Avian Behavior Consulting ;o)

[amazing greys]

Ok, I got to brag a little here. Michelle has been so wonderful to help with behavioral issues, and have used her techniques and has worked awesome!! She has such a kind heart and a passion for birds, one couldn't help but admire her dedication :thumbup:

Please take a moment to check out her site: http://www.thepoliteparrot.com/

Thank you again Michelle, for all you have done to help me!! You ROCK girl!!! :emot-danc


;) :p

[Jean]

:thanx: Barb for sharing Michelle's site with everyone here. She has a good track record behind her. I am glad she has been such a supportive help to you with your birds. :goodjob:

[vmtwriter]

Michelle offers a lot of great advice on her website. She's very knowledgeable. Thanks for posting the link.

[harleybaby]

I'm glad she has helped you so much. I would love to contact her but the fee is too high for me. How is she in email? I know how much you respect and admire her. :D

[Bill]

I went into the wrong field...that is more than some psychologists make and we go to school for a total of 8 to 12 years! I was going to try doing the avian behavioral specialist endeavor but found it too difficult to get the business going. Being that I could train others in behaviorial theory I will settle for being a psychologist, who can teach at the college or university level. When I was going to do it I was going to charge $35 an hour for phone consultations. And much more for home visits. I wish her the best in her endeavors.

[harleybaby]

She is very good though and I guess it really would be a small amount if it worked and you were able to have a better relationship with your bird. I would love to have a inhome visit and would pay that in a heartbeat. I also just read about National Geophraphic. She's also well respected in the avian community, I think I just reacted that way because I hired one for a lot less but I don't think she's nearly as recognized as Michelle is.

[Jean]

I went into the wrong field...that is more than some psychologists make and we go to school for a total of 8 to 12 years! I was going to try doing the avian behavioral specialist endeavor but found it too difficult to get the business going. Being that I could train others in behavioral theory I will settle for being a psychologist, who can teach at the college or university level. When I was going to do it I was going to charge $35 an hour for phone consultations. And much more for home visits. I wish her the best in her endeavors.

Bill, your plus is you can most likely be assured a steady income in the field you chose. Think about it, more humans can draw from more payment resources then birds do. :) What bird is going to buy behavioral / psychiatric insurance coverage. :doh:LOL.

I have read quite a lot about Michelle, she is well known and respected for also being quite a good speaker about her avian experience. She has had to encounter a lot of education in that specific field along with much hands on training. I believe being a well educated, top notch, avian behaviorist verses a back yard one is quite an accomplishment in itself. :)

[gregt]

My favorite part of the site is the referral link back to us. :D :thumbup:

[Jean]

:thanx: Barb, I know you are the one that got our BoF link on Michelles -The polite parrot site. :dance: :goodjob: :tighthug:

[Bill]

Jean,

Yes, steady income could be true; however, human mental health providers do not get the credit that they really should. Not to mention cancellations: I had 15 hours of no-shows or cancellations this week alone and if I don't see someone, I don't get paid. Many insurances only pay for a short number of sessions and don't give mental health issues the attention that they deserve.

I am not saying that avian behavioralist should not get the due they deserve but I have had to go throught multiple hoops, including all of the educational aspects, licensure, continued education, and much more...and I can only dream of charging $125 an hour right now. HEHE!

I feel for all I have to go through to get my degree and credentials (which involves thousands and thousands of hours of training, then I have to prove that I know what I am doing by completing one of the most difficult licensure exams) that I would get more money per hour than I do (esp. given the liabilities and responsibilities of my career). Once I am not a student my liability insurance goes from $35 a year to $177 and continues to climb up to $677/year. Not forgetting the substantial debt I have had to create to obtain this degree...so Jean that is where I am coming from. All this schooling costs money, but yet mental health is paid much less than most other types of medical services.

I am just espousing equality in pay for mental health services for humans. But I do believe avian behavioralists are very important to our birdies. Hopes this makes sense as I am tired and ready for bed.

[Shirley]

This thread could go on forever... the "professional" that is not degreed or licensed can charge whatever they can get their cients to pay... as in photography or videography. But, as a licensed teacher with years of education and continuing ed, I can still only get $15-25/hr for professional one-on-one tutoring, and $45/day for substitute teaching, and not a whole lot a yearr for teaching w/12+ yrs experience. go figure. :(

[Bill]

Hi Shirley,

I found out that the substitute teachers in Nevada make $100/day plus travel costs!!! That is amazing for substitutes but Idaho is the same amount you described. I feel teachers are preparing the adults of the future and should be receiving a much higher level of pay! I have great respect for teachers! You ROCK!

[Shirley]

Wow! I wish they made that here! I'd go back into teaching! And still do photography, but dump the weddings... :rotflmao:

[Bill]

LOL! You are a VERY GOOD photographer! Oops! Sorry did not mean to veer this thread so far off the path it was originally taking. I got on my soap box regarding mental health! Sorry!

[amazing greys]

This thread could go on forever... the "professional" that is not degreed or licensed can charge whatever they can get their cients to pay... as in photography or videography. But, as a licensed teacher with years of education and continuing ed, I can still only get $15-25/hr for professional one-on-one tutoring, and $45/day for substitute teaching, and not a whole lot a yearr for teaching w/12+ yrs experience. go figure. :(

Shirley, I agree w/the above comment. I mean, hubby makes along the lines of what you would get in hourly pay for tutoring, and he has no degree. It is a matter of a specific trade that is rare that pays well, and the need of that particular trade. He's a mechanic, a very good one, and has some specialized training in that field from specific manufactures, but most would pay him more because of his knowledge of his trade and how efficient he is, not school experience.

In this case about Michelle, I KNOW it is not about the $$. She personally cares for the situation the bird is in. I have seen her donate her time just because she cares. She also donates her time to speak at confrences where they are raising $ for a particular cause in avian care/research or rescue. But, she has a very specalized trade which allows her to charge according to her time. Just because you call her for a phone consult, doesn't mean that's the last you'd hear from her or get help, she is there anytime she can be available to help.

and think of it this way.....you would pay a dog trainer just about the same to train your pup to be well socalized and well behaved......same goes for our more complex animals, birds.

Her time is well worth it, wouldn't you also invest a little to gain alot? Expecially after investing all we have in our birds, sometimes even thousands of dollars. Why not, if it helps them thrive as part of our family?

Michelle, I hope you haven't taken this post the wrong way. I hope you can take a moment and introduce yourself and say 'hi'

Ya know I appreciate all you do, as do many here too :grouphug:

[harleybaby]

Yes, Michelle please stop by, you have done some truly wonderful things for the avian community. I would love to have the opportunity to meet you as I'm sure everyone else would too!!!!:D Leah

[Jean]

It would be an honor if Michelle can spare the time to drop in and say hi. I think so highly of her as a skilled avian behavioral professional. She has accomplished a lot of good to the avian parents of so many feathered friends we all share such a love and devotion for.

Barb, I also extend my open arm's and welcome her.

[shelly1265]

Okay Guys,
I guess I do not get to stay anonymous forever, I am here and I am willing to help all of you to the best of my abilities being time more than anything. I have an extremely busy schedule, a house under construction and two babies on the way HUMAN :doh: . Thank you all for the kind words about me and I am yours for the asking as long as it is not too lengthy. I will be happy to lend some words of knowledge anytime, and Greg if you would like me to post articles to help the members I would be more than happy to do so. As for my fees LOL, wish I had steady work and maybe just maybe I could live in the lap of luxury. Two years of psychology and many many years rehabbing parrots' and attending a lot of behavior lectures that were very costly not the normal parrot conferences you see. Pretty much my money takes care of my parrots'. Plus I am a softy and get more joy out of helping people than I do money.
Warmly,
Michelle Karras
a.k.a Shelly1265
Now you all know my age YIKES:ohmy:

[Jean]

:thanx: Michelle! :grouphug: that is so kind of you. And how nice it is to have you here.



A special :thanx: for coming. :)

[gregt]

Shelly, any info you are willing to share will be accepted graciously. We have other options for longer articles as well, so feel free to drop me a line if you aren't sure.

[Jean]

It sue does Bill, you have definately earned a great professional future, I only hope you find it as rewarding as it should be. :grouphug:

[shelly1265]

Jean,
Thank you for welcoming me. I try to stay anonymous so I can check out the different forums, but I feel with this one I can freely offer my time, just an FYI I don't feel this way about many of the forums. I donate my time to BDChronicles as well, so far no one else though. Barb you crack me up:roflmao2: Believe me I am not a saint, just a parrot lover who is a bird brain. Which I take as a compliment because of their high intelligence level. Don't worry about offending me about pricing. I try and offer several different levels of education so that everyone is able to use my services. I raised the in homes up because I was traveling too much. I do them for all of IL., WI., IA., IN., and the driving gets very trying plus the cost of gas these days is just ridiculous! I spend four hours at an in home, so if you break it up at a $25 travel fee and $250 for the consult I make about $62 an hour I believe, my brain is fried I had to teach all day so if that calculation is wrong my apologies. Well my Toos are calling for Mommy to put them to bed and I am sure the Macaw screams are not far behind. Time to scrub, wish I was not so neurotic:rotflmao:
Thank you all for the warm welcome, I believe I will enjoy it here:thanx:
Michelle

[Shirley]

Welcome Michelle ~ I wondered who Shelly1265 was... Please introduce yourself in the Introductions Forum if you haven't already!

We're very happy to have you here... And you aren't THAT old! (1952!)

Indiana is in your territory! So where are you from?

Are you familiar with CICBC? (Central Indiana Cage Bird Club?)

http://shirleymorgan.com/misc/BF/em/Welcometothegroup.gif

:wavey:

[shelly1265]

Greg,
Let me know how you want me to send the articles, they are all long:roflmao2: because I am long winded with both my writing and my talking. So if you would like me to e-mail them to you directly so you can check them over and make sure you agree with everything I will gladly send them to you so you can post them. This way I can help everyone at once. You guys are really great:dance:
Warmly,
Michelle

[shelly1265]

Shirley,
I have spoken in Indiana just not sure which clubs. It was about a three hour drive for me. I live in Morris, Il. which is about 65 miles southwest of Chicago, right off of I80. I think the club I spoke for in IN. was the Michiana Bird Society? Not sure, but I spoke there twice in the last couple years. Well my Toos are getting louder they do not like to have to stay up. So I am going to go and get them tucked in. I will check back later if I am not asleep the minute I sit down. Tomorrow we have to celebrate our Big Fat Greek Easter:rotflmao: with my husbands family. You know the movie cracked me up so much because I am not Greek and of course they are all from the old country so the movie was like watching my life, then add that I do bird behavior for a living, when the only birds' they have contact with are cooked and I also do not eat meat. I will hear a whole bunch of "You too skinny" tomorrow as always. Happy Easter to those of you who are celebrating Greek Easter tomorrow.
Warmly,
Michelle

[gregt]

Welcome Michelle ~ I wondered who Shelly1265 was... Please introduce yourself in the Introductions Forum if you haven't already!


http://www.thebirdforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=386

[Jean]

Thank you Michelle, I would like to ask a question. I have a wonderful loving and sweet 11 yr old male U2. We adopted him when he was 7 months old. We are a one bird family. So far the knowledge I have learned reading about how to make him a well adjusted bird has paid off. He is also a polite parrot. Elvie is very bonded to me and also loves his daddy and likes everyone else he's around very much.

I encountered an instant jealousy rage with him that led to a severe facial bite last February. It was my fault because he was a couple feet away from me when I put on my computer screen a full sized picture of him and told him he was a very pretty boy and reached to the computer screen to pet the bird. This was when he lunged and attacked me with a severe bite. Luckily it has healed well.

My first reaction was to tell him that hurt mama. I took him back to his cage and left him there. I dressed my would and came back into the room. He was playing and acted as though nothing had happened. He played most of the day. A couple hours later I took him back out of his cage and let him play on his manzanita tree.

Since then I have been working with him and telling him I love him as we both look at pics of other birds or himself together. This seems to of taken care of his jealous issues. He will even talk to them as we look at the pics on the screen or in a magazine. Do you have any other suggestions.

[shelly1265]

Jean,
It sounds as if you have the gift of how to work with him. Do not ever second guess yourself when you are using a very loving technique to work with your companion. You have had no incidents since then so you are doing the correct behavior modification. Many times though it will help to get your bird out and safely socialize them. I do this with my two U2's by taking them over to the park behind my house, they love the swings and the monkey bars. The more we safely socialize our parrots' the less jealousy issues we have. We do have to always remember that they are wild animals and that they can bite and bite hard. I have had three fingers broken by Toos and I had to have plastic surgery last Nov. because my Iguana got upset while at the vet and jumped to be on his Mommy and he lost his grip and grabbed my face. Like you I knew it was not his fault and gave no reaction, this is of the utmost importance when dealing with a bite. No reaction is the best reaction. Parrots' thrive on dramatics and if we give this to them we are encouraging the behavior. So it does sound like you have made the right move with him and he is doing better. Any chance you have a friend who has a healthy Too that you can socialize him with? Where you can handle the other bird and a friend handle him? This way he could see that you love him but you are able to handle or touch another bird without him getting upset. Make sure you praise him the whole time he is being good during the time you are touching the other bird. You can have him on a stand or have another person hold him whichever makes you feel more comfortable. One of the things I tell people all the time is that you live with your parrot not me so you need to let your instincts kick in especially when they are as loving as yours. Most of all make sure that both birds are in good health before you socialize them so there is no chance of spreading disease to either parrot.
Warmly,
Michelle

[Jean]

Thank you Michelle,

We take Elvie places very often with us, he loves to go to the post office, bank, hardware store, He's even been to the county fair. He has traveled across country with us at least 6 times and has taken many short week end trips with us. He has flown at least 8 times on board with me. He has always been out and about socializing with people. He loves to talk and expresses himself well. When you get the chance maybe you would enjoy checking out his website. it is in my signature.I have told quite a bit about him there. I have always tried to make him a well adjusted and polite parrot. So far I have not taken him to any other parrot homes because I am so careful to protect him from any disease.

[Jean]

[QUOTE]
So far I have not taken him to any other parrot homes because I am so careful to protect him from any disease. [QUOTE]

Maybe a weekend vacation is in order! :Blueflowe

[harleybaby]

Michelle I am so excited that you are here and I finally get to meet you. Barb has told me so many wonderful things about you! I was so worried I would upset you by mentioning the fees and I am glad you didn't take it for more than it was meant to be. :) If I lived out by you, trust me I'd be first in line to attend your classes at Windy City.:agree: I just wanted to give you a warm welcome and I look forward to reading your articles. Thank you for taking the time to be a part of this wonderful board.:D Leah

[Bill]

Hey Leah! My Scooter is an Eleonora too! Does your Sammy dance into the room? Scooter does and she says "Pretty, pretty, pretty" as she does. LOL! Gotta love those babies!

[shelly1265]

Leah,
No offense taken what so ever. I hope that in the future there will be programs available to make behaviorist's be licensed. It should be this way now. The programs I have taken give you a little certificate and I have to admit I am very bad about putting up on my site exactly what my qualifications are, it is on my to do list LOL! This list is very long!!!!! So all of you know I did take two years psychology, I have worked with the trainers at Sea World, I worked for Narnia Pet Behavior forever, my family owns this business. I was a member of A.P.D.T. which I know is dogs but all animal behavior intertwines. I could keep this list going but I won't. I am actually on a deadline for Critter's Magazine right now on Rabbit behavior. I laughed when I received the e-mail to write that one:rotflmao: . Yet I have to earn my money to keep the parrot's in the lap of luxury. They have a sink in their room but I don't have one in my kitchen, tell me what my priorities are? Spent a fortune on their room and the rest of the house is still under construction. This week the Cockatoos get their room remodeled, even though the kitchen is not done. They are my children, now doubt about that. I tried to go back to the introductions page and update what I put but I can't figure it out right now, too tired. I am owned by twelve parrots', three dogs, two cats, one rabbit, and one Iguana. My website is, for those of you who have not already looked, is www.thepoliteparrot.com (http://www.thepoliteparrot.com) . Any of you who would like me to put your personal site under "Fun bird sites" on the resources page of my site please feel free to e-mail me the link at politeparrot@sbcglobal.net and I will gladly share your site with other parrot enthusiasts'. As for Elvie's Mom I have to say :goodjob: "GOOD JOB" so many people do not socialize their parrots' and this ends up being a huge problem especially seeing many of them will out live us, so socialization with other people, places and parrot's in good health (vet tested) is so important. Well the birdie's are asleep and my husband is now demanding my time. Too bad I can't put him in a cage for the night:roflmao2: . I don't really mean that, he is a wonderful man, he has to be to tolerate 19 animals and me. Just a question for all of you, I am writing a book that I hope to get to the editor by the end of the year and I am looking for stories of families who have both children and parrot's and the trials and tribulations that you have encountered. I want to include some stories in the book because so many give up their parrot's when children come along. I would like stories where I can use your first names, how many children, how many birds etc.... I am hoping that when I take my hiatus in June through Aug. to finish up this book that has been half written for about four years now. It has taken many different turns during it's course. Basically it will be, of course on Parrot Behavior, but there are so many out there on basic behavior that I want to take it to the next level and that is living with kids and fids happily. With two babies on the way I have made many preparations by setting up different play areas around the house for the children and plan to use my behavior techniques on them as well. We shall see how it works LOL! I thought I got no sleep now:rotflmao: . Barb, I know you have both, so I would love to hear a reply from you:emot-danc especially. It would be great if you e-mail me your stories directly so that you do not tie up the forum with the stories. Well, Barb was right you are all wonderful :highfive: people and I am very happy I went ahead and joined the group. Greg let me know how you would like me to post articles for you.
Warmly,
Michelle
:grouphug:

[Shirley]

Michelle, you are expecting twins? These are your first children?

[shelly1265]

Shirley,
Don't I look good for expecting twins:roflmao2: . Irish twins. We are adopting two baby girls from an indirect family member, Emma is two weeks old and Destiny is ten months old, they are sister's. We adopted everything else so why not the children too? We will be picking them up in June.
Warmly,
Michelle

[shelly1265]

I can't get my picture that I want to be seen uploaded for some reason. Shirley yes the children will be our first. Although there are children here all the time. Everyone loves their Auntie Shelly and Uncle Pete.
Warmly,
Michelle

[harleybaby]

Awwwwww Bill Scooter sounds adorable!!!!! How long have you had her? I'm new to the world of toos, I've only had Sammy for about 5 months now. I love how she announces herself, that is soooo cute! Sammy would rather sneak up on ya, he prefers the quiet approach :eek: LOL

[Bill]

Leah,
I have had Scooter for about 2 1/2 years (3 years in Sept). I had a goffin's cockatoo first. He is my angel boy now. I have had toos for about four years now. Kandy would have been 4 years old by now. Kandy entered the room with stealth. HEHE!

[Bill]

Michelle,

What did the error message say?

[harleybaby]

Yes, I wanted to congratulate you too! I was just thinking about that when I read your last message!:emot-danc You sure do have a houseful and I had no idea that an iguana could disfigure someone. He must be a big guy for you to have to have plastic surgery.


As far as the kids, I'll just tell you really quick about my kids I have 2 boys 8 &6 and I know this may be bad but I was honest with them about Sammy and what he is capable of. They are scared of him which for me is a good thing because of the biting issues I don't want to take the risk of anything happening to them. Having Sammy here has not really changed my house, my kids are just a little more observant to whats going on around them and where Sammy is but when they are home I am sure to have Sammy on a play area that I know he can't get down from. I'm not sure if that's what you are looking for but if so let me know and I'll email you more.:) Good luck with your book.

It's really just such a pleasure having you here and again congrats on your new additions!:D

[harleybaby]

Yeah I hear those little Goffins are a handful ball of energy. Actually would have been one of my first choices for a too, that or a bare eyed but Sammy came into my life. I'm so sorry to hear about Kandy! Hugs :tighthug: Leah

[Bill]

Thanks Leah! Goffins are super birds! Kandy spoke more than any 'too I have been acquainted with. He was a very loving little boy too! I am so glad I got to have him in my life as long as I did! What a blessing he was! Thanks again!

[harleybaby]

And I know you filled his life with just as much love as he did yours!:tighthug:

[shelly1265]

That is exactly what I am looking for. So definetly e-mail me more at politeparrot@sbcglobal.net Thank you:emot-danc

[Jean]

Awww Bill, I am sorry about your loosing Kandy, :tighthug: I never heard what happened, just that he was gone. I know that broke your heart. :tighthug:

[vmtwriter]

Welcome, Michelle. You have an awesome website and I really enjoyed looking at all the photos. You have a cool bird room. Any and all advice will be gladly accepted.

[harleybaby]

HI Michelle. I was wondering if I could ask your opinion on something? I was just curious how you felt about keeping a single bird as opposed to multiple birds of the same species. I was thinking of adding another grey mostly for the benefit of the one I have. He is an incredible bird and I feel so blessed to have him but he shows so much interest in my other birds and I don't feel I can safely let him be with the ones I have. He's the only one(like all greys:) that loves to chatter and be talked to) He chirps with the tiels back and forth but I was thinking he may enjoy the company of another grey to talk to and hang out with during the day. I think I remeber seeing that you have 5 of them ;) They'd be caged seperate. I was just curious.:) Leah

[amazing greys]

Well well, I step away and missed all this ;)


Hi Michelle!!!!! :wavey: I'm sooooooo happy you joined in :emot-danc

I'm tickled to see you here, hehehehe

Isn't this a great board!! I'm so thankful that this is like none other :thumbup:

I know you're getting excited about your babies coming very soon!! I can't wait to hear them finially in your home!! You will be the most wonderful mom!!

I'll try and send ya an email about kids n fids ;) I think it's great you're writing a book on that topic, hopefully it will encourage others not to give up when they see those challenges.

YOU ROCK!!!! :dance:

[shelly1265]

Leah,
I would have to say go for it. My Grey's all inter act beautifully, they learn from one another and they keep the rest of the flock intact, bossing them around and telling them what they can and can't do. If I had to do it all over again, I would have twelve Grey's so I would not have to segregate the Macaws' and the Toos' from them. I keep the Macaw cages in the main bird room but when they are out the are in the sunroom, and my two U2's have a whole seperate bird room, fortunately we have a pretty large home and it is a hundred years old so it is really segregated. Back to the Grey's if you would like another definetly do it for yourself and for your Grey. That is if you want another bird, I always tell people only get another if they want it, seeing you already have other birds there is not a need for another Grey and there are no guarantee's that the two will get along but if they don't they just tend to keep a safe distance from one another. I love having five, they are just so intelligent and entertaining. :wavey:
Warmly,
Michelle

[Shirley]

Hi Leah,

My grey, Holly, talks back and forth with Skyler, our Rose-breasted. Her cage is next to our finch flight, and she enjoys imitating their various songs, and she sure does a good imitation of all their various courting songs!

Skyler is across the room from her, and all three are in the dining room.

Holly and Skyler do not share the tree stand, nor do they wish to. They do both ride up stairs from their basement sleeping cages on separate arms at the same time, however, with no aggression whatsoever, but with at least 12" space, as that is how they prefer it. Skyler is flighted and would fly off if he felt threatened.

A friend of mine has two female greys, one being 6 yrs older than the other, and the younger being with her since she was weaned, the other acquired at the age of 6. The younger is now 4 yrs old. They have separate cages, of course, separated by about 12 ft, and they do make visits to each others' cage tops, but they do not touch each other or sit near each other or groom each other. They chat with one another, and they are the only birds she has. Sometimes they squabble with one another, and she rarely leaves them out unsupervised together for long. They have separate tree stands.

She is a wonderful Parrot Parent, I might add. Her first Grey came from a single parrot home, rehomed due to a divorce, home had to be sold, neither person could live where a parrot could be kept. Happy grey, no issues.

Holly would likely not accept another grey as a "friend" in the sense of touchy-feely, and may even see it as a threat to her bond with me, however if it were Steve's grey, she probably couldn't care less. She has no problem whatsoever with my playtimes with Skyler, which take place in the room with her. However, I won't speak for Holly. Her main issue with me is my time on the phone if she is with me at the same time. She does not share phone time well.

~ Shirley :)

[harleybaby]

Shirley, do you have 2 greys?


Well, I'll just let everyone know that I did buy a baby grey today. He is not weaned yet so I'm not sure when he will be coming home. I know it's a gamble but I'm hoping I did the right thing. I have high hopes though since Einstein shows sooo much interest in the other birds but noone wants to be his friend and I have never seen him act aggressive towards any of them including the tiels. I've only had him for 5 months but he spent the first year with his 2 siblings so I think he has been socialized to be around other birds and people. He's still a baby only 1 1/2. For whatever reason I think it would be a major benefit to him if this works out. (fingers crossed):D Leah

[Shirley]

No, I only have Holly. She was socialized with the others from 3 mos 3 wks, and even made visits to Skyler's cage and likewise and used to hang out with him, he really liked her... then at about 5 mos she decided she was just too good for any of the other birds to be that close to them! :rolleyes:

~ Shirley

[Shirley]

We got Skyler one month before Holly. Skyler was 5 months and socialized before we got him with several parrots, from a very good parrot breeder, not a store. Holly was from a parrot breeder friend, also socialized.

Here they are as babies, making friends. This did not last on Holly's part.

http://shirleymorgan.com/sjm/Holly-Skyler/761.jpg

http://shirleymorgan.com/sjm/Holly-Skyler/Holly-Skyler-lot.jpg

Our Bare-eyed accepted both birds, but was afraid to make friends with either, and Skyler was very interested in making her acquaintance as well. She was 2 at the time.

[Shirley]

Oh, and I gave you a huge congratulations on your other thread for your new baby!! :emot-danc Holly got extra attention at first, and the others didn't mind giving up some time to her. She was quite clumsy and lived in a large cockatiel cage for about 8 weeks until she was not so clumsy. In the photos above, she's a bit older, closer to 5 or 5-1/2 mos.

[harleybaby]

The first thought that came to my mind was that she is a little princess:p


I do worry about that also because I think Einstein has bonded very strongly to me, he tries to feed me baout 20 times a day, literally:eek:

I don't even have to touch him or hold him. I can just walk up to him and he will start regurging for me. He is definitely a special bird.:wub:

[Shirley]

How old is Einstein?

[Shirley]

Both my friend's greys are bonded to her, btw. Her husband has no interest, and her daughters (high school) find their noise to be annoying, and their tendency to be one-person birds to be even more annoying.

[harleybaby]

Awwwwwww those pictures are adorable!!!!! How sweet if Holly would have stayed friends with Skyler. They are both sooooooo beautiful and Skyler:heart: !!!! I'm also a big fan of the bare eyeds!!:wub: Even though I have sammy I have found that I'm really not much of a cockatoo person, I much prefer the greys.:) I love Sammy still the same though, I've become quite attached to him.

They are beautiful and Thank you! Leah

[harleybaby]

Einstein is 1 1/2. I think the even just the vocal company would be good for him. He loves to be talked to and carry on converstaions but I just cant talk to him all day LOL. Sammy barely ever makes a sound, same as my Pionus which leaves the tiels and he chirps back and forth but since I have 4 females, there's nothing exciting going on there. LOL

[Shirley]

Sammy is a medium sulphur crested? How old is he? My friend in Florida has a MSC2 who talks quite a bit, and she taught all ours to say Peek-a Boo! when we were there, and then when she was up here. They all say it in her voice now. She is 3 or 4 now I think. Holly will be 2 in June. Same age about as Einstein, and talks a little. Skyler talks the most so far. He turned 2 in February.

[Bill]

Princess Scooter is a medium sulfur crested but she is on the small side. I met her mother at the breeders. Her mother was a bit bigger than the Scoot girl but then you have to take into account the dietary stress Scooter had as baby. I certain formula (which will remain unnamed) was fed to Scooter and 11 other cockatoos...Scooter was the only one to survive. Scooter is my miracle 'too! I was there when she was young and was able to preen her feathers for her. I love Scooter so much! The last year has been rough for her but I know she will pull out of it in time. We all are so blessed to have such wonderful birds!

Shirley...your birdies are so wonderful!

NOTE: I proofed this post and missed some...I have a headache! UGH!

[harleybaby]

Since Sammy came from an auction its hard to tell, The lady guessed at 10, my hubby is beginning to think he is younger.


He talks usually only to get my attention. He says Hi baby, Come here, and calls Mommy if I leave the room longer than he would like LOL but other than that he will mumble for a few minutes when he displays a couple times a day for a few minutes unless I sing to him and then he will sing with me. He's very very independent and spends most of his day playing. He's a quiet too.

Einstein can talk but I think prefers to do the whistles and beeps. Lately he's been saying "what are you doing" , he says it in about 4 different voices including one with a new york accent LOL in a mans voice. He says Gobble gobble Like Barb's Turk and hello, how are you and a couple weeks ago he said "open the window" lol I've only heard it once have no idea where he got it from and don't know if I'll ever hear it again but it really cracked me up.:funny: He also says Boobala boy. He really doesn't talk much though.:)

[harleybaby]

Awwwwww what a lucky Scooter, I'm so sorry to hear about all the other babies, what a tragedy!!! That is just sooooooo sad!!! I am sooooo happy she made it though and you're right she is a miracle baby. You said she's been havinga rough time, is she ok? I can tell how much you love her.:heart:




Do you think you can PM the brand to me? I feed my birds formula every once in while just because they like the warm food thing for variety and comfort. Plus it's good for when you have to give meds or if they get sick.

I hope your headache goes away.:(

[Jean]

I had never heard that about Scooter either. I am so sorry about all the other babies, Thank God you got her. She is an angel baby for sure.:wub: I would like to have you PM me the formula too. :)

Leah, I am glad your babies are doing so well too. :wub:

[Bill]

Fortunately, the company took the formula off the market following this tragedy. I think they were afraid of a lawsuit. I had mentioned the brand's name online right after it happened...and I got a call the next day from my breeder asking me to remove it...the company called her and told her! What a lesson in how small and large the internet is. I will PM the company's name but the formula is no more.

P.S. If you are wondering what I am doing up at this hour...well...I went to bed with a bad headache and I just woke up with it. I found some Tylenol (did not know I had it) and I hope that I am back asleep soon.

[Jean]

That certainly was a terrible thing to happen. I wonder what was in it that could of caused such a bad reaction or poisoning? It is a blessing you have your little Scooter today. She started her life being a survivor.:heart:

[Bill]

Jean,

I believe the formula was described as "too hot" for the cockatoos. I think it had something to do with the fat content. Too high of fat content is bad for cockatoos esp the young ones in particular. Scooter is a blessing and survivor (and she has never been on the program Survivor)! LOL! Love that sweet baby girl (she says that too!)

[harleybaby]

Bill, Scooter sounds soooooooo :wub: precious!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm in love with her too!:heart:

[Jean]

Awwww, I can't wait to see her.... September isn't that far away "if I keep busy" LOL

[harleybaby]

OK What's going on here: A party in September??:dance: Are you guys going to meet? that is so cool!!!

[Bill]

Jean and I are going to meet when she stops in Twin Falls on her travels. I am so looking forward to it. I hope to meet Shirley some day soon too! I like get togethers.

[amazing greys]

ya stopping by here too, Jean??? :p hehehehe


That sounds like a wonderful meet. :D

[Jean]

Barb, I'd love to but don't intend on comong that far south until we get to Tenn where we will be cutting down to NC.