CarolC

Do I give the pasta raw or cooked, sorry about being so new at this, I do not want to do anything wrong and worry about hurting Tweedy. Thanks

Doug, I would have assumed there was somekind of registry for these exotic birds, but have found only a few local groups of folks who have created their own. Our state fish and game office requires an exotic pet permit at $20 a year but does not keep a data bank of band numbers. The closest thing is the micro chip ID program utilized by many dog and cat owners. The vet we took her too scanned her at no change to us only to tell us she does not have a chip.

Funny you talk about you nail polish, I am blessed with very long Natural nails, Tweedy is always trying to clamp down on them when I have a white french manicure, she must think the white tips are sunflower seeds. We have however got her to understand "soft beak" "soft beak" and she lets go without hurting anyone. Ok so easy on the fruit, why did I not even think of that?? You are right about the sugar thing. I feel like a new Mommy all over again, eventhough it's been 18 years since my youngest was born.

Ok, so Tweedy calmed down from being overwhelmed from too many new things, guess I should have asked someone first. I am happy to report she did step onto her new soft perch and stayed for about 3 min, so I guess she is slowly acepting it.

I am convinced that this is a forum of saints, of whom you are one. My heart goes out to all of those poor animals who were treated so cruelly. I too rescued my Gray right after Hurricane Irene blew through. I am convinced she was outside possibly in the woods during the 70 mile per hour winds. I am completely new to caring for an African Gray, but love her so much. I look forward to reading how yours adjusts to newfound love and care. Good luck.

Ok, so I have been learning a wealth of information here from my newfound friends. Tweedy loves her seed, not too thrilled about the pellets, eats one or two to make me happy. I have been giving her fresh veggies since reading here that they need veggies. She loves fruit! but not bananas. She loves cashews from my husband, that's his signature snack with her. The one scary thing from reading the forum is that of bath time. I have no idea how I am going to do that. However, Tweedy came to my rescue. I caught her splashing around in her water dish today! So I found a heavy shallow dish and put about an inch of room temperature water in it, and she stepped right in and had a great time!!! She looked just like the wild birds in my backyard birdbath. I received my order of things today for her, a soft perch (that rope type), the scratchy type of perch for her nails, a mirror, a dragon wood perch, forage ball and this other thing that they are supposed to like to shred. Unfortunately, I fear I have overwhelmed her with way too much. She was making that snapping sound the I think means she is stressed. My husband took everything new out expect for the soft perch and said we should introduce one new item at a time. She is back to singing, but has still not gone near the perch. I hope that she climbs up on it later to go to sleep. Will keep you posted, as it is a new and exciting experience each day. Thank you for asking.

I do have pictures of her in her new (used) cage, I just cannot figure out how to post them here. I will continue to try.

When we contacted the local vet, they told us to come in just for that reason that many pet owners now have a chip “installed”? in their pet(s). The vet was very nice, but found no chip. She gave us some birdie pellets, and wished us the best luck. I can only imagine just how far 70 to 80 mile an hour winds could have swept this precious birdie. We live in a very very rural area, so maybe after a pounding of wicked winds for 12 hours birdie found refuge in the woods to endure 15 inches of rain and the worst flooding our area has ever had in recorded weather history. I do check our local paper for any missing birdie ads, but nothing yet. To tell you the truth though I know in my heart there must be a very sad family somewhere, I cannot imagine not having her here now. She has suddenly become the center of attention in our family.

Here’s my story. I live in one of those states suddenly ravaged by Hurricane Irene then one-week later tropical storm Lee without electric for 4 days. I am now suddenly an unexpected owner of a beautify African Grey, who somehow got lost from her owner and weathered hurricane force winds outside, for who knows how long. This beautiful bird literally walked into my life, somehow knowing I am an animal lover. We sincerely have tried to find the lost owner through local police and veterinarian hospitals, but no one has claimed her. (Though I would not turn her over to just anyone as she is banded, anyone trying to claim her would have to prove ownership by telling me what the band said). However, no one ever called. After spending one week in a tiny canary cage in hopes to reunite bird and owner, I realized I would probably never find the owner. Thus, I now went on a quest for a large parrot cage. Again, it was destiny that my husband suggested Craig’s list, as we did not have the means to spend several hundred dollars on a cage. We found and purchased a very lovely parrot cage that stands well over five feet tall; the owner of the cage housed two cockatiels in it. I found instructions on safely sanitizing it and did so. I then placed the two cages together until “Tweedy” with the help of a trail of peanuts walked into her new cage. I only know what I have read over the past week and find that owning “Tweedy” will be a learning opportunity for both of us. Tweedy is comfortable eating from my hand. She steps up on my finger, and has voluntarily walked up my arm! I know she wants her head scratched as she bends her head down sideways, but does not allow me to do so. However, when I have an unshelled peanut she allows me to rub the back of her neck with it. I guess it will be a slower process than I realized. Tweedy is very boisterous in song, whistling and cherdling. She mimics the beep of the microwave, and stove timer. She started meowing yesterday to our surprise! (we do not own a cat) She even laughs. Though she has not spoken a word that was not why we decided to give her a home and family. I image she is grieving the loss of her prior home and those who loved her. I hope we can fill that void. Even though I refer to her as Tweedy, I am hesitant in giving her a name, I hope and pray each and every day she tells me her name someday. I ask her continuously what her name is. Tweedy now joins Toby our Blk Lab, Rascal and Girlie Girlie our two ferrets and of course the gold fish in my water garden. I look forward to learning as much as I can about her, and look to all of you at this forum for your expertise and guidance. Thank you

Dear Danmcq, You sound like someone I need to spend hours with. Here’s my story. I live in one of those states suddenly ravaged by Hurricane Irene then one-week later tropical storm Lee without electric for 4 days. I am now suddenly an unexpected owner of a beautify African Grey, who somehow got lost from her owner and weathered hurricane force winds outside, for who knows how long. This beautiful bird literally walked into my life, somehow knowing I am an animal lover. We sincerely have tried to find the lost owner through local police and veterinarian hospitals, but no one has claimed her. (Though I would not turn her over to just anyone as she is banded, anyone trying to claim her would have to prove ownership by telling me what the band said). However, no one ever called. After spending one week in a tiny canary cage in hopes to reunite bird and owner, I realized I would probably never find the owner. Thus, I now went on a quest for a large parrot cage. Again, it was destiny that my husband suggested Craig’s list, as we did not have the means to spend several hundred dollars on a cage. We found and purchased a very lovely parrot cage that stands well over five feet tall; the owner of the cage housed two cockatiels in it. I found instructions on safely sanitizing it and did so. I then placed the two cages together until “Tweedy” with the help of a trail of peanuts walked into her new cage. I only know what I have read over the past week and find that owning “Tweedy” will be a learning opportunity for both of us. Tweedy is comfortable eating from my hand. She steps up on my finger, and has voluntarily walked up my arm! I know she wants her head scratched as she bends her head down sideways, but does not allow me to do so. However, when I have an unshelled peanut she allows me to rub the back of her neck with it. I guess it will be a slower process than I realized. Tweedy is very boisterous in song, whistling and cherdling. She mimics the beep of the microwave, and stove timer. She started meowing yesterday to our surprise! (we do not own a cat) She even laughs. Though she has not spoken a word that was not why we decided to give her a home and family. I image she is grieving the loss of her prior home and those who loved her. I hope we can fill that void. Even though I refer to her as Tweedy, I am hesitant in giving her a name, I hope and pray each and every day she tells me her name someday. I ask her continuously what her name is. Tweedy now joins Toby our Blk Lab, Rascal and Girlie Girlie our two ferrets and of course the gold fish in my water garden. I look forward to learning as much as I can about her, and look to all of you at this forum for your expertise and guidance. Thank you