Artoo

Super-cute, Talon! I must confess, I've been known to snack on peanut butter straight from the jar before as well!

Thanks everyone for the great ideas!

Right. I know there's a lot of patience involved and am committed to constantly learning about Varo's likes and dislikes. I know that there's still a lot of stuff he's getting used to (the change in atmosphere, a new routine, etc.).

Varo has been eating like a maniac. He loves his pellets, the occasional peanut or almond, and especially CARROTS. Oh man, does he love carrots. Still, I can feel his keel sticking out. When I took him to the vet for an exam this past Monday, the vet even said he weighed a little bit under, but there was really nothing to be concerned about. Not sure why I can still feel his keel if he's shoveling food into his beak.

Thank you, Nancy. I know, I worry too much! Varo did play today with a shreddable toy that looks like a lollipop. It was so cute, because he was on top of his cage and would put the toy at one end of the cage, then walk to the other end of the cage, then he would turn around and CHARGE at the toy, grabbing it with his beak and growling. It was very cute and made me very happy to see him having a good time. I tried to record it with my phone-camera, but of course when as soon as I picked up my phone, he stopped doing it. Go figure, haha!

Today is Varo's third full day with me, and I'm starting to notice something. I'm not sure if I should be concerned or if this is normal, but he doesn't really play that much. He's pretty much ignored the toys hanging from the top of his cage since he got here, and the only toy he's really played with has been a blue ball, but he hasn't touched that since yesterday morning. I've played with some of the toys myself, sitting there and laughing and tossing them around, but that didn't really pique his interest too much. I also bought those shredders that you can tie to perches and the bars of the cage and gave him a couple. He was interested in them for about fifteen minutes, then abandoned them. It seems like his most favorite thing to do is go and sit on top of his cage and just, well, sit. I put some toys up there, but he's just content sitting there, preening, and sometimes he even starts to drift off to sleep! Should I be worried, or do I just have a really chilled-out bird? Oh, as an aside, I took Varo to the vet yesterday. There isn't an avian vet anywhere nearby, but the clinic that I went to does see exotic animals such as parrots. The vet was very helpful and told me that Varo is very healthy! Yay!

Yes, Ray P. I absolutely love it, too! In the morning, when I'm getting ready in the bathroom and Varo is on top of his cage, he'll start calling out to me like he's saying, "Mom! Where are you?"

I smoked on and off for about 9 years, then quit cold-turkey for 4 years. When I was going through my divorce, I started smoking again (unfortunately) and a little after one year of smoking, I quit cold-turkey AGAIN!!! I guess I have a strong will power and am very thankful for that. I have friends who have tried to quit numerous times, trying different methods. I haven't had the urge to start smoking again at all. For me, it's all psychological. Every time I think about how my hair and clothes would stink after smoking, I would be so glad that I quit. Chewing gum helped also, but for me it was more of a mental thing. It's been almost a year since I quit and I am very active, walking about three miles a day and feeling wonderful!

Awww....that sounds so sweet! Yesterday Varo was very snuggly, letting me sit with him and pet him on the top of his head for long periods of time. Today, not so much. He is more into doing his own thing on top of his cage. The few times I have been able to pet him, he nips my fingers first. Hard, too! Don't know if he's mad or if he's just playing.

Haha! That's so funny, Life is Greyt! Yes, it's quite surprising when I'm standing at the kitchen sink, washing off fruits or veggies, and all of a sudden I hear this flutter of wings and feel Varo land on my shoulder or back.

Those babies are adorable!

Thank you everyone. Today has been pretty eventful. Varo flew from the top of his cage and landed on my head. I didn't mind at all, in fact I found it quite endearing and was glad he landed somewhere soft instead of bumping into the wall. I had his cage door open and he flew from his perch right onto my arm! He seems to have found a favorite toy, a blue ball that he likes to play with and toss onto the floor (and then watch me retrieve it). Oh, I was also eating lunch at a table by his cage. I had given him some food (he ate a little bit - not much, though), but I guess he wanted what I was having because he flew and landed practically on my plate. He also landed on the rim of a cup of water, as I was drinking it! Have any of you experienced this? It seems like whatever I'm having to eat, he wants. I was eating some carrot sticks and he flew right onto my arm to get one (which he ate). Also, he LOVES the top of his cage. In fact, I think he likes it even better than the inside of his cage!

Varo is finally home today! I named him/her after one of my favorite artists, Remedios Varo. Varo's four months old. I've attached a couple of pictures. Let me just say that I am in love with this bird! I already told me boyfriend that Varo was going to be a very spoiled parrot, haha! A warning in advance: this post is kind of long. Sorry. Anyway, when I got home with Varo, I opened the carrier door and let him come out on his own. He climbed to the top and just hung out up there, flapping and stretching his wings. I was trying to have him step up onto my hand, but he wasn't having it. He did put one foot on my hand, but that was the closest he got. I know that I should just let him move at his own pace, so I set some water and food on the carrier (he ate and drank just a little), turned my back for one minute and boom! He was airborne. Varo does not have his wings clipped (I requested the breeder not to). Anyway, he flew to my kitchen and sort of landed/crashed on the floor. I didn't rush to him (I read somewhere that this could be a mistake because the baby could associate you with a traumatic experience), but he collected himself and waddled toward me. He still wouldn't do step up. I even held a peanut in my hand to try and "bribe" him, but he just took it in his beak and dropped it. Then he took off again. This time, he landed on top of the air conditioner unit (which is up be the ceiling). I had to bring a stool to stand on and get him down. I got one of his feet on my hand and sort of just gently took the other one, climbed down as carefully as I could, and slowly walked around my place, showing him the different rooms and talking to him in a soothing voice. I showed him his cage and let him climb in there. I shut the cage door so he could use the bars on the door to climb. He was kind of clumsy in his cage (I know that that's normal) and I realized, after watching him move around in there, that I definitely have to make some adjustments to the placement of perches and toys. I warmed up some broccoli and carrots for him and put them in his cage. He was kind of interested in the carrot, but soon ignored it. I know it's kind of normal for grey babies not to really eat that much right after they enter a new home because of stress/nerves/excitement. He climbed around his cage a little bit more, then I noticed he was closing his eyes and making that grinding noise with his beak. I put the cover on his cage and we went to bed. Very eventful for a first night, both for Varo and I. Sorry to give you such a detailed play-by-play, but I wanted to paint an accurate picture for you so you might be able to give me some advice. The Step-Up: Is it normal for birds to be stubborn at first with step-up's? Have any of you had a lot of problems with it, particularly with babies? Should I consider getting his wings clipped? I don't want to traumatize my baby. I'm really torn on this one because I know that having full wings will help him land more safely if he falls, but I'm also afraid he'll hurt himself in my place (I don't have any ceiling fans or anything, I'm just afraid he'll hit a wall very hard). Food: What if he's not really eating for the next few days? Is there anything I can give him that is more palatable than his regular food? I bought some carrots, sweet potato, broccoli, and plain oatmeal. Anything you advise that I can whip up? Also, I'm worried that I may have gotten him the wrong type of food. I got him this Kaytee Supreme parrot food with pellets, peanuts, corn, and sunflower seeds in it. I know that I shouldn't be too generous with the sunflower seeds because of the fat content, but it seems like the seeds make up a good portion of this food. Is there a different mix I should be buying? Thank you so much in advance for any advice!

Not sure if I'm posting this in the right category, but I was wondering if you should wash new toys before your grey plays with them and, if so, then what do you wash them with? Also, I was toy-shopping today for my grey and found some hard rubber dog toys that are a pretty good size for a bird and are in fun shapes like stars and horseshoes. Is rubber safe for greys? I'm bringing my baby home in two days and want to make sure I am as prepared as I can be!

TWIX, if you are still checking the forum, I want you to know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers as well. I read this thread last night and was in tears, but wasn't able to post this until today. I wish you nothing but the best and want you to remember that you have friends here who are thinking of you (even if we're strangers).