Timbersmom

It sounds like she likes being out there with you at any rate! I know what you mean about the porch not being the priority. I have a long wish list including an outdoor aviary of some sort, but I also know that probably isn't going to happen! Timber doesn't seem to be that comfortable on the porch (I thought he'd love it). He doesn't protest, but his body language tells me he isn't thrilled to be there either. I take him out for short stretches hoping he will come to enjoy it. It sure has been a learning experience. What I've found is that he is just like my kids. All the stuff marketed for parrots is directed at the bird owners. I'm always ordering stuff I think he will "love" and he has no interest. Just like my kids enjoyed playing with the boxes more than the toys, Timber enjoys little things like paper towel rolls and junk mail. The $20 hanging toy wonder I purchased just hangs there unused... When will I learn?

Sounds like a great set up to me! That's basically what I am doing. I just keep stuffing more stuff in the kitchen. I can roll his playstand into the living room when I'm there (not much) and out on the screened in front porch (which he hasn't really taken to yet). Any nonbird person would look at my kitchen and think I was a crazy woman

Hopefully, one of the pros on here will give you some answers, hopefully someone who has experience with both. From a novice standpoint, I decided on a TAG for several reasons. They can be very destructive, but a macaw has a larger beak and can be more so. Their speech is easier to understand (from what I've read and the macaws I've seen). They need more cage space because of their size. That being said, I'd think it is purely a matter of preference. I've read the macaw threads here too, and their "people" think they are great. Maybe you and your wife should visit with both species and see which "clicks?" Not much help from here but I'll give you another bump

I have lots of room, but the problem is I can only be in one room! I've tried to keep him where I am as much as possible, which means he spends most of his time in the kitchen. We have a large house and the kids are gone now (my youngest is in college). That's the main reason I felt I had the time and attention to devote to a bird. I've thought about fixing up one room specifically for him, but I don't think he'd enjoy it if he was alone there a lot of the time. I guess what I'm trying to say is, I think your parrot is happier with less stuff and more of your company!

Very nice! Hope Casper enjoys it

That's funny! Wonder who was more surprised... your wife or the chicken!

Ahh... I understand! Sorry to be so nosy but I was wondering if it was something I needed to get for Timber's showering. I know, sounds dumb now! I appreciate the kindness of you and others on this forum in putting up with novices like me and our endless questions. That e-collar doesn't seem to slow him down and he doesn't seem to mind it, which is good to know. It also appears to have worked. He looks great in the video!

Thanks for sharing! I loved the video and so did Timber. I'm a newbie though so if you don't mind me asking, what is he wearing around his neck and why? Thanks!

Progress indeed! It is funny, and probably a sign of their intelligence, that they interact so differently with each individual. Timber's favorite person is my son Dakota, but I'm the one he trusts the most.

Happy hatchday and many happy returns Ana

Thanks for the support! It is so nice to be able to share our progress with people who understand. I tell my best friend (not a bird person) and she looks at me like, "so what?" Not that she doesn't care, she just doesn't comprehend.

Two posts in two days! A record for me. Progress with Timber (rehomed TAG) seems to be snowballing right now though, thank God. The pic is of Timber napping (I woke him up trying to get a pic) on his new playstand. He's decided he likes it! After a few days I'll start adding some things to it. What I'm really posting about though is that he stepped up for the first time today! I needed to go in another room and I can't leave him out (I have four cats) so I told him he either had to go in or go with me. I offered my hand and he climbed on without lunging or getting my wrist in a death grip. We made a brief tour of the dining room and the bathroom without incident. He did go up to my shoulder and perch there. No nips, no grips, no squawks, nice trip. He stepped right back on his cage when we got to it without incident either and looked quite pleased with himself. This probably doesn't seem like much to experienced bird owners or those with tamer birds, but for us it is major progress!

Aerial, I didn't even know there was such an event until I saw someone posting about it. I googled it and found out there are a few within driving distance every year. Go for it!

Love the pics! I had to laugh about the claw up the nose though

So glad you have her! Good luck and God bless

What a pretty bird! Thanks for the pics, love looking at them.

Haaaa... yes, I had to put a cap on my expenditures before I went in the door. I've done all my shopping online because there aren't any retail outlets around me. It was a lot different seeing it in person. It was also good to be able to see how stuff was really "put together" because it gave me some ideas about things I could do myself. I'm not very creative, but if I have a pattern in my head I can do it!

Ouch! It is still hurtful even when you understand the reasons. Hope she comes around soon!

Love the videos here. Thanks for posting

LOL Good picture!

Beautiful bird! Thanks for sharing

Well, I finally located and was able to go to a bird fair. The nearest one was in Collinsville, IL, which is a couple of hours from me. It was great though! So much stuff and so many pretty birds. I met some nice people and got to see a lot of birds that I'd only seen in pics here on the forum before. I found a playstand for Timber, which I'd been shopping for, at a good price. I attached a pic of him finally starting to warm up to it. He has been staring at it for 24 hours now. I was able to lure him on to it with a piece of cheese and a paper towel roll (his favorite "toy").

Timber (TAG) has a red feather on his neck. I didn't think about it being like a birthmark, but I suppose it is!

I love reading your updates, thanks for sharing!

Cute! Thanks for the video, I love watching them. Timber doesn't toy snuggle. I love giving him an animal cracker once in awhile though, because he will nibble at it then scratch his neck with it, then nibble at it, then scratch... until the cookie is gone.