Stefanie

That looks like fun! The cost seems pretty reasonable, too. May have to talk to the hubby about springing for one for Charlie! Thanks for sharing.

And here I was thinking I was being pro-active by using a bottle so that it cut down on the number of things that got into the water!! I do clean everyone's out at least twice a day (at lunch and dinner) but I'll put bowls back in! Thanks for the information, all!!

Welcome to the whole family! Cheers for taking on an older bird! Keep us posted on how it's going!

Welcome! I'm fairly new here, too, but it already feels like a home! I can't wait to hear all about Maggie and to see pictures!!

Stunning photos! Thanks so much for sharing!

HAHAHAHA! Charlie brought this one with him, too! It's usually a last resort after all of the other whistles, bubbling, meows, barking, beeps, boops and blips haven't enticed me back to the room!

I thought I would post this here - mods, let me know if it should be somewhere else, pretty-please. How does everyone provide water for their fids? Bowl or bottle? Charlie has had a bowl his whole life, but I've always had my other birds on water bottles. I've currently got both in his cage and I'm hoping to get him switched over, but it appears that he views the dripper as yet another toy. Aside from my having to change out the water two or three times a day, is there any detriment to his keeping the bowl?

How wonderful! Tell us more, and I know there are quite a few who are a sucker for pics, too! (hint, hint!) It's a great group here and there is so much information! Glad to have you.

Charlie and I have the same issue. He doesn't want to step up or leave the safety of his cage. A sprayer - which I use on some of the other animals, puts him into fits of terror. So, I have a large rubber bowl that I put an inch or two of water in and leave in the bottom of his cage. If he wants a bath, he goes right to it, and if not, I'll take it out after about ten minutes. Usually, he's in it pretty quick and having a high ol' time! I've learned to cover his cage when he bathes so that I'm not mopping up the bathwater for the rest of the day! Our Parrotlet will sometimes bathe in the sink, and sometimes in a dish, but never the same way twice in a row! Good luck!

Thanks so much! I love that this is what I do, and while I'm sure most of my animals aren't concerned one way or another as long as they're fed, I like to think they're happy. Any time you want to talk Zoos, let me know! I don't know much about RGZ, but I can pass along whatever knowledge might help you out! Always remember: Nutrition, education and finance are people to keep happy! I'll post more about him in rescues later, but here's what I know for sure: Charlie is somewhere between 15 and 19 years old (there was some awesome arguing from the couple on this point!) and he is a CAG. They'd had him since he was hatched, and for years, he was showered with attention and all the appropriate needs and behaviors were fully addressed. Once the couple began having medical issues, Charlie was kind of relegated to the back burner. It's taken awhile, but every day he's more responsive and calm. He no longer freezes up any time anyone walks by and he's learning some basic behaviors. Unfortunately, 'step up' or any variation thereof is an absolute no-go. Currently, I'm working on redirecting the regurgitation behaviors with toys and such. We are completely in love with him, and there is no question about his being a permanent addition to our family. I mentioned to the husband a few days ago that it was time to adopt out a large contingent of the residents and he immediately stated "not Charlie!" Thank you all again for such a warm welcome!

Gorgeous photos!

Noodle the wonder-let. She has been the only rescue that was not previously damaged in some way. Or, at least as far as we have been able to tell over the last six months or so. When we went to pick her up, the lady just handed her to me - no cage, no box, no nothing - and drove away. I had no idea what the story was, just that I needed to come pick up a bird. Normally, I have at least have a cardboard box in the car for emergencies, but I'd used it earlier that morning for a different animal! We got in the car, I set her on my knee and told her to hang on and keep still, and she did. Now she's the joy of the household. I think she's helped somewhat in our interactions with Charlie. It seems like he watches us showering her with the love and cuddles and sometimes, he's a little more docile after. Sometimes, he's still a pill, but... so am I. Also, I will drown you all in pictures of the animals if you don't keep an eye on me!!

Welcome! What a beautiful bird! You'll have a wonderful time here! I know I do!

First pic of our Charlie. He was being tolerant today!

Hi there! This is a great place! I'm fairly new, but there's so much goodwill and good information here, you can't help but learn! I have a chihuahua, too, and I'll tell you, I would probably never let her around my birds a. for their safety and b. for hers. While she could do fatal damage, I feel like our grey could probably take a fairly large chunk out of her hide! I'm also learning that the birds tend to be more high-strung for awhile after she has a attack of 'the barks'. Charlie gave me the stinkeye for about an hour earlier today after the tiny dog attempted to bark the FedEx guy to death. The dog is interested in the birds insofar as they will drop food off the tops of the cages for her, but as far as hoping they'd be friends one day, I wouldn't count on it. Of course, my dog is a monster, I can't lie. Good luck and welcome to you and Wally!

Thank you so much. That makes me feel better! As soon as we can get him acclimated to us, we'll move on to some flight training. One more thing to add to the list!

I'm curious: is it possible that our Charlie never learned to fly? The people that surrendered him to us said they didn't keep him clipped, and he's fully feathered but each and every time he tries to 'fly', he falls like a rock. Poor baby. I purchased some inexpensive - and washable - pillows to put around his cage, and he doesn't do it often, but enough to make me wonder. And, if that's the case, is it possible to train them to fly? Or at least to fall with a little more style?

Thank you guys so much! It's another good day here at the casa. I've gotten kisses and a step-up! Unfortunately, it's also cage-cleaning day. If it was just the two birds, it would be no biggie, but added to the rest of the menagerie, it will actually be a day-long process. Ah, the joys of animals... Thanks again!!

Hi everyone! My name is Stefanie, and while I am not new to parrots in general, greys are definitely a new thing! I've been a long-time lurker here at the forums, as there is a WEALTH of great information on all sorts of birds here! Thanks for that! You guys are great, so I decided to show my face, so to speak. I have run an exotic animal rescue for about fifteen years now, with the scars to match. Mostly, we've taken in snakes, lizards and small mammals with the occasional parrot / bird. I'm a pro and pulls and placements! I spent ten years at a zoological institution and actually placed a number of animals there, including two greys who now work as educational ambassadors! In June, I "retired" to work with my animals full time. About a month ago, I received a call from an elderly couple that had an adult male grey who needed a new home. It wasn't that the people weren't the right people, they were beginning to have a number of health issues requiring hospital stays and surgeries, and Charlie was not getting the attention he deserved. We've had our work cut out for the last three weeks with Charlie. Unfortunately, he hasn't been given all that much contact for the last few years, and has been allowed to rule the roost. It was about ten days before he would even allow any of us near. There has been terror and much biting. Mostly upon my person. I spend most of my days in my office, and he lives right next to my desk in the hopes that at some point, he would just stop being so afraid of me. I had even reconciled myself to the fact that he was just going to be like a few of our other animals. Beautiful to look at, but forbidden to touch. Today, out of nowhere, when I walked up to him on his perch, he immediately bowed to be scratched - he started this about four days ago - and then started the regurgitation dance, with lots of little clucks and noises that sounded a little like a dog whining. I actually thought he was in distress. I walked out to grab my phone to call a vet friend of mine, and when I went back in, he was hanging out preening. A little research makes me think that maybe he just thinks I'm okay? After a few minuted of his doing this again, I attempted to pet him. He let me scratch his neck, rub his back, pet his beak and he stepped up! I guess I should ask if this kind of out-of-the-blue thing is realistic or am I missing something major? He's had a full vet check and was dubbed heavy, but healthy! I'd appreciate any thoughts or warnings, tips or suggestions anyone has! Meanwhile, I'll be around reading and looking at pictures! I'll try to get my own up as soon as possible. I haven't wanted to have the camera out on Charlie too much since he tends to be panic-y about new things. However, the rest of the animals around here are total camera hogs. Thanks again for having such a great place! And thanks for having me! I'm looking forward to talking to all of you!