kave70

Thanks for the info. I don't know how to post the video straight through here, but will give it a try. I wasn't worried about the behavior, it's just been heightened lately, and I was trying to figure it out. Sam's been with us two years and finally lets me hold him.. wooo hoooo!

Hi- Can someone give me thoughts on what Sam is doing? Is it some sort of nesting/mating behavior? Any thoughts would be most appreciated. http://youtu.be/ql2ZTzMjUCc

Thanks- I'll let you know how it turns out.

Thanks Maggie and Jay. I look forward to any thoughts you may have.

Not sure if anyone has experience with this situation. We currently have Sam (CAG) and Filbert (RB2). Sam was a rescue and has come so far. We are so proud of him! An older woman lost her home due to Hurricane Sandy, and has decided not to rebuild, but is moving into a condo. She has an 16 year old U2 that needs to be rehomed. She has asked us if we would adopt him. We came up with all the Green Lights and Red Lights and it seemed that the Green Lights far surpassed the negatives. I work from home, we have the room, we live in the country where there are no neighbors to get annoyed with the bird noise, etc. I was asking the advice of a bird store owner and she said that bringing a U2 into the flock would be a mistake. That Filbetr (my RB2) would learn octaves and noises I never knew possible. That he would be very jealous and the needy Too behaviors would emerge. Currently, Filbert is super independent and loads of fun. He's in no way a velcro bird. He loves to be busy and is only loud in the morning and night. Sam (CAG) loves to be crazy in the morning too. He's funny, attacking his toy, hanging upside down, quite happy. Does anyone have a flock with multiple Toos? Any thoughts? Karen

I've noticed that the less I put in the bowl, the less on the floor. If I'm home throughout the day I can refill and there is very little waste. If I have to go to work, then I fill it higher, but know I'm coming home to half the bowl on the bottom of the cage.

woo hoo! I bet that feels great. Way to Go, Gracie!

Beautiful baby! Congrats!

I bought that toy for Sam and he felt otherwise. All he did was bang it against the cage and seemed to get angry with it. He broke it within a weeks time. I may try it for my RB2 though- bet he'd love it.

I saw this article and thought you might enjoy it. Of course I already knew that each birdy has their own musical taste.... Sam (CAG) seems to enjoy older rock/pop and Filbert (RB2) really likes calming instrumentals. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/9762864/Parrot-listens-to-Scissor-Sisters-music.html Karen and Sam

Thanks- the only thing I'm not happy with is the latch at the top small door. They will be changed, for sure. Other than that, it looks great, and I love the easier pan cleaning.

Let's see if I post the photo correctly ... here it is. Filbert is on the left, and Sam on the right. I was concerned about relocating Sam, but he took to it, immediately! Score!

We went and picked it up. Cleaned and sanitized it ( used the vinegar then peroxide after cleaning and using the steamer). Looking forward to setting it up. Thanks for the responses. I'm so glad I asked- what a deal I got!!

Anyone have experience or thoughts about this company? I found a GREAT deal on a cage on Craigslist but am not familiar with the brand. Thoughts? Karen and Sam

Just made it home from Long Island last night. I live upstate NY, but work down in the city. Throughout all the devastation I was impressed with so many individual acts of kindness. My sister works in a restuarant and they had a generator. They opened up and served anyone, regardless of whether or not they had money (finding a place with the ability to accept a credit card is difficult right now). That made me smile. There were so many other stories like that, it warmed my heart. Most of my family is still without power, but one has a generator, and one has a fireplace, so it's all being worked out. My heart goes out to my friends whom completely lost their homes. I'm grateful to be here, in my toasty warm house, typing online to give you all an update. I came home to happy birds- nobody shunned me for being away so long :-) Even Sam was interested in me and allowed me to pet him! Take care, karen and Sam

Welcome- beautiful birds!

Thank you, Katana. I think your onion analagy is quite fitting. I have plenty of patience though and look forward to the day it seems like we're peeling away :-) Karen and Sam

Dave, Thank you SO MUCH for your reply. This is precisely the information I was looking for! We will continue on our path with Sam. He is deeply loved and an important part of our family. I have printed your reply and posted it on the fridge, for everyone in our house to see. I feel so much better knowing that we're doing right by him. Thank you again! Karen and Sam

That is exactly what I'm trying to find out- the differences between breeder and pet greys. I was looking for articles on this specific information. We have no clue how old Sam is, or his past- he was abandoned with several other animals in a Vet's parking lot and we've had him a year and a half now. In short, I feel like I'm not giving him enough to be happy and was really hoping for some additional information to perhaps better his life. I could very well be wrong- I'm just trying to find a way to enrich his life. I will gladly take any suggestions/advice. Thanks! Karen and Sam

Let's see if I can put this all together so that it makes sense: You know we have had Sam 1 1/2 years- still very little want for human contact, except to nuzzle my husband. He doesn't even want to sit, or get pet, or interact- he just wants to nuzzle his hand. I may be wrong, but I notice when he is out with my husband he bangs his beak a lot on different surfaces. I don't know if this is just him, or a mating behavior. I have no experience in the matter. He shakes ( I know this can be common) constantly and ANY change is really difficult to him. Remember when I tried to show him an old cage- he didn't stop screaming until I covered it. His likes for toys are rare- will forrage, but that's it. He still screams obsessively- we've worked on it and have lessened it, but I don't hold out hopes for extinguishing it. He became complete enamoured and obsessed with the top cubby of the armoir. He immediately started digging and was refused to leave. We attempted to replicated any sort of digging/box, towels, for him in his cage and out of his cage but he really wasn't interested. Show him the dark cubby and he's adamant that it belongs to him, and him only.(As soon as we noticed the issue, we stopped bringing him into the room where the armoir is) He's OK around other birds- never the aggressor. He is usually watchful, but dis-interested in any contact. He has been socialized with a CAG male and we have the same reaction. He met a female CAG and the reaction was quite different. He was actually interested. He kept inching closer (she was a pretty thing ;-) ), and was making beak to beak contact and attempting to nuzzle. He was banging his beak on the perch, like he does for my husband. We bought him a stainless steel toy - I continue to try different toys, hoping to find something to interest him. It's a rectangular plate with bells hanging from it. This has become a best friend.... but all he does is nuzzle his reflection in the plate and makes clicking sounds and bangs his beak on the perch. I'm not even sure if I should let it stay in there or if I'm making it worse by letting him have it. He will hang upside down and almost attack it, then turn around and nuzzle and make vocalizations to it. We did try taking it out and he kept screaming (days) so I put it back in. I take it out at bed time, but I would love to know if someone thinks this is helping or hurting.... definitely don't want to torture poor Sam. My conclusion is just a hunch- I've been really watching him to try and find a way to help him live a happier existance. He never quite seems happy and that is concerning to me. I was hoping to find some articles/info so that I may find a way to give him what he needs. We love him dearly, and we are not expecting more of him- I just want to GIVE more to him. I am sure I'm missing important parts- If I think of more, I'll come back and add more infor. Thanks for any insight Karen and Sam

As I watch Sam's behavior, I have a sneaking suspicion that perhaps he was part of a breeding pair. Could I be wrong? Sure.... but since I don't know much about breeding behaviors, I thought I would ask for some advice. I'm looking for articles, info, advice... anything to help me better understand Sam. Does anyone have any links to share that might talk about rehabbing/understanding a grey that has had limited human contact. I'd really appreciate any help. I'm trying to better understand Sam and what makes him tick. Karen (and Sam)

This thread made my morning. I'm so happy that she found you. You have a good husband to have intervened on her behalf.

I, too, am very sorry for your loss. He was given a lot of love in his short life.

I love seeing photos of different birds. Beautiful!

I thought you would all appreciate this article. http://www.birdchannel.com/bird-news/2012/07/25/interpol-operation-cage.aspx