Doug

Elegua has red spots on her thighs and the base of her tail. Is that a juvenile marking that will go away as she matures or is that how she's gonna be? It's very cute. I'll post pictures when she is more comfortable on the play top and I can get up close with the camera...

My daughter is 13. There were times the past two years where I seriously contemplated putting her up for adoption. I loved her, of course, but didn't like her very much. She seems to be improving...

Oh my gosh! I haven't tried to hold her yet based on the breeder's recommendations (she said to wait a day to handle her, to let her get used to her new environment). After 8 p.m., Elegua squawked a bit. I went over and talked to her. She shoved her beak through the bars. I rubbed her beak a bit and she didn't even try to "taste/feel" my fingers, so I rubbed her head. She was enthralled, just pressing her head against the bars so I could skritch her head and neck. I'm guessing that the breeder would love on her before bed time and Ellie wanted some affection before going to sleep. She's SO sweet. <big sigh> I'm totally hooked. (From what I've read, it's like human babies - they hook you early on so that you don't kill them during adolescence...)

When I went to their main page, the cover shown was from 2006. I still get a slew of programming code when I try to submit a subscription...

Little bits of hibiscus flower on her head make it look like she's part vulture... (I gave her a small hibiscus branch with some leaves and a flower to play with...)

The kids and I picked up Ellie today! She seems to be comfortable in the cage, exploring everywhere and not seeming nervous or anxious. Exploring the cage: Peeking out the door:

This is a micro-ceramic lining, similar to a teflon lining. Very thin layer. It's not like old-school ceramic pots!

It seems like my brother-in-law and his wife and daughter are FINALLY moving out. In a month or two. Sigh... But at least they've had the offer on the house accepted and if the inspections are okay, they will close. Once those two (my SIL & my niece) are out of the house, the volume level will go down SUBSTANTIALLY. (They screech more than most parrots...) Thank goodness...

I just happened to see it at my local grocery mega-store, Kroger. You never know what you'll come home with when you pop out for groceries...

Thanks! Just a few days!! I'm sure I'll take hundreds of pictures...

I can't subscribe to Bird Times on-line - their website crashes when I submit the form. Sigh...

I flipped through a copy of Bird Talk last night. Lots of nice pictures, but kinda light on the content...

Well, I think I'll skip the cover for now and see how she reacts. I'll put up a small cloth in the corner so she has a place to hide.

Yup. A bit odd...

I got a reply from "Mr. Chains": The Ultra Violet Inhibitors we use is not a coating, it's actually formulated or encapsulated right into our colorant to protect our material. We have several companies that purchase our chain for bird toys. With the exception of our safety orange and safety green, our chain does not contain heavy metals. I hope this helps. Please contact me if you have any other questions. An odd reply considering their website clearly states "coating" on one of the pages. Please note the comment about the safety orange and safety green!!

I have purchased the following cage: King's Cages (cage dimensions: 34" W x 26" D x 41" H) (click on link to see it) The cage is in a part of the house that sees a lot of activity after 9 p.m., so I think that I need a cage cover. I can probably fabricate one myself, using sewn-in neodymium magnets (very strong) (nickel plating). Any special concerns or considerations for a cover? Would it be a good idea to leave the back and two sides on during the day to provide a greater feeling of security. (A lot of foot traffic will be going past the cage...)

I am getting my baby TAG from a "local" breeder for $995. She will be 15 weeks old when I pick her up. Hand-fed and socialized.

Here I am trying to imitate a cockatoo: Here is a more typical shot (with my dear wife, Kelleigh): A couple of other shots of me for the heck of it... My wonderful wife, Kelleigh: Here is my son, Dyson, who will be helping me out with Elegua (once we get her in FOUR days): My daughter, Keira: My puppies, Piper (left) and Nala (right): My common map turtle, Goofy:

A few weeks ago, I walked into a glass wall. I walked into it hard enough to bust my nose and knock myself on my butt. (I was outside where it was dark and it was bright inside, so it was almost impossible to see the glass. Just minutes before, I was explaining to some kids why a paper plate had been taped up to the glass, but I was distracted and didn't see it...) Took a week for the swelling/bruising to go away. Sigh...

While browsing Tractor Supply for toy ideas, I saw cow ears, cow hooves, and pig ears. Are these suitable for parrots? (Like rawhide, I would get the ones without coloring/flavoring.)

While buying all new pots and pans (so I can get rid of the Teflon-lined cookware - my wife is starting to grumble about all the changes...) I picked up a different kind of no-stick pan. The Aeternum line from Bialetti. Their website says: The interior features a new "nano-ceramic" coating which is a water-based coating made of titanium and suspended silicate micro-particles (the main component of glass); one of the purest and most ecological materials in nature. This material resists scratches, abrasions and offers a smooth, compact and uniform surface that makes it easier to clean. The white color provides a unique and extraordinary cooking experience. I prefer to cook with stainless steel pots and pans anyway, but being able to find a parrot-friendly non-stick for my wife has helped a bit with the aforementioned grumbling...

Go for it! As long as you aren't gluing the pieces together (and there is no need for that), you can make any changes you want if you need to "fix" it...

What African grey and/or parrot magazines do y'all subscribe to?

Yeah. After reading through some of the older threads on this forum, there seems to be a huge range... From what I've read, TAGs in the wild leave their parents substantially earlier than CAGs. (I'm not sure it is scientifically established...)

Gotcha! I'll wait a bit to see what Elegua does. (I pick her up in five days!) She's just a baby so I don't want to overload her...