Amali

If you need to watch money, I would just do as Mark mentioned and mount a bolt on perch in your dog/cat carrier. You can get those perches at most pet stores these days, drill a hole down low in the carrier, and pop it in. Cheaper yet would be finding a safe natural branch and installing it the same way.

Once his nails are trimmed, if you give him a "pedicure perch" in his cage or even something like a flagstone perch, you really shouldn't need to trim much. Tucker's nails were like razors when I got him so we towelled him and did a quick trim job. He has two rough perches in his cage along with rope and natural branch perches. Just the little time he spends on the concrete or sand type perches keeps his nails nicely dulled.

We did a comfort feeding last night (and yes, I had the thermometer ready to gauge proper temp) - he still wouldn't use a spoon but would take it slowly from the syringe. He only took a couple CCs but that small amount seemed enough to settle him down and we didn't hear any crying the rest of the night. I will continue to try other soft foods and the spoon

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Greywings I tried to give him some oatmeal with a spoon and he'd have nothing to do with the spoon. I will give it another shot tonight!

As most of you know, I brought Tucker home two weeks ago at the age of 13 weeks. He was weaned and maintained his weight for at least a week before the breeder would allow him to come home. Since bringing him home, Tucker eats well and I check his weight every other day. He has gained weight in the time we have had him - up to 249g from 241g. He digs into his veggies every morning and eats his pellets well too. Every evening, though, he has started the "give me a feeding" baby cry. It was most noticeable last night so I took a video and sent it to the breeder to confirm that I was reading his cry correctly. The breeder responded that Tucker is, in fact, trying to manipulate me into giving him a feeding, but the breeder advised against doing it. This goes against everything I've read so I'm asking for your opinions on this one. Some more points that I think are noteworthy - he only does this in the evening as I mentioned. He only does this when he is being held or when someone is in his immediate vicinity. If he is left alone in his cage, he goes on about his own business - playing, eating, etc. Also - I have experience handfeeding and am 100% confident in my ability to give him a comfort feeding if this is the route we choose to take. I know the risks of handfeeding and would never attempt to do it if I weren't certain that I know what to do. My only goal is to give Tucker the best shot at being a confident and outgoing 'too. What would you do?

So cute! My experience at Scott's was the same! Amali refused to get off me while the other bird could have cared less. The stepping up will come Congrats!

Another Canada-based site - http://www.birdyboredombusters.com/

Amali tends to like the things she sits and "helps" make. Typically I sprawl stuff all over the living room floor as I make toys and Amali will wander from her stand, to my lap, to everything laying around. Once the toy is finished, no need to be afraid because she's seen it all!

I know it will depend on the birds - but how did your two progress to the point they've settled at? Did it take a long while before you'd allow them near each other to eat off the same plate? Right now, I hold them back ... out of fear that something will happen. Should I just let them be and let them work it out?

Sometimes my guys sit in the bottom of my garden tub and I will mist them while also having about 1/2" of water in the tub. Other days, they go on their shower perch in the shower with me. Amali seems to prefer the finer mist from the spray bottle, but takes all of it in stride.

For those of you with multiple birds who get along with one another, how did that friendship come about? How did you go about letting the birds progress to the point of being near one another? We've had Tucker for 1.5 weeks now, and I still watch the two of them like a hawk when they are both out of their cages. Amali seems very interested in Tucker, but Tucker doesn't seem very confident just yet. I am not interested in pushing the issue - and I'm perfectly fine if they never become friends. I just would like to hear how others have handled it. I would at least like to hope that one day I won't be so 'on guard' when both are out at the same time.

Oh fun! Let us know how it goes today! When I went to Scott's to get Amali, I went in the same way you are - not knowing who was coming home with me. Letting her choose me (and boy did she make that clear) was the best thing I could have done.

I have heard wonderful things about the Austin Air Cleaners, but I simply couldn't justify spending the amount they cost at this time. So I ended up with this - http://www.amazon.com/Winix-PlasmaWave-5300-Cleaner-Model/dp/B001RUS05E/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1341508993&sr=8-7&keywords=air+filter . I believe I read somewhere that the ionic thing is not good for birds - I will have to do some digging around on that.

You will find many advocates of free flight - which I support and agree with - but you also have to know your bird and your own circumstances and make the best decision based on those factors. Amali is clipped. She was allowed to fledge and then was given a moderate clip. If she loses her balance, she can still glide with grace to the floor. I just know my household - I cannot trust others to be as diligent about the doors as I would be. We live in the country, I have a young child, we have dogs ... all a combination of circumstances that make me feel that being clipped is best in our home. (Oh - and we live in TX - I'd die without the ceiling fans!) Good luck with your decision. I know it is a hard one, and you will feel pressured by many to do what they feel is the right thing. I have been looked down upon for my decision, but I stand by it knowing that it is the best in OUR circumstances.

Like Judy, I give Amali about 1T worth of spaghetti when our family has it (not very often) - and she LOVES it. I don't give her extra sauce (like Judy); just give whatever is stuck to the noodle. I read on another forum that someone was advised by their avian vet that small amounts of garlic are not harmful at all and can actually be helpful. I don't feed garlic itself - and the amount Amali could possibly get out of a few drops of spaghetti sauce would be miniscule. Amali hasn't taken too much interest in peppers either. I keep trying though Both of my fids will hog down some frozen mixed veggies and are more particular about fresh - just the opposite of the people in the house! Crazy birds I keep supplying it though ... one of these days they will realize how good it all is! Edit - I found this list that also says small amounts of fresh garlic are beneficial - http://www.landofvos.com/articles/kitchen5.html