Timbersmom

I've never noticed this with Timber. Sometimes his "natural" smell seems stronger, but not different.

Another brutal day at the office!

Sorry but I don't think he's liking it. You will have to start over

Are there any new noises? Is it possible there is a change in light source? Just trying to think of things that might be causing this.

Funny how their likes and dislikes of people change over time. Hate to hear Debbie had a seizure. Timber has been on seizure meds for about 3 years now.

Odd how quickly it seemed my life started to revolve around Timber. That's part of the master plan I'm sure. I'm not surprised you've been scolded, it's all part of your training. When I got Timber, I didn't realize that birds don't actually cough, sneeze or sniff. I was oblivious for months to the fact that I was being mocked until I read it on the forum.

Timber's favorite is almond as well. He wants it in the shell, but I have to partially crack it. He's too lazy to crack it himself, though he is capable of it. He also will eat peanuts and cashews sometimes but I haven't found another nut he likes.

Timber isn't a consistent bather. Every time I see him start to bathe in his water bowl, I take it away and get his "bathtub" (a 9x13 glass baking dish). I put a couple of inches of water in it, toss in a few ice cubes, and after a few minutes of consideration he will hop in. If he isn't wanting a bath, it can sit there all day and he won't get in it.

Can't wait to see what your second bird will be. Hopefully, he or she will be a loving, cuddly bird. If not, you do have two arms, one for each to gnaw on...

Well, they just don't. I'm sure there is an exception to the rule and some bird somewhere, sometime has eaten a piece of paper, but they usually don't. Timber has been shredding cardboard and paper for the ten years I've had him, and I've never seen him eat it. Just as parrots who shred wood don't eat that. I guess most of them have the sense to know what is food and what isn't?

One corner of my kitchen is filled with small boxes. I don't think there is anything Timber enjoys more than industriously shredding his cardboard. Beautiful pictures of Alfie!

What a lot of progress you have made with Vorna and what a blessing that she ended up with you!

Hello and welcome to the forum! We love pics

Alfie is beautiful! Love the pics. After you have built trust, which you have, I think they adapt a lot faster.

Done! Thanks.

I have to say, this is a little confusing to me. Can you summarize?

Yes, Timber perches easily on them, even with his handicap!

I don't think you have to be experienced to own a grey. However, you have to be willing to put in the time to learn, prepare, listen, and read! That's what I love about this forum. If I need help, someone here usually has an answer or has dealt with the same situation.

After Timber started having his seizure issues, I had to downsize his cage and make other accomodations. He was unable to perch for a time on cage mounted bowls, and everything I put on the floor of the small cage he would turn over. The avian vet recommended the crocks in the pic below. About 5 inch diameter and weighs over 20 ounces. He has no trouble perching on the side to eat, it doesn't tip, and though he can still throw things out (usually to forage for later as someone else mentioned) he can't turn it over. This one is made by Kaytee.

Totally agree. I'd add expensive and time consuming to feed properly. I don't think some understand how much it costs to take care of a parrot correctly. I know I didn't! Also, Avian vets are not readily available in a lot of areas, and are expensive as well. Anyone considering adopting a grey should understand that it takes substantial resources and time for food prep. I can't think of anything to add on the "good" but that's mainly because I struggle to express it. I've never been as attached to a "pet" as I am to Timber, and I've had many that I've loved. There is something different about a relationship with a grey and words fail me. Under the "ugly," you've listed the worst one, and the hurt feelings are a real thing. If you have a lot of "traffic" meaning people who don't live in the home passing through, you have to be very careful. I've had to grab someone's hand before they stuck it in strike range several times, people often don't understand that greys aren't going to just "let them pet them" like a cat or dog might. Also under ugly, there are cases where your bird may take an active and sometimes belligerent dislike to a household member. I'm probably overthinking this, but just my thoughts!

Timber loves being on the floor and can move like greased lightening!

Yes indeed. Same applies to eating. When I eat, he wants to eat, more flock behavior. The other day I was eating something I couldn't share. I don't know what I was thinking, I'm not properly trained yet, because I should have given him an almond or something. He sat in the outer shelf attached to his cage (where he goes when he knows there is food in the kitchen) and gave me the stink eye for a minute. When I didn't respond appropriately to his baby bird chirping (his second line of defense to alert the hooman that he needs his share), he went to his seed bowl and got a nutriberry. He returned to his "eating" shelf and ate it. They are so funny, but the flock behavior is real!

What is it with greys and feet? If Timber gets on the floor his goal in life is to get a bite of "foot."

Timber and I whistle back and forth all the time, and he's a good whistler. When I rehomed him, I used the whistling as a bonding thing. He was terrified of course, being in a new place with a new person, but he would always whistle back when I whistled. We still do it, especially if I'm in another room. It's like "I'm OK, are you?"

I'm very thankful for this forum and the people here. I've learned a lot and appreciate the sense of "community" sans politics etc. here. I'm in a couple of facebook groups, but as neoow said, they move too fast, are filled with some very critical and unhelpful people, and don't have a "personal" feel at all.