Timbersmom

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

No worries, that's what this forum is about. Ask anything you want! Yes, most of our birds get violent with their toys at times, and seem to do it for pleasure. There are many things they seem to like to chew on for no apparent reason. Timber will chew on the links holding the chains, on the chains, and sometimes even on his cage bars. I really don't know what that is all about, but just accept that is something they do. Wish I was a mind reader! If they fear something in the cage, they usually avoid it, not attack it. When I add a new toy, Timber will just not go in the area of the cage where it is hanging until he decides it is time to check it out, which can be up to two weeks. If he attacks it, I can assume he likes it.

Hello and welcome Criaggil!

Others here with more experience can give you better advice. I do abundant feeding (keep food in his bowls all the time). I do keep the special stuff (pine nuts and cashews in Timber's case) to hand-feed him as treats. I'm not much into training so can't comment on the clicker. You are making progress, and the info you got from his former home can explain some of the behavior.

LOL to the Howard! Maybe the birds know something Pat doesn't. Obviously, he is a "Howard"

Hello and welcome Bigwick

Hello and welcome CTKatie! The links and what Dan said are very true. When I brought my rehomed TAG home, we had a couple days of what we call the "honeymoon" period, followed by a few weeks of "if you try to touch me one of us will die" behavior. It's pretty typical. Keep sitting near his cage and talking softly to him when you have a chance. Give it lots of time, because that is what it usually takes. Good luck and God bless

I rehomed my TAG last summer, so I feel your pain. With Timber, the main issue was trust, and it takes a long time to develop. My best advice for you is to read the thread "Gilbert is home." It is long, but has a lot of helpful information from one of our members and her rehoming experience. The url for that is http://www.greyforums.net/forums/showthread.php?192443-Gilbert-is-home Good luck and God bless!

So sorry for your loss! Don't blame yourself, an accident is an accident. That doesn't make it less painful though! God bless.

What a great video! I'll bet life with Radar is a hoot