My heart is breaking- Bingo the grey only has 3 more days with me before his new mommy picks him up Wednesday a.m. It's going to be so hard to see him go.

This big ol' fluffy chicken has stolen my heart- he lets me scratch his head, face, beak, and back, even lets me mess with his wings and feet a bit. If I get too close when he isn't feeling lovey he VERY gently puts his beak on my hand and pushes it away. And now he's been trying to regurgitate and really "love" me (showing off with mating behavior), which is NOT good or encouraged, but shows that he luffs me, too.

It would be different if he had stayed stand-offish like he was at first, but nooooooo, he has to get me all attached to him. It's just not fair!!

I'm glad he's going to a stable, loving, home, but I can't help it, I'm just so sad

I just don't think fostering is for me....

YaI know what you mean, just bird sitting a few of the wonderful birds I do makes it hard to let them go back to mom and dad. If you continue to foster though, you'll find some that you just can't wait for them to leave. Just keep thinking that he'll be going to a wonderful home and that you don't have to worry about him. It'll be alright.

It also goes to prove that you were the right foster home too.

Awww I feel for you....Bless your heart.

Hugs to ya.

I feel for you too. It is something I don't think I could ever do.

It is very tough indeed. The good news is, is if Bingo adjusted so well with you, chances are he'll adjust well with his new mum/dad.

Awww, that must be difficult Christy. I'm sure he's going to a great home where he'll be well loved! Big hugs!

It sounds to me like you are the best thing that happened to him, as far as a foster home ,, maybe just maybe you sofrened him up for his new home ...

I know exaclty how you feel! I to foster and its hard to let them go!

Ohhhh that makes me feel so bad for you. I'm not sure it's something I could ever do either.

Thanks for the kind words everyone- I'm sure Bingo will be very happy in his new home and a sweetie for his new Mom. I do know that's really what matters.

This afternoon he had his first spray-bottle bath and it was a hoot. I thought at first that he was trying to attack me, but after a few minutes realized he was just enjoying the water He spread those big ol wings and just loved it. He especially enjoyed chewing on the bottle nozzle and getting the spray in his mouth. What a ham. I did get a short video to share but my niece swiped my camera before I could upload it so that will have to wait.

This has been a great experience- I really haven't ever had much one-on-one with anything larger than a quaker or senegal, so I feigned as much confidence as possible and just dove in. It has gone better than I could have hoped for and been a great confidence booster (apparently for Bingo, too I also know now that, unless they're truly out for blood and flesh, a larger bird bite doesn't hurt anywhere near as bad as a quaker or senegal-sized bite.

I clip my birds' wings myself and thought I would be able to handle Bingo's too, but it's tough with that big beak! *Note to self, big beaks can bite through a towel EASILY* Tomorrow I'm taking a carload of fids for a spa day (nail trimming) and to clean up Bing's wing trim. Maybe while we're there I'll find another grey to bring home and substitute as "Bingo" for the pickup on Wednesday

Sounds like you are a great Foster Mommy. I want to foster when i retire. I know I'll probably adopt all the birds I get though. I would be so attached to them like you are.

I don't think I could foster either. If I ever started that I would just have a house full of fids . I am sorry you have to give him up but I am sure he was happy being with you.

Hi Christy,

I think just as I have been VERY lucky in finding the PERFECT homes for some fids, including Bingo and Sammy
You have proved to me that I am equally lucky in finding the PERFECT foster homes
You have done an amazing job with Bingo, and if a Grey is what you want, give me some time and I will see what I can do
It stinks when you get bitten by the Grey bug......LOL....and let me tell you, they are like potato chips......you can't have just one

BTW we went shopping today and she spent an arm and 2 leggs on new things for him....LOL He now has a huge parrot tower to play on, and a boing and some new toys

Theresa- I really do NOT want to add any more living creatures to my family- but I sure did fall for this guy. You never know....

Bingo is coming around so well- your sil is going to adore him. He is adjusting to being able to go in and out of his cage whenever he wants and spending a lot more time out now. Yesterday and again today I took him into the living room to hang out and he seemed to enjoy that (right up until I snagged him with a towel and stuffed him in the carrier to go out for the nail trimming
He's very slowly starting to check out some toys and new things. He really enjoys shredding straws (a nice cheap toy, for once and likes to chew up cactus wood (the holey wood some perches are made of and used on toys). A spray bottle is a must, and he just loves to drink out of bottles- Megan holds a sport/ water bottle up for him and he chews and drinks and loves that.
Bingo's worn out right now after the nail-trimming trip, but I was suprised that he did not want to go back into his cage when we came home- he climbed onto a perch outside the cage and went to sleep.

Since I already gave you my address and don't have time to pack up and move away before she comes to pick him up I guess I'll just have to enjoy the time we have left together I bet you guys had a blast shopping for goodies for him- bird toy shopping is more fun that baby shopping!