Timbersmom

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.

Welcome back! It sure is good to "see" you. I always wonder when regular posters drop off the radar, hoping they are OK. Glad to see you back and recovered from that long illness!

They constantly amaze me too. I'd give a lot to know their thoughts. One of the things that makes them so endearing is how they can bite one day then be such sweethearts the next. I envy the people here who say their birds "bite but don't draw blood." When Timber bites, he always draws blood. Guess he's an all or nothing type. It doesn't happen often, but when it does, it's pretty bad. I won't lie, I've been upset enough a few times to consider parrot skewers for an appetizer in my darkest thoughts while I'm trying to stop the bleeding. I think it hurts my feelings as much as my body. At the end of the day though, I'm more attached to that little grey dander-shedder than I could have possibly imagined. That's the life of a parrot owner!

This kind of situation comes to all of us at some point! Glad Dorian is well.

I am a single bird owner, so can't help. From what I've read on other posts, you are doing things correctly as far as introduction. You've indicated that you already know they may never choose to become mates or even friends. Hopefully someone with more experience will come along and have more input. Good luck!

In my experience, their relationships with other members of the household (other than the favored one) evolve and change as time passes. Greytness gave you good suggestions for the others in the family to build a relationship with LuLu.

What a neat idea! Glad he went for it too. You just never know.

I find their different responses and interactions with people fascinating. Timber acts totally different with my son than with my grandson, though he likes them both.

Sound but no video?

Merry Christmas from our house to yours, and thank you for all you do!

Hi Dreamy and welcome to the forum! Greytness is spot on, you have to learn what her body language means. I'm also a rehomer, and had several bites before I learned a little more about what Timber was really "saying" with his body language. Also remember that your bird is a prey animal and trust comes very slowly. I had to remind myself that Timber was biting out of fear, not out of meanness. Didn't make it hurt less, but helped me understand. Take it slow and steady and you'll get there. Trust me, though it gets very frustrating, developing a relationship is one of the most rewarding things you will every do (it was for me anyway). It took Timber and I about 6 months to adapt to each other, for him to trust me and for me to respect his fears and body language. The background thing is important, and something a rehomer often can't know. For example, I quickly learned that Timber was terrified of hands. Why, I don't know, but probably a past experience. He will only step up on my forearm. Also, I learned that the "step-up" command didn't work for him. Again, I'm assuming something in his past. Instead, I say "want to go?" and offer my forearm. If he wants to step up, he will, if not he will pin his feathers a bit (slick them down) and turn his head slightly away from me while side-eyeing me. If I pushed it at that point and insisted, there's a really possibility he'd bite even after 9 years. Good luck, give it time, and God bless

Timber feels the need to compete with other sounds sources too. Fortunately, I'm retired and not trying to work. When of his standards is when I'm on the phone. After a minute (apparently he thinks that is the acceptable time for me to focus on something other than him) he will start saying "OK, Bye" at full volume. He's loud enough that I've had the person I was talking too ask what I just said or what that was.

You certainly aren't alone in this battle. Timber has yet to try any of the pellets (and I've tried them all) over the last 9 years since I rehomed him. He does eat a bit of carrot (probably because it is sweet, will eat mashed sweet potato, and actually likes peas in the shell. He responds best to the peas if I put them on a skewer and hang them. I guess it's the challenge, ha. He'll also eat cooked fresh grean beans (a bit). Once in awhile, he will nibble on the broccoli on the skewer. The battle continues, but you've actually made some progress and that's great!

That's great! Patience and time usually pays off with a grey.