Hi, Eve ~ Aren't macaws wonderful beings?? We have a "little" Noble -- he's the "big bird" at our place. His name is Juniper, and I can bore people to tears talking about him, LOL. Eek is a white bellied caique -- she doesn't talk much, but is a delight to watch and loves to snuggle. Our third is Noah, a green cheek conure, who's so sure he's just as big as the other two, we have to keep an eye out so he doesn't get himself in ho****er. I love them all, and was glad to see a fairly recent post from another bird person here. I live in Cincinnati and am scheduled for lapRNY next Thursday, July 31. Blessings, Sister Rachel

I started out with a parakeet when I was 10 years old and as a young adult had a ****atiel then on to more birds. Tika, My female 2 year old Blue and Gold Macaw does not care for men. She bonded with her previous female owner. All of my birds give me hugs and kisses on their terms and love to cuddle. My Quakers can be biters as well on a bad day. I was lucky I knew the owner of Tika and she has not been known to have ever bitten anyone. This dear sweet lady was able to show me how to handle Tika and share likes and dislikes and food preferences. Someone mentioned licorice in another post, I would not give it to my birds it has sugar in it. Black licorice would not be a good idea at all. Other than parakeets, I think ****atiels are a nice bird to start out with, then a quaker for more experience. ( some states do not allow Quakers) If you do get a Quaker and want to move out of that state you may need to consider this. I had a Nanday Conure in the past that I was able to walk with on my should outside and a tiel that would ride on the handlebars of my moped; that was about 30 years ago, dang how time flies! Not having a bird clipped is risky, none of my birds are able to fly over my head. Eve

Angel, I foster and have adopted 1 bird. I am a bit obsessed with Avian care. Nutrition and activity level is very important. Toos are famous for plucking. First, you may want to take him/her to the vet to make sure there is nothing physical causing it. Birds are very good about hiding illnesses. Then do some research on diet. There is a good yahoo group call "feeding feathers". You may want to check it out. They have helped a lot of pluckers become full feathered follies. You may know all this, but just in case. I would have responded sooner, but I just signed on to this website yesterday. Hope all is well. I know a lot of resources for avian care and fun places too, so if you need some more info, let me know. I don't claim to be an expert by any means, but do know where to go to find the experts. I worry about my babies all the time, they are like my kids. Good luck, Tracy

Hey Rick! Thanks for stopping in! My mother has a Bichon we love her she is such a good lil doggie. I love my Lil Chicklet.. I have heard him say "help" in a sweet voice.. so I think his talking days are getting closer. The thing with parrots.. you never feel like you are home alone. I love them! They are sooo smart.

I'm sorry to heat that and how it's stressing your Grey. It sounds a lot like my situation in that he bonded with me over everyone else. I often have to be out of town for a week at a time - sometimes more but it's been that way his whole life so it doesn't stress him out. He's never pulled feathers luckily. He usually won't even let others hold him if I'm here but does so when I'm away so I guess that's why he is adjusted. I'll pass the word about your grey to other Grey message boards I'm on. Good luck!!