Sarasota

I hear ya. Most of my friends and family are afraid of birds (how do you like that one?) My mother tried with Sondhi, but he nipped her (NIPPED!!) when he was just a babe. Now she won't go anywhere near him. I live alone, so it's pretty isolating for the birds. I'm not the kind of person to take my birds out of the house for socialization (plus, they are all fully flighted). I think working in wildlife rehab gave me a super healthy dose of bacterial/viral fear. I'm moving towards finding a good piece of property so I can have a large aviary with more, free-flying birds. Now I just need to win the lottery!

The PVC is perfectly safe. You can use the stainless...but it makes it more difficult to cut down if it's not the correct size. Whatever is easier. Also the PVC can be replaced. There are some "wall/ceiling protector" products on the market for bird owners. But they are overpriced and PVC works just as well. I even have a toy the birds love made of small cut up parts of PVC.

SO darling! I think Sondhi burst forth at about 14 months old. He's also having another big language burst. He also LOVES yelling. No, not like that. But if I start saying "WOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW" all the parrots join in with "Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!! Oooooooooooo! Wowwwwwwwwwwwww!" It's pretty hilarious. I have to make sure the webcam is OFF before I do it or the Men in White Coats will be coming for me!

Maybe cut down a piece of PVC and slip it over the end?

There is fluctuating opinion/information on when African Greys reach sexual maturity depending on the source. But it's generally between 3 to 7 years (3 being low and seven being a late bloomer). They can exhibit breeding behavior before reaching sexual maturity. I have a 2 1/2 year old bird that regularly tries to breed with the top of my head. Now is the time for very deep breaths and patience.

Back from an all day bone scan...yikes! Behavior is the Study of One is Susan's mantra. I was working with one of the Keas at Natural Encounters and she kept me on the right track. I would say something about Kea behavior...and she would remind me that I needed to look at the bird as an individual before looking at her as a Kea. The particular behavior was what was important. ABA is simultaneously complex and simple!

What a sweet baby! Congrats!!

The first time I saw the Cagebreak was on my webcam (watching from work). I actually watched him pry the food door open and come out. I've seen cages with padlocks (then again, I've seen a Military Macaw snap a padlock...I didn't want to pick that little guy up after that!!!)

We need to invent a parrot toy as fascinating as a keyboard. We'd be millionaires!

I have my keyboard in a "hide a tray" - but left it open by mistake. Man! It's like a magnet...Sondheim charged it! Got there in the nick of time. This is one I'm working on too. Burt will stay on his perch...but Sondheim thinks it's an amazing game and flies to me constantly. Work in progress!

The only real solution to this problem is management and consistent supervision. Early on, my CAG nipped one of the dogs on the tail, so the dog keeps his distance. BUT, in the last week (odd timing!!) my CAG has flown at him. Not acceptable. On either side. The baby gate went up immediately to keep the dogs out the bird room. If necessary, I will put the dogs outside or in their crates when the birds are flying. Here's another warning. If you have a doggie door and there are stray cats in the neighborhood, be careful. A few years ago I heard screaming, and ran into the living room just as a feral cat was carrying my toucan out the doogie door. I've never run so fast. He had one puncture wound but had to be treated for potential bacterial infection. Bad stuff!!!

If you are not familiar with Susan Friedman or Applied Behavior Analysis in bird training, here is a link and excerpt to one of her earlier articles. It’s a great introduction. There are also a ton of other articles on her website, http://www.behaviorworks.org. Susan Friedman, Ph.D. – “Empowering Parrots – Positive Reinforcement Boosts Confidence for Both Bird and Trainer” http://www.behaviorworks.org/files/articles/Empowering%20Parrots.pdf Love to hear your thoughts on this!! 10 Competencies for Companion Parrot Caregivers 1) Understand companion parrot behavior by considering its general function in the wild. 2) Understand companion parrot behavior by analyzing its specific function in the home. 3) Sensitively observe, interpret and respond to parrots’ body language. 4) Empower parrots to make choices and have control over their own outcomes without lowering standards of acceptable behavior. 5) Arrange the physical environment to increase the probability of successful behavior. 6) Deliver high rates of positive reinforcement for desired behaviors with good timing and clear criteria. 7) Achieve training targets by effectively shaping small, sequenced steps toward the final behavior. 8) Design interventions to solve problem behaviors such as biting, excessive screaming and over-bonding using the most positive, least intrusive training methods. 9) Understand the detrimental side effects of aversive behavior-change procedures, and use them rarely. 10) Improve critical thinking skills to better evaluate the appropriateness of popular approaches to parrot behavior management.

Patience, TINY steps and lots and lots of treats. Works every time!

Good point, Nancy. It's just too uncomfortable for some birds. It can also be trained pretty easy (simple, but must be done in small steps, depending on the bird). Start by lightly touching the bird's back. Reinforce (praise, treat, etc.). Continue the pressure, start the tilt, keep going, eventually the bird will be on its back.

Don't buy into it! Our Greys can be clumsy in our homes...so can Amazons, Macaws, Ringnecks, Budgies, Canaries, Conues.... Abnormal environments produce abnormal results. Watch a video of wild Greys. They are as beautiful and graceful as any bird.

You are doing great. Just takes a lot of patience from here. Make sure you are the Keeper of the Sunflower Seeds. Move very slowly, allow him to reach out a tiny bit and take a seed. For now, don't do anything except say "good" in a low, calm voice. Sounds like anything else will scare him. And keep moving forward in tiny steps. He sounds just like Burt when I brought him home. Now he eats from my hand, performs a TON of behaviors on cue, rides around the house and aviary on a rope perch. He only growls when he sees new people, or tools (don't know why, but a hammer or screwdriver puts him in a tizzy).

Deep breaths! Sometimes these things can look much worse than they are. Greys are very empathetic...so try calm down and don't stress the bird out more than it already is. Talk in a soothing, quiet voice. Follow Jayd's advice above. I'd say be ready to be at the vet's office when the doors open...if only to make sure everything is OK. I know how how you feel right now. I once closed a cabinet door on my Toucan's foot. It took weeks to heal and every time I saw him with his foot up, I felt awful. But staying calm and cool is the best thing you can do right now until the vet opens in the AM. Keep the Board updated...we are like our Greys, we feel these things very deeply!

Sondheim is perfecting Mozart's "Queen of the Night" aria. This is a video of him a few months ago. I really need to update it - he's MUCH better now.

Time, time, patience, more time. One step forward, two steps back, three steps forward. Seasonal hormones, all bets are off. Such is the life of dealing with a parrot!

You beat me too it!

I amazed by the greys that get under the covers. My toucans love it (sleeping in my bra is the best) - but Sondhi freaks if I try to put him under the blankies!

Cue the theme music from JAWS!! They are hilarious!

You know the old saying..."The only thing that two trainers can agree on is that the third one is doing it wrong."

Yep. Sounds like a parrot to me. Oddly enough, my 30+ year old parrot with issues is a lot more mellow than my 2 1/2 year old handraised boy. The youngster is a terror right now. Giving me tiny nips and yelling "Cuddle!" is his favorite game at the moment. He also loves to boss the dogs around. He's constantly yelling at one of my dogs, "Richard! Come on! Make a pottie!!" They have totally unique personalities, don't they?

I'm sorry if I jumped the gun, Steve. I read your post very quickly from the office...and I thought you had already decided to let them go! My bad. I look at it this way - do what is best for the bird. Staying with you is always #1 since they are bonded with you and your wife. Moving to a new home is so stressful (I worry about the day I'm gone and my kids have a new home to adjust to). This may be a temporary situation - and you find that in 6 months you have time open up. Nothing is static, everything changes. Best of luck to you - in whatever you choose!!!!