A little bit of Bella

[kme3388]

I have been thinking Bella deserves a name change.

I should name her Radar like from the old MASH TV show.
She is always listening to us. she pays attention to what we say and reacts to it.

If I start talking about having to put her back in the cage she knows.
If she is getting in trouble in the kitchen she hears me get up from the couch to check on her and she instantly stops.

She learned a new word too.
I wish she hadn't learned this one.
It refers to a part of the human anatomy ever human male/female has.

Don’t you love how much parrots can learn? They are also the ultimate stalkers radar would be a perfect name

 

[texsize]

After a month away from Bella.

Bella doesn’t wear her heart on her sleeve, at least for me.
She plays this game with me. Acting like she will let me scratch her head then changing her mind at last minute.
well she was a little more insistent about wanting me to scratch her but still wouldn’t let me.

While I was gone she has perfected saying “Alexa “.
it comes out as a 3 syllable word “ Ah -lex-ah”.
but it’s good enough to trigger Alexa.
So far she hasn’t ordered her to do anything

She has been getting into fights with one of the Tiels (Popeye).
IDK who starts it, probably Bella by standing on top of his cage.
I think Popeye has a personality disorder, he fights with everyone.
when I saw this I put her back in her cage.
She knew she did wrong and we were upset.
After about 15 minutes she starts saying.
Red butt shower (her way of asking to come out).
it’s ok and good girl over and over.

she was telling me she was going to be a good girl if I let her out.
I let her out and she has been good
more than 2 days without a repeat.

smart bird.

 

[cnyguy]

My late Grey Scooter used to play a similar game. She would act like she wanted head scratches, but instead of just refusing them like Bella does, she would attempt to amputate my finger. I always anticipated a parrot bite when she actually did want scratches.

And now I'm waiting to hear what interesting and unexpected Amazon deliveries will show up at your house.

 

[kme3388]

I followed this thread to learn more about greys. They are so adorable. I want to take on more parrots but I just don’t think I have the time. Not to mention my Ekkie hates loud noises. I had to move him away from my conures as he appeared to be overly stimulated when I had him around the conures (who consistently make noise). Nico will start ripping out feathers when he gets overly stimulated from what I’ve observed. He’s done a lot better sense I’ve moved him to a different floor in my house where it’s more quiet. I have never dealt with a parrot that can’t stand loud noises before. It’s so interesting reading about other people’s flocks, and the dynamics. Hopefully Bella & Popeye get along, and you don’t have to separate to the extent I did.

 

[texsize]

I followed this thread to learn more about greys. They are so adorable. I want to take on more parrots but I just don’t think I have the time. Not to mention my Ekkie hates loud noises. I had to move him away from my conures as he appeared to be overly stimulated when I had him around the conures (who consistently make noise). Nico will start ripping out feathers when he gets overly stimulated from what I’ve observed. He’s done a lot better sense I’ve moved him to a different floor in my house where it’s more quiet. I have never dealt with a parrot that can’t stand loud noises before. It’s so interesting reading about other people’s flocks, and the dynamics. Hopefully Bella & Popeye get along, and you don’t have to separate to the extent I did.

I am not exactly sure what causes Bella to pull her feathers out. After 7 years of owning her she seems to pluck twice a year perhaps it goes along with natural molting.
The original owners claim was a new dog caused her to pluck and that’s why they rehomed her.

Bella was a quiet parrot.
Still is for the most part but she imitates a cockatiel squeak at about 3x the volume and that can be hard to take.
When my Amazons get loud Bella tells them too be quiet.

For bingo Bella imitates ME saying Bingo’s name in a special tone of voice that I try to impart I am disappointed in him.
It’s sooo funny to her her do that.

When the Twins are noisy.
If she imitates me she says NOOoooo, all stretched out .
If she imitates my son it’s “SWEEties” .
But she is only imitating US, I don’t think the noise bothers her.

The biggest issue with having Bella is keeping Merlin from landing on her cage.
Most of the time I don’t let the Twins out at same time as Bella.
But Merlin is curious about Bella, he has no bad intentions but Bella would be serious and defensive over her cage and he could loose a toe.

 

[texsize]

My late Grey Scooter used to play a similar game. She would act like she wanted head scratches, but instead of just refusing them like Bella does, she would attempt to amputate my finger. I always anticipated a parrot bite when she actually did want scratches.

And now I'm waiting to hear what interesting and unexpected Amazon deliveries will show up at your house.

Bella will snap at me too.
She is defensive over her cage even when giving her food.
I am normally the one who feeds and waters her.
doesn’t matter. I must use care to avoid getting a serious bite.

Outside of her cage she is friendly. I can pick her up.
carry her around. Let her shoulder surf with more confidence than my Yellow nape Bingo..

 

[texsize]

I have never heard this talked about before.
It may sound impossible but I swear it’s true.
Bella can say two words at the same time.
Maybe she’s talking out of both sides of her beak
She has said “kiss” and “girl” .
and somehow she says “Wesley” and “Alexa” at the same time.
It is interesting that she puts both “name words” together.

I managed to record her saying “Alexa” (just the single word) and I may upload it but she is difficult to record when she is talking.. I will keep trying to record one of her double words.

Any other grey owners have birds that do this?

 

[SailBoat]

I have never heard this talked about before.
It may sound impossible but I swear it’s true.
Bella can say two words at the same time.
Maybe she’s talking out of both sides of her beak
She has said “kiss” and “girl” .
and somehow she says “Wesley” and “Alexa” at the same time.
It is interesting that she puts both “name words” together.

I managed to record her saying “Alexa” (just the single word) and I may upload it but she is difficult to record when she is talking.. I will keep trying to record one of her double words.

Any other grey owners have birds that do this?

Clearly, I do not have a Grey, but only Green! But, our Julio has a couple of words that sound like they could be two words overlapping each other, but not quite clear enough for me to define them. For Julio, that commonly implies that he is still working on them.

 

[texsize]

It’s that time of year again.
warming up so I had to go up on the roof and revitalize the swamp cooler.

Of course this means a good deal of thumping and bumping.

Bella was jumpy all yesterday and didn’t want to come out of her cage all morning.

She seems relaxed now telling Alexa she’s a poor girl

 

[SailBoat]

It is a bit too soon to be concerned about the swamp cooler as we are during that special time of year in which Canadian and Texas storms stream through here. Plus our swamp coolers tends to be smaller and sit next to the house, not on the roof!

We had an easy Winter, so it will be interesting to see, which way the Summer goes!!

Julio (HRH) doesn't care as he will enjoy the comfort of his home!

 

[texsize]

Thought I would give an update on Bella.

Bella’s cage (all the cages really) is protected against ants
I found what may be a novel approach. I coated the bottom part of the legs of the cage with some petroleum jelly.
This was not fully successful on all cages but works on hers.

But since the ant invasion Bella is not eating her veggies. They were attracting the ants in the beginning and I stopped feeding moist food till I could keep them out.
Now that it’s not a problem she ignores the veggies .

Bella is still surprising us with her ever increasing vocabulary.

What’s wrong?
Be careful.
Don’t bite me.
Where’d you go.
What do you want..

And here is a recent pic with most of her feathers grown in.

 

[kme3388]

Bella does look amazing. She’s really filled in with feathers. Nico my Ekkie I don’t think can grow feathers back in certain areas especially around his neck area. I’m assuming after many years of plucking that more than likely there is probably damage that is irreversible. I adopted him so I don’t have a clue how long he has been plucking for. The shelter said he came that way to them, and they’d been familiar with him for a few years. Not a big deal if he can’t grow feathers back as I adore him despite it.

Isn’t it strange how something as small as ants can change an entire diet? I forgot birdie bread on a vacation. Nico had temper tantrums for the first day until I was able to get to a store, and make him something that resembles his birdie bread. He was throwing his red seedless grapes to the bottom of his cage, and screaming (he usually enjoys his grapes). He didn’t hide his displeasure that I didn’t offer him his birdie bread after his walk like usual.

 

[texsize]

Bella’s plucking seems to be seasonal.
Not sure if it’s related to molting or hormones.
Of course she came to us in much worse shape so I am glad she can still grow in her feathers……mostly.

Now that I have seen young CAG”s 8/9 months old I know Bella had to be older than we were told.
So that puts her whole background in question.

And she knows we are upset about the ant situation.
Sometimes we have to leave a room closed off to her due to smell.
I always let her know why she has to do something so before too long she’s gona start saying “ants” .

 

[kme3388]

Bella’s plucking seems to be seasonal.
Not sure if it’s related to molting or hormones.
Of course she came to us in much worse shape so I am glad she can still grow in her feathers……mostly.

Now that I have seen young CAG”s 8/9 months old I know Bella had to be older than we were told.
So that puts her whole background in question.

And she knows we are upset about the ant situation.
Sometimes we have to leave a room closed off to her due to smell.
I always let her know why she has to do something so before too long she’s gona start saying “ants” .

If she does say ants you should get a video and post it. That would be so cute

 

[gutterfalcon]

I have been wanting to write about Bella for a while now but.....
Bella is just so amazing I can't remember what all to put down.

She has an incredible sense of..... prediction......timing..... intuition.
She says bless you to my wife when she sneezes and does it so fast, I mean she doesn't even finish the sneeze and she says it.
My son and I don't get a bless you when WE sneeze.

She recently started saying my name Wes.
Ok, no surprise there. She hears it many times a day.
BUT she will say Wes once or twice and then say Wesley.
Nobody in the house calls me Wesley.
There is one bill I pay every month over the phone.
In that phone call to pay the bill I have to say my full name and "authorized"
That's it, the only time she hears my full name. Once a month.
That's a pretty good trick knowing Wes and Wesley are essentially the same.
Wish I could thing of some of the other stuff she does all the time that we find so amazing.
I can't take good pictures any longer. I am unable to hold my hands steady enough .
But here is a recent pic of Bella eating a piece of arapa (sort of a South American tortilla) next to my wife's feet.

View attachment 53932

Do Parrots have a KWIK / QUICK in their Toe Nails like Dogs ? Looks like my Timneh's Nail is grown clear around in a circle , and I'll have to cut it . My old Eclectus was so tame and I used a Dremel tool , this one will need cut , and I don't have a car to get to a VET . I Don't think the VET'S around here know about Parrots any how , I had a Bad experience with a VET here with my Eclectus .

 

[texsize]

Do Parrots have a KWIK / QUICK in their Toe Nails like Dogs ? Looks like my Timneh's Nail is grown clear around in a circle , and I'll have to cut it . My old Eclectus was so tame and I used a Dremel tool , this one will need cut , and I don't have a car to get to a VET . I Don't think the VET'S around here know about Parrots any how , I had a Bad experience with a VET here with my Eclectus .

Yes.
Parrot toenails are much like dog or cat claws.
They grow out from a supply of blood. The further away from the base of the claw the less chance of causing bleeding.
Corn starch is a safe way to stop bleeding but if you trim to the point of causing bleeding that means it’s going to hurt your parrot.

 

[gutterfalcon]

Yes.
Parrot toenails are much like dog or cat claws.
They grow out from a supply of blood. The further away from the base of the claw the less chance of causing bleeding.
Corn starch is a safe way to stop bleeding but if you trim to the point of causing bleeding that means it’s going to hurt your parrot.

I just checked closer , His Nail is actually grown clear around and into his foot !

 

[texsize]

I just checked closer , His Nail is actually grown clear around and into his foot !

The poor thing, he must be in pain.
I think he needs a certified avian vet to correct the problem.

 

[cnyguy]

My old YCA George had a corkscrew toenail and it could only be properly trimmed by his veterinarian. With any kind of abnormal nail growth it is best to leave the job to the parrot's vet or vet tech, especially one who is already familiar with the parrot.

 

[gutterfalcon]

My old YCA George had a corkscrew toenail and it could only be properly trimmed by his veterinarian. With any kind of abnormal nail growth it is best to leave the job to the parrot's vet or vet tech, especially one who is already familiar with the parrot.

As I've written about my Timneh , He's New to me , old , and been treated Poorly . He's doing Good with me now after 4 weeks . On closer inspection , his Nail may not be INTO His Foot , But very close . I've called all the Local VETS , and NONE do Parrots . I live in the Foot Hills , No car , No long Distance , No Cell Phone , No Signal . I'm trying to get hooked up with a VET some distance away & a Rent a Car . I have to Hitch Hike every where . It's troubling . I'm having Trouble reaching the VET because I have No Long Distance Service . ( Land Line ) . The VET is a couple Hours away . I'm Trying . Thank You for your advice !