Doug

Welcome to the two of you. I like your idea of compiling the lists, but I will not sign up on the 4shared website or download their app, so I guess I can't see your files. Bella is really cute. I hope to see some more pictures soon!

Nah. While some parrots do seem to distinguish between human genders, this type of bonding/action can happen regardless of the bird/human gender combination.

Contrary to most responses, I can easily seeing this work - IF it was big enough. Let's work with KL31 (real name?) rather than driving him/her off. KL31 isn't talking about a completely sealed system, just limiting the access to airflow. The ideas involving the external filtration are impressive. (The filtered vents are an issue because they require forced air, so some open vents will be required in the case of a power outage.) It sounds like KL31 is willing to put a lot of time and thought in coming up with a way to get his/her bird integrated into the household. The plexiglass won't keep the bird from hearing/communicating with the family. If the plexiglass cage was big enough, you could put a lot of perches in place; a lot of places to climb and exercise. The bird gets to see and hear the family, which is no different than if it was in a standard cage. That said, the cage itself provides a lot of exercise - I'm sure Ellie is not alone in climbing all over the cage. I like the idea of the humidifier and the air-purifier to control the dander. We've seen several ideas to control the seeds/waste. You could even put a sheet of plexiglass on a hinge on the outside of one side of the cage (the side with the food and water bowls. That way you have access to the bowls and can control the mess. Get a large plastic mat to put under the cage. (I've been meaning to do that myself...) I know people like KL31's mother. Don't understand them one little bit, but I also can't see convincing them to change. KL31 is gonna have to work around his/her mother for now...

I don't have any answers but I did want to say what a cute little dinosaur Charley is!

Welcome to both of you!

When my son won't shut up about his computer game, I tell him to go tell Ellie all about it! I have not considered reading to Ellie, nor do I have any interest in doing so now that it has been brought to my attention. I just act as the narrator in the story of my life. I tell Ellie everything that I am doing. Or describe what she is doing. If I am cooking, I show her the ingredients, tell her what I am doing to the ingredient, tell her what each utensil does, etc. That is, in my opinion, a much better developmental pathway. Reading lets the bird hear your voice, but beyond that does nothing to teach them. Just one grumpy old man's opinion...

Ugh. Almost enough to drive you to get into politics - just to get some government regulation... Sometimes I wonder how we can all be the same species...

And thus begins the journey of the rest of your life!

Well, duh! It's because she is just that cute!!

Here's a shot of Ellie getting more peanut butter ON her beak (and then every surrounding surface) than IN her beak... (Unfortunately, by the time I grabbed the camera, she had dislodged the big chunk that was on the top...) Messy peanut butter by shyzaboy, on Flickr

Here's a good example of the flakiness of Greys when it comes to toys... I bought a couple new toys for Ellie yesterday - a kabob and a string of wooden balls with a bell on the end. I carried the toy with a bell past her cage (I had to get the scissors out of my office) and she was intently curious. When I returned, I showed it to her. None of the typical Grey fear of the new - she wanted it. Especially the bell. Once I held up the bell for her to see, she snatched it from me and wouldn't let it go... Ellie DEMANDED that I give her the new toy! by shyzaboy, on Flickr I had to attach the other end to one of the branches on the play-top so once she DID let go, it wouldn't go crashing to the floor. (Where the dogs would probably chew it up...) It is now in her cage so she can ring the bell for service... I may have to rethink the location of this toy... BUT... Ellie loved her previous kabob - she completely destroyed it. I showed her the new one and she growled and pulled away. I still can't get her within three or four feet of it without her freaking out. Weird critters...

Depends on what he means by disease! As far as I know, nothing that is found in the branches can withstand a date with the oven. Cut them to lengths that will fit in your oven and bake them for an hour at 120 °C (250 °F). If you want to use a larger branch, I seen recommendations to use a mild bleach solution to soak for an hour or so. I personally would then rinse thoroughly (repeatedly) and soak it in plain water. Allow to fully dry (any residual chlorine will evaporate) preferably in bright sun. I'm an engineer, not a biologist, so I don't know enough to make real recommendations. You might use resources like: http://www.mdvaden.com/bird_page.shtml http://www.birdsafe.com/woods.htm A concern that I would have getting branches from a park or along a street in town - if you don't know when they spray pesticides or other chemicals, you may end up with some evil stuff on your branches. The stuff stays on the branches a long time... Luckily for me, I am surrounded by national forest and live far enough in the country that the government doesn't do any spraying.

I wasn't suggesting that either of you consider a bird with "issues". I was just saying that even those birds can become a loving companion. I'll leave that kind of rehabilitation for those with more experience than I have!

Ellie always screams whenever she is upside down while playing. It was very alarming at first, but it is just how she plays.

Jocelyn, if you are willing to consider an older bird, definitely talk to the people at your local bird club. They are often contacted by caring owners that want help rehoming a loved bird...

Every single one of them, it would seem! And not just greys... Check out this wonderful story about an Amazon's reaction to a small dog dyed pink... http://www.greyforums.net/forums/showthread.php?194799-A-Pink-Bijon-amp-my-birds!

Me either. But I bet there are a lot of older birds that are wonderful, but their owner can no longer care for them. (I know that Ellie will out-live me by a substantial number of years!)

She's wonderful. Absolutely a dear. One thing that I've heard other people talk about is playing with their greys with foot toys and such. I don't really have a good way to do that - I don't really want to put Ellie on the floor due to the intense interest shown by the dogs...

Ellie will let Kel give her a kiss as well. Give it time!

While there MAY be, on average, differences in personality and behavior between CAGs and TAGs, I think you'll find that there is more variation between individual birds than between the sub-species. Imagine two large circles that almost completely overlap... So, you rolls your dice and you takes your chances...

Ellie is not terribly friendly with my wife Kelleigh. Kel can pick her up if she is on the ground, give her a treat, and touch her beak. But if Kel tries to pet her, Ellie will nip and back away. Despite Kel calling Ellie a "Fish" (when my son was little, he couldn't say "fish" and he said "b*tch" instead. So, of course, we say "fish" when we mean the other...) she keeps trying. Lately, when she reaches out to Ellie, sometimes Ellie will lower her head for a scratch. Not for very long (Ellie will let me scratch her head until my fingers cramp some evenings...). We're making progress, but it is slow. Just be patient and let the bird set the pace. Gentle approaches and don't try to scratch it unless it asks for it. Build up trust with treats, spend time chatting (at a comfortable distance). I'm sure it will all be good!

Solomon's trying to decide if the camera is his next toy...

Ah. I figured that the molt was fairly short in duration. I guess I'll have to do some research...

I definitely need a play-stand in the TV room in the basement (where I have my BIG TV...) (I sit in the love seat that is kinda visible to the right of the picture. And you can tell by the towel that Ellie sits there as well...) Space isn't really an issue, but I'd like something that is a bit more effective for the space it consumes...

How did he get stuck? Did his toe get caught between two of them?