abbie21187

Both of my birds are from Bird Paradise in NJ actually right up the street a little from Todd Marcus! I got my BB when he was about 3 months old, and he was my first parrot other than parakeets as a girl. I was so smitten with him I decided I wanted another bird, and a year later after much research, I put a deposit on a TAG and visited her several times a week until she could come home. They are very knowledgeable and friendly, and have EVERYTHING and great coupons. My only pet peeve is sometimes they seem overwhelmed when it gets busy there.

I love my TAG too! Such a sweety.

I was trying to give my bird fresh food and she wasn't trying it just ignoring it completely. Well, I stayed persistent, and eventually I tried something new. I leave for work at 3:30 pm almost everyday and work until about 10pm -12 am, but my birds are out all day long so they didn't get much chance to eat any fresh food, then I would take it out before work so it wouldn't spoil. Well, I read that if you squeeze orange juice over fresh food you can leave it in much longer, so now I put the fresh food in before work with an orange wedge squeezed over it and Eva loves it. When I get home I almost always am removing an almost empty dish from her cage!

They are very cute!

I'm on the forums constantly reading and reading as well as all the books I've been reading. I finished Bobbi Brinkers For the Love of Grey's, The Beak Book, and I'm half way through Alex and Me. I am excited to meet Irene Pepperberg at the upcoming Parrot Palooza in a few weeks! Although I haven't posted, I'm always on and thanks so much again everyone for all the useful information. Eva is doing fantastic at about 6 months now. I am so in love she is such a sweetheart! She had her first vet visit and passed with flying colors. She was also so good at the vet, I couldn't believe it! The vet said she was one of the most mellow birds he ever met. She does not talk yet but makes all kinds of cool sounds and whistles. I want to post of video soon of her giving kisses, it melts my heart every time. I just say "Gimme a Kiss" and she cranes her head and lightly gives me a kiss! To adorable. She definitely has me wrapped around her little talon! Pictures and maybe a video to come soon!

Parrots don't learn or respond to punishment. Positive reinforcement is what works. If Christian attacks your hubby when he's out of the cage, have your husband start working with him while he's in the cage. Have him give Christian treats that only your husband gives him through the cage.

My TAG is 6 months and she does something similar where she hangs her wings low and pants. She then looks like she's dancing going from one foot to the other, then acts like she's trying to regurgitate. The thing is she doesn't do it when I scratch her, usually she does it first thing in the morning when I open her cage and say good morning. It's like a little happy hello dance! She then pulls my fingers towards her so she can step up and keep dancing! It's cute but I don't want to get her excited in a sexual way.

Maybe a plastic bird...

I think my favorite is fluffy beaker! He looks so content.

You might want to also keep in mind that at around 1.5 years is when most greys go into their adolescent stage and start asserting more independence. I am currently reading Bobbi Brinkers "For the Love of Greys" and she writes a lot about this stage in development. The book is pretty expensive because it's out of print but I found an excerpt from the section of the book that may be of use to you: http://birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww28eiii.htm Just be patient! It seems like things are getting a little better already!

I don't cover my cages, but I have full spectrum lighting on both cages that goes off at 8 PM on a timer. My BB stops what ever he is doing, eating, playing, etc. and climbs into his hut immediately when the light goes off and won't come out until it turns on in the morning at 8 AM lol. My TAG doesn't sleep in her hut yet, but she also settles down when the lights go out.

I watched the show for about 15 minutes. I turned it off when she had her parrots up with her at 3AM while she cried that she needed her drugs. There's no reason anyone that unstable and with substance abuse problems should have charge of that many animals, let alone macaws!

I've seen these in person at the store and checked them out, but they seemed like they would only work for small treats like seeds. I give my TAG pistachios, popcorn nutriberries, and dried spicy veggies for treats...they would never fit in this toy. Here's the one I have instead: http://www.mybirdstore.com/EDUCATIONAL_FORAGING-FORAGING_DRAWERS_font_color_red_NEW_font.html It's not very challenging, but my girl is still a baby, so I will get her something more difficult when she masters this, it does keep her occupied though when she has to be in the cage.

Congrats on your new fid! I think shoulder sitting is fine as long as you have clear rules. If Ziggy does not go on and off your shoulder at your command only, I would not let him there until you establish those boundaries. Also, from experience, give your birds something to do if you let them perch there, or else your glasses, earrings, EARS, become very entertaining to your parrot! I give my BB foot toys, or a pistachio, while he's on my shoulder to keep him occupied. Also, be careful about having your Grey on your shoulder while unfamiliar people are at your home, it's never happened to me, but I've read that in an effort to warn you of intruders, the bird will bite you!

You have a beautiful family!

I'm so sorry to hear you haven't found Murphy yet. I keep you in my prayers. I also told my father about your situation and he said prayers for you at his Tuesday night prayer group meeting... Like everyone else, I keep checking here and hoping for good news.

Watching "Clueless"

I use newspaper but I have a grate on the bottom as well. I know what bedding your talking about from Bird Paradise, I live in the area and was there today. They have a coupon available for it online as well check it out!

I totally understand, try living close by to the place! I spend way to much time and money there.

This thread is too funny...but I fear I am a grey-o-holic in the making as well! Also, I absolutely adored Rio, I took my boyfriend to see it in 3D the day it came out.

As far as food goes I feed my birds Ultimate Blends by bird paradise. It is dried human grade fruit veggies, nuts, you name it blended with pellets. My fids have fresh and cookable foods available while I'm there, but when I'm out or go to work I leave them this. It's nice because it has such a variety of ingredients that I think even the pickiest bird will find something to eat out of it. Here's the link, they ship pretty much everywhere: http://www.mybirdstore.com/BIRD_PARADISE_BLENDS-PARADISE_ULTIMATE_BLEND_B_GREY_ECLECTUS_B.html Also, if you can make room for the cages in the living room, why don't you put the cages there than put a play stand in your room? That way, when your not home, they will at least have your daughter around and won't be totally isolated, and then, when you're home in your room you can have them on the play stand and spend time with them that way. I have a similar set up, my cages are in the main area of the house where everyone passes by the cages and can talk to them if I'm out, but I have a play stand set up by the couch where I sit and relax on the T.V./Laptop when I'm home. You can build a play stand very inexpensively with PVC pipe. Good Luck!

Awesome! I'm so excited for you!

Thanks for all the comments! Hmmm... I didn't realize realize she didn't have water proof feathers yet. Guess it makes sense she was soaked! Can the water be cold that she's sprayed with, the bottle of aloe juice said to keep it refrigerated after opening. This time it was room temperature.

The woman at the bird store said I could hold off a little and let Eva get adjusted before I started regular bathing. Well today I saw her trying to get inside her water bowl on the play stand and splash her self, so I figured it was time for her first bath. I got her some ALoe Vera juice, which I've learned from here is very good for greys and mixed it with half water: She loved the spray down! Now how often does everyone here shower their Greys. My other bird is small enough that he can take a full bath in his water bowl twice a week so I don't worry about it.

I second that, I think everyone at my job has had enough of me talking about my birds. So I don't anymore, lol. I have one co worker who a Caique so we can chat, but other than that no. They always joke with me at work "How's your parakeets?" I did do a presentation on avian care and parrots as pets for my Professional and Public Speech class a couple of semesters ago, I bought my BB who was a very good sport and actually cooperated in front of the class. Everyone really enjoyed it. I always come here to get my fix!