Timbersmom

Don't feel bad about venting. It's hard not to be upset when you spend so much time trying to make things as good as you can for one who seems totally unappreciative and even hostile. I've felt that way several times myself! That's what we are here for, to share the joys and perils of fids.

Perfect! Especially since they usually are "on a mission."

Sorry, but I'm laughing. Bullshit indeed to your gloves. Reminds me of the early days with Timber. Hubby was trying to do something in his cage and Timber was trying to mutilate him before he could. Hubby was muttering, Timber was growling, then out of the blue, though he'd hardly said anything at that point, he said "asshole" clear as a bell. We cracked up.

I'd get Timmy in to see the vet if you are concerned.

I think greys are capable of a lot of "nonsense." I don't think it's an exaggeration to say many of them are more than a bit neurotic. You have zeroed in on changes in the past year, which is a trigger for behavior changes (in my experience anyway). I don't have any answers, but I can understand how upsetting it is to do everything you can and be rewarded by biting and bad behavior. It's a blessing that your housemate has a relationship with Alfie. They do seem to switch allegiances over the course of time.

Timber said his name in my voice for the first time the other night. He says his name often (I may have mentioned that he's a bit of an egomaniac) but this was a first for my voice. He also said my name the other day, which was a first. For the most part he calls me "Jamie" (his previous owner) which I think he associates with the service industry, like he's summoning the waiter in the restaurant. When he hears me getting up, he will say a drawn out Jaaamie like he's impatiently waiting for the housekeeper to get busy.

I use facebook and twitter a lot, but not for parrot info. I've never found a group there that I thought was anywhere near as helpful as this one when I have an issue. As Breezy2013 said, I've seen bad information and too many irritating people on the facebook groups to make it worthwhile. I'm sure there are good people with good info there, but sometimes smaller groups are better. It's to time consuming to pick through the information there for a nugget of useful information, and the size doesn't promote relationships. That's why I come here.

Sounds like most married couples...

I'm partial to King's cages and don't have experience with the brand you listed. As Greytness said, you want to be sure it is powder coated. I've seen stuff about some cages from China having toxic materials in their powder coating, but hopefully that's been corrected. I tend to stick with brands I know.

Uh huh, not doing it. I can see him shaking his head! Ha.

Timber doesn't seem to have a male/female voice preference. He has picked up phrases and words from both. Funny about Alfie's new "choices." It is always so exciting when they come out with something new.

I have no idea. My first thought was that prior experiences with hands were bad. But, maybe he just doesn't want to be touched. When I brought Timber home he didn't like hands or feet. He is still a "foot attacker" if he's on the floor. I learned early on that he will step up on my forearm, but will bite my hand if offered. On the other hand, once he is on my arm and we are settled he is often receptive to face scratches with fingers. If I put my hand within strike range without offering food in other circumstances, it is an invitation for a bite. No help I know, just wish I knew what was going on in those birdie brains.

Same here, I check the forum for posts daily.

Timber won't eat pellets either, and I really think he'd starve if that is all he had. He is underweight anyway, so it's a chance I can't take. So, his diet is vegetables, meat and seed. He does waste a lot, but I don't care as long as he is maintaining his weight. Have you tried birdie bread? It's cornbread but you can add baby food and all kinds of things to slip by her if she likes it.

I'm sure it does. I'm sitting here listening to Timber munching cardboard on top of his cage, wondering if he's happy. I know I'm at least his third home, and hope things are better for him now. I don't think he misses flight, because he doesn't fly. I don't think he ever fledged. Did he come from a "parrot mill?" I will never know. Does he know how much I care for him? Probably not when I'm toweling him twice a day for seizure meds. Does he understand at some level that I'm sticking that nasty stuff in his mouth for a good reason? Doubtful. How does he feel when I'm giving him his bowl of sweet potatoes, peas, beans, eggs and rice mix? Does he wonder why I don't give him the nuts and treats he craves instead? Does he know how proud I am when he says a new word or phrase? Does he know I excitedly tell all my friends about his vocabulary additions? Probably not. Still, at the end of the day when he's perched on my arm and pushes his beak into my stomach for some intense face scratching, I know we at least have trust. Musings of a rehomer.

That's hard to watch.

Great to hear from you! I'm glad he is doing well. Don't be a stranger

Timber also saves his speech for when I leave the room. He rarely says words when I'm with him, but will whistle and click. When I leave, he starts talking. There is a bathroom close to his cage. If I go in there and shut the door, we sometimes have a "conversation" through the door. The minute I'm back in the room, silence.

Tikobird256, I feel your pain. I tried for almost a year to switch Timber to pellets. Every kind, every variety. Regardless of the pellet, he stares at me with that "you've got to be kidding me" look and refuses to eat any of them. I just try to feed him as much fresh stuff and things I fix as possible, and he does eat seed. You do what you can!

I don't know how to do that, but I'm sure glad to hear all is well!

Happy New Year to all my forum friends! I hope you all have a blessed year. Ha, flappers indeed...

Post an update if you can, we'd all like to know your grey is OK, Nini.

Funny about your mom's vegetables! According to my kids, grandma's stuff was always better. Guess it's true for fids too

Wow, cool video!

We don't exactly have a Christmas tradition with Timber, but he sure does enjoy tasting everything (or most things) I am cooking! I just gave him a boiled egg white from the deviled eggs I'm making.