SaladNinja

6 laptop keys (up, down, right arrow, page down, shift) The curtains Bedsheets Sweaters Anything sparkly or shiny (especially earrings and necklaces) The buttons off the TV remote Several drinking glasses The best story I have is once, we had Noodle downstairs in the living room, and he is usually fine out of his cage for short periods of time when we aren't around. However, on this occasion, my car battery died and I got stranded away from the house for several hours! When I got back, Noodle had "made his mark" on literally everything in the room and pooped on everything else I really hope he had fun being and unsupervised Mr. Destructo while we were stuck out!

Thanks to both of you The encouragement really helped! My meeting ended up going better than I expected. I am petitioning the institution for an exemption to two academic policies: getting an extension on the thesis deadline and dropping one of my difficult classes in favor of something like yoga to help with healing but still get me credit. I've done all of the paperwork, so now it's pretty much up to my adviser and the administration to decide. *sigh* So that's pretty awesome, now that a majority of the pressure and stress is totally out of my control. I feel like without worrying about the logistics, I can really concentrate on the work. It also helps that it was a little warmer and sunny today which made me feel a lot less fatalistic. And Noodle learned a new noise which always makes me happy By the way, if anyone is interested, my thesis is on the development of democracy in relation to traditional culture in the South Pacific. I'd be eternally grateful for any "layman's" feedback I can get! <3 + thanks again, Christine

I highly doubt it. The only issue that I have heard of with large cages are if the bars are too far apart (injury and escape risk) or if the cage is a little too empty (stressful, boring, etc.). You can try adding a couple more perches or ladders, or even a cozy hut to make it seem more homey along with his favorite toys. Do you have any pictures of the cage as it is now? I'd love to see it!

We just adopted a grey as well Noodle definitely prefers men (specifically my fiance) to women, but we've been practicing getting him to warm up to me for several months now. All I can suggest is patience, which is the advice I got from other members here at this forum; it really works, too. Another thing would be to be careful about withdrawing your hand too quickly if he bites, which can tell the bird that by biting, he gets what he wants (in this case, no more hand in his face haha). Good luck, can't wait to hear more about your birdie!

I'm so, so sorry to hear it. I'm sure that Twix knew that you did everything you could for him, and that probably was the comfort that he needed to pass on in peace. Prayers and hugs, my friend.

Here is Noodle's house; its a Cal-Cage with the play top. He has more toys in there now, and we are looking into building a free-standing or hanging playstand

So my senior thesis is due on the 26th. It's a year-long undergraduate thesis program, and the deadline is coming up SO quickly. I've been really sick since the end of January and haven't been able to do nearly as much work as I should have been doing. I also missed a lot of class. So, I'm super nervous that I won't get my thesis in on time, or that I'll fail a class because I was absent so often. This is my last semester, and I'm supposed to be graduating in May. I don't want to medically withdraw, I don't want to fail, but I don't know if I'll finish. I have a meeting with the dean tomorrow morning to discuss options, but I have no idea what will happen. Any ideas?

One thing you can try is a sweater. They help keep the bird warm when they don't have any feathers on their and can't regulate their body temperature. Birdie sweaters can be a good way to help protect their new feathers and keep them warm. There are a couple sites that sell them, and I've heard a lot of good things! One thing I would recommend though is having an avian vet put it on so your grey doesn't hurt himself or you in the process. Here are a couple places you can check the types they offer: http://www.birdsupplies.com/feather-sweater-timneh-goffin-size/ http://www.thesockbuddy.com/ There are also several DIY projects and patterns that you can knit or make out of socks. I hope you find something that works for your little buddy!

Noodle loves foraging! We have a playtop on his cage that he hangs out on most of the time. We use corncob bedding and mix in brightly colored foraging confetti and bury treats for him to find; he will spend hours just playing with the corncob and confetti! He also likes a couple of the homemade toys we've made him, such as a thick cardboard tube (its big enough around he can fit through it) and a coconut treat toy-thingy. Sometimes simpler is better! Here's the link for the confetti if anybody would like it: http://www.amazon.com/Foraging-Confetti-Shred-Material-Caged/dp/B002IUHO1I and here's what we used to make the coconut toy, as well as some colored tassels, rope, and beads: http://www.windycityparrot.com/Coconut-Shell-Half-Hairy-for-Parrot-Toy-Parts_p_2426.html Happy foraging!

I agree with the others; keeping him warm, comfortable, and secure is what's most important right now. Just keep your head up and don't lose hope yet! I've seen vets work miracles before, and you can't make a judgement call without trying everything you can first. Twix is probably pretty scared right now, but he knows that you love him and that you will take care of him. Just be with him I'm sorry that I don't have much medical advice, but I've been with many pets (mine and others') while they were sick or near the end of their time and sometimes emotional support and love is the best medicine there is! Don't lose hope; Noodle, Cody and I are praying for you.

Hey guys, I've been doing some research and coming up with a lot of conflicting information about how to handle the "mating dance." Noodle has been dropping his wings , dancing around, making little crying noises and trying to puke up ever since we got him, but we always just held him when he got upset and the crying quieted down. Now though, I'm reading that you are not supposed to interact in any way when greys display their mating dance. Is this actually what Noodle is doing, or his he just whimpering for attention?

I'm in almost this exact same situation! Noodle adores my fiance Cody, but only tolerates me. We've just been practicing socializing him, letting him see that I give the treats and he's made a ton of progress. The other day, he was in a super cuddly mood and even let me rub all over his neck, face, and even under his wings! My advice would just be to stick with it. I know Noodle loves me, he just has a hard time showing it due to his trust issues. All greys pick favorites, but I have no doubt that your little guy loves you as well Best of luck, and just stick with it!

Noodle makes an angry burp/fart noise when he is unhappy he also likes to do the "daffy duck" voice back and forth with cody, as well as make regular burping and farting noises just to be obnoxious.

Noodle gets overwhelmed by higher-pitched voices and sounds very easily, such as women (even me), kids, dogs, etc. We have a friend Peter and Noodle doesn't even like him, just because his voice has a higher pitch. I've heard that grey's aren't too fond of kids, mostly because they create a higher-stress environment. However, Twix also might have just not been in a playing or patient mood, which happens all the time too. I would suggest having your daughter play with Twix while you are around too, so he feels a little more comfortable. That way you can hlep moderate the situation, too, so things stay calm and safe

We had frozen mangoes for breakfast Noodle also LOVES milk! We started letting him have some when we were looking for ways to help him put on a little weight and he just can't seem to get enough, haha! He's so funny when he gets his cold treats; he shakes it in his beak like crazy before he eats it. Such a silly little boy!

Recently I bought a bunch of fruit to cube up and freeze for smoothies, but Noodle loved the frozen fruit better than the regular! He's also started fishing ice cubes out of drinks and chewing on them, drinking the melted parts. Does anybody else love frozen treats? We've started introducing frozen veggies such as peas as well as grapes, which are his two current favorites besides plain ice. And, as always, a little bite of stolen ice cream

Thanks everyone the name was a crazy random happenstance haha...he likes to dance when he gets excited, and when we first met him we sang the "Noodle Dance" song from that Disney show PB&J Otter. The rest is history!

I finally got pictures up in album form on my profile. Sorry I'm technologically inept

I'm completely okay with occasional bites (we had a sun conure when I was growing up), but what I'm worried about is the severity of the bites. He draws blood on me every time, less so on Cody because his hands are extremely tough from work as a welder. I am also worried about the random times he decides to lash out. He could be completely fine in a situation, all fluffy and wanting to be petted, and I won't even move my hand from where I'm rubbing him and out of nowhere he'll lunge at me. Sometimes he even goes for my face, pretending he wants to be picked up and then biting as soon as I get him up on my shoulder. Another thing I was hoping to find out about is alternative forms of positive reinforcement besides just treats, praise, and petting him.

Noodle is (best guess) about 3 years old. He's a playful little bugger Here are some pictures! (EDIT: I couldn't get them to upload, so here are the urls if you'd like to see. Sorry!) This first one was taken at the adoption center...you can see how skinny he was before we adopted him. sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/297931_2456069114824_1044975489_32894495_55314174_n.jpg Here are some more recent ones: a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/392866_2577755636911_1044975489_32948358_1652168334_n.jpg **The little plucked spot on his throat has now grown in with several beautiful red feathers! He sometimes look like he's wearing a tux a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/390381_2612451584288_1044975489_32960861_626863488_n.jpg sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/399947_2836692630174_1044975489_33075568_508445067_n.jpg a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/399796_3030332351046_1044975489_33150297_1578299161_n.jpg sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/400314_2836695470245_1044975489_33075573_1025500425_n.jpg

I recently adopted a bird as well. While he does like to be with people, there are definitely times that he prefers to sit on his perch or on a piece of furniture and just be in the same room as us. Noodle (my CAG) and I have a strained "in progress" relationship, but I know that he loves me, and he doesn't show much affection for anyone except my fiance. Just give him time, and in his own way, he'll find a way to show you he loves you

Hello all My name is Christine, and I just started on here. I have a CAG named Noodle, who we adopted/rescued in November. He's becoming such a wonderful part of our little family, and is really making a lot of progress! I have so many questions every day about him and how he interacts with my fiance and I, and I'm very excited to start using this site. Thanks for all the warm welcomes!

Hello! My name is Christine, and in November my fiance Cody and I adopted a rescued Grey we named Noodle. I love how our little family is growing! Noodle has made great progress since we adopted him. He has grown back all of his breast feathers and some of the old ratty/broken tail and wing feathers have grown out to be replaced by beautiful new ones! He has really bonded with Cody, and I mean REALLY! He will give him kisses, allow him to pick him up, cuddle with him, even hold him on his back to play. Every time Cody comes home from work, Noodle will work up a crazy, excited racket and ring a bell on his favorite toy until Cody comes to see him and play with him. All of this is great, except that Noodle doesn't share his affection with anyone else, especially women...which is bad news for me. We were told when we adopted him that his previous owner, a woman, had been very neglectful and that his environment had been very stressful (hence the plucking). I knew that he would take a long time to adjust to his new home and especially to me, but I'm starting to worry that he isn't making much progress. Whenever Cody is around, Noodle is completely fine with me. He will bow his head to let me rub him, and even likes cuddling on rare occasions. However, he is prone to lunging and biting viciously without warning. When I'm alone with Noodle, I can't get within 3 feet of him without him getting scared or trying to bite me. From the beginning we have made sure that Noodle can see that I feed him and give him treats, I talk to him, and I always reward him for good behavior. We made a decision to never yell at Noodle since we didn't want to add stress or teach him bad habits. However, the biting has GOT to stop! We have tried repeating "no bite" calmly but firmly as well as tapping him on the back, but neither seems to work. Any suggestions on how I can better bond with my new baby, and how to stop the biting? Info on Noodle (or at least as much as we know) - About 3 years old - Male - Average size - History of stress-induced plucking - Has a weird head twitch which has gotten significantly better since we got him; the vet says it may be epilepsy but shouldn't be dangerous - Knew how to say "Hello" and "get out of my way" as well as about 30 different electronic beeping noises before we got him, and has picked up on several new sounds but no new words yet Thanks!