snoepgoed123

I just want to caution people, I did speak to a customer service representative... If you have a current subscription, they "will be sending a postcard in the mail within the next few days" And you will be receiving a their dog magazine for the next couple months. I told them, I don't have a dog, and if it's possible to do a refund... and they will be able to do that.

I've been subscribed to bird talk magazine for a few months... and I honestly think this is the best issue i've gotten so far. For starters, the issue is centered around African Greys and it has really good articles that may be useful including an article on how to gain your trust and 7 facts that are unique for african greys... plus a few cute pics for our feathery friends

Oh good! Archie is a sneaky one... A few weeks ago we had some washed grapes (thank goodness) on the counter, and within 5 minutes he managed to take 1 bite out of every grape... I'm pretty sure the basil will have the same fate sooner or later

is basil safe for our greys? I'm talking the fresh kind... we bought a basil plant and Archie is already really interested in it... landed in it too!!! Just making sure that if he does take a nibble it's safe...

Archimedes is Archie, Arch, and Turkey... and punk when he's misbehaving

oh dear... I do hope he'll be able to handle it... I understand it's painful for him... and he doesn't understand whats going on yet... I hope he'll get used to it because he's not having any fun at all

Archimedes is turning into a big boy! He has just started his first molt, and he's hating it! For the past couple of days he's been a bit irritable to put it nicely... I know he's itching like crazy and I've started spraying him with aloe vera. Just wondering how long the molt will take? (he's almost 8 months old, turning 8 months on 7/10/12)

omg those tricks are awesome! I've started working with Archimedes to turn him around, he's starting to get it, I'm sure in 1 or 2 more training sessions he'll fully get it! Nancy, target stick training is where you just use a stick to focus their attention on. So when they touch the stick they get a reward, eventually the stick is moved further away or in a direction in order for a parrot (or any other animal) to perform a task. Target training is used to train almost any animals, and if you watch any videos on zoo animals being trained, they are usually following a stick of some sort.

don't give up hope yet... When I was visiting Archimedes when he was a baby, there were days where he was all over me, and there were days when he wanted nothing to do with me... just like people, these fluff balls have their good days and their bad days, their *on my own days* and *i don't ever want you to leave me* days... If nothing changes by the time your little one gets older, you may want to consider changing, and if you do, don't feel bad, it may allow your little one to meet someone who could fit his or her needs better. However I am still hoping he/she will come around and be the cuddlyish grey you want him to be

One thing I've also noticed, (at least with Archimedes) they're more vocal when they think nobody is home/listening... I'll put Archimedes in the cage and just go in the other room for a bit, about half an hour later is when he starts to babble. My theory is that he practices when he's by himself, and after he's confident enough that he's mastered the vocalization, then he'll show you. (I coulda sworn I heard him say "good boy" a few weeks ago... but I haven't heard him say it since) point is, chances are he may start talking soon, but he won't let you in on it till weeks or even months later

just wanted to give an update, Archimedes is doing well, his nostril area is darker (looks like a bruise) but the nostrils themselves have shrunk down to size. I will say, he was more careful flying around today, but we'll see how long that will last... We are gonna put some of those decoration window stickers on the wall hopefully help him realize, hey! this is a window you can't fly through!

aww dan, nothing wrong with Archimedes channeling his feminine side... and ya gotta admit... he loves looking pretty!

I have to second what Jayd is saying. While it's great he finally found something he liked... it's not safe... think of it this way... would you fill the container with water and drink from it? Personally I know that I wouldn't... so I wouldn't give it to my grey either. Think of it this way... would you eat from it, or would you give it to a human infant...

I've posted it before, but he is as much a makeup junky as I am... He loves playing with my old mascara tubes... and he loves when I "apply" makeup to his face... he's got his own face brush that's never been used (no powder or any other product)... Every time I do my makeup I've gotta do his too

Today Archimedes was out and about and having fun as he usually does... until he hit the window beak first... He wasn't harmed, just stunned. He's still acting normal, eating drinking, screaming (the usual) I took him in the shower with me and I noticed one of his nostrils (his right) looks larger than normal, almost like it's being stretched out. I'm hoping it's just from the stream from the shower, however I'm worried that it may have been from the impact. He also has a cut on the other side, but that may have been from toys... it's more the right nostril that I'm concerned about (it's only the right nostril too, the left seems normal) edited to add video... wanted to take a picture, but he wouldn't stay still long enough

haha, i don't know if he was sleeping... but it sure looks like it! Twix, I think it's a blue headed pionus (however I could be wrong)

I would have her outline what tests she's able to perform and services she's able to provide (grooming/boarding/surgery)... also ask her about microchipping (only if interested) before you go ask her if she needs a stool sample... also ask what emergency care she has available, and if she knows of any e-vets closer to you incase of an emergency (and incase she's not available) also be adamant about what you do and don't want her to do... my vet practically recommended that I clip Archimedes' wings... but I kept my ground with that

I've been training Archimedes for the past week... and success... he's learned 3 tricks... shake (his foot) wave (also with foot) and high 5 (again a trick with his foot)... so far wave is his favorite trick... and as we're working through all the tricks he makes sure that the moment he finishes his bite of mango, he'll wave... I believe he's associated wave=mango... (more like idk why but whenever i stick my foot in the air she feeds me so ok) :roll eyes: I wanna teach him more tricks, more than just with his feet... but so far those are the easiest to teach him...

I think they're information is ok... (i do admit i enjoy reading their bird tricks blog) however I would never spend money on their program (or anyone else's program) especially since you're able to find most of the information online if you look hard enough...

haha Dave, he loves taking his frustrations out on that bell... so much for peaceful studying when Archimedes is around... and yes Nancy, i think it's a wonderful hat... as does Archimedes, he sure looks proud wearing it!

I had to study for a final and as much as I appreciate the help, I would do better without it. So I put him in his cage for a bit... he was mad...

one thing that you might wanna invest in is a heated perch. It could just be that your house is colder than it should be, especially around this crazy weather. A heated perch would help keep your zon's feet at the temperature they should be

I know that greys generally aren't known for their tricks, but I've been working on some easy tricks with Archimedes... and he loves to do them (well, at least he loves his mango reward) so far he knows step up wave (his foot, only his left so far) and shake (both his left and his right foot) My goal is to eventually have him differentiate colors and shapes (similar to Alex) but right now I'm just trying to make him learn basic tricks, just to give that grey matter (no pun intended) a bit of a work out. Archimedes is really smart and with 2 training session has figured out wave and shake (step up he's known for a bit) I would love any input on what other simple tricks to teach him, since I do want him to work for his mango. Also, he hasn't been target stick trained yet... however thats something that i'll have to incorporate eventually... id like to do it without target stick if possible. Oh also when I say mango, I have 2 or 3 cubes in a bowl that he gets to take a bite off when he does the command as asked... which only means I have 1 hand available bc the other holds the mango

I'm confused, partially because I don't know the back story but you also say you want Ruby to breed, but later on say you have no room for another parrot. If you are getting another bird for Ruby to shack up with, first you need a second cage... you can't just throw a second parrot in there expecting everything to be peachy keen... Also you need to realize that if you pair Ruby with a female... Ruby will no longer be a pet...He will bond to the female and you'll be the intruder that makes food available... you will not be able to handle him anymore... Breeders are a wonderful thing, without them, we wouldn't have our greys that we love... but a breeder is not a pet, and a pet is not a breeder... so just know what you want before you decide.