Timbersmom

Or Gilly... Are you sure someone didn't kidnap the real Gilbert?? Seriously, what great progress!

Well, I was concerned about Timber and his/her love of boxes for that reason. However, they bring him so much pleasure that I decided to let him have at it. No eggs in 14 months!

I can't think of any other names, but what a pretty bird! Like SterlingSL, I'm curious about them.

Ray, she probably keeps the Mossberg pistol grip hidden to keep the hubby happy

That's about the only thing I could find (at least made like that) in the states!

I think I have the same stand. My base was wobbly, so I took it off and clamped the light to the wall. You can get an easier "range" of height where you need it that way. I left the swinging arm thing on so that I can adjust it for the burn in period and when he is out of cage.

Everything I've read on the forum says that there is no way to be sure of gender beyond testing dna. The vet also told me that. I'm sure more experienced people will add to this and correct me if I'm wrong on that. I'm relatively new myself!

A lot of us won't let our birds have shoulder status for that very reason Bigwick. At least until you know they are totally trust worthy in that respect. I've had Timber for over a year and still don't let him on my shoulder. Better safe than sorry in my book!

Interesting! I wonder if that was her original name which would make sense. On the other hand, she may just be telling the waiter to refill her water...

I spray Timber daily because he likes it. He doesn't "open his feathers" but he likes being wet and enjoys the spraying. When he is in the mood, he will go to his water bowl and start throwing water over his shoulder (usually after being sprayed). That is my hint to get the glass baking pan, put nursery water in it, and put it in the bottom of his cage so he can take a "full bath."

Well, my first thought is he wants his tan to be even so is exposing his underside to the light as well... Seriously, I don't know what is going on. Maybe someone with more experience will know. As for the hanging from the top of the cage and walking about like Sukei is, Timber does that also and it is not related to the light. Why? Who knows, but he does it at times. If I forget to raise the light when Timber is out of the cage, he will try to chew the fixture. I don't think it has anything to do with it being the light, I think it is "just because it is there" and he wants to get his beak on anything he can. I think Timber likes his light. He seems to make a point of sitting in its range when napping or preening. When he is sprayed, he always makes a beeline for the light. Wish I had a better answer for you!

Yes, funny!

At least he gives you a warning! My bird goes straight for blood.

Yes, that's the only reason I intend to have Timber tested one of these days... the egg issue. Always be prepared is my motto!

Being bitten on the face sounds just awful! I've had my share on my hands and arm and they are very painful there. I understand the hurt feelings too, since I've been bitten several times for reasons I can't fathom. So she doesn't bite your bf and lets him handle her? I'm just wondering if he is the "chosen one" and she is jealous of you when he is around? Just thinking out loud.

LOL! Next you will be deciding what's for dinner based on what Wilbur can eat and likes... you are getting there They feel safest in their cage, so until he is totally comfortable in his environment and with the people in the house, he will probably continue to go in. That behavior will probably decrease with time

Very nice and he looks comfortable on it!

Hello and welcome to you and Kiwi. What a pretty bird! No worries about grammar. Most of us type quickly and don't pay attention to our grammar anyway...

Paco is beautiful! How exciting to be bringing him home

LOL! Well if Timber hadn't chosen the bell as the object of his affection I might not have noticed. With such a noisy partner, it was hard to miss!

That's great! Isn't it fun? Such a joy to listen to them expanding their vocabulary like that. You can just see the wheels turning.

Lorrito is a beautiful bird, regardless of which kind! I'm sure someone who knows Amazons will say which kind he is.

That's what I always say about the waiter too

The only way Timber will eat raw vegetables is if they are hanging on his skewer. They make a metal rod which screws into a holder which hangs in the cage ("skewer"). He seems to like it's swinging motion and pecks at the vegetables. Not sure how much he is eating, but I know he gets a little that way. I really had to do a lot of experimenting to find anything he liked. You also have to keep offering things that are good for him. Like toddlers, one day they will eat it and another they won't. You might try cooked sweet potato in his bowl, that is one Timber will eat a bit of. You might try offering it to him on a spoon first. Timber likes his a bit warm but not hot. For some reason, probably his handfed history, Timber will try just about anything I offer on a spoon. It may end up on my face if he doesn't like it and gives the beak shake, but at least he will try it. Another thing to try is to thread raw and well washed greens (like Kale) through the cage bars. Whether it is just because he doesn't want them on his bars or because he likes them, he will usually pull it out, getting some in his beak as a result. Remember that grey's are foragers by nature. Most of them love boxes and paper sacks. I put a box or sack (make sure you remove any tape) in the bottom of his cage. I put shredded paper and other safe stuff in there, along with things like a cracked walnut (I have to get it started or he won't crack it) or other items I want him to try in there. He loves to root around in the box, chew on it, and look for the stuff hidden there. There are all sorts of foraging toys you can buy, but Timber's favorite is still the box or sack. He loves corrugated cardboard like shipping boxes, and will spend hours shredding it into fine bits. As Ray said, you need to try some pellets and keep the fruit consumption low. You can also give him the whites from boiled eggs (I give Timber a little yolk as well but not much) and boiled chicken wings. There are several threads about diet you may want to check out. When it comes down to it, each bird is different in their likes and dislikes. You just have to keep experimenting until you find a balance!

Hello and welcome Joyce! Love the baby pictures, and can imagine how excited you are. Good luck and God bless