My spoiled rotton baby Tiel just turned 5 in May....

I know of a tiel that is 30 years old - still going strong the last I heard. My two babies are 6 and soon-to-be 5.

I got a Senegal because I wanted a second bird, I have a DYH Amazon. The two birds hardly notice each other. Still I would not let my Senegal come in physical contact with my Amazon, my Amazon would probably hurt him thinking she was playing. Although I got this bird for me he loves my husband and wants nothing to do with me. In fact every time I have ever tried to touch him he has drawn blood. When he's on my husband's shoulder he inches his way over to get close enough to bite me. But with my husband he is so adorable, he cuddles under his chin and flips over to have his tummy scratched. He purrs, really a bird that purrs ! He waves and he coughs and sneezes because his previous owner had cystic fibrosis and coughed and sneezed a lot. So what I would say to you is try to socialize him as much as you can so he doesn't end up hating everyone but you. They can get neurotic but with lots of love and attention they can be really sweet. I would not let the Senegal come into contact with the ****atiels, but in a cage near them with supervision would work.

Hey Catleth, I have an African Grey that is a picker. It happened by him overgrooming himself and then he got into a habit and is still at it. He's been on prozac, steriods, everything we could think of. No luck. I believe he thinks he looks cool. He has no butt feathers - plucks them out whenever they start to grow back in. He has no feathers from his keelbone to his cochlea. He was starting on his wings but has backed off and allowed them to grow back. Vet said no parasites, nothing healthwise wrong with him. They're so intelligent that when they get into these bad habits, its very hard to break. Micah has the best of everything, lacks for nothing. So we live with this plucked chicken who taunts us and laughs at us daily. Doesn't make him any less loveable. Just makes him comical to look at.

Please be carefull with the diffrent sprays for birds. even though they say they are safe, they can be irritating to their skin. It may be thet he is just molthing, but, he may be chewing his feathers out of bordem. Try getting him some wood toys to chew on. ****ateils are in the ****atoo family and need wood to destroy. You can also check out the website, prizeparrots.com. My mother-in-law has bought several birds from her. She has been working with birds for over 30 years and may be able to help you. I also work in a nursing home and think that it is wonderful that you take him to work with you. Maybe he is missing all of the attention. Take him to your vet and have him cleared to go back with you Good luck, hope I helped a little, Leslie