kins2321@yahoo.com

I sooo agree with Dan! Spoiled, spoiled, spoiled! LOL! Aren't they all eventually? Remember, YOU are the parent, they are the bird. I repeat this to myself, all the time. It sucks, that I am always the " bad guy"... killer of all fun. I stick to my guns. When the fun is gone, Sophie is left with me. Who do you think she calls when she is scared or threatened? ME! I'm okay with that! Apparently, Sophie is as well. Nancy

Sounds like a molting to me. We survived molting for many years. Be supportive, continue with your usual expectations, be sympathetic. Expectations, never changed for Sophie. Nancy

tbird.... I would suggest shaking things up a bit! ( I am good at that!) LOL. I have three birds, two boys age 17 and 20. One of our birds is a rescue Sunconure. Kiki, our Amazon is now ten, Sophie was adopted at age two, now twelve. All birds go to everyone in our family. Alot of training was involved. all introduction to other family members, was taught AWAY from the cage, and involved family games. Birds LOVE games. If they want to play, they have to stepup, to family member whose turn it is. It worked with all three. Another suggestion, is leaving cage door open, sit and read some books to birds. Greys LOVE ryming books such as Dr. Seuss. This is Sophie's favorite author for past 10 years. Let bird come and find you, as all my birds eventually did. You need to get over bite. Otherwise, they know you are scared. I always looked at it, like I did as a parent. If your toddler would bite you, what would you do? Its the same thing. A few weeks ago, Kiki got spooked about something while feeding them. She charged across cage, ready to bite me. I left my hand there... she stopped in mid stride. Didn't bite. I knew she wouldn't. Birds are NOT allowed to bite, or chew feathers. I am their " ROM", mom. Nancy

Sophie is not all that huge for a CAG. She was DNA tested and sexed. I have to be honest, I never weigh her. She eats like a pig and looks great. I guess we think of her as a " big Cag", because she rules our animal kingdom. Three birds and two dogs. When she tells dogs to go out and pee, they run for the door. When she tells dogs to " share", they leave her a piece of chicken. In return... Ollie loves peanuts. She will say, " Ollie want a peanut?" He runs, she throws him one. Nancy

It also depends on the routine. My gang gets fed everyday at 6am. When they call on weekends for me to get up and feed them.... NOT going to happen. 8 am on weekends. They adjusted. Most routine changes that really stress a bird out is something like, going on vacation. New caregiver. Another example, my son going off to college, then coming back, leaving again. Stressed Sophie. She readjusted within 48 hours.Things like that. Nancy

LOVED the video! it was so welcomed after a very difficult and busy day. Nancy

I hope this bird has someone that trully loves him. He can't survive in a cage or playgym. He will fall. He needs to live a life in a " playpen", unfortunatelly. They unfortunately, cannot develop their sense of smell, or hearing, like blind people. Nancy

I think your baby is doing just fine! Watched video. Nancy

Truly, when I walk in the door, Sophie is on my shoulder within five minutes. Kiki, seeks Sean out, and she is on his shoulder. Sunny wonders where everyone has gone, so now he wants out. We do alot of bird juggling.Sophie has accepted my " adopted son", a friend of Ryan, that spends alot of time here. I was surprised to see her on his shoulder this week. He commented... he has spent alot of time with her, when I was at work. Now she thinks he's " great!" Our home is soooo crazy! I have been careful, that birds are introduced to people they feel they can trust.They all, do really adjust quickly to anyone I trust. Nancy

I would suggest a metal gym. Sliding down the sides, around 90 miles an hour, will be entertaining. Greys LOVE it! Provide her with pinata's. Destruction, is the goal. Give her anything " paper", that she can destroy. Sophie has never taken to block toys. She insists on being with us, 100%. She wants to watch movies with us, she insists on doing bills with me etc. I learned a long time ago, she is my " youngest" child. I treat her as such. We have been blessed to have Sophie for past 12 years. Nancy

Many know, I can't shower Sophie, my grey. She is 12 years old now. My groomer showers her. She is okay with it. As long as it is not me. We have a deal. I was off last week, had no plans. I had more time than usual to do nothing. I spent alot of time with Sophie. Watched her groom herself. It is ALOT of work. I never knew how much time Sophie spent on grooming. I have a new respect. I actually can see why birds over " groom", and it gets out of control. Nancy

Well Kayleigh came home. She came to see me without Ryan being here. Within a minute, Sophie cameout to hang with us. Kayleigh was opening her Christmas gift, but Sophie was more interested in Kayleigh! Her pupils were NOT dialating and constricting, as if threatened. It became a war of the females in Ryan's life. Sophie climbed up on Kay's shoe. Pretended to bite, but didn't. I removed her from Kay's shoe, to hangout with me.She was totally exerting her " status", with Kayleigh. Where should I post pictures of Sophie loving Ryan. Way too cute! Nancy

I believe Barnaby is going to be just fine! I am not overly religious, but I have asked some friends that are, to pray. Nancy

It made me tear up. I feel I keep many " hands off"... because I don't want to get close to others. Not sure why. I am just very close to my birds and dogs. I worry about " sharing" our relationship. Is that normal? Nancy

Rescuing a bird or any animal, requires a human, that goes beyond a " belief in humanity". They are a person that can " relate", to the animal. When I was called to rescue Sunny, he was out of " forever homes". It was alot of pressure for me. I responded... " please don't do this to me!" I wasn't up for it. I can't close a cage! The response was, " you don't need to close the cage!" I took Sunny home, no idea what we were doing. He's been with us Forever. When I send him to get trimmed with kids... I tell them to make sure he comes home. Bird trimmer really likes him. His coloring and behavior, is desired! LOL! Nancy

It is important to let birds that scream.... scream! My Amazon needs to do so. She is allowed to scream her heart out between 3-4pm. She does so. Noone tells her to be quiet, birds that imitate, I hush. It is Kik's time. Nancy

Greys will bark. Too the point, you don't know if the dog is barking, or the grey! LOL Sophie LOVES our two Maltese dogs. Dogs were pups, when she first came home. They were trained by my Lhasa Apso, to " respect" the birds. He was blind, but would " charge", the pups, when they ran to meet Sophie. Max taught them how to love and respect our birds. They needed to share. Once Max knew they respected birds, especially Sophie, he left her in charge of our animal kingdom, and departed from us. Nancy

Loved this place! I always look for new and fantastic toys or gyms. When I went on a hike along Ontario Beach, I found a " natural gym", that Kiki would have loved. It was sooo huge! I had six teenagers go back and try to help me move it. No go! I was so sad. Kiki would have loved it! Nancy

All birds are messy. Depends on how smart you are, with being " one step ahead!" I am always a step ahead. If I wasn't.... I buy painters plastic at Walmart. I plan on 12 by 12 area. We have all hardwood floors, which makes it easier. I would recommend NOT having cage " flush" with a wall. They will " paint" the walls with fruits and veggies, as they will fling it. They will need to be introduced to fruits and veggies, over and over. They will continue to fling healthy foods, over and over. Nancy

LOL! They DO know what they are saying! I swear by it! Sophie gets very offended when Ryan my son's girlfriend comes over. They are both away in college in different states. When they DO get together, Sophie sits between them. Sophie is quite possessive of Ryan. Ryan shows Sophie " first choice". His girlfriend understands. We have been working on Sophie's behavior when Kayleigh comes over. She sits in the middle, say"s NO! NO!" They have been dating for five years. I told them it was time to get her use to Kayleigh. ( I've been telling them for years!) Kayleigh is coming over tomorrow. Ryan back in school. I'm going to introduce Sophie to Kayleigh, without Ryan here. Any thoughts? Nancy

like Dawl said.... the picture can never be too big! Love it! Nancy

Great job Bianca! Your English is just fine as Ray pointed out. You are very mature and have taken on a great responsibility for someone so young. Nancy

Welcome Zandra, hubby, Charlie and Lucy... we look forward to your posts. This is a great site, with a wealth of information. Ask anything your thinking! Nancy and Sophie

Dawl.... I am surprised! You actually shocked me! You are going against the majority beliefs! Why? Nancy

zephyr... welcome! Nancy