Conference 7.286::pet_birds

    Juliette,
        
    I have heard many people say how these are about the easiest bird
    to tame and that they can talk. When I saw them in Animal House
    they came right up to my finger and played gently with it. The only
    other birds I have seen in a store that would do this are Amazons.
    I have seen them in two pet shops recently, Animal House in Fitchburg
    and Debbies Pet Land in Chelmsford. Cute little guys and they were
    going for $199 each in Animal House and $299 at Debbies.
                                             
    I got a coupon for 20% off of a Bird at Animal house in the mail.
    Also one for 10% or 25% of Bird if you buy a cage from Tropical
    Escapes(don't know where this is) in Clinton. I am not presently
    in the market for a new bird, so you or anyone else are welcome
    to the coupons.                          
                                             
    Doug

    Juliette,
    
    I am also looking for the same kind of info about grey-cheeked
    parakeets, especially if they're noisy and if they would get along
    with a budgie that flies around the room.  Fish Nook in Acton has
    them for $l99 also.  Debbie's is way over-priced!  Fish Nook seems
    to sell them as soon as they get them in (only get 1 or 2 at a time).
    I've heard they're very gentle, easily tamed and can learn to talk
    but my main concerns are the same as yours (care, noise level) and
    getting along with my budgie; also aggression level and how much
    attention they need (more than a budgie??).  The woman at Fish Nook
    took one out for me to see a couple of weeks ago and he kissed her
    on the lips gently and let her kiss him.  They are cute and I hear
    they're playful.  
    
    I'm hoping we get more info in this note about them.  Also if anyone
    knows of a breeder in the area who hand-feeds them.  Fish Nook was
    getting a hand-fed one last week so if he's sold, they probably
    can get more, but I'd prefer getting from a breeder directly if
    possible??
    
    I'd be interested in getting one of those coupons for Animal House
    from you, Doug, but don't know if I'm quite ready to buy for a couple
    of months.  So, if Juliette's ready sooner, let her have it (or
    whoever calls you first).
    
    						Sandy
    						DTN 244-6724

    There is a new pet store that just opened in Ayer center called 
    Fish and Chirps.  When I was in there a couple of weeks ago they
    had 1 grey cheeked who spent the morning sitting on the workers
    shoulder as he walked around.  He told me that they are very tame
    and can be picked up off the ground in the wild.  They only get
    one in at a time and I think this one sold for around $180.00.

    I have had the pleasure of two grey checked parakeets and they are
    SUPER!!!!!      You needn't worry about hand taming cause mine never
    were but never bit.  I believe their long domestication eliminates
    the habitual fear of humans that other birds still share.   Anyway
    one is loud, TWO are outrageous!    But next to a green winged macaw
    there not 'that' loud.
    
    Bottom line is that there the most friendly 'right out of the cage'
    bird I have had the pleasure of experiencing.
    
    You wont do wrong.  By the way, I got mine from Al Decoteau. He
    'used' to supply the fish nook also.
    
    chet

    Well, did I do it in haste?
    No.  
    
    I bought a grey-cheek last night at Animal House at a savings too,
    Thanks to Doug!  8^)  I also saw a grey-cheek at Parkhill Pets, but
    he had an extra long beak; they wanted $240 for him.
    
    Scooter's the cutest little guy.  He's minute after you've had a
    large amazon!  I'd like to train him, but I don't really know
    what he likes enough for me to choose a treat for him.  He's
    still a baby.
    
    Any suggestions for a possible treat?
    I talked to Doug and he suggested oats...as in oats and groats.
    
    -Juliette
    
    

    Juliette,                  
    
    Can't believe how fast you made your decision to buy a grey-cheeked!
    Wish it were that easy for me.  If we buy it will probably be around
    the first week in June but I want to do more research and looking.
    Could you send me your phone number so I can call you in May (I'll
    only be at Digital until lst week in May) or earlier and get feedback
    about how you're enjoying your little guy?  Also, keep us posted
    about him in this note file!
    
    Thanks and enjoy!
    
    Sandy
    
    P.S. Any other advice from grey-cheeked owners??  I spoke with the
    owner of the Fish Nook the other day and he's not sure how they
    would get along with a budgie.  I'm not planning on putting them
    in the same cage but as I've said, my budgie flies free and would
    probably land on his cage a lot.  I was told this could be dangerous
    if it were a lovebird - might bite his leg off.  Need to know if
    a grey-cheeked would be less aggressive/more gentle.  The owner
    of Fish Nook says each bird is different so it's hard to say.  Any
    other thoughts about this??

    Is this unusual or normal?
    
    I've had Scooter now for almost a week.  When I take him out of his
    cage he is very insistent about being near my face.  He looks at
    my face as if he wants to fly to it, and one time he did!
    
    He constantly wants to pick at my face especially my mouth.
    And when given the opportunity he will run up my arm to be in 
    my neck and hair....which tickles like crazy.
    
    I know grey-cheeks want to be near people, so I'm just wondering
    if this is normal.....to want to be so close to me.
    I don't mind this much, but how do I train him so that he doesn't 
    do this ALL the time.  I'd like to play with him and much as he wants
    to play with me (my hair and neck).
    
    The mouth picking is the most bothersome, not to mention unhealthy.  
    If he had his way he'd be IN my mouth.
    
    Otherwise, he's been a lot of fun to watch.  Although he does
    get a little nippy when he's cranky....when it starts to get late, or
    if you tap him on his back.....what a silly little bird  :-)
    
    Hope someone has some suggestions,
    Juliette
    

    I have a little table top perch that I made for Buddie, and that
    is where I work on my trick training with him. Because this is where
    he gets his treats he likes to be on the perch. I have also hung
    some toys on the perch for him to play with when I am not training
    him.                     
    
    I also let him eat out of my hand both treats and people food, and
    am working on getting him to do his tricks on my hand.
    Maybe because of the treats he get from my hands he is usually content
    to play with me on my hands.                        
    
    When we play cards or board games he loves to get involved too,
    although real serious game player might not appreciate it. Jigsaw
    puzzles are his favorite though. He gets down on the table and 
    can take it apart twice as fast as I can put it together, and he
    can throw 20-30 peices off of the table in 5 minutes
                                                                 
    Buddie also goes after my lips and plays with my hair, but the hair
    doesn't bother me and I turn my head so he can't get my lips.         
        
    I think you just need to give him time and offer him alternatives
    to your lips and face.
        
    Doug

    Hi:
    
    I was just reading an article in Bird Talk (April) about courtship
    behavior.  Scooter may be jumping on you because he's in breeding
    condition.  According to this article, "If your bird is in breeding
    condition, it may become more active..it may call more intensely
    and more frequently.  When you approach your pet it may attempt
    to jump on you, even if you just pass by, rather than sit passively
    while you scratch its neck.  Your bird wants attention.  It may
    even become vicious to receive this attention from you, but this
    is not always the case...Birds usually display these behavioral
    changes only during the breeding cycle."
    
    This may be the reason Scooter is aggressively asking for attention.
     You said you didn't know how old he is; he may just be an older
    bird in breeding condition.  This behavior should calm down in a
    while.
    
    Also, you need to realize that great patience is needed with any
    bird.  They do not immediately adjust to one's home environment
    (i.e., lights on later, other animals in the room, being left alone
    a lot, etc.) or an owner as soon as they are brought home from a
    pet store.  Remember, they were in a store full (possibly cage full)
    of other birds all day.  Now they're alone a lot.  Having a cat
    around can make them scared or hyper.  I definitely feel a cat should
    never be in the same home as a bird, and if it is, it should definitely
    not be allowed to be in the same room, especially when you're not
    there.  If the bird's locked in the cage it still makes no difference.
     Just having a cat constantly stare into the cage (or jump up on
    the cage) can make a bird hyper anxious and stressed alll the time.
     This is incredibly unfair to the bird.  It takes lots of patience
    and time passing to get a bird used to your person and your
    environment.  It's unfair to expect otherwise.  A bird is a living
    creature, like a human being and cannot expect to adjust immediately
    to a new situation like an innanimate object.  It has feelings and
    emotions, just like all of us.
    
    I had a budgie who liked to look into my mouth.  I would open my
    mouth occasionally while he sat on my finger and he would stick
    his head in to look.  Once he even put his foot up onto my lip and
    would have walked inside if I'd let him.  I was always careful after
    that.  I think he was just curious to see where the "voice" and
    "words" were coming from.
    
    I would say the word "no" strongly when Scooter gets too aggressive.
     But, if this article is correct for him, perhaps he's being aggressive
    and seeking lots of attention (and cranky at times) because he's
    in breeding condition.  If so, this behavior will pass.  Training
    may be tough when he's in this mood, but I'd keep trying anyhow.
     Just remember to be patient with him.  My budgie's getting better
    every day -- and we've had him 4 months.  Sometimes it takes months
    of training and adjustment.  He needs to get to know you better
    and the home he's living in.  He's also, as you said, getting less
    sleep than he used to.  This could also be a factor.  Maybe you
    should cover him earlier in the evening, even if the lights are
    still on -- with a dark cover to block out as much light as possible.
    Our birds go to bed at 8:30 every night.  They get 10-11 hours of
    sleep a night.  Can you put the cages in another room?  Just please
    keep the cat out.  Otherwise, you're going to have incredibly stressed
    out birds (or dead ones eventually).  Cats and birds do not mix.
    
    Sorry for the lecture but the above may help.  I'm concerned about
    your birds.
    
    Sandy
    

    I disagree with the comment that cat and birds should not be in
    the same home. It all depends on how responsible the owner is. I
    have two cats and they don't bother the birds at all. They have
    never jumped on the cage or shown any interest in the birds while
    they are in the cage. When I have the birds out loose in the rooom
    the cat are either put into another room or outside. The amount
    of stress my cats cause the birds is ZERO.          
                                                              
    I don't beleive that my cats are unique either, as I know of other
    people that keep cats and birds with no problem. I even have a clipping
    from a newspaper that show a budgie and a cat eating out of the
    same dish. I agree that some cats could cause stress especially
    a kitten but it is only common sense that you don't let the cat
    harrass the bird in the cage or chase it around the house.
                                             
    I feel any kind of animal is alright to keep in the same house as
    birds, if you are a responsible pet owner. If you are going to say cats
    should not be kept with birds I would assume that you should also not
    have kids if you own birds. Young children are just as capable of
    causing stress on the birds as are cats or dogs. 
                                        
    DOUG_WHO_LIKES_ALL_KINDS_OF_CRITTERS

    The Grey Cheek is not the only bird in the house that Juliette
    is talking about, we also have the Yellow Nape. If anything the
    Nape has the cat intimidated. While giving the cat some table
    scraps last night Piedy (the Nape) reached over and snatched
    the roast beef from the cat. I think the cat has respect for
    the birds. It seems that neither the birds or the cat even care
    about the other animals although we do take normal precautions.
    
    Rey

    
    RE: .9
    Hi Sandy,
    
    During the day the birds are closed off in separate rooms and the cat
    has the run of the house.  At night they're all closed off in 
    separate rooms.
    
    When we come home the birds come out to play.  The cat spends most of
    his day sleeping, and is just somewhat curious about the birds.
    The cat just wants to look at Piedy, probably because he's never
    seen such a big bird since he's an indoor cat.  He is a little
    more interested in Scooter, but as I said before the cat spends
    most of the day sleeping, and we're very careful never to leave bird
    and cat alone.  Scooter always goes back into his cage if we have to 
    leave the room for a minute.  Piedy can be left for a minute or two 
    alone if need be, as his playgym is too high for the cat, and the 
    cat's not interested in him anyway.  And as Rey said (RE: -1)
    the cat's probably intimidated by Piedy!
    
    I have owned cats and birds most of my life without any problems.
    As a matter of fact the cats could care less, walk by the cage without
    a second glance, or for that matter a first glance.
    
    As far breeding behaviour....
    
    Scooter is a young bird.  Though the owner of Animal House didn't 
    know his age he said he was young.  Scooter's feathers are darker,
    and kind of dull which leads me to believe that he's still got his
    baby feathers.  Doug seems to think that's why he won't stay still on
    my hand, and that as he matures he will settle down.
    
    Piedy, the nape, on the other hand is DEFINITELY in breeding mode!  
    Piedy is DANGEROUS AROUND ME!  Piedy definitely shows female breeding 
    behaviour - the crouching and the slight spreading of the wings. She
    does not tolerate my presence.  She is still a schizo about my being
    around her.  Sometimes I can scratch her head, and other times I  walk
    by and get a FEROCIOUS LUNGE! or what she's been trying to do recently
    is a FLYING ATTACK! 
    
    
    Scooter doesn't seem to understand the word "no".  When Scooter's
    being nippy and I say "no", he just continues.....I'm just glad 
    the nips don't compare to Peidy's.
    
    I'm not really in favor of putting the birds to bed early.  I feel 
    that they should adjust to our hours, otherwise, we would never
    see each other and there would be no point in my keeping birds.
    They go to bed around 11-11:30pm and are up by 8am.  And they
    take plenty of naps as needed.
    
    I really don't think they're being stressed in any way.
    If anybody feels stressed right now it's the cat!  The cat's on
    meds right now because he's been plucking his fur  {8^{
    It's been going on for a while now, but has gotten worse since
    the arrival of Piedy and Scooter.
    
    Sandy, I hope you feel a little better about my situation.
    Cats and birds can get along, as long as care is taken.
    
    Juliette
    
    

    Juliette,
    
    I never doubted that you were a responsible pet owner and it sounds
    like you are doing just fine,scooter just needs time to adjust and
    mature. As far as your cat "plucking" his fur you may want to consider
    a change in his diet, meds sometimes hide the real problem.
    
    Doug
                                             

    Hi Juliette,
    
    I do feel better about your situation after reading your note. 
    There certainly have been articles about cats and birds getting
    along (in fact, a recent BirdTalk says it's probably a good idea
    for a bird to take a nip out of the curious cat's nose; this way
    the cat will always stay a bit wary and afraid of the bird which
    is better than the other way around).  I'm glad to hear that you
    keep the cat and birds in separate rooms when you're not around.
     There is that thing about instinct, whether they've been getting
    along for months or years, if not watched.  I was concerned because
    I had one friend whose cat was always jumping up and sitting on
    top of her finch cage.  The finches were extremely stressed about
    this (the cat was always staring down on them) and she finally gave
    them (the finches) away.  I had another friend who had a cat and
    budgie for many years.  She would let the budgie fly around in one
    of the rooms and when she did, she'd keep the cat out.  One day
    she didn't close the door all the way, the cat got in, and the bird
    died of fright in the cat's mouth.  I'm glad to hear your cat seems
    very uninterested in your birds.  Having the bigger bird may be
    intimidating to him, which is good.
    
    By the way, even young birds can show breeding behavior.  When my
    cordon bleu babies (from my l successful breeding) were only a couple
    of months old, they starting doing a mating dance (bobbing up and
    down) holding a piece of straw in their beaks and singing a mating
    song.  The females got very anxious for mates, which I eventually
    got them.  The funny thing is, they have shown no mating interest
    with their mates when I've put nests in.  Needless to say, I have
    two very frustrated male cordon bleus!  Their mom, though, still
    mates with her guy; however, I've had no successful nests from them,
    just lots of eggs.
    
    As Doug says, though, Scooter could just be young, active, inquisitive,
    and unused to his environment right now.  As he gets more accustomed
    to the routine in your house, to you and to life in general, he'll
    probably calm down, especially with you continuing to play with
    him and pay him lots of attention.  Try shaking your finger directly
    at him as you firmly and fairly loudly say "no".  Or very lightly
    tapping his beak and saying "no" firmly when he bites.  Get him
    chew sticks (the gnaw wood sticks for hamsters); my budgies love
    them.  Erickson Grain in Acton has them (as do most pet stores).
    Good luck.
    
    Sandy

    I am with Doug!  We have a "complete food chain" at home as we say!
    However, the cat's dont' give 2 hoots for the birds!  One sleeps
    on the cockatiel cage in the living room ... and more often than
    not is startled awake by a yank on the fur!  The dogs probably cause
    more trouble for the cats then they would think of bothering with
    the birds..  Naturally, I do not expose my animals to extreme
    conditions! A certain amount of common sense needs to be heeded.
    
    I met Doug's cats, they just walked by that cage and looked up at
    Buddy like he was an annoying little fly!  Then she proceeded to
    climb on the couch,, curl up and go to sleep.  I believe that if
    the cats know they will not lose their place in the family pack
    order -- dogs, people, birds included...then all creatures can live
    harmoneously together!
    
    About the finches....they can die of heart failurer just by having
    the lights turned on!  they need to be in high cages away from the
    main stream of living!  With the exception of canaries...finches
    really are not pet birds...you cant really play with them...just
    appreciate them for the life they are.  And most finches are sexually
    mature at the age of 3 months - budgies at 6 months.
    
    And, Scooters behavior sounds like parrakeet behavior...One that
    is already bonded to his person!  I wish you loads of good luck
    and love with this bird!  From what I understand, Gray Cheeks are
    wonderful little birds!  Someday, maybe I'll have one!  They are
    great!
    
    So, now I've said my piece!  Thanks for listening!
    
    Jean Hutchins - who's back for a short time, but working for a great
    group!
    

    RE: .13
    
    The cat problem is an emotional one.  He's been on the same diet for
    years.  It began last year, the plucking has been no big deal...real
    minor case.  But since the birds....it's become a lot worse in just
    a matter of weeks.  We've taken him to the vet's and he's presently
    on minimal treatment.  A hormone shot of some kind, I think, and
    antihistamines.
    
    
    RE: .14
    I didn't know babies would display mating behaviour.  
    I just think his behaviour is due to new environment and new
    hours.
    
    When I say "no", and/or tap him on the beak it just makes him
    bite more.  I just disreguard this hoping he's learning the
    meaning of "NO".  
    
    I'm trying to hold him close to me, hoping that he'll get use 
    to being cuddled.  I tried that last night with minimal
    success.  Scooter's too hyper at the moment.  The little
    guy refuses to stay still.  He just constantly has to be on 
    the go - such an active little thing....unlike Piedy, who's
    content just being wherever, but I guess the larger the bird
    the less 'flighty' they are.
    
    Juliette
    

    Hello Juliette
      I've been away at class for two weeks so I just saw your note today. 
    You are a very lucky person to have a grey cheek.  My wife and I bought
    one last Sept. and we love him (her).  I've had many budgies and our
    Mango is far friendlier and calmer than any budgie I ever saw.  He was very
    shy at first and I think he liked our German Shepard better than us for
    a while.  After all, they were together all day while we were at work.  Well
    Strider died last month, from old age at over 15 years, and now Mango misses
    him.  He pays a lot of attention to a photo of Strider.  He wants to touch
    it and tries to climb uopn it.  No other photo in the house gets this 
    attention from him, I've tested him.  He really recognizes Strider in the
    picture.
      Mango isn't loud very often, maybe once a week.  He sure is not at his
    best in the morning.  He is sleepy and cranky and wants very little to do
    with either of us.  However, when I get home, he is ready to beat the cage
    door down to get out.  When it starts getting dark, he goes back in his
    cage and puts himself to sleep. He loves people and sits quietly on our shoulders.
    I have tried to establish places in the house he can call his own and feel
    comfortable at.  The primary place is his cage of course and he is free
    to come in or out as he pleases as long as we are home.  The cage is h
    hanging on a plant hanger pole similar to a pole lamp.  We have toys
    and perches all over the plant hooks not used by the cage.  So he has
    his entertainment center and is happy with that area.  We are trying to
    establish a second area in the kitchen area where we eat so he can be
    near us more.  That is going okay but slowly.
      The secret is time and patience.  Birds are not real intelligent because
    they don't have room for a lot of grey matter and they can't afford the 
    extra weight.  Therefore they depend upon learned response. It is up to
    you to teach him the response you want. 
      Mango is a very nice bird and we are happy to have him.  I hope you
    enjoy yours as much as we enjoy Mango.  He is really funny at times and
    a real blast to watch.
    Enjoy
    Steve

    Hi Juliette,
    
    Thanks for the VAX.  I sent you one in return today.  Hope it gets
    to you.  Let me know.
    
    Sandy
    

    Hello.  I may be joining you all in the ranks of bird people.
    
    I had a conversation with my land lady and she said that "no
    pets" didn't mean no (small) birds, and she just wants to
    double check with her husband to make sure he doesn't mind.
    
    The Fish Bowl in Milford, NH has a Grey Cheek.  I think Marie
    wants $239 for him, which seems a little high.  He is a little
    cutie, though, and I walked around handling him over the weekend
    and he didn't even *try* to nip.  
    
    Is it true that no one breeds them, and that all the ones available
    for sale are wild?  
    
    On the subject of Grey Cheeks getting along with other birds, a
    friend has recommended a local breeder who has hand-fed baby
    cockatiels for sale...so I'm already thinking about getting
    TWO birds!  I'm hoping they'd get along during out-of-the-cage
    play time.  
    
    In a word, I'm Psyched!!!!  I'd like to hear more recommendations/
    experiences of Grey Cheeks.
    
    Thanks,
    
    Karen

    RE: .19
    
    One comment I have....a grey-cheek can have an obnoxious squak.
    That's probably the only bad quality they have.
    These birds just want to be near people.  
    
    Mine is loud as anything in the morning.  Scooter doesn't wake us up,
    but once he/she knows we're up he will not stop squaking until he
    gets his breakfast.  Not all grey-cheeks are squakers though, I just
    wanted to caution you about that because of your living situation.
    If you have a 'no pets allowed' policy because of noise, and whatever
    other reasons you might want to change your mind about getting a 
    grey-cheek.  The squak is at such a frequency that it goes through 
    your body.
    
    They will eat anything you put in front of them.  I made a batch of
    Jean's recipe for my nape, and when we got Scooter we naturally added
    the recipe as part of his diet.  Well, let me tell you....Scooter
    doesn't touch his seed now....just on a rare occasion.
    
    These birds are 'naturally' tame/friendly.  Scooter does get nippy 
    occasionally when he's cranky, or it's getting late.
    
    I wish you the best of luck in your decision.  I hope you will be able
    to get a grey-cheek; they are wonderful little birds.
    
    -Juliette
    

    Juliette, thank you for your reply.  I see you're leaving us...
    good luck to you!  
    
    Yeah, this particular little guy is a squaker.  He was playing
    the keep away from me game, moving to the highest and farthest
    part of his cage when I came near and then letting out this
    gawdawful repeated aawwwwkkk!!!  I used negative reinforcement
    on him, though, by doing just what he didn't want me to do.  I
    moved closer to him.  That shut him up.  This bird really is funny.
    I had to pry him out of the cage, literally, first one foot, then
    the other, then the beak.  On the first attempt to move him through
    the cage door he reached up and latched his beak on the door frame
    and hoisted himself out of my hand and climed back inside.  So
    the second time I got him in my hand, with all appendages detached
    from the bars, I put my other hand over his head on the way through
    the door.  In spite of his unfriendly bird routine, he became happy
    and content on my shoulder immediately.  
    
    It's tempting....
    
    Karen

    You may be able to do better on the price at Animal House in Fitchburg.
    See note 142 
    
    Doug

    Re:  Squawking birds and Landlords.
    
    I have no idea about the sound of a grey-cheeked's squawk. Yet,
    I have 2 cockatiels who get squawk up a storm when they want to.
    Before I moved, I kept H&G at my SO's 3rd floor apartment.  We would
    walk into the building on the first floor, and we could here H&G 
    squawking away up on the 3rd floor.  Our neighbors would get furious.
     Obviously this apartment had lousy insulation.  In our "new"
    apartment we have no problem with noise since the insulation is
    better.  Nobody in our building even knows that we have 2 birds.
    I had spoken to the landlord about the birds before we moved in
    and we agreed that if there was a noise problem we would move out.
    But, we haven't been evicted yet!
    
    	-Nancy

    RE: .21
    
    Yes it is Friday night and I'm still here tying up loose ends.
    Scooter did the same thing cling on to the door when you wanted to 
    take him out, and yes, having to pry his little feet off the cage 
    bars.
    
    RE: 23
    
    Cockatiels (females mostly) have the same frequency squak as Scooter,
    one that goes through your body.  This can definitely be grating on the
    nerves.  Scooter's not quite as bad because he doesn't squak for too
    long.  The 'tiels I have go on and on and on all morning.  They
    have definitely woken me up on many mornings!
    
    Budgies are great for apartment dwellers, I think.  They can be a
    little loud, but nothing in comparision to 'tiels and Scooter.
    They are quieter, but I can't remember how much...it's been 
    many years since I've owned a budgie.
    
    Well, that's all the input I have.
    Good-bye all, hoping to be here again in 6 months!
    
    -Juliette
    

    We've had a grey-cheeked parakeet for almost two years now.  We
    got it as a pet for my then 3-year-old (now 5-year-old) daughter
    who liked her so much, she gave her her own name (they're both Molly).
    
    It's been a great pet.  We've never had a problem with loud squawking.
    I can't say it "talks", but it imitates the cadence of certain phrases
    and picks up melodies.
    
    The bird is extremely hardy.  She gets and gives so much love from
    my daughter (she loves to "cuddle" the bird) that it's feathers
    are regularly askew.  
    
    Her regular diet is cockatiel mix that we buy in bulk.  We supplement
    it with apple cores and assorted greens.
    
    The one problem we have had is that she eats wood.  One of her favorite
    perches is on the top of the vertical blinds by the slider to the
    deck.  I don't know whether she likes being high up or whether it
    is warmer up there or what.  But we notices one day that she had
    been nibbling at the wood on the door trim.  It got so bad that
    we don't let her get up there anymore.
    
    We met some people from Brazil who said that the birds are common
    in the wild down there.  Even wild, they love being picked up.
    
    All in all, it's the best pet we've ever had.  According to the
    store and other owners, Molly-bird should be around for 10-12 years
    - another plus.

    I know this note was conversed in March-April and now it's November,
    but if anyone else is looking into grey cheeks I'd like to add my
    bit...
    
    I'd highly recommend one as a pet, my grey cheek is wonderful.  I've
    had him (her?) over a year now and he has become very very attached to
    me.  As other people have mentioned, they can be "squawky" and this
    squawk does go right through you (and the walls!).  This is only when
    he wants something (whenever we eat dinner in the living room near his
    cage he has a fit - yap yap yap until we give him a little piece of our
    dinner).  He's quiet in the morning until he hears us then he pulls on
    his wire cage with his beak and makes little "pong pong pong" noises on
    the wire until we let him out.  He's happiest sitting on your shoulder
    and must watch everything you do - especially chop up grapes for his
    breakfast.  He talks quite a bit (pretty bird, hello tom, shudup) and
    since we have let his wings grow fully he absolutely loves to fly onto
    your or anyone else's head in the room and sit there.  Then he's  hand
    down in front of your eyes upsidedown and look at you.  He climbs
    ladders, loves to play with change (clean coins of course); in fact if
    you have spare change sitting on the table he'll pick the coins up one
    by one and toss them over the edge of the table and watch them fall
    with one eye.  These antics are cute but can make you run out of
    change...  He's easy to take care of and is only loud when he wants
    something we are having to eat - also, he will yap at strangers in the
    house but once he's let out to see the stranger he examines them then
    shuts up - content to have given them the once over.  I paid $240 for
    mine at Fins and Feathers in Chelmsford - she breeds them right there
    herself and is very very knowledeable about all her birds.  Again, I
    would highly recommend a grey cheek.

    This weekend I purchased a "Grey-Cheeked Parrotlette" (sp?) (aka
    grey-cheeked parakett?) at Misty Haven Bird Farm in East Douglas for my
    girlfriend's birthday.  He cost $195.  He is 9 to 10 weeks old,
    extremely healthy, and was a hand-fed baby.  He is a vivid green with
    iridescent orange patches under his wings.  He is EXTREMELY
    affectionate and has already "bonded" with my friend.  (He comes
    running to her when she calls and already chooses her over anyone else
    in the family but didn't mind too much going to the kids or her
    husband.)
    
    I see from this note that they can be trained to talk -- Is there any
    special way to go about this or do they just try to imitate you on
    their own?
                              
    Being that it is a hand-fed, hand-raised bird is there an amount of
    time that is best for handling the bird?  Yesterday when we brought him
    home, he was handled for 3 hours and then 3 hours again at night. (Each
    time when it was time to put the baby to bed, he kind of put up a fight
    getting back into the cage.)

    Wayne, one of the store managers, said that it isn't a very popular
    bird, but that it makes one of the best pets -- (I can see why it makes
    a great pet, but cannot understand why it wouldn't be popular as the
    price seems right and it is a better (quieter) apartment bird than say
    a cockatoo or other large parrot types.)

    He did say that breeding them in captivity was difficult and that was
    why he didn't raise them.  (He purchases them (I think one at a time)
    from a breeder.)

    If anybody out there has any more information on this type of bird,
    please reply to this note.  (Moderator -- I hope this is the
    appropriate place for this note --)

thanks t

    
    This is a continuation of the previous note.  We were also wondering if 
    these birds like/should have wood to chew on?
    
    thanks t

    t-
    
    As the owner of 2 grey cheeks and at one time 4 they definitely CAN
    learn to talk, but very very limited, oh maybe at the most 5 - 8 words. 
    They whistle excellent and pick that up rather quickly.  As usual, they
    will pick up the words from woman's voice a little easier than a mans.
    
    Probably the reason he said they weren't that popular is that they
    really can get l-o-u-d, sometimes as loud as a conure.  They make great
    single pets and just love attention from their owners.  Most do show a
    preference to one person as my 2 guys did.  One went for my boyfriend
    and one for me - we were both happy!  Basically we repeated the word
    when the birds first came out of the cage for the morning or evening -
    when they were most likely to pay attention to us.  It took a while for
    him to learn pretty bird, but now he says it with clarity.
    
    One of our grey cheeks learned to laugh just like my boyfriend by
    listening to him at night while we were watching tv.  And we thought he was
    asleep the whole time!  Apparently he was listening.
    
    As for wood my guys really nibble, they aren't that destructive.  They
    nibble their perches and the wooden sticks they are under a hanging
    honey stick, but they do have strong hard beaks so there should be some
    mineral block in there for them.
    
    `peg

    
    I am so glad to be hearing all these wonderful things about these
    little birds.  My friend said she has experienced the scrill of the
    budgie's scream, but she didn't mind it; and her kids loved it.  She
    has two 'keets that just don't know what to think about this OTHER
    little bird who gets to spend the entire day minus feeding and sleeping
    time out of its cage.  I think Nancy's husband is trying to fight for
    ownership of the bird -- I guess it is a close tie on who the bird
    likes more. 
    
    The bird hasn't named itself yet.  (I think LOVER would be
    appropriate.)  What are your bird's names?  What are your birds
    favorite activities?  Do you think one would be lonely if I work all
    day?  
    
    I am considering buying one, but I have a horse, cat, two rabbits, two
    'tiels, two fish tanks AND a husband.  I spin wool, knit, throw
    pottery, and have other hobbies which I could do with a little bird on
    my shoulder.  My 'tiels are not hand-tamed and after seeing Nancy's
    bird -- it is something I really miss.  I am really attached to my
    'tiels and would get rid of them to get another bird.
    
    What do you think?
    
    t

    
    Anybody else interested in these Brotogeris parrots?
    
    A friend brought in an article on grey-cheeks from this month's 
    Bird Talk Magazine -- "Perky Pocket Parrots" by Susan Forster
    page 80 - 95.
    
    thanks Wendy -- t

    We have a breeding pair of the gray-cheeks that we got last spring, but
    no babies yet.  They are difficult to breed, according to all reports,
    but I'll write about that under 'a breeder's log' note elsewhere in
    this file when I have some time.  We were adopted this weekend by
    a single graycheek in need of a home outside an apartment environment
    (we have an old farmhouse with neighbors out of earshot, fortunately).
    
    The people needing to place this bird, named Shelby, had two cockatiels
    also and the three used to play on a bird jungle-gym in the evenings. 
    That's the good news.  The bad news was that if the couple wasn't
    paying enough attention to Shelby, in Shelby's opinion of course,
    he/she would do that wonderfully earsplitting screech only a graycheek
    knows how to do, which would start up the cockatiels....you can imagine
    how this went over in an aparment/condo situation.  
    
    Anyway, Shelby is so far equally sweet with me and my husband, although
    my husband has claimed the bird as a pet. which is fine with me, even
    though I was buying the bird as half a breeding pair (the couple had no
    preference about Shelby staying a pet or becoming a breeder--I always
    ask and respect the previous owner's wishes since we have room in our
    lives for either breeders or pets).   Graycheeks seem to prefer
    breeding in colonies, so I may just have to get some more to help our
    current pair get the idea. Ah, gee, I guess there could be worse fates. 
    :')  
    
    I am amazed at how trusting and gentle this little bird is.  He's a
    year old.  Laughs and is mumbling some stuff, but nothing comes out
    clearly yet.  When the couple delivered him to us, it took all of a
    few seconds for him to come out of the carrier onto my husband's hand,
    walk up to his shoulder, and start to groom his beard.  Shelby is now
    the second 'person' in the house he says hello to in the morning and
    again when he comes home from work!!  
    
    Shelby lives in the room with our 'quiet' birds (life is full of
    irony).  In there he has nobody to challenge him, so he sends out a
    couple of blasts now and then, but quiets down very quickly.  The
    Bourke's parrakeets, canaries, and finches watch him from across 
    the room, but don't seem disturbed, even when Shelby makes his noises.  
    
    We got our breeding pair so Gary could have a pet graycheek,
    eventually, and now I can see why he wanted one so much.  I would
    recommend them to anyone who wants a bird about the size of a parakeet,
    but is a parrot personality.  They pick up things (food, etc.) with
    their feet, which I've never seen a parakeet (budgie) do.  Pet store
    prices for these little guys seem to range from about $200-300.  We
    got ours from the WANTADvertiser weekly booklet.
    
    A couple of cautions: Be careful not to let anyone, vet or other, trim
    the beak down!! The beak is **supposed** to be long and overhanging! 
    And they are *very* curious about everything, so can get into mischief
    just as a child, puppy, or kitten might with chewing things that
    shouldn't be chewed or falling into containers of water, even water
    glasses or mugs of coffee......
    
    Linda

    
    more on the grey-cheek.
    my friend continually tells me how much she loves the addition to
    her family BUT this weekend when i went to see the little guy he
    lounged at my lips -- i think i may be lipless!
    
    she said she was having problems with this too --
    it seems that when he gets real excited or he likes you a real lot
    he wants to eat part of you.  
    he nips at ears, necks and especially LIPS (mine still hurts).
    any ideas on how to deter him from this behavioral defict?
    
    i read in another note that an amazon goes through a teething (type)
    beaking stage -- 
    could this be it with the grey cheek?
    
    thanks t

    I talked to an owner of a pet Grey cheek this weekend and a normally
    docile bird attacked the owners Eye. the owner thinks the bird saw his
    reflection. He actually took a peice out of
    his Eyeball, requiring a trip to the Emergency room. This should be
    something to be wary of with anybird.

    
    eeee gads!  that is awful!  the thing is with these grey-cheeks is
    that they are so darn fast.  i couldn't believe it, but i guess
    any bird can be quick.

    I just got a baby grey-cheek in Feburary. He is the fastest bird
    I have. he also goes for the lips. I have never thought about my
    eyes ... ooooouch I will from now on. I also have an older gray-cheek
    and he too bites but not the face he goes for the soft parts on
    your hand, whenever he has to do something that he does not want
    to do .... like getting out of his cage. 

    I love both birds alot but sometimes they are very unpredictable.
    
    Donna from California