PerchDriverBri

Rosie is NOT a shoulder bird at home. She tries very hard to be the "big bird" and dominate the situation every time, by nipping, stretching her head above mine, etc. However, when we go in public, she is very shy and easily intimidated, so she is allowed on my shoulder as long as she respects my space while she's up there. If she doesn't, it is a quick "step up" from the shoulder and then she hangs out on my wrist instead. It all depends on the bird and their relationship with you. If they are being disrespectful and nagging at your body parts the whole time they are up there, then they should not be allowed to shoulder. I am going to have to try the dance move sometime! Rosie is always recalcitrant when she has hit the floor, and it seems a bit easier than putting your hand in possible jeopardy with a sassy bird!

Definitely watch the toe nipping. Our Jenday and our keet both have "special toes" from another bird in the house. They get so determined to make friends/show off that they forget totally about the pain that they have been through before. Keep doing what you're doing. Our grey was very limited as far as acceptance to touch goes when we first got her. We were patient with her and let her set the pace for what she would handle and what she wouldn't. The other big thing to mention is as he progresses, never get upset about regression or nipping/growling. We have to respect their limits, and sometimes they will be right in the middle of a good soothing scratch when they decide they have had enough and might nip and scare the dickens right out of you. Never over react...accept their boundaries (though they might change from one day to the next) and move on. Good luck! Look forward to hearing how Leo progresses!

She calls it popcorn. But to her, everything is popcorn, cereal, peanut butter, or seeds. And as I am sitting here typing this, she blurts out "strawberry". Dang bird, always proving me wrong! And apparently I can't count, and yes, I must be the number one critter. Makes sense.

just wanted to say hello and introduce the three of us! My name is Bri, and the Grey in my life is a CAG named Rosie, but she calls herself "Rosie Roo". She will be 10 next year and is a rehome from a year and a half ago. She has been WAY too much fun, and we have made her previous owner come to tears with joy over her adjustment and all of the great things she has learned being in my life! The third critter in our lives is Lilly, a jack russel/cattledog mix who will be 7 next year. Rosie is a chatter, and prefers to hear her own voice over everyone else's. She LOVES hanging out in the shower for the steam (not the water, thanks), calling my name and then not saying anything..., and her favorite snack is almonds, though she STILL refuses to call them anything but popcorn. Rosie really is the epitome of a CAG, much to all of our joy and dismay! Her only distinguishing characteristic is that her next seems to be a bit longer than that of the average grey, and many have joked (though some are quite serious) that she has an extra vertebra in there! It's OK, she uses that lovely figure to be a birdie model. I look forward to sharing insight and knowledge about these wonderful birds as well as learning new things along the way! Sincerely, Bri, Lilly Booger, and Rosie Roo First is a pic of Rosie hanging out (very reluctantly) in the grass, followed by the annual dog abuse that Lilly endures out of love for her momma.