Happy Birds 3

Papi - TX 1/1/08 Shirley, Wow, Papi is just great! She is really beginning to get comfortable. She loves to be pet, lay on her back and get belly rubs and show of those pretty wings. She just loves to mumble. She will try anything you feed her. She seems to really like it here. As soon as we get up she wants out of her cage. She likes to walk around wherever we go. We just love her so much! Thank you for such an awesome addition to our family and we are so glad we got her from you. Thanks again! Jennifer
Papi - TX 12/20/07 Shirley, Papi is really opening up! I hang out with her almost all day. I talk to her and she really is liking it. I give her new foods everyday and she will try all of it. I think sweet potatoes are still her favorite though. She has started to come out and play outside her cage and will take food from my hands. She seems to be adjusting well. I am sure I was just pushing her too much at first, but once I started to relax with her she did too. Thank you so much for your advice! She seems to like to watch the dogs play on the floor (they are really scared of her...). This morning she was ready to come out as soon as we got up. She went strait to the top of her cage and then put her foot in the air like she wanted to step up. I Put my hand up there and she immediately stepped up. Now that I am not expecting her to do the things I assumed she would do when we got home, she is doing them. I was just putting way too much pressure on her. Your advice was very wonderful to our relationship (I know you already knew that). Thank you!
12/18/07 Papi - TX Shirley, I know you're right about me expecting too much. I will take it a lot slower and expect a lot less. I thank you for all of your wonderful advice and will use it all to our advantage. I know Papi will be a lot more comfortable and happy. Any more advice is greatly appreciated. I also would like to thank you for your honesty and compassion. She stepped up on her own today. Thanks again, Jen
12/17/07 Papi - TX Shirley, I need reinforcement. Papi doesn't seem to like us at all. She gets annoyed when I put new food in her bowl. She got annoyed when I fixed her water bottle. She doesn't like us to get near her cage. She starts to yell at me when I open the food bowls. I have read nicely to her. I have talked nicely to her. I have left her alone. I have given her a lot of attention from a far, but she doesn't like us to get close to her cage. I've taken her out of her cage to put her on the t-stand in the living room to be close to us while we ate dinner. We have spent almost the whole day near her but not bothering her in her space. What do you suggest we do to get her to trust us and like us? Is this just going to take time? We love her already and want so much for her to be a family member so we will do anything to get her to trust us. Any suggestions will be applied.
12/17/07 Papi - TX Shirley, Papi jumped right in to her cage when we brought her inside yesterday. I gave her some sweet potatoes today and some broccoli and she gobbled them right up. She has been eating and drinking extremely well. I pulled her out this morning and held her for about 20 minutes. I am sure she needs some time to adjust. She is very beautiful! We have been talking to her on a regular basis and have been letting her get her naps in. Here are some pictures of her this morning. I hope all is well at the farm. Thank you again for such a beautiful baby!

1/11/08 Scooter - TX Scooter is a rotten little boy (that is as sweet as he is rotten) J If I didn’t know better I would think he is human. Loves to sit in my lap and cuddle. Kisses just like a baby does when they learn to give kisses, you know come at your face with mouth open wide. When I open his cage he nearly falls out trying to step up as fast as possible. Trying to say “Step Up”. Mumbles other words that we have not figured out yet. Climbs off of his play gym and wanders through the house until he finds me if I leave the room for too long. Loves our photo shoots. I bet I have 1,000 pictures of him already. Thanks, Audrey
11/30/07 Scooter - TX Shirley, Just wanted to update you on Scooter. He is the sweetest little thing. He is so cute. He is walking around now and mumbling just like a toddler does when they are first learning to speak. He just jibber jabbers all the time. Loves to show off- When I tell him let me see you pretty feathers, he sticks his wings up as high as he can and just struts. Audrey
11/21/07 Scooter - TX Just wanted to let you know that the first day home with Scooter has been great. He is so sweet and cuddly. He has already warmed up enough to sleep in my lap on his back just like a baby. He loves his cage and all his toys. It was so funny last night because when I picked him up from the airport he was crying and was so loud. It took about an hour to drive home. He was still crying so I broke out the syringe and mixed him up just a small amount of baby parrot food. After that he was mush in my arms. He fell in love after that. Audrey

2/2/08 Midland - TX Good morning Shirley, He is great!! Trying very hard to say "mama". He has learned a new trick. He will give kisses on command now. Loves to cuddle and play "I'm gonna get your foot". He is still very quiet in the morning. I thought for sure by now he would be calling for the sun in the morning but he waits for me before making a peep. He goes to work with me at the video store. We found him a great travel stand. Doesn't ride in his carrier unless it is nasty weather outside. Otherwise, he wears his flight suit and rides in the car like a person. He has really become active on his play gym. My husband says Midland thinks he's King Kong. Climbing up and down and hanging upside down. Squawking and yelling and then climbing as fast as he can to the top only to spread his wings and fly in circles on his "boing". Just like a human baby, when he gets tired, rubs his face and gets a little grumpy. Then it is nighty nighty time. Usually around 8:00pm. Talk soon, Trena
1/11/08 Midland - TX Hi Shirley, Wanted to say hi and show you how great Midland is doing! He has turned into my cuddle baby. Wants to be with me all the time. He is starting to mumble more than baby bird chirps. I think he is trying to get the "talking" thing down before he actually says his first word. Alex hung his new "boing" rope and he loves it!! He acts like he is flying while really just going in circles and squawking with joy the whole time. He also knows how to beg for food now. Not that he needs too!!! I am starting to think he is part pig. Hahahaha When we sit down for dinner, he is close by and starts staring and doing this little mumble/squawk typee noise. It works on Alex every time. He weighs a whopping 853 grams!! We have decided to add and outdoor aviary to our spiral staircase that will be going in this year. I can't wait!!! Well, hope you are doing well. Trena and Midland
12/8/07 Midland - TX Greeting from Canyon Lake!! Midland want to say hello. (see pic) heheheheheee. He is doing wonderful. Cuddles and kisses are very common for him. He has even learned to give kisses when asked. We sit and watch TV at night on the couch. Sometimes he wants in my lap and other times he prefers to be the big boy and watch from the back of the couch. He is such a good boy. Very quiet in the morning until we wake up and then he climbs and calls to us. He is eating well. Loves his dry tomato noodles!!! Soon we will start working on his flight suit so that I feel more comfortable taking him outside with me. We got your card. Thank you and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours! This Christmas will be the best yet. Thank you! Trena and Midland
11/24/07 Midland - TX Hello Shirley, Wanted to send you a pic of Midland today. He loves his gym but it still isn't finished. He already calls to me. And "step up" has become easy for him, or at least when he is coming to me. He typically spends most of the day out of his cage. Can you tell me how long he would want to be out to play before he would need a nap of some sort? He sleeps all night with no yelling. In the morning he is very quiet until he sees me. And he gives kisses when asked now!!! He is so smart! Did you already start giving him showers or misting him at all? And should I blow him dry after his shower? How often do you recommend bathing? Well, talk again soon. Take care, Trena
11/20/07 Midland - TX Hello Shirley, Just wanted to give you the results of Midland's doctor visit. Dr. Vice was very nice and Midland seem to take to him quickly! He said Midland looks very good and seems to be in the best of health. Midland's weight was ideal. His eyes are very clear and he is very, very alert! His feet look good and his coloring is great. Dr. Vice said there were a few feathers that showed stress early on but that "the breeder" took great care because the stress lines end early in the feather. Midland's blood work came back this morning and all is perfect. Dr. Vice said I have a healthy bird. He said you did a very good job that I just need to keep up your good work. I want to thank you again for doing such a great job with Midland, the buying process, and the "home" transfer. It must be hard for you to see your babies leave after such good care and love, not knowing what will happen to them once they leave your door step. But, I want you to know, he will be very loved, very pampered, and I will do my best to see to it that he is VERY happy. I will be keeping in touch and sending pictures as soon as I find my USB cable for my camera. Hope you have a good day. Trena
11/19/07 Midland - TX Good morning!! Midland is doing wonderful. I think he already knows what "kisses" means because he leans towards my face when I ask him for one. We are still working on "step up". He is still very afraid of falling so I believe this one will take time for us both. He is already out this morning doing his wing exercises. There is one thing I am not sure about. Every now and then, he seem to favor his left foot. Not putting weight on it. Is that normal? I was going to ask Dr. Vice about it today. He is eating and drinking well. LOVES HIS GRAPES!!! He hasn't been very vocal except his baby voice every now and then. I assume that might change. Will let you know what the doc says later today. Appointment at 4:00pm. Hope all is well with you and thank you again. He is beautiful!!!! Trena

6/12/08 Khaufa - TAG - VA Hello Shirley; I can see you're having a busy season again.....um, your birds always seem to be in season. And they are always so beautiful. Khaufu is about 10 months old now and we are soul mates. He's a little miffed with me at the moment because we got overly excited with learning his colors (an Einstein toy) and his nuzzling of my finger got too rough so I stopped the game and told him time out (it was time to end teaching then anyway). He's right here getting ready for bed, eating his bedtime snack - small piece of bird bread. He is so intelligent!. He creates pockets out of the rag ropes I make him so he can store his food there for easier, more convenient eating (we wash a lot of rag ropes around here). He knows 4 colors and LOVES TO TALK. He is also a very playful TAG. We're working on counting now, numbers 1 - 4. His attention span for colors and numbers is short as he is so young still but he makes up for it by being a fast learner. Sometimes, I look at him as he listens and watches me the first time, then it's his turn and I swear it's as if he looks at me like I'm a little slow on the uptake (I think he gets impatient with me) and he picks up all the colored rings in the order I ask him to but much faster than I did while demonstrating what I wanted him to do. And then he wants to move onto something else. I keep it short but fun. So we move on to playing ball, talking, smooching, eating a treat together ;and flying - his favorite things. He is much more active than I thought he would be and he has a good time and I love it. He'll run accross the top of his cage to the window, get all excited and come running back to me and start blurting out some exciting thing he was watching, we get all excited together and he runs back to the window and sits on the wooden slats, just sits and watches before his nap. And he sings, sings, sings. When he gets excited, he talks so fast I can't understand him. However, though Khaufu will sit in the window off and on every day, as if he's meditating, and obviously adores doing so since every time I enter the room he runs to me to explain all he's seen and then runs right back to the window, he hates going outside. He clutches the sides of his cage and never moves. My other birds adore going outside so this is a puzzle to me. Since he's never been outside except for the past few weeks (3 times), I'm thinking that it's just overwhelmin g for him so I take the other birds out and Khaufu watches from the window and is relaxed and cops a breeze from the screen door. What ever works for him. I want him to feel safe. He's a great bird Shirley. You did a wonderful job with him. Thanks again. Cindy Dunn-Kamieniak
1/13/07 Khaufu - VA Hi Shirley; Can see you are very busy again - I can't believe how fast those birds go! Not that my hands aren't full with Khaufu so I shouldn't even look at those adorable baby Greys..... I was at the bird store last week and they were boarding a Congo Grey - I thought it was a Timneh! Except for some of the feather colors! And when I came home I looked directly at Khaufu and I swear he is as big as any Congo at the bird store. I'll never be afraid of Congos ever again. Since loving Khaufu, I'm no longer terrified of the Congos as I used to be. So Khaufu the Timneh has cured me of that! And, that band around his leg that was so large for him when he first came here? It's just right now so he must have grown without my noticing it. Well, as my husband says, he eats better than the both of us. And I just finished making another batch of bird bread - 4 trays of it for the freezer (plus I eat some of it myself). I also made black beans and brown rice with chili pepper seasoning - he loved it. So he's been quite spoiled this evening. He is sleeping on his new T-Tower that I made him for Christmas, next to my desk. I'm attaching pictures. Take care. Thanks again for such a great bird! Cindy Dunn-Kamieniak
11/29/07
11/29/07 Khaufu - VA Hi Shirley; More Macaw eggs/babies? I don't know how you do it. Khaufu is doing just great! I've simply got to stop spoiling him and start his training but he is so adorable and loving it's hard for ME to stay focused on our lessons/training! He does everything I ask of him and without a clicker. He has a wonderful sense of humor (laughs at appropriate times). He's very brave, not at all skittish. He hangs upside down and growls at his toys while he tries to bite at them, then laughs out loud if he gets one. He doesn't talk but he sure does laugh. He's very happy here Shirley - gets to fly daily from his upper perch to me sitting on the floor (we're practicing "come" and landing on my hand) and he's doing very well with it, very confident, so I've decided he will only have a partial wing clip next time so he can't really fly-fly but can go to the ground gracefully and stay in the air just a little bit longer. He showers with me daily. Likes the blow drier (go figure) when I'm drying my hair he poses about 5 feet away on the towel bar for his blow dry. He mumbles, mumbles, mumbles and I have no idea what he is saying but I know IT'S VERY IMPORTANT and I chat right back to him. Gosh Shirley, he's such a good bird, don't know how I lived without him. We are already soul mates. And by the way, he's very forgiving when I make a mistake - his perch fell in the shower and I had soap all over my hands, couldn't rescue him till I rinsed my hands off. Well he got soaked and I mean soaked and he just looked at me pathetically when I picked him up and I was trying to explain to him that his perch broke, how sorry I was, etc. and he bent down and let me kiss him on the beak as if to say he forgave me. And he stood right there on the shower door top for the rest of my shower and stepped onto my hand and all was fine. I can't believe he forgave me so easily, still trusted me after that. He was ok and just poised for his blow dry. Business as usual. I'm going to have my husband permanently install a shower perch so that can never happen again. He loves new toys - he can't even wait for me to get them installed in his cage once he sees it outside his cage. He's all over the toy and me while I install it. He's just learned there are nuts inside of shells and he's obsessed with them now. He can barely wait for his morning and afternoon meals and in the mornings is so excited I have to let him out and put him on the kitchen perch while he watches me prepare everyone's food and I give him a nut to work on while he's doing this. He travels with me to my sisters home in northern Va. where he has another cage waiting for him and he loves it. No fear of new stuff. I'm really surprised. I guess it's because he trusts me now because as I recall, Khaufu went through 5 swings before he settled finally on one. However, now he uses all the swings and loves them all. He also tries new foods when offered, doesn't hesitate. One day he eats stuff, next day he won't but I keep putting healthy food in his cage and he pretty much eats it all. Including the pellets (Roudybush). For Christmas my husband is making Khaufu the best Play stand in the world! I know cause I designed it. I'll send you a photo after Christmas of Khaufu on his new play stand. Thank you for the Christmas card. I wanted to check in with you and let you know how well Khaufu is doing. I'll attach some pictures........and you have a wonderful holiday season too! Cindy Dunn-Kamieniak
10/25/07 Kuhfu - VA Hi Shirley; Just wanted to let you know Khaufu is safely home with us. He loves his new cage and all the toys (I'm so happy) and especially one toy I spent 30.00 on, a wood and leather carousel. If he hadn't liked that I'd have been disappointed but it was the 2nd thing in his cage he discovered and just loves it. He is still exploring his cage as I write. And he is sooo much bigger than I thought he would be but he's already been in my lap, and I scratched his neck and petted his face and he loves my bird bread!!!! Yea!!! So I think we've made a good impression on him so far. He hissed at one of my dogs and this is good (he could take my dog if it came right down to it - which it won't). It's killing me to let him get used to his cage now - I have a play stand with a coil rope hanging from the ceiling right here by my computer but I'm behaving and letting him adjust to his new cage tonight and wing clip. FYI: to my surprise he seemed to know when he was home as he began scratching hard at the cage to get out. He's a cautious baby but as soon as he heard my other birds calling he immediately loosened his vice grip on my fingers. It seemed to be a plus that I already have other birds - at least he thinks so. Anyway, I just love him to pieces, can't wait until he settles in. Thank you for shipping him with such good care and I gave him water as soon as I picked him up and he was thirsty. Oh Shirley, thank you....... I'll keep in touch. Cindy

3/4/08 Harley - WA Hi Shirley! I just wanted to give you an update on Harley since she turned one. She has definitely brought us allot of love and laughter. She has so much personality and character! She has all of us wrapped around her little talons! She talks allot, her vocabulary is about 7-8 single words, a few phrases, but once in a while she'll blurt out another one at the most perfect time. She plays chase with myself and the cats, tries desperately to "ride" on our dog, however, the dog isn't to thrilled with the idea, she loves to "find" us, loves to make us laugh-as she is a clown. Her new feathers are coming in full on now so the cuddle times are longer and more frequent since she loves having help with the new growth. My youngest son has taught her that if he makes a bang sound, she will roll over and play dead until you tell her ok, then she pops right back on her feet eager and ready to play more. She has run of the house (completely spoiled rotten) and can tear the keys off of a comput er keyboard quicker than you can blink an eye...lesson learned, 2 keyboards later. She has learned the hard way that the kitty's water and toilet paper don't make a good match as she has tried to bath in their dish and play with the toilet paper from the roll at the same time. (That was fun trying to clean wet toilet paper off of her...smile) Her newest game is she walks up the stairs and if she hears my oldest son in his room, she will rub her beak on the door til he opens it and then run down the stairs so he will come get her for some loves. Dinner time is her favorite because we are all home and usually gathered in the area of the kitchen and she climbs up the cabinets to "help" with whatever the task is. We've had to give her her own plate or she will beg till no end. She is mesmerized by the vacuum (she has to ride on the handle and talk or she gets upset) and, for some reason, loves talking to the front of the dishwasher when its on. The weather is start ing to wa rm up again so today we went for a short car ride to my sons school and she seemed to enjoy herself. It was very easy getting her harness on her. The pix I attached are Harley taking over the sink for a bath, the dishwasher & Harley, and my oldest son and our dog with Harley. Thank you so much for such a Sweetheart baby! Hope you and your flock are well, you must be very busy with all the new beautiful babies! Cant wait to see the Scarlet babies!! (fingers crossed they're fertile!) Krystal, Harley and flock

10/5/07 Harley - WA Hi Shirley! Wow, you sure have been busy! What cute babies you have! I just wanted to give you an update on Harley... she is so very sweet! She is definitely a flock baby! She loves her boys and loves meeting new people, especially kids! We have outings once or twice a week to either my middle sons football games, Petco, or just picking the boys up from school. Loves the car ride but not the harness so much. She has begun her toddler stage where she wants to explore and figure out new things to "play" with. We have actually had to get her her own computer keyboard because she kept taking all the keys off this one. (The space bar doesnt work too well anymore) Her landings are much better now, very few "crashes" and I think she has finally accepted the fact she cannot fit into the bathroom sinks or the cats' water dish. However, the toilet paper on the rolls is very appealing to her as is the napkins in the holder. She is so much fun and extremely playful. She is trying desperately to talk. ..does say nite-nite, hello, hi, what?, and, it takes a bit, but has said I love you. I took her to my work at the hospital and she was so well behaved. Everyone that watched her grow with me was so excited to finally meet her. They love the stories I tell of her "adventures". She is a joy, Shirley! Hope you and your family are well and the storms haven't worn you all out!! Take care! Krystal and Harley Have to download pix and will send some soon!
8/1/07 Harley Hi Shirley! Just wanted to update you on Harley and send some pix! You were absolutely right, she IS a lap bird. I cannot get over how much she loves to cuddle! She loves baths, not a shower girl, she loves sitting on the window sill in my kitchen, but turns the water off while I'm trying to do dishes. Her landings are getting better, she likes to fly upstairs and talk to herself in the mirror. She is warming up to my husband more now, loves my youngest son and visa-versa, besides me, he is the only other person that can get her to step-up. She is VERY social, loves to meet new people and is very friendly. I think she likes smaller people. The pix of the young girl is my niece, then Harley and I, and my youngest son on the first day petting her. The only time she gets vocal, really, is at herself in the mirror, when she cant get onto the bathroom counter, and listening to other birds. We took a nap together the other day and I woke up with her face on mine. Shirley, she is absolutely beautiful and the sweetest girl! She mutters to herself at nite-nite time and I think she is working on "I Love You". She says "Hi" and "what?" allot and I think she actually said "Hello?" Well, I hope this email find you and you flock well. Thank you so much for such a wonderful addition to our flock!! Krystal
7/12/07 Harley Hi Shirley! I wanted to give you an update... Harley is doing great! Our boys didn't get home until yesterday, but Tanner (my 9 yr old) and Harley are becoming pretty good buddies. He feeds her cheerios and they share apples and oranges. She has even started playing ball with us. My middle son, Skylar, is a little intimidated so he admires her from afar for the time being. My oldest son and his girlfriend came over and she has experiences with big birds and loves Harley already. My eldest son, however, is just a bit intimidated right now also. My husband hand feeds her and they are bonding in their own way...But me? Well, she gets lots and lots of cuddles and loves already...she came to me the first evening, snuggled under my chin and got lots and lots of scritches. It is now a morning, afternoon, and evening event. She is so cuddly!!! She is stepping up and down without any problems, eating and drinking very well, has even flown down to the floor for cuddles when Tanner and I are watching TV. She does allot of c hattering and goes right to sleep when we turn off the main lights. She hasn't screamed or tried to nip anyone, she is a complete little Sweetheart. I clean her cage every morning and when I reach in to clean the bars on the bottom, she continues playing with her toys like no big thing. She seems to really like oranges, grapes, and her birdie bread. Carrots seem to make their way from beak to about 2 feet outside the cage. Hmm... She takes quite a few cat-naps during the day, either on top, or inside her cage. Haven't had any problems getting her down from the top. Shirley, she is just one gorgeous and sweet bird, Thank You a million!! Haven't downloaded pix, yet, but will soon! Hope you all are well! Krystal and the flock
7/10/07 Harley Hi Shirley, Well, as soon as we got into the car, Harley settled down and started eating. I just talked to her all the way home. It didn't take long for her to get from the carrier to her cage, maybe 5 or so minutes of just looking around first. Right now she is exploring her cage. I gave her some oranges all cut up and she is eating those like no other! Everyone else in the house is gone right now so its nice and quiet for at least another 2 hours. She has seen our dog and doesn't seem to mind her at all. The cat is more curious about her than she is with it...=) Life is good! I cant wait till the boys get home! I was in love at first sight, I know they will be too! Again, Thank you so much! She is absolutely gorgeous!! I will write more soon! Krystal

1/12/2007
Andy - OR
Hi Shirley,
Just wanted to check in and say, Hi!
Not sure if you remember me or not. I know you have lots of babies each year. I have Andy TAG 12/11/2005. We are in Oregon. Andy is doing great.. I just love him to pieces. I have never been so bonded to a bird like I am Andy. I have never had a bite from him. He is turning into quite the little talker. Several words are still very muffled but then there are some that are as clear as day. He loves to say "come here, up up" he says it in context. He is always telling our Caique to "come here, up up" He also loves to say "What". We must say "What" A LOT!!. Whenever someone in the house calls for someone else Andy always says "WHAT", its very cute. So far he is not timid at all. My Caique is more cautious then Andy. Andy takes most anything in stride and seems to handle our chaotic life very well. One of Andy's quirks is he likes to be scritched with what ever I am holding . Often he prefers to be scritched with a pen, nut, toy or whatever . It is not a fear thing just a preference. He will intentionally drop something so I will pick it up and scritch him with it. He still is a very busy bird . He has shredded several wicker baskets. We have probably gone through a dozen or so. Thank You for doing such a great job with Andy he is so well adjusted.. I actually am starting breeding myself, not Greys but Caiques. A friend and I have started buying pairs. What am I getting myself into, LOL. You don't need to put this with your "Happy Birds". I see it is quite full. Of course you are welcome to. I have enclosed a few pictures we took after church for our Christmas cards this year. We had it on a timer and my husband didn't quite make it for one of the pictures.

Good luck with your busy breeding season up ahead. Christy~