neoow

I did wonder if it was balance related as obviously my arm isn't going to be as rigid/secure as the dowel- especially if I have long sleeves on. I have no problem continuing with the dowel but it would obviously be more convenient not to have to have one to hand just in case. Also there are times where I approach him expecting him to lunge/bite- which obviously makes me nervous... so that doesn't help. I find on the times where I approach feeling more confident, he is more likely to step up on the arm. So that's definitely something for me to work on and improve. The daftest thing is, he hasn't actually bitten me in a long long time because I've gotten much better at understanding his cues over the years. I'm more planning ahead for this one because at the moment I have two indoor cats as well, so Alfie mostly spends time downstairs. But my cats are aging and not going to be around forever (as sad as that makes me) so I'm thinking more to when he has the run of the whole house and I may wish for him to step up somewhere else in the house. I don't necessarily want to have a dowel in every room or have to run and find where I last left one for him to step up. 🤣 I always offer a treat whenever I ask him to step up (or for any of his tricks/commands) but if the treat is too close he will just take it without stepping up. I've not managed to get him to step up from behind as he always spins round to face my hand/arm or the dowel. He always wants to step up going forwards, not backwards and he doesn't like being approached from the tail end, which is why he always turns. It's by no means a serious problem or concern, just I'm out of ideas of how I can try and encourage him top step up for my arm more readily. One thing I did think of earlier today is putting my hand/arm nearby but not asking for the step up. And just getting him (and me) used to having my hand/arm near him but not necessarily needing him to do anything with it. Almost to get myself more confident that he's not going to lunge/bite and him to realise that he doesn't need to resort to a lunge/bite. He can turn a bit aggressive if I am doing things near him, so I tend to keep my hands out of reach and redirect him away from whatever it is I might be doing- e.g typing, wiping a surface down, eating etc etc. So maybe that's something to try and work on first- with me rewarding him for being near my hands and not lunging or biting. Sometimes it's difficult to know exactly what's going on inside their feathery heads!

So I think I have managed to create a bit of a 'problem' with Alfie and stepping up. It's not major- but am just looking to see if anyone has any advice. Over the years Alfie has been known to lunge and bite if he didn't want to step up. We went through a time when our trust broke down a bit and I had to re-evaluate if I was the best owner/home for Alfie. Long story short, I was able to make some changes to my life and living arrangements to improve things for us both. I am still sometimes a bit wary of Alfie lunging/biting. Although he doesn't normally break the skin it still hurts and I feel it sets us back. So I always try and read his cues and avoid the possibility of a bite. It's been working well. One of the things I did during this time when we were rebuilding our trust was use a wooden dowel perch for him to step up on if I needed to transfer him somewhere else or get him back in his cage. That meant if I read it wrong and he decided to lunge, it would be the stick that would get the damage and not me. When I was more confident about things I would use my arm (he doesn't step up for a hand, only my wrist - always has). This was generally fine. Alfie gradually learned that he didn't need to lunge to tell me "no" - he could just turn away and I would respect that and back off. I've now noticed though that more often than not, he will refuse to step up on my arm but will willingly step up for the perch. So I'll offer an arm and say 'step up' and he'll back off/turn away. I back off (because otherwise I know I'll get bitten). I go and fetch the wooden dowel and he hops straight on it before I've even said "step up" Very occasionally he will step up on my arm and I will heavily praise this and offer a treat. When he steps up on the wooden dowel he gets a treat and a 'good boy'. It's not a major problem - but I would like to try and swing it back so he's more reliably stepping up on my arm- as this helps if we're visiting my parents or elsewhere where I don't have a wooden dowel handy. However, I know that if he refuses the arm and I go back and ask a second time, he's probably going to lunge... especially if I'm not confident in my movements and ask. (He seems to be able to read me SO well!) Any advice for trying to improve this?

Alfie used to sucker punch me by lowering his head, waiting for a scritch then then lunging. So I'm always a bit cautious and if he flicks his head to one side, I back off immediately. If he steps forward and lowers his head again then he definitely wants a scritch. If he doesn't move then I feel it's a 50/50 of whether he wanted a scritch or was going to bite. 🤣

Can greys get cataracts? That was my first thought when you mentioned they have turned hazy. As others have said I think the only way of finding out is to find an avian vet. I sympathise for trying to find a local one. Unfortunately avian care isn't taught as standard for vets- they have to take on additional studies to learn how to treat birds/parrots properly.

That's adorable! Alfie never goes on his back- and I'd probably lose a hand if I tried to guide him. I can give him scritches on his head and neck but if I try to touch him anywhere else he isn't happy about it. I was hoping to be able to harness train him over the years, but I can't touch his wings so I don't think it'll ever happen.

On Sunday I went to the 'Think Parrot' show and I took Alfie with me. It's the second time I've been to this show- the last time was back in 2019 and it used to be an annual event. But unfortunately Covid and Avian flu shut it down for a few years. This is the first year they've run it since then so I decided to pack Alfie up in his travel cage and take his trolley with us so we could get around. It's a great event with loads of different parrot/avian companies and organisations setting up stalls in the building. They run three "masterclasses" throughout the day that cover various topics about parrot/avian care and there's also a free flight demonstration outside. I managed to catch two of the three masterclasses and one of the free flight shows. I also stocked up on loads of toys and goodies for Alfie. Alfie always amazes with me how much he takes things in his stride and doesn't freak out. It was crowded and noisy inside the building with so many people walking past or stopping to talk to us but he didn't seem to mind and apart from being a bit wide eyed at times, he was absolutely fine. All in all it was a great day out and I will definitely go back again next year if it goes ahead. Although I think I'll try and see if there is a local hotel that will let me stay over with Alfie, as it was a LOT of driving in one day. It was a 246 round trip and I spent about 5.5 hours in the car in total... longer than I was at the actual event! At least if I know I have a hotel room nearby then I can stay later and see all of the masterclasses instead of having to leave early. The entrance to the show - there were so many people (and parrots!) Masterclass one - Parrot Awareness Week. This covered all sorts of information about parrot care. Masterclass two - around nutrition from the creator of 'Your Parrot' food. He seemed extremely knowledgeable and I have some of the food from his company to try with Alfie. The third masterclass was on Feather Plucking but I had a long drive home and was feeling really tired and headache-y by then so didn't get to see that one. Military macaws Hornbilled Toucan - this was his first outing amongst other people and there was a massive crowd! He was absolutely fascinating and so well behaved! African Grey- called Tomato because she once flew off, got lost and was found miles away in a greenhouse munching on tomato vines. This was her first outing in front of a crowd too - she was such a good flier and really well behaved! Galah cockatoo Mini macaw Long-billed Corella Showing off Alfie's wheels - plus his haul of goodies in the back! The haul!

I have never experienced an earthquake before as I live in the UK and I am thankful for that. Every time I read about them, they sound terrifying!

So bizarre when something like that happens. I don't think we'll ever truly understand what makes our parrots tick. Has Talon got a food or treat that she absolutely loves and will do anything for? I wonder if you can use that and only ever give it to her when she goes into her cage without being towelled. Or maybe you can break it down into steps. If she steps up nicely, treat, take a few steps towards the cage and pause, treat. Put her back down where she was. Then try again but get a bit closer to the cage, pause and treat. Assuming all goes well and she doesn't spook/fly off then eventually work your way up to getting her in the cage and she gets a big reward/treat and lots of praise.

Alfie decided to "help" me open a parcel today. This is now my favourite photo of him. 🤣

That's great news and such good progress! Alfie normally isn't too bad when I go away. He normally gets quite excited when I return and forgives me relatively quickly. I hope you have a wonderful break!

I have to hide round the corner and poke my phone out to get any videos of Alfie. He's exactly the same- as soon as he spots the phone he clams up! Not that he sings... mostly whistles.

Some people say you can tell from the shape of the head and colours around the tail but I've always been told a DNA test is the only sure-fire way of finding out.

Wow! You certainly have your hands full!

So adorable! Not to mention impressive!

I've seen some prevue cages recently on various sites but in person. Glad to hear you've had a good experience with one because they're a bit of an unknown for me.

Spoiled is definitely the word 🤣 If someone could point out to him just how spoiled he is and also how many toys he has to shred and chew... plus two trees to play on... yet he still tries to chew the kitchen cupboard handles (even though they are metal...) ...I would be most grateful! 😁

I love that you're having such a breakthrough with Sukei. It's so rewarding when something like that happens. And I'm sure your skin is grateful too. 😅

cardboard is a hit over here too

Same as everyone else- blank newspaper sheets here too. So easy to swap out.

I have used various Liberta and more recently Rainforest cages over the years and Alfie has been fine in all of them. Kings cages look good but they are definitely out of budget for me. I have a kings travel cage which I mentioned in another post a short while ago and I have had it for about 10 years now and I've been really impressed with it. Just can't afford the larger counterparts! You need to make sure the bar spacing is right, as others have mentioned. But also allow enough space so the bird can fully open their wings to stretch out and so that they have space to move around, climb about and have space for lots of toys.

Others have already commented but I think the general rule of thumb is that if there is any noticeable change in behaviour/personality then a vet trip is a sensible idea. As others have said, African Greys are prey animals and therefore they are very good at hiding or masking illness. So when they start to show it, then it's definitely time for some assistance. In regards to carriers, I have a travel cage that I use whenever I take Alfie anywhere. It's similar to this: King`s Cages Parrot Travel Cage Medium (premierparrots.co.uk) (You can get much cheaper versions nowadays too). I have space for a couple of perches, food and water bowls plus a small toy in there for him. I used to use a cat carrier but it was such a pain trying to get him in there and I never found a workable solution that didn't leave his feet covered in his own mess if he was going to be in there for a while. (I'm rubbish at DIY so adding a perch wasn't an option for me). So I splashed out on a kings travel cage (as that was the only make available to me all those years ago) and haven't looked back since. But I also use this for taking him to visit my parents regularly so it suits for much longer trips than just a vet visit.

I'm always slightly envious of those with the really talkative greys. Alfie is not a big talker- and I fully accept that. He chooses what he wants to say and when and words/phrases often go in and out of favour. And he still is often able to add comedic value to any conversations going on- even with his limited vocabulary. I know he understands a lot more than he lets on too. You could be right about Sukei learning from Kasey. Either way- having your flesh intact is still a major win!

Sounds like a great setup! Greys can be notoriously change adverse at times so they sometimes take a little while to adjust to changes or new things. But it sounds like she is settling in just fine with you and her new cage setup!

I don't have any experience with egg laying I'm afraid but hopefully others can help you out with that question. With the body language- that's a slightly odd pose for sure, especially holding the tail down against the cage like that... but I couldn't tell you if it means anything as such. I too would read it as more amorous behaviour- especially with the head bobbing. That usually leads to regurgitation for Alfie. Sounds like you're doing a good job with her though. Welcome to parront-hood!

Alfie rubs his beak on everything, cage bars, toys, perches... it's mostly just to clear anything that's stuck to his beak. It's best to get a variety of perches that are different sizes and materials. This helps to exercise your parrots feet as they move around the cage.