neoow

So Alfie finally went on his orbit today! ...but only because he is currently refusing to go to back in his cage. It was the lesser of two evils... the orbit or the cage.... He chose the orbit! He did knock the bell about a few times- but I think he was imagining my head as he was doing it..! I'm hoping he's now realised that he can get on and off the orbit quite easily (he climbed off it onto his tree without problems) so maybe next time he'll go on it to enjoy it as opposed to using it as an escape route!

Interesting question! I'm afraid I have no clue about the answer though..!

Hello and welcome to the forums! Izzy is a lovely looking bird! Well done you for taking her in! A week and a half is nothing in grey time. Izzy is still settling in to her new home, sussing everything out and probably trying to figure you all out as well. Don't be surprised if her "favourite" swaps from time to time or if her behaviours towards different people change.

Awesome photos! Thank you for sharing them. Maalik is a lovely looking grey. And Ziggy! I love Electus'! If I thought I could fit another bird in then I'd seriously consider an Eclectus!

I can't really answer about the sexing as I've never bothered having Alfie tested so don't know a lot about it. However, I recently got Alfie microchipped. He hasn't shown any signs of irritation after being 'chipped and he wasn't bothered about having it done. your vet will check all the details to be registered are correct (e.g your name, address, contact details etc etc) and then this will be entered on a register with the number from the chip. (I got given a few copies of the barcode with the chip number on it for my records) If your bird is lost and taken to a vet/animal shelter, they can scan the bird for a chip. They'll then cross-check this information against a central register which will match the bird up to your details and allow them to contact you.

This is awesome- thank you for taking the time to post all of these updates and photos. I'm really enjoying watching him grow! I am amazed by macaws. Though not a breed I would necessarily consider owning myself, I always love seeing photos/videos etc of them.

Welcome to the forums Al and Rex! He's a real cutie! Post away with any questions you have. Everyone is super helpful here. Definitely make use of the subforums, like you mentioned- your questions will get a lot more answers that way.

Looks great and more importantly, Alex loves it! He's a very lucky bird!

Oh yes... I hadn't noticed the lack of cable in the first picture haha! I'm sure echo would love a go on the tablet!

I didn't dare look at the price to be honest. We had to buy some vandal proof keyboards at the school I work at because we put some kiosk machines in corridors and the students kept ripping the keyboards apart. They haven't managed to break any of them yet... but they weren't cheap! How about a wireless keyboard? That way when it's not in use you can stash it away in a cupboard or drawer.

I read about this on the day it was posted: http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/thief-stole-parrot-pinned-bicycle-9788606 A pet store kept a macaw (which was not for sale) and she was unfortunately stolen. The thief broke in, smashed the glass to the parrot enclosure (which would have undoubtedly freaked the parrot out) and tried to stuff her in a bag. When this didn't work, the thief pinned her to the handle bars of his bike and rode off. I had no words when I read about it. The poor girl must have been absolutely terrified. I found an update to the story today: http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/man-arrested-after-parrot-stolen-9816059 A man has been arrested but the parrot (Charlie/Baby) hasn't been found yet. I hope she is ok and I hope she is found soon. If only I could get my hands on the person who did this to her. I'd give him a taste of his own medicine for sure. :mad:

Perhaps your next keyboard should be a vandal-proof one!! Haha How about this... ?! http://www.redlinx.co.za/PDF/K-TEK-M380TP-DT(en)data%20sheet.pdf

Definitely a happy playful parrot in that video! Alfie will quite often do similar and hang upside down on his toys whilst beating the living daylights out of them. Later on he'll go back to the same toy, nudge it so it swings then stick his head down so the toy strokes his head.

Hello and welcome to the forums! Moy Moy is a little cutie. Are you his first owner or was he a rehome?

Go Alex! And go you!

Welcome to the forums Zeevah! Looking forward to learning more about you and your feathered family!

I'm afraid I can't answer any questions but I'd be interested in seeing photos of the process, if at all possible! e.g what it looked like before, during and after it's finished!

I kept a few of the feathers from Alfie when he was a baby. They are in a photo album with a few photos and his hatch certificate.

I think one perch/toy at a time may be best at the moment. Alex may not have been used to those kinds of changes before. I think if you suddenly added a lot more to his cage he may be too scared to go back in it. Whilst you're waiting for him to adjust to new perches inside his cage you could show him new toys and perches from a distance- just to get him used to seeing them. Once he is used to the new perch or toy you have most recently put in his cage then slowly work on getting the next one closer and closer to his cage and eventually in it.

It is definitely worth asking around. The vets where I take my cats (and previously the family dogs) are not avian specialists but they were able to recommend one to me. I used to take Alfie to a more local vet who said he was an avian specialist. However, when he had to gas Alfie just to sort his beak out I never took him back. He didn't do a good job and Alfie was really ill. When I went to the vet who is based further away (only about 45 mins though) he was much better at handling Alfie, never needs to gas him and was absolutely astonished about how Alfie had been treated by the other vet. So for me, the longer trip is more beneficial. If I hadn't asked at the vets practice where I take my cat, I might not have found him though.

Trying to prep for a job interview on Thursday. Reading up everything I can about the place, plus checking over the job description and am about to start creating a presentation in case I need it.

It is normal for a grey to act fearful/wary of new items. They are very observant birds and will notice any kind of change in their environment. Did you put the perches straight into his cage? Alfie isn't too bad with new things. I have to show him and explain what they are. Sometimes when I put new toys in his cage he will sit at the opposite end of the cage eyeing it suspiciously. He will sit there for a while looking at the new toy until he's sure it is safe. Eventually he'll work his way round the cage, getting closer to the toy. If he ever freaks out about a new toy when I show him it, then it doesn't go straight into the cage. It's left outside of the cage so he can get used to it from a distance. Alex just needs to work out in his own time that the perch isn't a big scary monster that's about to eat him. If he's only ever been used to the one cage with the same perches and toys in the same places, then it may take a little longer for him to warm up to the new perches and any new toys. It may take a day, it may take a week, it may take a month. There is a chanced that some toys and perches will never be accepted by him. Just watch him and see how it goes. If he really isn't accepting then you may need to take a step back and leave it outside of the cage (but nearby so he can see it) then slowly work on getting it back in the cage. Go at his pace. He'll get there eventually.

Haha that is hilarious!! What an awesome bird Sophie is!

Great news! You're doing amazing work!

That is an awesome explanation. Really well put.