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Welcome Corey and Shade. I'm finding your question (and the answers from the experts here) very interesting, because my Simon is 5 months old, and I like to know what to expect in the coming months - and how to handle it. Good for you for coming here and asking, instead of just letting things go. Are your aunts really named Aunt Buttons and Aunt Bows?

I checked out the six free songs with my birds, and none of us were impressed.

Oh, I forgot, both birds really like Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass. Me too. We all dance to it.

Simon's not showing any preferences yet, but Kazoo likes dixieland jazz, opera and female vocalists.

Thanks Birdhouse!

You know that soft unfeathered spot just below the lower beak, on a bird's throat? What's it called? Is it okay if my lovebird grooms my Grey there? They've been very cozy lately, those two, beaking each other and grooming each other. Oboe keeps grooming that spot on Simon and I wonder if I should discourage it. (It also freaks me out when Oboe grooms Simon's eyes...)

Happy B-day, and 51 is the new 41. Or something like that.

Oh, he's a total cutie-pie. I love his name too!

The vet called yesterday with all the test results. Kazoo's results were all normal, including liver function and crop swab. (And I had already been told by the receptionist that Kazoo was a girl, so that was the most exciting part.) Simon has a very slight infection which was detected in his fecal analysis. It doesn't require antibiotics, just two tsps of organic apple cider vinegar in every two cups of water for a few weeks. Other than that, all his tests were fine too. It cost me a fortune to find out they're both fine, but I'm so glad they are.

Kazoo turned 14 yesterday and we got the results of the DNA sexing test! Kazoo's a GIRL! Her previous owner thought she was a boy, and my boyfriend thought she was a boy (because she's been spending so much time masturbating in her tent lately), but in recent months I've been thinking she's a girl. (More accurately, I've been thinking 'he's a girl.') Anyway, it's nice to know, and it changes things in a way that I can't quite put my finger on. (Not better, or worse, just different.)

How old is she?

Good - I'm glad it was just a one-off and you both still love and trust each other.

What a lovely story! I really like how birds instill patience in people, and how they make you earn their trust over time. You can't rush a bird, but they're SO worth waiting for.

I think the jury's still out on that one. The results might not be as dramatic as with birds (instant death) but they could be more insidious (cancer).

Why do you think Teflon isn't harmful to humans or other animals?

Excellent. He looks like he's well on his way to settling in.

I don't think getting rid of your bird and getting a male Grey is going to make any difference. I have a male Grey and he likes me a lot more than he likes my boyfriend.

Those pictures are adorable. My lovebird has managed, through the use of great persistence, to forge a friendship with my baby Grey. They don't sleep together or share a cage, but they hang out together and the lovebird preens the Grey. Sometimes he even climbs on his back to preen him.

Is there any chance you could take tomorrow off just to give him one more day to adjust?

I don't have any ideas about why she might have done it, but man, I feel for you - that must have been terrifying. Do you think it's going to affect your relationship with her? (ie, can you still trust her, or will you keep one wary eye open at all times?)

Simon does that too. He digs in the corner of his cage, usually when he wants out, but also when he's hungry.

I've been making mash and chop for my guys, but the avian vet tells me they'd be better off on a quality pellet (she recommends Harrisons because it's organic) with veggies and fruits offered on the side if I want. She says it's really hard to ensure they're getting all the vitamins and especially minerals they need with a homemade diet, no matter how healthy. I was disappointed. I like cooking for them.

Not much happening here. Kazoo's still a little upset about the vet visit, so he's keeping a low profile and he seems a little jumpy. I got a bunch of new toys for them yesterday, but Kazoo is freaked out by most of them. The only one he doesn't mind is the foraging ball. But he's annoyed because he can't figure out how to get the peanuts out of it.

Kazoo (Amazon) happily goes back to his cage if he's been out for awhile. Simon (Grey), even though he's just a baby, has already started resisting. He only goes in willingly if there's food involved. Oboe (lovebird) too.

Also, it will be really nice to have a reason to look forward to the end of your vacation.