal interaction. We love to chat and sing together. Lately she has started this game where she begins a song and then stops...She waits for me to sing the next verse and stop, and then she continues. Her favorite song is "Respect" by Aretha Franklin. She beings with "R-E-S-P-E-C-T...find out what it means to me...." She stops and waits. Then I respond with "R-E-S=P=E=C=T Respect just a little bit. Hey baby just a little bit." Then we both sing "Sock it to me. Sock it to me. Sock it to me...Respect" at the top of our lungs. She also does this with "You are My Sunshine" and "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean".

Loco, I find that with my CAG I can't really train her not to do certain things, so I try to create an environment where she has less opportunity to be "naughty". I arrange her environment to limit temptation. I do think that you can communicate with your parrot and let them know how you wish them to behave with positive reinforcement, love, and clear communication. You need to set limits of course. But this requires removing Felony from dangerous situations and limiting access to forbidden things. This works to a certain degree--but it serves as a minimizer only. They will do what they want if they are so inclined. My mother takes great pleasure when I tell her about my grey's "willful disobedience". She loves to remind me that when I was 2 I rebelled despite all her strategies and numerous readings of Dr Spock. I did what I wanted as a two year old and Gracie my CAG does what she wants. Parrots are perpetual toddlers. In time you will be able to cope with it and lessen its affect on your life. You may even find it endearing. I love Gracie's sharp mind and independence. She can be a rebel, but that is part of her charm. Maybe Felony is trying to earn his name!

We need more of these stories! These parrots deserve so much better than they get. I am smiling ear to ear as I imagine this Macaw's new lease on life.

Is it the Caique?

Lol...Gracie tells on herself, too. When she does something naughty, I hear her admonish herself with "GRACIE BIRD! Ah Ah!, NO!" When I hear that, I know I will find her food or water dumped on the floor or find her perched and chewing on a light fixture that is "verboten". I think she just wants attention from me because she is only naughty when I am out of the room and this is her sure fire strategy to get me back to check on her. When I come back to inspect the carnage, she looks at me with great pride, puffs up her feathers, and says, "Daddy loves his Gracie Bird." She is right about that, and I just can't be mad.

Over the last few days I have seen a dramatic improvement in Gracie's feathers after her picking episode. I would say it has improved 50% so far, and it's only been ten days since I started misting her with aloe vera and exposing her to sunlight regularly. The biggest thing I have noticed is that she doesn't scratch much anymore. She was scratching herself and obviously uncomfortable before I made the changes. Thanks for the advice and I will keep you posted.

I am male and have a female CAG. She is bonded to me, but has no choice since I am single and live alone with her.

Luvparrots, I think you are right about explaining everything. I should remember to assume she understands and just let her know everything that is going on. Thankfully, as of today, my schedule is back to normal and I will be home at the expected time.

Gracie has her wings in-tact and flies often. She is quite active when I am home. Playing, climbing, chewing toys. Her cage has the door open at all times except when she is sleeping. This is true even when I am at work. I have a suspicion it may be the lack of sunlight and infrequent bathing. Hopefully when the avian lamp comes and I continue to bathe her daily with water/aloe things will return to normal. Fingers crossed.

Out of the blue after 3 years of never so much as over preening, Gracie started to pull out some of her belly feathers (about a 2 inch X 2 inch area). At first it just looked a little ragged, but after three days I could tell she was feather picking. It looked a lot the like the pictures posted by ElvenKing of Isaac back in January. I immediately took Gracie to the avian vet and had blood work done. Everything was normal. Gracie is very healthy aside from the feather issue. I started to take stock of lifestyle/environmental changes. 1. I have been coming home one hour later than usual the last 6 weeks because I teach an extra class. (this ends today--back to normal schedule) 2. Gracie is molting. (Vet verified this and pointed out numerous pin feathers coming in on her tummy where she was picking) 3. I had not been bathing Gracie very frequently. (once every 10 days or so) 4. Gracie's Avian lamp quit working two months ago. I didn't replace it. She also had not been outside in the sun for a couple of months. Changes Made: 1. I am now misting Gracie with water/aloe vera mixture two times a day. I am especially soaking the picked areas. 2. I ordered a new avian lamp which should arrive in a day or two. 3. I have been taking Gracie out to the park for 30 min of sunshine daily. It has only been a week since I took Gracie to the vet and made these changes. So far it is hard to tell if there is any improvement or not. I haven't seen her pluck out any more feathers, and the condition is not worse, but her belly is still mostly fluff, downy feathers, and a few chewed and ragged looking grey feathers. Obviously it will take time for feathers to regrow. How long do you think it will take after she stops picking? Other than the picking, Gracie seems happy and healthy. She has lots of toys, gets plenty of sleep, is out of her cage most of the day and with me at least 6 hours a day. She eats like a horse and is as chatty as ever. Gracie just turned 3. Is she too young for hormonal induced feather picking? Any other thoughts or advice? I am hoping things will improve soon. It isn't really all that bad at the moment, but I don't want her to make this a habit. Thanks! Jeff

It will be a great opportunity for socialization. Go for it!

Multiple personality dissociative disorder perhaps?

Definitely best to let her set the pace. "Grey time" is a concept to start getting used to. Don't rush things, but definitely talk to her, sing, offer treats etc. Be a calm and safe presence. Soon she will begin to open up when trust us established. So glad she is home and doing well with you.

I was hoping people would be able to fill out the survey for each bird, but I found out the survey site is only set up to allow one survey per computer. It might be possible to log in from another device and fill out a survey for a second or third,,,grey. Talon, I think you are probably right that there aren't significant differences between Timneh and Congo, but it seems much info out there says Timneh are more social, less phobic, and less prone to feather destruction. I was wondering if the survey would show any of that. Right now the survey has only about 25 responses, so we still have a small sample.

My thoughts and prayers are with you. This is heartbreaking news, but I am glad Maalik is being a tangible comfort to you.

So happy for you and Brutus. The very best news!

I see the Caique and bat (AKA Grey), but where is the Jardines? Can you give me a hint where he is in the pic?

So glad you joined us! I have faith that in time Smokey will settle down and be more open to you, but it will likely take time and much patience. Olaf sounds like a sweetheart! Please read through as many threads as you can, and feel free to ask questions and share your experiences with us. Welcome!

I think vinegar will suffice. Just spray it down and scrub with sponges or a brush. As far as toys/perches, if they are new I wouldn't worry about disinfecting. I have never pre-cleaned new toys or perches (others may differ--it never occurred to me to clean them). I am happy you will soon have your new grey home. You are in for a wonderful adventure--one I HIGHLY recommend.

Yes, we all bought first class tickets on the crazy train!

Hi Blair, do you still smoke in the home near your grey? Parrot lungs cannot tolerate the presence of smoke. It can cause serious damage. If you haven't already started doing this, please smoke outside and even wash your hands afterwards. Nicotine on your hands can transfer to your bird through the skin. Greys can actually become addicted to nicotine through such exposure.

I think you can make it work provided you make the very best use of the time you do have available. Have you had much/any parrot experience before? A grey was my first larger parrot and it has been fantastic beyond my expectation, but I did a year of research and asked lots of questions before taking the plunge. I suggest you pour over the threads here, ask lots of questions, meet greys and grey owners face to face and be sure sure sure that you know what you are getting into. It is amazing....but not for everyone. Just do your homework and don't rush. Welcome!