Sarasota

He's so adorable.

OK...I'm having a nightmare tonight!

Oh good! I'm typing at work - super rushed and busy - and sometimes I just don't make any sense. It's something I feel strongly about - respecting boundaries set by the bird such as when they want to be held and touched. We set boundaries as far as caging, what rooms they can go in, etc. Here's something to try: Hold a video camera and talk to it like you talk to your bird. Keep it the same distance from your face, etc. Move the same, drop your arm the same, same pace with hands, etc. You will really get a chance to get a "bird's eye view" (sorry for the pun) of what your bird sees. Also, video tape interactions with your bird and just watch the bird's body language. It's so helpful in seeing things clearer. The entertainment business is exploding! Back to work. Hope some of this makes sense. I'll probably read it later and cringe.

Keep it in view so he gets adjusted to it. If he does get on it, praise lavishly and give treats (hold some of those seeds for "extra good work"). I don't give Burt seeds in his regular diet - I hold them all back for training.

Let's hear it for the Octopus! Yeah! Those are some amazing creatures.

So much more romantic than pigeons...they only take about 2 seconds to get the job done.

Dan...OH YES. My Sondheim is the Master of the semi-step up-bite. I ask him if he would like to step up, he offers one foot very gingerly, steps up with one foot....and WHAM! It took me some time...but I got it now. I just walk away. I'm so sorry about the bites. As much as we try not to let them get to us emotionally...they do. Everyone has already mentioned the honeymoon period. Pretty standard. I don't know if I missed it, but is he stick trained? If so, you may want to stick with that for now and save your fingers. Also, ask yourself if the bird really needs to step up. By that I mean, is it time to go back into the cage? Move to a new location? My 31 year old TAG will not be touched. I can move him around on a rope ring and move him in and out of the cage with almonds, but no touch. We have a very, strong trusting relationship...but I have to respect his boundaries. If you don't really need to pick him up right now, maybe it's better not to.

OK, now I need to know!

I absolutely love watching birds feed their babies. I could tune in all day. It's amazing how gentle and accurate they are with their beaks.

Number One: No more shoulder. Not right now, at least. I *know* the fight well. I have a CAG that insists on climbing up to my shoulder. Well, he's also going through a stage and a few months ago he gave me quite the nip on my ear. No more. You can't really control what's going on when they are up there. If you don't have a super strong "step up" - no more. At least for the time being. Number Two: The absolute best thing you can do for yourself and your little guy right now it take a HUGE breath....and then do your best to detach yourself from the emotions. This is the hardest thing a parrot owner can do. I struggle with it daily. The parrot isn't being spiteful, etc. They don't even understand the concept. What you have to do right now is deal with the behavior. If you can, try to do some work with the bird inside the cage. Do you do targeting with him? Try to rebuild a bit of the relationship from a "hands off" standpoint. Also, whatever treats he likes best, ONLY YOU give them out for now. Not your husband, just you. When you pass the cage, drop a favorite treat in his feed cup. Reward him for every tiny thing he does that is good. No lunging at the bars? Yay! Treat. You want to build something positive between you and the bird again. I could rattle on and on, but I'm sure you get the idea. It's a long process with a parrot, but SO worth it in the end. Once a bird knows it can trust you - rock solid - there's nothing quite like it. EDIT: Wow. I should never answer a post when I'm tired! Hopefully, some of this makes sense. If not, feel free to PM me. I been exactly where you are right now (and, sometimes, still am). We can talk each other through it!

Honestly, I think the stress is more on my end because I want only the best for them. However, they do seem to have more behavioral issues if they don't get their proper time outside the cage. Still, the new job with less commute seems sooooo enticing...

That sounds almost identical to my "night night" routine. I give a warning - get the big eyes - offer cuddles and then to bed. Sometimes I let him look in the mirror for a minute or two and whistle. It seems to calm him down and get ready for bed. If they are really restless, I read a bedtime story (but, of course, that's totally insane Crazy Bird Lady behavior...and I'd never admit that - except to you guys!!!!)

Last night I noticed the boys were a little quiet in the aviary...and this is why. They will *occasionally* engage in feeding behavior at this time of year, although they are not a bonded pair (well, and they are both males). For those who only have one grey, you might recognize some of the behaviors!

Yay on the Harrison's! My little dudes love it too. I'll leave this one to the experts....but this is what I see. In the first video, just looks like a bird that would like to come out of the cage. The wings are slightly out like he'd like to be somewhere else (early flight behavior). The second video is more difficult to see - but looks like breeding behavior. I can't tell if he's actually regurgitating anything when he's hanging upside down, but the wing tips are fluttering slightly and the posture suggests breeding. Hopefully, someone can shed more light on this one.

I struggle with this one, myself. I have a long commute. If the birds are to get their "out of cage" quota...I have them up after the sun goes down. If the job market wasn't so bleak, I'd be looking for a new job closer to home. The minute the tides turn...I'm on it!

LOL! My co-workers save me their newspapers, etc. The birds also love the large plastic paper clips (supervised only, since they will chew them to shreds). I use the black clips to hold things onto the cage - like paperback books to shred. p.s. Yeah, I just snapped that photo while sitting at my desk. My co-worker is looking at me like I'm loopy.

Oh my gosh...this is SO sweet. I can just see it in my head. Sondhi, my little loving brat, did the foot wave for awhile...and when I went to pick up him....BITE! Then he woud cock his head and say "Step up?" Takes a lot of patience to deal with a parrot!!

You know what the kids love? Empty Kleenex boxes shoved full of "goodies." Doesn't matter what it is: birdie bagels, crumpled paper, bottle caps. It's all an African Grey smorgasboard!

We all are nuts. We have parrots in our homes. Wear it with pride.

Paul, I can tell this is a tough decision for you - but sounds like you are really trying to do best for your bird! I'm in Los Angeles, so I'm no help. But I'll keep posting to keep this at the top of the "new post" section. Hopefully, someone will see it at the right time!!

That is so awesome. I love to hear the progress/bonding stories. I'm such a sap it makes me misty eyed. Does he get anything "special" when he goes into his cage? The one way I solved the going into the cage issue was a) giving them a choice in the matter, and b) giving them a treat. Bribery? Yeah, a bit, I guess. But it works for my guys. If they refuse to go in I take a step back. No big drama. Just talk for a second and try again. I think birds start to enjoy the "going to bed drama" of being chased around the room, tug of war, etc. I also always give Sondhi a half a grape for going in his cage at night and when I leave for work. He adores grapes...and that's the only time he ever gets them.

You know, I'm becoming VERY appreciative of Zons from viewing all these threads! What love bugs!

Here's my game plan....and it doesn't always work out, of course, when dealing with parrots! I don't keep my routines too rigid...other than leaving for work and putting the birds to bed. Bedtime is 9:30PM for the parrots. At about 9:15 they get the verbal warning. I start to put Sondhi in his cage a few minutes later. If he goes, he gets a treat and gets to come back out again. If he argues I tell him "OK, but almost time." Just knowing that his good behavior gives him a choice in the matter seems to cancel out the times he has to go in his cage. The AM routine is almost identical. Burt, the TAG, however is perfect. As long as I have an almond I can annouce "Ok, Burt, in your cage" and he goes. That's just the luck of the draw - he's SOOO food motivated.

My TAG can crack up a walnut, oddly enough. And my CAG has a hard time with almonds. Go figure!