Zabu

[Blue_butterfly]

We are new here we are from Chilliwack BC Canada (NO we dont live in an igloo!), I run a rescue for birds and small animals, and in came this wonderful CAG, He has won over our hearts and we have adopted Zabu for ourselves. He is our first CAG, we do have experience with other large birds. Zabu is an awsome bird, we are enjoying watching his personality slowly peek a boo out as each day passes. He was surrendered to rescue because the prev owner who was very wonderful and loving to him, didnt think he was getting enough attention since they were now retired and traveling all the time, most of the time he would just sit in there front room. He is a feather plucker, and we have had experience with a lot of feather pluckers, I am hopeing that he may slow down on the plucking once he settles in and gets the love and attention he craves. Even if he dowsnt stop though... we accept him as he is and think he is beautiful anyway. I thought maybe talking to you folks might help us to help Zabu to be a happy bird. I really want him to enjoy his life with us, so any helpful info would be great... I have been trying to get him to eat some fruits and veggies but he wont have anything to do with it. I havent been pushing him to let us handle him as i figured i would let him decide when he feels comfy... I have picked him up and placed him back on his cagetop a few times without problem he is a friendly guy, just a bit afraid of the new situation. anyway, any tips on helping him to adjust to going from an empty front room, to a busy household with other birds and people? He seems to be doing good... but he is plucking an awful lot since he arrived here.
anyway, yack yack yack, sorry.. nice to meet you all.

[Samm]

He doesn't look too awful bad! See if he'll eat some cooked pasta....my TAG goes for that and also Mac n cheese......

He's a beautiful bird, plucked or not....please keep us posted on his progress!

[sleslie]

Oh he has captured my heart.......what a sweetie. You are so lucky to share your life with him............Bless you

[Rue]

...well, he looks very happy! Congrats on taking him in...hopefully he'll get to busy to remember to pluck!

[The Outlaw]

Welcome to Birdboard. He is a splendid bird. I would just take my time and interact with him often. He was probably very sad that his other owner didn't have time for him. I know they never understand that for they live and breath for us.

I would try very hard to switch him to a totally fresh diet, without pellets and with lots of dark yellow/orange veggies and dark green leafy ones. They are especially good for feather production. Also, be sure to shower him daily. It will give him something constructive to do with his feathers. Good luck.

[bird advocate]

Sarah, Zabu is absolutely beautiful...I can see past his missing feathers. He doesn't look to be too bad, at least he has leg feathers, how are his back ones?

I agree w/Outlaw on daily showers, you can even mist more during the day (3x's even) w/some Georges Distilled Aloe. That way he's getting the moisture to let his new feathers come in and not be too itchy and of course they don't pick, pluck, or preen when they are wet.

Make sure he has lots and lots of shredders. Greys are pretty social animals around other birds, so he will adjust more as time comes, even probably verbally.

As far as fresh foods, pretend to eat his food in front of him, or even invite him to nibble off the plate while holding it, making him think he's getting in on something good that you have, lol. One sure way I do is sprinkle a bit of birdie bread on top of the mash or veggies, that's a good way for them to gobble it up. Try birdie bread 1st if you haven't already, most birds LOVE that, and once he see's that on top will untimately eat what's below. Then later you can start lightly mixing it in a bit. Don't give up, he will eat good stuff, just be sure to give when he's hungry.

All the best wishes in the world for this wonderful little guy!! Bless you for loving him unconditionally

[Blue_butterfly]

well he has been getting a bit better now. he will eat grapes, but he throws everything else out of the dish. so should i stop giving him grapes in his fuit and veggie mix? we gave him peanut butter on a toothbrush lastnight and he liked that. he also has been talking like crazy the last three days or so. i have been misting him daily with a mix of warm water and aloe. he really enjoys that. i have posted another thred about a problem i am having with his talking...he has started banging his head on the wall and saying stupid bird stupid bird stupid bird in a really horrible mean voice and it hurts my feelings every time he does this... i dont understand why he would do such a thing. i know the beak banging is just a noise maker and he is just tapping away, how can i get him to stop saying stupid bird..? when i called about it, the prev owners said he says it cuz of there brother who watched him for a few weeks, when he came home he was doing that. i have not given him a reaction to this, i just ignore it when he does it, but it is horrible... any ideas?

[rubiojwls]

Just do the active ignore thing. When he does that, just ignore him. After he realizes that he is not getting attention from you he would start minimizing that behavior. Hopefuly until he forgets about it.
When you talk to him, just reasure him that he is a beautiful bird, how good of a good boy he is and how happy you are that he is now with you and your family. That might sound crazy.......but it really works!

[bird advocate]

or use the method you use when they start saying naughty words.....use something that sounds similar and get them to change to that

[Lisa B]

what a beautiful-beautiful-beautiful boy!!!!!