Timbersmom

I suspect if the beard grew in gradually the grey probably wouldn't mind. If you disappeared for a month and came back looking like Grizzly Adams, I'll bet it would matter!

LOL I'd love to know what is going through their minds! Glad to hear Timber isn't the only bird with the headband issue. He doesn't like my reading glasses either. He gives me the stink eye until I take them off.

I just had the funniest experience with Timber so I thought I'd share. My aerobics class started back tonight after summer break. As soon as I got home, I went straight to his cage (which I always do when I get home) and talked to him. He wasn't responding much, but he doesn't always. So, I gave him a peanut and opened the cage door so he could come out. He ate a little of the peanut, dropped most of it, and just sat there. After 15 minutes, he still hadn't came out of the cage. That was a record since his first few days here. He usually heads for the door before I can even get it open. I'm getting concerned that something is wrong, so I look at the food bowls (good level for this time of day), check the water (plenty), check the poo on the paper (normal). He just looks at me. At any rate, he finally comes to the door of the cage and perches on the sill. I reach to pet him (we've been having pet fests nightly for a few weeks) and he cocks his head to the side and stares at me. I try again and he lunges at my finger for the first time in a long time. I thought "OK, just having an off day" and sat in my chair. As I was sitting there, I remembered something I read on the forum and the light bulb came on. I put my hair up in combs and wear a headband to aerobics. So, I took my headband off, shook my hair out and showed him that it was really me. Now he's totally normal! Haaaa... Everyone who has pointed out that grey's don't like change is right on the money!

The pics still show up. Nancy, it must be a setting on your computer. I didn't see how old the thread was until you pointed it out luvparrots. I'm still curious about that sleep hut though. My house is about 65 during the winter, and I'm wondering if the hut might be a good idea. Anyone else have experience with them?

I'd change her name. Like Alexis said, she may have bad associations with it and not even realize it is her name...

What a great story! So happy for you and Rosie and looking forward to more

LOL Like the sig by the way. I was actually thinking of getting this or something like it for Timber, so I'm really interested to see these pics. My biggest concern is that he would not go in it. He's very change averse, and anything new in the cage throws him off for a few days. It's great Darcy is so adventurous!

Funny! Cute pic too. They sure do have individual tastes. I've read that most greys like spicy food. That isn't my experience with Timber, he prefers stuff on the bland side for the most part. When I first got him, I ordered him some of those dried peppers with the stalks to hang on his cage. He would quickly strip the pepper off, drop it, then scratch himself with the stalk. When he was finished he'd shred the stalk. Entertainment for him, but not quite what I had in mind!

Argh So sorry he's having to go through this (and you too). I'll remember this when I'm getting huffy about my umpteenth floor cleanup. I need to count my blessings more often.

Yes, they are like people that way. My preference is stuff that isn't good for me either! When I'm trying to get Timber to eat or at least try something by eating it in front of him, I don't always succeed in looking like I like it I guess. He cocks his head and looks at me and I swear he's saying "yeah, right!"

LOLOL Good information to have!

LOL don't blame her for not giving it back! Timber loves pizza too.

Cute pic! Looks like he is going for the camera there.

Love the pics! I wish I could get Timber on the counter to eat off a plate like that. We have gotten to the point where he will step up with no problem, but stepping down is another story! Once he is on my arm that is where he wants to stay until we reach a cage or perch. Getting there though

LOL to the water bottle push! CLB Whew that's a relief! I thought maybe they might put an eye out or something... Their fears are like people's fears it seems, sometimes irrational. A snake would make sense though.

^^Agreed. I went with stainless steel. I like it too I might add! I had some already and the switch was painless.

I don't leave the straw in the cage with him when I'm not in here. He loves to fray the end then use it to scratch his head and neck. It's like a birdie back scratcher! If there is a danger here I'm not aware of, someone please tell me. I use the large straws from the convenience store (no, not used), not the little skinny ones.

That's funny!

Apparently beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Timber's favorites include grocery sacks, junk mail, assorted pieces of cardboard, and a small blue ball that looks like it sailed in the ark. Oh! And plastic drinking straws of any color. Not a toy made with them (not much interest there) but just a straw straight out of the wrapper.

LOL Better be careful or that one idea will take off! Timber would lose points in the "most interesting" section but would certainly make some gains for "volume!"

I'd love to have a birdie cam! That's something I need to check in to. I'd love to see exactly what he is up to all day, as well as see what he is really eating and what he is just disposing of to the bottom of the cage.

Good job!

Hello and welcome Jenni! I have four indoor cats and Timber, who is a TAG. As others have said, I never leave them alone when Timber is out of his cage. They tend to just look at each other and then move on. However, the cats are nosy and will occasionally poke their heads above the bottom of the cage or the tabletop play stand when he is on it (on a stand) because he's making noise and they want to see what is going on. When this happens, Timber sometimes charges at them and they retreat; other times they just stare at each other and the cat walks off. My cats are totally indoor animals and aren't hunters either. I'm sure that makes a lot of difference. I really hadn't thought about what Judygram said, but it's a good point. While I am away and Timber is in the cage, the cats are free to roam. After two and a half months, I haven't had any bites on the cats' feet, so I'm assuming they don't interact much when I'm gone or manage to evade Timber's beak. The woman I got him from had a cat, so he's used to them. Also, the cage he is in now sits about two feet off the ground, not at floor level. The cats aren't able to jump on top of it, which might be a real problem. My home setup would make it difficult to keep them separate when he is caged, so that is what is working for me. Sorry for rambling on! I'm typing while I think

Unless you are using a nanny cam or something it's hard to say what he's doing while you are gone. I don't have any experience with babies, but I'm assuming, like their older counterparts, that as soon as he hears you arrive he starts trying to get your attention and stops whatever he may have been doing. That is convoluted, but my point is he may actually be messing with stuff in his cage when you are totally out of the picture! Once I get home, Timber's focus is on me and getting me to come to him. There is evidence in the cage that he has been shredding, etc. while I was gone. That evidence may not be as apparent with your baby.

I'll check Amazon. I was thinking of playing it when I'm not there if he likes it. Don't know if I could handle it!