MoonRock

2/25/13 PM: Me: "Peek-a-boo!" Oscar: "Hello!" Me: "Peek-a-boo!" Oscar: "Hello!", and so on and so forth. He rarely says hello, or at least I rarely understand it because he says it in a very high-pitched voice. So his response to the peek-a-boo game was very cool. I tucked behind a sheet and kept popping out to say peek-a-boo, and Oscar loved it and kept saying hello. At one point I covered a corner of his cage and did one peek-a-boo that way but it really startled Oscar! I apologized profusely and asked if he forgave me. He said "Yaw!" (his way of saying yeah) Is it possible he knew what I was asking??

I forgot all about peek-a-boo! I think Oscar would love it! Right now I am sitting with him and he is being so mellow! He seems to be enjoying my company but looks so relaxed, eating pellets and checking me out now and then. I deeply wish I could handle him, but two weeks ago I could never have imagined he would allow me to get so very close to the cage and spend time with him. His fear of me has gone way down. One thing the avian veterinarian did with Oscar when he got scared was to show his hands to Oscar, in a very soft "my hands are far away from you, buddy" gesture. I surely adore Dr. Olsen. In time maybe Oscar will, too.

2/25/13, early afternoon: I wanted to share a funny experience I just had with Oscar. He was rather quiet in the next room, so I went in and did an impromptu, goofy dance in front of Oscar's cage. Without missing a beat, Oscar said "Hahahahaha!"

Please, please watch the video that came with the harness. There is a thread in the training section about following directions for harnessing a bird, and what can happen when gone about the wrong way... In my experience with Oscar I have found him to have a long memory but also to be forgiving. I made mistakes with regards to pushing him too hard for a step up. The avian veterinarian told me to take it easy on my little guy, and that the "step up" command is actually pretty advanced. I need to start very gently and slowly. I really wanted to share something with you here. The veterinarian asked me how Oscar did at his grooming appointment. I said, "Well, not GREAT but not too bad..." The veterinarian said, "You know what? When people tell me that their bird didn't enjoy something, I know that the bird REALLY didn't enjoy that something. The external physiological signs of a bird finally calming down can be very misleading. Do you see how Oscar looks calmer in this moment? I have the stethoscope on him and I can actually tell that there have been NO changes in his anxiety level, based on his rapid heart rate. But to you, he looks calmer...." What Dr. Olsen said really struck me, because yeah- I tend to "push" Oscar harder based on how he SEEMS- calm, OK, "better". Well birds are good about hiding discomfort and anxiety, so if you can tell that Greycie was pretty freaked out about the harness, she was likely REALLY freaked out. So take it super easy on your sweet little girl. You will have many, many years together so there is no need to rush anything.

2/24/13, afternoon: Oscar woke up happy today, but had not torn into his new toy overnight as anticipated. He seems to have slept through the night *gasp*. Imagine that! Shortly after waking up Oscar shredded a roll of paper towels I offered, and he was pretty happy about it. However, as usual, he played when I was not watching. Indeed, this morning I "caught" Oscar playing with the new toy. It was in his talon and everything. He immediately dropped it when he saw me come into the room, and acted as though he was doing something else. So if I had given him more time alone this morning, I think the toy would have been toast! Oscar nipped me as I handed him a less-preferred treat, though I am uncertain whether it was an intentional nip or an effort to more fully grasp the second rate treat. Maybe he was telling me not to offer dried mango again? Oscar and my roommate got into a whistling contest, and it was very cute! Oscar would whistle out, trying to get me back into the room, and Brett would whistle the same tune back to Oscar. Oscar seemed to love this, as their continued back and forth lasted a good ten minutes. Brett is definitely not a "bird person", so this was an extra special moment. Oscar still has a long way to go, as trust building and true bonding take time to build. However, every single passing day Oscar makes some kind of talon-footed step forward. I am very proud of him.

"Fun food" like pasta, peanuts and cashews, grapes, and anything Oscar finds particularly tasty.

2/23/13 PM: Oscar is doing better, behaviorally, with each passing day. Oscar allowed me to place a new toy in his cage with only a moment's disdain for this new "thing". I expect to see it totally shredded by tomorrow morning, as he enjoys playing his hardest in the wee hours of the morning when I am not present. However, Oscar decided today that he loves to show off when he is eating. As I enter the room, he whistles and makes his usual sounds and then rushes to his bowl to show me, very pointedly, that he is eating. I swear he tries to reveal each and every pellet before delightedly savoring it. What do you folks make of this behavior? It is very amusing but a little strange. It almost feels like Oscar is trying to share an experience with me. He is also much more willing to turn his back to me. I attended a bird care class today, held by Mickaboo Companion Bird Rescue. It was the basic class, so most of what was mentioned was not new information for me. However, I am looking forward to their intermediate and advanced classes. Even if I just learn one new thing at each class, that helps Oscar and my 'keets. One thing mentioned at the class was a parrot's need to be misted every single day. I have always heard that a parrot needs misting a few times a week. Luckily Oscar enjoys a light misting, so whether it should be done daily or a few times a week, he will be game. As always, folks, feel free to clue me in to the "best bird keeping practices" (as they say). I simply adore Oscar. He was pretty ticked off/ scared at the Medical Center for Birds, but Dr. Olsen was gentle and unhurried. Seriously, he spent an hour with me, Oscar, and our very own new forum member, "Blueberrytunes". Oscar did his whole velOSCARaptor act for Dr. Olsen, but Dr. Olsen didn't get the least bit annoyed with the noise. Dr. Olsen discussed captive foraging with me, as well as training. He said that a "step up" is a rather advanced skill for a parrot, and to take it really easy with Oscar. So I am "armed"! A great veterinarian, a wonderful forum, fantastic "bird people" friends and the motivation to make life GREYT for Oscar. P.S. I contacted Oscar's old owners and explained what the veterinarian observed. I requested that we put a hold on my payment plan and instead focus on Oscar's veterinary bills. I will let you all know what they say.

Hi Dave, allow me respond to your post: The groomer was the one who "prescribed" a weight gaining diet for Oscar. She is not a veterinarian, and I understand your concerns about my attempts to fatten up Oscar. I did take Oscar to the Medical Center for Birds, where the famed Dr. Speer practices. Oscar saw Dr. Olsen and he did find that Oscar is very light. However, and in line with what you had to say, Dr. Olsen did not mandate that I feed Oscar anything in particular, but did say I was free to feed him whatever he will eat for training purposes. Dr. Olsen was far more concerned about Oscar's behavioral needs, and essentially gave him a clean bill of health (without us being able to do a blood panel- we will get that baseline in about a month, when Dr. Olsen can hopefully handle Oscar more). Dr. Olsen gave me the go ahead to feed small, frequent bits of "fun" foods Oscar likes, and said our short-term goal is training. Our long-term goal will be nutrition and health. He is really an amazing veterinarian, and I would recommend him to anyone. He even got Oscar to step up onto a towel three times!

Yet another reason to avoid Kaytee...

2/21/13 PM: Oscar had a good day today. He ate well and played happily. We are going to the veterinarian tomorrow for a baseline health assessment.

2/19/13 PM: Oscar had another happy day. Unfortunately I was rather busy, but Oscar amused himself on top of and in his cage. He tore into some toys gleefully, though mostly he does this when I am not watching. He still prefers to play his hardest when he is alone. We had some noisy moments, which I think may be Oscar's standard volume level. That is fine with me, as Oscar is pretty good about keeping the volume down unless he wants something. It is up to me to pay attention.

2/18/13 PM: Oscar seems happier with each passing day. I think he notices that his quality of life has improved- or at least, he notices that his food dish is always full, his water dish is clean and brimming with bottled water, he has extra toys and perches, his cage is cleaner and he gets time out of the cage. Oscar loves to test my sincerity, it seems, by calling from the other room to see if I will come, or screaming out of the blue to see if I will in fact leave the room. I really have to be extra consistent in these early days, because OMG my little feathered-butt is surely watching my every move!

I know the wheels are turning inside Oscar's little feathered head. Because we are working on behavior modification (extinguishing screaming and biting), I am very quick to praise Oscar for "being good". He is clearly testing the "rules", and sometimes seems to size me up before screaming (his pupils dilate as he tilts his head). I immediately leave the room, and Oscar loves getting me to come and go with a scream (go) and a door opening sound or an alarm clock sound (come). If you were to say that this is a brand of bird manipulation (on Oscar's part, I mean, haha) I would agree with you- I am giving Oscar the power to make his own choices. If he chooses to bite me or scream, I leave the room. If he wants me to come back, all he has to do is be silent for a moment and then use our "call" (the above mentioned door opening sound or alarm clock sound). In time, it would be great if he verbalized (in English) his desires, but really he is doing fine telling me what he wants without talking. The only speech I require of him at this point is "Yaw" (yeah) when I ask if he wants something. If he doesn't say yeah, I wait until he does. This is particularly helpful for me to know what Oscar doesn't want- if he is silent, instead of saying "Yaw", I know that's a no. Once I tried to give Oscar a treat when he was full, and he refused to say "Yaw", he wanted it. When I gave him the treat anyway he snatched it from me and chucked it onto the cage floor. NO. Haha!

2/18/13 AM: I appreciate the input as always, Dan. Thank you for making me feel better about Oscar's small size, though a baseline health check is of course a good idea. His keel wound is small, and definitely obtained before I got him, though again, a baseline health check is needed. Sadly, as the "bird people" were talking about Oscar's eye, it was concluded he was probably struck by a person. Of course I have no way to know if this is true, but if it is, I can't believe Oscar is at all willing to learn to trust me. He is one awesome bird. Today Oscar is in a very good mood. He ate plenty of his bird granola overnight, and of course his usual pellets. He has accepted the extra perch in his cage, even playfully going back and forth between the new perch and the "established" perch. However, he still prefers the perch he knows best. I also found evidence that he lightly played with the toy I put in his cage. Today I will work on more trust/ treat training. Yum! No need to step up today, little guy.

Oscar will be seeing the veterinarian soon, but in the meantime I would really like to get some information about good foods to feed Oscar to help him to gain weight fairly quickly but healthfully. The poor little guy is not even a pound. The bird store/ groomer I went to today suggested high-protein foods, as well as regular pellets and plenty of peanuts (well, about three a day). Oscar already enjoys the bird "granola" mix I got him today. He's not a very picky eater, so anything anyone suggests that would be safe, I will likely try. He loves bananas, so that's good. And his favorite nut? Cashews. Haha!

I opted to have Oscar's wings clipped today- the "light" clip (the outermost four flight feathers, trimmed about halfway down). Jayd, I am pleased to hear that you have two different birds that have developed adaptive flying skills in spite of being partially blind. This is a goal I would like to have for Oscar. I think he would be absolutely thrilled to learn how to fly properly (and not into walls). However, for now (and, if I am being honest, probably for quite some time) I need to keep Oscar as safe as possible while we establish trust. Once we have a solid relationship, I can work on showing him how to adapt to his partial blindness. Interestingly, my roommate and two of my dear friends are blind, and I am also a special education teacher. So I tend to have a very optimistic view of what those with disabilities can ultimately do.

2/17/13 PM: I went to the so-called "groomer" today. No one preened my feathers, so I don't know what part of it was supposed to be "grooming". The part where my talons got tortured, and someone said "Oops!" and put yellow powder on one? The part where my beautiful wings got chopped (OK, well it was just the end four feathers and only halfway up on each, but still)? The part where my beak got rubbed with this sandy flat thing and I put up such a fight that the lady gave up? The part where this weird thing blew hot air all over me? Seriously, it was crazy. But the thing is, there were so many humans around and so many birds around and everyone seemed pretty happy. That helped me to relax a little, especially when different humans came up to me and spoke in a soft voice. I even saw some fellow Greys (at least, I think that is what they were- they looked just like me!). These Greys actually liked the humans, and even sat on them without biting! it was all a really weird experience but also pretty cool. I have to go to perch now but will write again soon.

2/17/13: Oscar's wing clip, talon trim and bath went pretty well today, all things considered. The groomer at Feathered Follies was attentive and discovered that Oscar weighs only 418 grams (less than a pound), and had a scabbed over wound on his keel. He also appears to have plucked some feathers under his wings and around one leg (not very visible until the feathers are wet). Oscar is, in fact, totally blind in his right eye. What concerned us all most was Oscar's low weight. I will be taking him to Dr. Brian Speer as soon as I can, but in the meantime I have a "prescription" to fatten Oscar up with peanuts, bananas, high-protein foods and his usual Zupreem pellets. Oscar seemed amazed to be around other Greys. I doubt he has seen another Grey since he was a downy little guy. He mostly kept his distance from them, all of them more "people friendly" than he is, but he seemed to enjoy the company of his own kind. Oscar is very dark for a CAG, so much so that I asked a few folks if they thought he was a Congo/ Timneh hybrid (a Tingo). I was assured he is a bona fide Congo, just smaller and darker than is typical. I love him no matter what, of course. Oscar made some huge strides today. The bath itself was rocky but OK, but afterward one Feathered Follies staff person managed to get a brief, no-bite step up from Oscar. Her trick was to use her wrist and hand, rather than her arm, to provide less surface to bite. Also, she went from behind Oscar, gently coaxing him onto her wrist and hand (rather than coming from in front of Oscar and scaring him silly). Upon arriving home, I kept Oscar in his crate to allow me some time to scrub his cage down better. While I cleaned it as best I could the night I got him, Oscar's cage has been grimy this whole week. So in addition to being happy that he was home and had a cleaner cage to step into, Oscar was gleeful to get peanuts and a bird granola mix. Oscar was acting so happy, in fact, that I took a chance and added an extra perch and an extra toy to his cage. He has been very suspicious of new things in his cage, so I am sincerely hoping his happiness lasts long enough for him to accept these new "foreign objects". I anticipate that in the morning I will see that he played with the toy overnight, or at least did not yank feathers out while anxiously staring at it. Guess what?! Dr. Irene Pepperberg is coming to my area in May, and I may attend the conference! Furthermore, for the second day of the conference there will be workshops, and I could bring along Oscar! Who better to touch base with about Oscar than Dr. Pepperberg herself?! I am so excited. As always, folks, feel free to offer your input, suggestions, or encouragement. Seeing all of those other well-socialized Greys made it very apparent how very far Oscar has to go. But we are moving forward, that's for sure. EASY DOES IT.

Hi folks! Right now I appear to be the only registered member online, but there are 98 guests. Now, I understand this forum may not be everyone's cup of Zupreem, but it would be awesome if a few of you were to officially join this very welcoming, friendly, helpful forum as bona fide members! I have gotten great advice and feedback here, and try to offer the same. If you are an African Grey parrot owner, fancier, or just plain curious about how Greys and their owners tick, feel free to sign up and become one of the flock!

2/16/13 PM: I thought I would start a training journal to describe how things are going with my new human. I have the expectation that she will learn some basics: A request for her attention will be evident when I make the alarm clock sound or the door opening sound. When I want her to leave me alone, I will bite. Generally, past humans have been woefully inept at responding to my requests for attention, but very good at figuring out when I want to be left alone. Strangely, Mary is getting pretty good at figuring out when I want attention, but pretty bad at leaving me alone. You should totally see her arm! Seriously, lady, what part of I will not step up don't you understand?! It has been 7 days since I first arrived here. Which is 7 days in African Grey parrot time. It has been interesting observing the human behavior I have witnessed. It is not exactly what I would consider "normal". For one thing, Mary doesn't have screaming young pestering me and throwing apple pieces at me. Don't ask me why, but I still like apples. Mary also gets very close to me, which sometimes makes me nervous but other times I kind of like the attention. You know that door opening sound I mentioned? Well, I learned that in one of my last three homes (I don't remember which one, since they were basically all the same). I would hear doors opening and closing a lot, and I learned to make that sound for humans to indicate I would like more pellets or water or whatnot. But the thing is, and not to be mean, humans can be kind of dim. So many times no one came for me. You may wonder why I used the door opening sound on Mary if I was so used to people ignoring my requests for attention, but I guess there was just something about her. Don't get me wrong, I don't trust her yet (and maybe I never will), but she just seemed to "get me" on some level. Like, when I first met her, I made my loudest scream for as long as I could. But she just sat there and didn't move. She had this look in her eyes I had never seen before. I think humans call it "concern". Anyway, I felt a little safer, especially when she used a soft voice between my screams. I started screaming a little less, at least until the human young commenced with the pestering. Plus there were a lot of angry voices in that house! As I study this particular human, I will have more to say about whether or not her behavior is in line with what I have come to expect. I hope from the bottom of my heart that it will not be. Anyway, I should get to perch now but I will be back tomorrow.

I have 4 American parakeets (budgerigars/ "budgies") and they are a joy! They bicker, preen each other, feed each other, and do many things en masse. When one of them goes to eat some millet, they all fly down. They have different personalities, and OMG their poop is way easier to deal with than Oscar's poop! Parakeet poop hardens very easily so that you can easily brush it away with your hand (if you feel so inclined). Some parakeets talk, and are actually the smallest breed of parrot. My parakeets do not talk yet, though, and perhaps they never will because there are 4 of them (apparently singletons are more likely to talk, but they require much more attention). They are fragile, and require any children handling them to be bird savvy. However, their bites are not very bad and they tame pretty fast with proper handling. I think budgies are the most attractive bird, seriously. Hyacinths are a close second, but I would rather pay $15 over $15,000. Haha! Budgies come in a ton of colors, and can learn tricks. It is fun to watch my 4 playing on their loop-rings toy, and climb the wooden ladder in their cage. If you have any budgie questions I would be happy to answer them via PM. Good luck with whatever bird you choose, and please keep coming to this forum and learning about Greys!

An ah-ha moment for Oscar: I offered him my arm for a step up because I needed to get him back into his cage. Of course, he declined because he is not a fan of getting too close just yet (my arm has the many bite marks to prove it). I then very calmly offered him a perch to step up onto, which he hates even more than my arm but prevents me from being bitten. Upon getting Oscar onto the perch, I gently but in a no-nonsense sort of way returned him to his cage. I praised him and offered him a nut, and he seemed surprised that nothing horrible happened to him as a result of the arm- or perch- negotiating. Oscar likes his cage, and as we speak he is making his playful statement "Yaw!" (yeah). Soon enough I will return from Peet's (like a Starbucks, but better) and let him back out. My little dude is getting it, at least in the moment: I will not hurt him, sometimes I just want him to step up. "Yaw!"

Today I need to make the most out of my time with Oscar, because tomorrow he is getting groomed and I anticipate we may take a few steps back because of that. It is through this forum that I truly realized how important it is for companion birds to remain flighted, but for Oscar that is not possible because he has no depth perception from being blind in one eye. He also has overgrown talons, and though his beak looks fine to me it might need some grooming attention too. I made sure Feathered Follies in Concord, California was familiar with grooming "ticked off" (as I put it) birds. Oscar will no doubt be very upset when I crate him and haul him off to go get groomed. But our excursion tomorrow is a necessary evil, one which will make him less likely to get injured. Honestly, I am amazed his talons haven't already gotten caught in something, or grown back into his feet.

Oscar is revealing himself to be a mischievous little dude. Each passing moment he becomes more bold, more comfortable in my home, and now he likes to wander a few feet away from his cage (in a safe, contained space), only to rush back to it as I enter the room. His expression seems to say, "What, I wasn't doing anything (hehehe)!" Today, 2/16/13, I am working on something very fun with Oscar. I call it "trust/ treat training", which is quite simple. I leave the room, busy myself with something else, and then reappear with a nut, piece of banana, playful sound or hearty praise for Oscar. He is loving this, as I am not requiring a step up for treats, fun, or affection. Today I am simply building trust and a bond with Oscar, and it is making him so gleeful that he revealed today that he once lived with a Cockatiel, or so I suspect. A very loud Cockatiel, given Oscar's imitation. Oscar is also making totally ridiculous dance moves, which I can only describe as the "I'm a little tea pot" dance. He literally looks like he is working a hula hoop as he sways in a circular direction, rotating all the way around his feathered body. Has anyone ever seen their Grey do this before?? It is really hysterical.