DawL

Hey Wingy, and welcome to the forum! I completely LOL'D when you asked if Grey's were poo shooters like the Quakers! Oh man, Quakers are SO BAD about that! I have a little Quaker that I love to pieces named Kiwi (I hand raised her). She would shoot her poops all over the place! Thankfully she decided to stop doing that, and it hasnt happened in 6 months or so. About your decision between a grey, and quaker...it is going to be a tough one! I am actually waiting to get my grey home. He is in OK, and I live in NC. I found a GREAT breeder online, and he will be coming home hopefully by the end of January. I dont worry at all about him not being bonded to e when he arrives home. I know I have PLENTY of time for that. Take time in making your decision, and dont be afraid those big beaks...all birds are different, and you should be just fine. Just be sure to read up on Grey's BODY LANGUAGE. People would be able to avoid A LOT of bites if they would read their bird's signals. I have inserted a GREAT link on reading a Grey's body language and avoiding bites, and also basic behaviors to expect from a parrot, and how to reinforce wanted behavior, and change unwanted behavior. Good luck with your decision, and if you are anything like me, you will end up having a grey AND a Quaker eventually anyhow! http://www.onafricanwings.com/behavior.htm http://www.onafricanwings.com/biting.htm

Hello, and welcome! I just about died when I saw those pics! Such a cute little one you have there! Do you know the sex yet? Anyhow, on the subject of clipping, there are really positives and negatives to both sides of this subject. I decided to have my baby clipped LIGHTLY to allow ample training time during these months when they are so impressionable. IMO it is much easier to do training sessions on a clipped baby, as opposed to an unclipped baby. If they are clipped they are more dependent on you, and will obviously not try to fly away during a training session. When he has his first molt, I will then allow the flight feathers to grow back in, and by this time he will be (hopefully) harness trained, and ready for some outside time! This is really a decision you must make for yourself, and your bird. Do what you feel is right for your family. Here is a link to a GREAT article on the aspects of this decision, and explains the positives and negatives on the subject. I hope it helps you. http://www.onafricanwings.com/clipping.htm

Hey there, and welcome! How is the weather there in Chi-town? LOL! I lived in Indianapolis my whole until I moved to NC 2 years ago. Anyhow, If it were me, I would not allow them out at the same time for awhile. I would keep their cages in the same room so that they can get to know one another behind closed doors, so to speak, and then down the road when you feel they have had ample time to get used to one another, allow SUPERVISED time with them both out, and see how they interact. They may never get along, or they may grow to absolutely LOVE one another...it will just take time, and patience on your part. Also, congrats on your impending arrival! I am sure you can't wait for tomorrow! Post some pics of your fids when you get a chance!

Thank you for the link, I will definitely be checking it out. We just finished a park here with a playground dedicated to Zahra, and I cant wait until it warms up so that I can take my kids there to play.

I am not familiar with the Michelle Young case. I have lived here in NC for a little over 2 years, and lived in Indianapolis all the rest of my life. Do you talk about Zahra Baker on this crime message board? It is such a sad story, and unfortunately I live in the same city that that little girl lived in, and the crime was committed in. It was horrifying. I can only imagine missing your little one when he sleeps LOL! You wait so long, all you want to do is play with them, and love on them!

We are hoping to go and get him right after Christmas. It is a 4 hour drive there and back, so it will be quite a full day! As soon as I get him home and settled in, I will get some pics of him for sure!

Just remember what he has been through, as I am sure it was a lot. Your story reminded me of my 2 rescued cockatiels. They also came from an abusive, and neglectful home. The husband in the house would bang on the side of their cage with his hand when they would make noise, which has in turn, made them afraid of hands. I have had them for 8 months now, and I am JUST NOW able to give them scritches. They will not step up, they do now want me to hold them, and honestly, I am fine with that. I go to their cage several times a day with my hands behind my back, and talk softly to them. I then give them some treats in their bowl. I am confident that one day we will get there, but I am not going to push them. We will get there on THEIR time. When they allowed me to scritch them, I almost had a heart attack. I called my husband at work freaking out LOL! You will get there with him, dont worry. Just keep giving him treats so that he associates you with good things, speak to him gently, and leave his cage door open so that he may come out when he feels comfortable enough. Good Luck!

Those pictures were beautiful! Your Grey is adorable, and your green cheek has such beautiful coloration! Thank you for sharing!

Would love an update on this story! Did you get to meet Faith?

LOL, yeah I know. I just wanted to thank them because we were having a conversation, and it felt like the right thing to do. I want to thank everyone else as well for viewing this thread, and Grimm's baby pictures! It is going to be quite a journey until we bring him home, and I am so glad to be able to share it with everyone here!

Absolutely! There is nothing like watching a bird in flight, and Macaw's are among the most beautiful to watch, IMO.

I should have elaborated, but I absolutely LOVE Cockatoos. I grew up with a Moluccan, and have worked with many Too's over the years. The difference is, my Dad's M2, and the other Too's I have worked with were not neglected like this bird has been, so I really need to do my homework, and make sure I am as ready for him as I can be. I even made my family go spend time with 2 U2's before we made the decision to get a Cockatoo, because I wanted them to really understand the noise level, and their demanding nature. Finally, we decided we were ready, but it has been a year since then, and we still had not gotten one...and them I got this email. It just FEELS RIGHT. He is a screamer, but honestly I would be too if I NEVER got to get out of my cage. Also, they sent me pics of him, and there is 1 toy in his cage, that is all. I am looking forward to him coming home, and I am hoping to give him a much happier life.

I appreciate this advice. We are very much looking forward to him coming to live with us.

I need to bump this, as I really need some advice on this subject!

Thank you both of you, and thanks for looking at my thread when I update it! It definitely does amaze me at how fast he can grow. This weekend I will be getting new pics of him, and he will be 6 weeks and 2 days old! I have started to collect things that I think will make good toys, or parts for good toys. I really enjoy making things like that, so he will have plenty of entertainment when he arrives. I get a lot of my things from craft stores, and online at Grey Feather Toys (they have great parts) and Mother Pluckin' Bird Toys. I will post some pics of some toys when I get them done.

I am so sorry to hear about your cats, that must have been very difficult for you, and still is I'm sure. I appreciate you sharing your experiences with me, and will take your advice to heart. Amber

I agree. I went out and bought a lock at petsmart, now she wont be able to get out without me letting her out. I will end up getting one for all of my cages, once they are filled Thanks for the advice!

Best of luck to you too! I know you wont let anything happen to Chickie

Yeah, I am aware of that. I am just hoping to get to the point where I do not constantly have to chasing them away with a spray bottle. I only leave the house one day a week to run errands, other than that I am at home. I have started putting the cats downstairs while I am gone. I am aware that there will always be a risk...they are cats, afterall. I am aware of the risks, I would just like to calm down the behavior a bit, and teach them that it is not acceptable regardless. Of course I would never leave my birds out with the cats unattended, and I know I should be careful no matter what, but I still want to teach my cats that I will not tolerate this behavior.

I just caught this but, 8-17 is my daughter Jenica's birthday!

We sure do! His name is Grimm

Here are the pics of Grimm that I received this past Saturday. He is getting so big with every new photo! I get new pics every weekend...makes me wonder what he will look like the next time I see him!!

Thank you! We cant wait to bring him home!

I absolutely LOVE this video, and I wanted to share it with everyone. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Congrats on your future Hyacinth! They are absolutely BREATHTAKING!