Comprehensive Parrot Care Guide

Are You Ready for a Pet Bird?

2016-02-10T12:23:00.000-05:00

Coming home to the enthusiastic greetings of your flock after a long day at work is one of life’s greatest pleasures. Before you add companion birds to your family, though, check these tips and make sure you’re prepared.

The Good

Intelligent – The idea of a “bird brain” being stupid is nonsense. Birds can count, recognize words, and learn tricks. Some kinds can learn to speak. For a long time, people believed that the parrots and starlings were simply mimicking sounds. They can actually compose sentences that are appropriate for the situation, and talk around the words they don’t know, just like a human trying to speak a foreign language.

Friendly – Most pet birds enjoy cuddles and they love to be involved in whatever you’re doing. Your budgie, grey, or cockatiel will enjoy crawling around on you while you lounge in front of the tv or chat online with your friends. The finches will sing along with your Youtube videos.

Beautiful – What else needs to be said here?

The Bad

Easily bored – If a dog is bored too often, he might chew things he shouldn’t and make a mess. If a pet bird is bored too often, he gets depressed and starts to cut himself or pull out his feathers. This is especially difficult with a single bird. If you decide to adopt a bird, consider getting two or more, so they can keep each other company.

Risk of injury – This is mainly about the parrots. A frightened bird will bite. The beaks that are meant to dig into live trees and to crack open walnuts are strong and sharp enough to draw blood. The larger ones can bite off fingers. Never leave small children alone with a pet parrot. If there are children in the home, enforce the rule that they never approach the parrot without you or another adult whom the parrot trusts.

Cost – Care and maintenance of a bird is not a cheap hobby. Food and chew-toys for two or three conures or cockatiels will run approximately $100 a month. The same for five or six finches will often come to $25-50. This is not including the purchase price of the animal, the cages, the first round of toys and dishes, or veterinary fees. You probably don’t want to know the monthly costs for the largest macaws, but here’s a little hint: the price of a single chew-toy to last three or four days is in the range of $60-$120.

Noise – Some kinds of birds are surprisingly loud, even when they are calm and happy. Will you always be living in situations that can tolerate this? If not, be very careful in your choice of pet.

Pet-sitting and long-term care – It can be very difficult to find a competent pet sitter for a bird. Start your search early, and introduce the sitter to the bird before his services are needed. If you choose a type of parrot, you’ll also need to make arrangements for someone else to take in the birds when you are no longer around to care for them. Again, start early and also contact the local rescue organizations.

The Verdict?

If you’re sure you’re ready to add a bird or three to your family, wait a week or so and then start looking for the right individual bird or birds. There are many rescue birds in foster care and parrot shelters. Consider helping one or more of these birds find their forever home.

Why Do Parrots Scream?

2015-01-21T16:48:00.001-05:00

Noise levels and screaming are common reasons for birds becoming homeless. Parrots are very vocal animals; yet many people try very hard to force their birds to be quiet. We must accept a certain level of noise if we have birds in our homes – but there are things we can do to control the noise.

Birds use vocalizations as a means of communication. In the wild, birds live in flocks. The flock is a very safe place for a bird to be. It provides protection from predators, a chance to socialize, help with finding food and a safe place to nest. When we have birds in our homes, we become the bird’s flock. Parrots will try to communicate with us just as they would communicate with their wild flock. The problem is that we don’t speak “parrot.”

Contact calls are one of the most common forms of vocalization. When parrots get separated in the wild, they will call out in an attempt to locate their flock. Other birds in the flock will call back, helping the lost bird to find his way home. In captivity, birds often feel abandoned by their human flock when we leave for work or for school, or even to go into another room. The parrot calls out, and if we don’t answer them, its calls will get louder and more persistent. As its call gets louder, it turns into a scream which is usually when we humans come running, asking “my goodness, what is the matter?” The bird learns that she must scream very loudly to be reunited with her flock. In order to ease her separation anxiety, we can develop our own contact call with the bird. A simple whistle or phrase, such as “I’ll be right back!” or “I’m right here!” can work if used consistently. When your bird first begins to call for you, simply use the contact call. If used consistently, the bird can eventually learn that your call means that you will be coming back. Of course, we can also make an attempt to bring the bird with us when we are in different rooms in our homes. Having perches throughout your house can make this easy.

Birds can also make lots of noise for other reasons. Boredom, illness, injury, lack of exercise, or simply as an expression of joy are all reasons for vocalizations in parrots. If birds are left alone too often or for too long, they can start to scream because they have nothing else to do, and because it usually gets a human in the room to pay attention to them. Birds need a stimulating environment if they must be left alone for any period of time. A nice variety of toys and food will keep a bird occupied if she is accustomed to having to entertain herself. Parrots need to be out of their cages for at least 3-4 hours a day. By allowing your bird to exercise (by flying or by flapping vigorously), your bird will be able to expend some of the energy that may be making her nervous. This time should also be used to interact with your bird if she doesn’t have another bird that she is bonded closely to. Birds need social interaction to remain happy. Birds that are ill may vocalize more, but it is more likely that they will vocalize less. You need to be aware of your bird’s habits and call the vet if you notice anything out of the ordinary. An injured bird will usually scream in pain. Any sudden screaming should be investigated. Birds will also scream if frightened. Birds are prey animals and can be fearful of other animals both in the home and outside it — such as hawks seen out of a window.

All birds will vocalize at some point in the day. Most parrots have a routine of vocalizing during the morning and late afternoon, as they would in the wild. All birds should be allowed this freedom to express themselves. Your bird is simply happy to be alive! Birds may also reflect the general noise level in your home. Loud children, dogs, televisions, stereos, vacuums, etc. can all cause parrots to make lots of noise. Lowering the general noise level in your home should make your birds a bit quieter.

Quick fixes often don’t work in the long run to control screaming. Birds will naturally quiet down when it is dark, so many people think that covering the cage or placing the bird in a dark room, closet, or garage will keep them quiet. This will certainly work, but is it humane to keep your bird locked away simply for doing what comes naturally? The health and mental stability of a parrot will deteriorate if subjected to this kind of treatment. Many people will inadvertently reward the bird for screaming by screaming back. Birds love drama, and the noise will only get worse if your parrot thinks you will be taking part in a screaming match. Hitting the cage, throwing things at the cage, or hitting your bird are highly unethical and could result in permanent physical and mental damage to the bird. Once your bird loses trust in you, your relationship will be hard to repair.

Vocalizations, including some screaming, is normal for parrots and should be expected. If you, your family members or neighbors will not be able to tolerate noise, do not get a parrot. If you are dealing with a bird that screams incessantly and you are at your wit’s end, please contact a reputable avian behaviorist. It’s important to work hard at your relationship with your bird so that she may be able to keep her home for many years to come.

How to Take Care of Your New Parrot

2013-06-11T20:01:00.000-04:00

You've just bought your new parrot, now what? This article will address the care needed in those first few days to get off on the right foot with your new friend.

The first thing you'll need to bring your parrot home is a pet carrier and appropriate lining material. (Birds poop every 20 minute to an hour) The store should have a carrier they will give you or sell you, but a breeder may need you to bring your own. It's dangerous for your bird to be outside or in the car loose. Your parrot could fly away, even if clipped and a bird loose in the car can cause accidents or be easily injured.

You may want to buy a pet carrier made just for parrots online and it's a good investment for all those times you will want to take you pet with you somewhere. I've even bungeed my carrier to my bike and taken my parrot for rides. Acrylic carriers are another possible option. If you will be flying, airlines have specific requirements for carriers and require a veterinarian certificate of health.

You'll want to be sure your parrot is properly banded. All parrots should have a band around one foot giving information regarding their history. In addition, you'll want to be sure you get copies of any guarantees the breeder or pet store provide. Locating an avian vet in your area is probably also a good idea in case your parrot needs care.

Hand feeding an unwearned parrot baby takes practice, and it's beyond the scope of this article. I did hand feed my parrot but you can hurt your bird if you don't know what you're doing. If you choose to take home a baby parrot that needs hand feeding be sure you get your breeder or pet store to show you how it's done and what formula they are using. Taking good care of an unweaned baby parrot can be difficult.

Assuming you bought a weaned parrot it's important to check with the pet store, breeder, or former owner, to find out what your parrot was eating before you bought him. If at all possible, buy that brand of feed for your parrot and only slowly change his feed by mixing greater and greater amounts of your new feed into your parrot's food bowl.

It's commonly felt; the best diet for parrots is a formulated pelleted diet. These foods are similar to dog or cat food but formulated for parrots. My conure Tiko, absolutely refuses pellets. I've tried several kinds with no success. I use KayTees fiesta conure mix for my bird. It's a seed and pellet mix fortified with vitamins and mineral. Tiko generally throws the pellets on the floor and just eats the seeds! I supplement his diet with fresh vegetables and fruits. I generally attach these to his cage bars or his foraging tree on wooden skewers. He also enjoys these thing cooked. Just remember any warm food is only good for an hour and then at risk of growing bacteria that could hurt your bird.

Acceptable fruits and vegetables for parrots:
Broccoli
Kale
Zucchini
Yams
Carrots
Hot peppers
Bell peppers
Corn
Cauliflower
Squash
Blueberries
Strawberries
Pineapple
Watermelon
Citrus
Mango
Banana

Unsafe foods for parrots are avocados, caffeine, and alcohol. Foods high in fat and sugar are also bad for your bird as his system can't process these foods very well. (O.K...., Tiko does get a small conure size piece of pizza every now and then. You can also give your bird small amounts of eggs (with the shell if you like) and cheese.

A simple recipe for "parrot bread" is to mix a package of cornbread mix according to the directions and throw in any fruits or vegetables your bird like. You can refrigerate or freeze this in weeks worth packages and unfreeze as needed. I do the same thing with a mix of whole wheat pasta, brown rice and beans which I then warm up for 10 seconds in the microwave and serve on a tablespoon. This serves the double purpose of keeping your parrot use to thinking good thing come in spoons in case you need to give his medicine.

Vitamin and mineral supplements are available for your bird, but the only thing I use is a cuttlebone in his cage. I would check with your vet before using these supplements to be certain they are alright for your particular parrot.

To ease your parrots, transition into your home, make sure his cage is set up in an appropriate place. If you buy an older parrot you may want to try to buy his cage as well. Birds can be very attached and territorial about their cages.

For the first few days, if not longer, your parrot may need to just be in his cage getting use to his new environment and "flock" from a safe space. It's probably not a good idea to have lots of friends over to meet your bird those first few days.

If small children are in the house, they will need to be supervised closely in their interactions with your new family member. Those parrot beaks can injure small fingers easily.

Parrots are very fragile and are prey animals who respond with "flight or fight" when stressed or afraid. They also have long memories and it's much easier to prevent mishaps than overcome them once they've happened. After your parrot settles in, the work of socializing him can begin.

In this article we've covered bringing your parrot home safely, what to feed him, and making the first few days as easy as possible, and basic parrot care.

African Grey Parrot tells dog to lie down (Video)

2012-06-03T00:04:00.001-04:00

Binky sings Lady Gaga Poker Face (Video)

2012-06-02T23:52:00.000-04:00

Macaw Imitating Spongebob (Video)

2012-06-02T23:50:00.000-04:00

Polo The Macaw Laughs Like An Evil Villain (VIDEO)

2012-06-02T23:47:00.004-04:00

There's hardly anything funnier than when an animal thinks he's people.

Take Polo the Macaw here, for example. Doesn't he laugh just like an evil villain plotting world domination? What's even more amazing is how he shrugs his shoulders, "stomps" his feet and appears to double over with laughter, just like we do when we can't stop laughing.

And just wait for his exasperated sigh at the 44 second mark. It's so endearing and humanlike, it almost makes you forget how truly villainous he sounds. But perhaps that's all part of his evil plan?

Quaker Parrots -

2011-10-22T19:55:00.001-04:00

What to expect from your Quaker Parrot

Quaker parrot are medium-sized parrots with long, gradated tails. They are intelligent, extremely hardy and generally friendly with strangers. Quakers are considered to be one of the best talkers, with extraordinary ability to mimic and speak with cognition. Hand-fed domestic Quakers often rival African greys in their ability to acquire huge vocabularies, and sometimes will repeat words before they are even weaned. The behavioral characteristics of Quaker parrots can run the gamut from aggressive, biting, noisy and obnoxious to charming, comical, cuddly and engaging. The difference is in how they are raised and trained. Quakers are best professionally hand-fed and weaned so they are well socialized before going into a home situation. An untrained, unsocialized Quaker may not be recommended around children. On the other hand, hand-fed Quakers are considered almost to be a domesticated species with second and third generation offspring less noisy and more talkative than parent-raised birds.

Vital statistics

Length: 11 inches (28 cm)
Weight: 127-140 g
Age of sexual maturity: 1-2 years
Life expectancy: 25-30 years

Is your Quaker a male or female?

There are no obvious physical characteristics to identify your Quaker parakeet as a male or a female. Therefore, surgical or laboratory methods must be used for sex determination.

What do Quaker Parrots do all day?

Quakers bond strongly to an individual or location, so controls must be maintained to minimize this territory-related aggression. Play areas should be provided away from the enclosure so the bird does not establish its territory as the cage. To further reduce potential hostility, one can occasionally rearrange perches and toys in the cage, move the location of the cage, take the bird to unfamiliar territory, and house the bird lower than a person’s head.

Aggression can also be reduced in an environment enriched with toys. Quakers actually play with toys, moving them around to control their placement in the cage. Simple toys like paper towel centers, coffee stirrers, bells, twigs or branches prevent development of boredom-related behaviors such as screaming and feather chewing. Opportunities for baths or showers should also be provided. Sexual behaviors directed at toys or humans are common and should be regarded with neutral response. Noise control of a screaming bird is accomplished by covering the cage.

Are Quaker Parrots tame?

Because they are territorial, Quakers may be nippy in and around the cage, but are often docile away from the cage. Nipping or biting should not be rewarded by attention, but rather should be ignored, especially when the young bird is beginning to express independence. Quakers respond easily and quickly to common behavior modification techniques. Teaching the young bird simple behaviors, such as “up,” will establish a positive relationship within the family. Children’s play with Quakers should be supervised.

It is best to start training a Quaker as a juvenile bird, keeping the wing feathers trimmed as they grow, and moving the bird from place to place on your hand rather than allowing it to fly. It is important to start with the level of attention you are able and willing to provide long-term and to encourage the bird to play independently.

How to identify your bird

One method used to permanently identify your Quaker in case of loss or escape is for your avian veterinarian to inject a custom microchip under the skin. Although individually numbered leg bands or rings may be applied, this method is unreliable and may result in potential damage to the bird.

Why the wings should be clipped

Quaker parakeets that are allowed unrestricted freedom in the home can encounter numerous physical dangers or toxins; therefore, wing clipping is recommended. The goal of clipping the wings is not to make the bird incapable of flight, but to prevent it from developing rapid and sustained flight and to prevent escape. Additional trimming may be required 8-12 weeks after the start of a molt cycle.

How to keep your Quaker Parrot healthy, happy and safe

Give lots of attention.
Feed a fresh, high quality, toxin-free formulated.
Limit supplementation to small amounts of chopped pesticide-free dark green or yellow vegetables and fruits.
Grit is not necessary with modern captive bird diets.
Provide clean, fresh uncontaminated water (try using water bottles).
Remove and replace food and water containers twice daily to maximize activity in a healthy bird.
Provide an occasional opportunity for a bath, shower or misting (at least weekly).
Avoid spraying the house with insecticides.

Housing for your Quaker parrot should:

be as large as possible.
be clean, secure, safe and easy to service.
be constructed of durable, nontoxic material (avoid zinc).
contain variable-sized perches made of clean, nontoxic, pesticide-free tree branches.
avoid having perches located directly over food containers.
contain toys and accessories that are moved around occasionally to prevent boredom and aggression.
offer occasional opportunity for protected outdoor exposure to fresh air, sunlight (not through glass) and exercise.

Quakers are very curious and will investigate anything new in their environment. That is why it is important to prevent their access to:

ceiling fans
hot cooking oil
overheated nonstick-coated cookware
leg chains
sandpaper-covered perches
tobacco and cigarette smoke
chocolate, avocado, salt, alcohol
toxic houseplants
pesticides
toxic fumes
easily dismantled toys
dogs, cats, ferrets and young children
cedar, redwood and pressure-treated wood shavings
sources of lead or zinc
plug-in air fresheners
heavily-scented candles.

What your veterinarian looks for in a healthy Quaker Parrot

Dry, open nares
Clear, bright eyes (no discharge)
Smooth beak
Alert, erect posture
Body free of lumps and bumps
Smooth, bright feathers without color breaks, transparency or ragged edges
Even, reptilian pattern on the feet, and nails of appropriate length

Most common disorders of Quaker Parrot

Self-mutilation syndrome of unknown cause
Hypovitaminosis A
Infectious diseases
Parasites
Chlamydiosis
Bacterial infections
Fungal infections
Polyomavirus
Circovirus
Other viruses

Many common disease conditions in Quaker parrots are the result of malnutrition. Visiting your avian veterinarian for routine health checks will help prevent many diseases and support you in having a long, satisfying relationship with your Quaker parakeet. For help in finding an avian veterinarian in your area, contact the Association of Avian Veterinarians.

Background Information

Quaker parrots (Myiopsitta monachus) also known as monk parakeets, are native to Bolivia, Brazil and Argentina, but feral flocks have been established in Puerto Rico, the United States and some major cities in Europe. Quaker parrots are highly gregarious and associate in flocks of from ten to one hundred or more. Their nests, which are the roosting quarters and center of the birds’ daily activity, are enormous communal structures made from thorny twigs and placed in the topmost branches of trees. Each pair has its own chamber or compartment with a separate entrance tunnel. Nests containing up to twenty compartments have been recorded. Free-ranging Quakers have raucous sounds: a loud staccato in flight and a high-pitched chattering when feeding. Because of the potential danger to agricultural interests from feral birds in the United States, it is illegal to keep Quakers in some states.

Captain Jack Sparrow's Morning Breakfast

2011-08-31T00:15:00.006-04:00

Hey there cuttie, What's your name......"Widget." But my Dad calls me Captain Jack Sparrow.

Bald eagle pair in Iowa hatchlings become an Internet sensation

2011-04-04T19:48:00.000-04:00

Two American bald eagles in Decorah, Iowa, is soaring, thanks to a web-cam that over the weekend streamed live footage of two of their three eggs being hatched. The third egg is expected to hatch any time. A YouTube video (below) of the first slow hatch, which occurred Friday and Saturday, has garnered nearly 300,000 views. The baby eagle first appears, through a tiny hole in the shell, at the 4:40 mark. It's is seen out of the shell at 8:03.

The second hatch (see video below) occurred Sunday. Pay close attention at the 7:30 mark and again, when the furry little eagle comes clearly into view, at 8:08.

Bob Anderson, director of the Raptor Rescue Project, which installed the baseball-sized camera near the nest, told CBS News that since the first egg was laid in February, the Ustream live footage has been viewed by 11 million people from 130 countries. On Friday, as the first egg began to hatch, more than 111,000 computers were watching the live camera at the same time.

Viewers are able to monitor the everyday movements of the eagles, which don't seem to mind being the invasion of privacy. (This is, after all, the reality TV era).
"These eagle cams touch many people in many different ways... it's amazing," Anderson said.
The popularity of the streaming video is so amazing that, at times, it has overwhelmed the system. Be sure to keep an eye on the Ustream link if you'd like to witness the third egg hatching. Here's the second hatch:

New Reality Show: Streaming Video fo Nesting Bald Eagles

2011-04-03T22:25:00.000-04:00

CHICAGO (Reuters) – A new reality show has gone viral on the Internet featuring a life and death struggle, a love story and a birds eye view of -- an eagle family.

More than 11 million views from 130 countries have been recorded by a streaming video of a nesting bald eagle couple in Decorah, Iowa. The first egg was laid in February, the eggs were incubated for weeks and the eaglets finally emerged.

The idea was hatched by biologist Bob Anderson, who installed a live video feed from an 80-foot aerie, now showing at http:/www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles.

Anderson, 60, is the executive director of the Raptor Resource Project, a non-profit based in Decorah. He attributes the popularity to the clarity of the feed which allows a close view of the majestic birds with white feathers on their head and dark bodies, and the tiny, vulnerable, fuzz-ball eaglets.

"It is the wonder of having modern technology linking to the wonder of nature, and once people watch it they take ownership," Anderson told Reuters on Sunday from his post about 100 miles northwest of Dubuque, Iowa.

The first egg was laid on February 23 in the nest that is about six feet in diameter and four feet deep. The first eaglet started to emerge from its shell on Friday. The second hatched early Sunday morning and the final egg should hatch in next three days, Anderson said.

"The world loves it," said Anderson, who now operates dozens of bird cameras across the nation and receives funding from Minneapolis, Minn.-based energy company Xcel Energy.

Viewers riveted by every move of the newly-hatched eaglets witnessed a near-tragedy on Sunday afternoon.

"One of the adults was picking up broken egg shells and picked up one of the babies and actually lifted it out of the nest bowl," Anderson recounted. "The baby started crawling the edge of the nest and looked like it was going to fall down into the sticks and get trapped," Anderson said.

As the tension mounted and phone calls and e-mails from concerned viewers poured in, Anderson considered cutting the feed.

"It was ugly and grueling to watch," Anderson said. "But after about 20 minutes the baby crawled back to its mother and crawled underneath her," Anderson said, exuding relief.

Moscow drops plan to deport thousands of dogs

2011-03-04T21:14:00.001-05:00

AP - MOSCOW – Moscow's thousands of stray dogs have something to wag their tails about animal rights activists say the city has dropped a plan to round the dogs up and ship them to a camp far outside of town.
Animal rights activists and Russian celebrities had been pressuring the city to abandon the plan, which they said would endanger the dogs by placing them in an environment where diseases would run rampant. Some had compared the planned facility to a concentration camp for dogs.
Natalya Yunitsyna, head of The Hope Bringers charity, told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the deportation proposal was now off the city's agenda.
"We're very pleased that we've won a small victory here," she said.
Moscow city government was expected to endorse the plan Tuesday but the session's minutes, posted online, do not mention the proposal.
The mayor's press office was unavailable for comment, and city hall officials would not confirm the report.
The Russian capital has an estimated 26,000 stray dogs, some smart enough to ride escalators and trains on the subway and others who intimidate or attack humans.
The controversial plan would have gotten rid of the dogs by sending them to a camp in the Yaroslavl region, some 150 miles (250 kilometers) northeast of the city. But activists staged a campaign to oppose the deportation, collecting nearly 2,000 signatures of prominent artists and musicians against the plan.
Moscow has spent some 1.3 billion rubles ($45 million) on dog shelters, sterilization, and other programs to deal with the city's stray population between 2008 and 2009, but critics say much of the money has gone unaccounted for.
The next thing activists will be demanding is an independent body to advise city hall on dealing with strays, Yunitsyna said. Activists will also push for taxes and oversight over dog breeders, who they believe to be "a key source of new strays," and promote more sterilization among Russian pets.

Trimming Your Bird's Nails

2010-03-08T21:18:00.001-05:00

Trimming your bird's nails should be a fairly simple procedure provided you know what you're doing and have a good bird holder or other safe restraint method. The equipment you need includes a Cutting Device: on smaller birds this can be a pair of human nail trimmers. On larger parrots, you will need to use either scissor-style pet nail trimmers, or "guillotine-style" ("Rescoe") nail trimmers. Be sure your blades on any cutting implements are sharp and not rusted. You will also need styptic powder to stop the bleeding. This can be obtained at any pet store ("Kwik-Stop") or you can use a human styptic pencil. Be warned that styptic powder on an open wound or cut is painful, so be careful! If you accidentally cut a nail and it bleeds, and you do not have styptic powder, flour will do in an emergency. Remember: if you feel nervous about doing this procedure yourself, don't do it! Go to an avian vet or a professional bird groomer!

Long, overgrown toenails can be very dangerous to your bird. They are not only painful when you hold your bird, but they are more likely to get caught in toys, cages, carpet, etc. The result could be a broken toe! Also, long toenails could impede your bird's walking or perching, causing his toes to curl in awkward positions.

Inside every toenail is a blood supply, or "quick". If cut, this will begin to bleed and can be very painful. It is not, however, deadly, so if you do cut into the blood supply, do not panic. Simply apply styptic powder or flour to the source of the blood and apply pressure for a few seconds. The bleeding should stop (if not, add more powder). Different birds have different quick lengths and different ideal nail lengths.

It may be hard to estimate how short to cut your bird's nails initially. Unless the bird has white nails, it is also very hard to visualize how long the blood supply is. Ideally, we trim the nail just past the blood supply. On some birds, this may be only the very tip of the nail. In the beginning, clip conservatively. If you hit blood on one nail, cut the others a little longer. In time, you will get to know your bird's ideal length. Keeping up-to-date on nail

trims may help keep the quicks from getting too long.

For your bird's first nail trim it is a good idea to watch a professional groomer do the nails (have them show you what you can do at home), so you can see how far back you can go.

Well trimmed nails are an important part of a bird's health. Cutting nails is fairly simple, once you get the hang of it. More advanced groomers often do this procedure with a tool called a Dremel. It is similar to a drill, but with a straight body and a small, rough stone as a bit. Using this device one can not only trim back the nail quickly and effectively, but can round off the edges, too. (Please do NOT use a Dremel to do your bird's nails if you own one of these tools. It can be dangerous if you do not know what you are doing!)

WARNING! When trimming your bird's nails, be watchful of the position of the other toes! They can easily get stuck in your nail trimming device and get cut!

Parrot Species

2010-03-01T22:05:00.003-05:00

Parrot Species by Picture and Description.

Macaws:
This is perhaps one of the most coveted birds in aviculture. These South American beauties are often toted as the giants of the psittacine kingdom. While it is true that they are certainly the largest parrots, some Macaws are amongst the smallest parrots, as well. The Hahn's Macaw rivals a petite Aratinga Conure for size (~35cm). These birds are very intelligent and can be very comical and affectionate. However, Macaws are often known to challenge their owners for dominance and with such a large, threatening beaks this can be a intimidating at best. In Macaws, it is the smaller species which can be the most challenging. The giant Hyacinth Macaw is often called the most gentle of macaws (or even of the psittacines!) while the tiny Hahn's Macaw is known to be quite sassy and challenging.

Conures:
Conures are the small cousins of the Macaw. Like the Macaw, this pint-sizes parrots are aerodynamically shaped with thin bodies, long wings and a long tapered tail. In flight, they are a stunning sight to see. In the pet trade, there are 2 major genus of conures: the Aratinga and the Pyrrhura. There are a few species that are considered mono genic meaning they are the only member of their genus - these birds do not conform to the specifications of either Aratinga or Pyrrhura. Conures are perhaps the most varied of all the parrots. In general, the Aratinga conures are the larger birds with heavier frames and wide, thick beaks. These birds tend to be noisier and better talkers. These birds have a lot of variety in color and body type from species to species. The Pyrrhura conures, on the other hand, are very petite.They tend to all be darker in color with distinct, scallop-edged feathers. They are known to be quiet with an even, gentle personality. The Pyrrhura conures are wonderful parrots for the first-time bird owner.

Amazons:
Amazons are amongst the most common and popular large parrots in Aviculture. Long prized for their talking ability, the Amazon is known as a comical and gregarious pet. These birds look little like the Macaws and Conures they share their homes with. They are heavy, stout birds who almost look uncomfortable in flight. There are several species of Amazon Parrot available in the pet trade. Each species has a very distinct personality. However, there are a few traits common to Amazons. They can often be rowdy and excitable, but fairly confident. Amazons are known for their mood swings, so it is important that an owner learn to "read" the bird's moods. Some Amazons, such as the Yellow Nape, Double Yellow Head and the Blue Front are amongst the best talkers in the parrot world. They mimic so well that it is often hard to tell their voice from their owners! While Amazons are delightful pets, they are often not "cuddlers," preferring instead to be vocally interacted with or to play
with its toys (although it is a rare Amazon that doesn't appreciate a good scratch on the head).

African Grey Parrots
African Greys Parrots are highly prized amongst true bird lovers for their amazing intelligence. In recent years, research has indicated that these parrots may have intelligence rivaling a 5 year old human child! There has been a good deal of evidence supporting the fact that these birds not only talk, but they know the meaning of the words they say (later research with other species supports that this holds true for many other parrot species, as well)! While this makes Greys a very popular pet, new owners rarely realize the hardships associated with this species. African birds in general tend to be quiet and more prone to hiding than their South American cousins. As a result, if not well socialized, a Grey is very prone to stress reactions. Unsocialized birds may often become extremely aggressive to strangers. Also, because they are so intelligent, birds that are not intellectually stimulated and interacted with also are very subject to stress. While they are very smart, it is very hard for Greys (or any pet) to reason changes in lifestyle, changes in housing, etc. In Greys, stress is often manifested in feather picking or over grooming. Screaming and biting may also result. However, for an owner knowledgeable in bird psychology and willing to take time to work with their pet, and African Grey is a wonderful and charming addition!

Cockatoos:
Cockatoos are quickly emerging as the preferred hookbill pet amongst fanciers. They are known to be smart, cuddly, playful and good talkers. These birds are also beautiful, most being white with powdery pinkish or yellowish hues. All cockatoos have a crest of some sort on top of their heads which becomes erect when startled or excited. While many people view cockatoos as the perfect parrot, few realize until they have one that these birds can be difficult to own. With their intelligence and affectionate nature come a certain neediness. 'Toos become settled into a routine quickly and are often not excepting of change. Boredom, stress and loneliness are common afflictions to these pretty birds. Often, screaming, moping or feather picking are a result. With cockatoos, it is important to set ground rules early and to establish that you may not be around the house all day. A baby cockatoo that is overly coddled or spoiled at a young age may have trouble adjusting to the "real world" when its beloved owner has to go to work or go off on a trip. It is important that these birds be socialized early, or a fear of new placed or new people may result. However, a properly raised cockatoo is a true joy. If started off right, cockatoos can be outgoing and amazingly intelligent (some say they rival African Greys for brains). If considering a cockatoo as a pet, be sure to do extensive research on their behavior. Talk to other 'too owners to see what has worked for them. If started off right, the cockatoo may be your perfect pet!

Cockatiels:
Cockatiels are perhaps one of the most common pet birds. These little dynamos are easy to breed and become wonderful pets if hand raised. Like Cockatoos, tiels are known for their crested head. The original color is the "grey" which is yellow and grey with orange cheek patches. From this color pattern, many beautiful mutations have occurred. In breeding, there is a whole science associated with the combining and breeding of color mutation tiels. Cockatiels are relatively inexpensive pets and make great first birds because they possess many of the same traits and needs as the larger hookbills. Tiels are affectionate and can learn to talk and whistle many tunes. They can be stubborn, so tiels are a great way to learn behavior training for birds. When getting a tiel, it is best to get a young hand-raised bird that you can "start off right." Start establishing behaviors early (such as the "step up" command) and don't let the bird start setting rules through biting early on. Tiels are both stubborn and manipulative, so once it learns that you can be "bullied" the pattern may be hard to change. Also, be sure to start your new pet off on the right diet, as cockatiels are very stubborn about changing their eating habits.

Budgerigars: Pacific Distribution
Budgerigars ("budgies") are the birds most commonly called "parakeets" in the pet trade. These little hookbills rival the cockatiel in sheer volume for bird fanciers. Their numbers may solely be due to the low price tag often associated with their purchase. Unfortunately, the low price tag usually yields a bird that was bred and raised in an aviary and is therefore afraid of humans. Essentially, this situation give you a nearly wild pet, which can be an unpleasant situation for many new owners. Like other parrots and parakeets, though, budgies make wonderful pets if handraised. They can be affectionate, charming and great little talkers. In fact, handraised budgies make wonderful first birds and can be a very pleasant pet experience. Like all birds, it is important to start your budgie out with the right behavior and feeding. Amongst hookbills, budgies rival the cockatiel for "stubbornness" as well. The original color of the Budgerigar is green and yellow. Because of their prolific breeding, many mutations of the original color have cropped up including a lutino (all yellow), white and blue and a harlequin (yellow and blue).

Eclectus: Pacific Distribution
These parrots are somewhat unusual, but quickly gaining popularity in the pet trade. There are four main types of Eclectus Parrots. Unusual among hookbills, Eclectus are sexually dimorphic, meaning the male and female of the species look markedly different. The males are bright green with red or purple under their wings. The females are a brilliant red color. Both have a orange-yellow beak and unusual feathers that have a hair-like consistency. Eclectus make quiet, gentle pets if raised correctly. They can talk and have soft, sweet voices. The males tend to be much friendlier than the females, who tend to be more standoffish and may get nippy in order to be left alone. Eclectus can be hard to breed in captivity. However, for certain breeders (who have the correct Eclectus finesse) these birds will breed very well. For this reason, there may be a large difference in price from one source to the other.

Paco The Animated Parrot To Star On PBS This Fall

2010-02-23T19:43:00.001-05:00

Paco The Animated Parrot To Star On PBS This Fall
An intrepid rabbit and a set of Latino twins with a bilingual parrot are the stars of two new fall PBS kids' series designed for the generally unserved early elementary school population. The emphasis in both is on positive ethnic values and cultural diversity.
PBS and Scholastic Entertainment (''Clifford the Big Red Dog'') have teamed to present ''Maya & Miguel,'' an animated weekday series scheduled to premiere Oct. 11.
''Maya & Miguel'' revolves around 10-year-old twins Maya and Miguel Santos, their close-knit family and Paco, a linguistically gifted parrot, who live in a culturally diverse neighborhood. Maya constantly meddles in the lives of her friends and family, much to the consternation of her brother. The emphasis on the twins' ethnic background, states PBS, ''makes learning their culture and language a fun, relevant and rewarding experience.''
The voice cast includes Lupe Ontiveros as the twins' grandmother, Elisabeth Peña as their mother, Erik Estrada as the friendly mailman and Lucy Liu as their outspoken friend.

Petco agrees to stop large-bird sales, ending PETA boycott

2010-02-22T18:51:00.001-05:00

Courtesy of ASSOCIATED PRESS
SAN DIEGO – Petco Animal Supplies Inc. said Tuesday it will stop selling large birds in a deal with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, which agreed to end its boycott of the No. 2 pet supply chain.
Larger parrots, such as African greys, Amazon parrots, cockatoos and macaws will no longer be sold at Petco stores once the company completes the sale of its existing stock of the birds. Petco will continue selling smaller and medium-sized birds, such as canaries, finches, parakeets, cockatiels and conures.
"We recognize that most of our bird customers are what we would call 'beginning hobbyists.' Large birds are not necessarily appropriate for these individuals due to their long lifespan, size and care requirements," Bruce C. Hall, Petco's president and chief operating officer, said in a joint statement.
San Diego-based Petco, which operates 730 stores, also agreed to encourage adoption of homeless birds from shelters and to separate mice and rats by gender to prevent them from breeding.
In return, PETA agreed to end demonstrations outside Petco stores and has taken down its anti-Petco Web site. The Norfolk, Va.-based organization began attacking the company in January 2003 for what PETA called Petco's pattern of mishandling pets for sale. A PETA Web site and billboard ads, in a play on the company slogan, called Petco a place "where the pets die."
"We'd be happier if all birds weren't sold, but this is a precedent-setting action," said Daphna Nachminovitch, a Petco spokeswoman. "It is a victory for the birds for certain."
Large parrots can easily outlive their adult owners, said Nachminovitch, who considers parrots to be wild animals and terrible pets. Wild and escaped parrots are known to flock noisily in San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco and other cities.
Petco spokesman Shawn Underwood denied that PETA's boycott campaign hurt Petco's $1.8 billion in sales in fiscal 2004.
Joan L. Storms, an analyst with Wedbush Morgan Securities Inc., said Tuesday's settlement was a positive move for the company and added that Petco was not worried about the bottom line so much as its public perception.
"They do not want to be perceived as people who are mistreating animals," Storms said. "I think they felt that it really is in everbody's best interests to be aligned with PETA."
A complaint by PETA to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, calling on Petco to disclose revenue and inventory figures of pets for sale in its stores, is pending.
Last year, Petco paid more than $900,000 to settle two lawsuits that accused the company of mistreating animals and overcharging customers. The settlements resolved a lawsuit brought by district attorneys in four California counties, including San Diego, along with a separate action filed in 2002 by San Francisco's city attorney.

Zinc Poisoning

2010-02-11T18:54:00.000-05:00

One of the hottest topics in avian medicine and in aviculture in the last few years has been zinc toxicosis. Heavy metal poisonings have long been seen as a problem in veterinary medicine. The most common type is lead poisoning. In recent years, however, diagnosis of zinc toxicosis has been on the rise.
What Causes Zinc Toxicosis This is primarily an environmental problem. Several different etiologies have been determined for zinc poisoning. One of the first causes described by veterinarians was termed "New Cage Syndrome". Veterinarians recognized that some birds would exhibit symptoms resembling heavy metal toxicity soon after being placed in new, galvanized wire cages. Zinc is one of the main elements found in galvanized coatings. Birds will lick the wire or accidentally ingest zinc when using their beak to climb the cage wire. Other potential sources of zinc include: ¥ Bolts, nuts, screws, quick links, and other hardware. ¥ Chains and other metals.¥ Some paints will contain zinc. ¥ Keys
Manufacturers have become more aware of this problem and are now offering safe alternatives such as stainless steel chain and quick links. You may want to contact the manufacturer to determine the zinc contact in questionable sources. California Cage Company and For The Birds acrylic toys are two companies that provide a written guarantee on zinc-free products. You can also replace the quick links on toys with stainless steel quick links. The pear shaped links on smaller bird toys are nickel plated and do not pose a hazard. Generally, a shiny, polished finish on metals will be safe and zinc-free.
Researchers, avian veterinarians, aviculturists, and pet bird owners are working together to gather information that will be useful in the prevention and treatment of zinc toxicosis. Zinc toxicosis has been a major topic at the Association of Avian Veterinarians Annual Conference for the last three years in an effort to keep avian veterinarians trained and informed about this potentially fatal problem.
Zinc toxicosis can present as a diagnostic challenge. Veterinarians rely heavily on the historical information that owners provide. Clinical signs will vary slightly with each case. Symptoms to be aware of include weakness, depression, polyuria, polydypsia, diarrhea, weight loss, hematuria, and seizures. If you suspect that your bird has ingested a toxin, or if your bird exhibits any of these symptoms you must call your avian veterinarian immediately for recommendations and instructions.
Diagnosis and Treatment Assays are available to measure the level of zinc in the blood stream. An elevated level of zinc is diagnostic for zinc toxicosis. Oral medications developed for lead poisoning in children has been clinically effective in treating zinc intoxication. Treatment is rewarding because recovery is often rapid and dramatic.
Removing the zinc from the bird is the first life saving step when treating for zinc toxicosis. However, you must take steps to correct the environment to prevent further exposure.

Chronic Egg Laying

2010-02-11T18:49:00.000-05:00

Chronic egg laying is a very common problem in cockatiels, lovebirds, and budgies; and is seen in other species of pet birds including macaws, cockatoos, amazons, and African greys. This problem can begin in your bird as early as nine months or as late as several years of age. The most common age range is from one to three years.
The process of producing and laying an egg is an incredible feat of nature. A bird utilizes various proteins and minerals to build a container that can sustain a life for several days and up to several weeks. Within this container all of the necessary functions of life are carried out - eating, drinking, sleeping, waste disposal, breathing, growth and development, and so on. This is amazing to say the least!
The process of producing and laying an egg is stimulated by many factors. Day length, food availability, mate behavior, rainfall, competition for nesting sites, and many other factors can stimulate hens to lay an egg. It is not necessary that an egg be fertilized before it can be lain. In fact, a mate does not even need to be present for a female to lay eggs.
The shell of an egg is made primarily of calcium. The calcium comes from calcium stores within the bird's body. The bones and muscles provide nearly all of the calcium required to shell an egg. The calcium that is lost in forming the shell needs to be replaced so the body can continue to function properly. Calcium is primarily needed for muscle contractions and building strong bones. In the case of chronic egg laying, calcium stores are depleted and the body is unable to function properly. The condition is known as hypocalcemia. The most common problem in egg laying females associated with hypocalcemia is egg binding. With calcium at a low level the uterine muscles are unable to contract and push the egg out. Hypocalcemia can also cause seizure-like activity and brittle bones, which can be easily fractured.
During the laying cycle birds will begin holding their droppings for an extended period of time. This behavior is related to keeping the nest clean and free of poop. Often the bird will release large, loose, foul smelling, and discolored droppings. The odor is due to the presence of bacteria and yeast in the droppings. It is important to prevent excessive egg laying, since it can lead to many health problems. The most important factor in preventing health-related problems is nutrition. It is vital to be sure that your bird is on a complete and balanced diet. No diet is better or more complete than a formulated or pelleted diet. Pellets offer all essential nutrients in the correct ratios. Seeds are very inadequate in preventing problems related to excessive egg laying. Seeds have no calcium, almost no phosphorous, no vitamin A, and no vitamin D; all of which are essential in calcium absorption and utilization. Seeds are also deficient in essential amino acids (protein) and are unable to replace the protein lost in forming the inside of the egg (the yolk, albumin, and fetal membranes).
The first step in treating chronic egg laying is to put your bird on a complete diet. A bird that is on an balanced diet is in little danger of the health problems associated with chronic egg laying. The next step is to have your bird examined by an avian veterinarian for a complete work up, including exam, blood work, cultures, and all necessary treatments. Your veterinarian will be looking for bacterial and yeast infections related to holding in the poops, signs of poor nutrition and stress, and clinical signs of calcium deficiency. The next step is to decrease the amount of light your bird receives during the day. You want to provide them with a maximum of 10 hours of light per day. This will help prevent hormone release that leads to egg production.
Birds will lay one egg every other day with an average total number of up to 5 or 6 eggs. When your bird does lay an egg, you should leave it in the cage. If you remove it you will stimulate production of more eggs.
Finally, you should remove anything that may be stimulating breeding behavior. Dark, confining spaces such as shoeboxes, bags, cabinets and other places can serve as a nest. Disallow association with such places. Don't stroke your bird on the back, especially during her breeding period. Leave the grates on the bottom of the cage to give an unsuitable place to lay and sit on eggs. On rare occasions, females will chose a favorite toy or perch for masturbating. This item should be removed it your bird exhibits this behavior. Other changes may need to be made depending on your bird's environment and play habits.
A mate is not a solution for the chronic egg layer. Mates will only perpetuate the problem, not solve it. Your bird may become less concerned about you, bond to the other bird, want to reproduce, and you will lose the nice pet you have always had.
We, as responsible owners, should work to prevent excessive egg laying. Prevention can be accomplished by controlling these stimuli and providing balanced nutrition to our pet birds, which is critical in reducing the risk of secondary disease associated with chronic egg laying.
In summary, improve the diet, decrease the photo period, leave the eggs in the cage, remove any breeding stimulation that may be contributing to the problem, and see your avian veterinarian for a physical exam, diagnostics, and treatments.

Pet Psychic Points Police To Stolen Parrots

2010-02-11T18:43:00.000-05:00

Santa Barbara, CA
Something wasn’t right when an employee at a store selling live birds, opened shop on Thursday morning. The employee noticed the electricity to the store had been turned off and a sliding glass entrance door to a structure to the rear of the store was open.
She took a look around and found four birds were missing and called the police. While waiting for a deputy to arrive, one of the birds was found beneath the patio deck, apparently unharmed.
Police found damage to the aluminum door frame to the rear structure and unlocked Master locks dangling from several bird cages. But the cherished birds were missing and a reward poster went up offering a “no questions asked” reward of $5,000 for the safe return of the cockatoo, purple parrot and pacific parrotlet.
The next day, the store’s owner phoned police to say she had consulted a pet psychic and had a lead. The psychic told her she had been burglarized and that she sensed the suspect was an Asian male adult. Combined with a recollection of an Asian man who had spent two hours in the store the day before the burglary, the woman knew who to look for. She said she recalled the man “casing the joint” and other employees had witnessed the man looking at the electrical box.
A private investigator offered information to police next. The man told authorities that he had located one of birds, the white cockatoo, in the backyard of an Asian man living on West Valerio in Santa Barbara,CA. The PI verified the identity of the bird by videotaping the bird and showing it to the storeowner.
Police confronted the Asian man who at first denied having them, but then consented to a search of his backyard. Police told him he would not be arrested that night if he would assist them in returning the birds to their owner.
The birds were recovered and the man was read his Miranda rights. The man denied actually taking the birds, but stated it was greed that motivated his idea to sell the birds.

Parrots might be able to talk as distinctly as humans says Study

2010-02-10T17:57:00.002-05:00

This one is definitely for all the bird enthusiasts, soon parrots might graduate from being mere mimics with a limited vocabulary to proper talking birds as a new study has found that that parrots and humans use their tongues to craft and shape sound in a similar manner.

The study, which has been published in this month's issue of Current Biology, indicates that both parrots and humans rely on extremely specialized vibrating organs in their throats. The study also found that even tiny changes in the position of a parrot's tongue could lead to big differences in sound.

This is the first direct evidence that parrots are able to use their large tongues to change the acoustic properties of their vocalizations which means that parrots now make many more distinctive sounds than previously believed.

Earlier it was believed that the complexity of parrot communication was because of the syrinx, an organ in their throats but now it has been found that the tongue is involved, just like with human speech.

The researchers studied five monk parakeets, small parrots native to South America. While a speaker swept through a series of tones, from 500 to 11,000 Hz the researchers measured how much the birds' tongue position influenced the outgoing sound.

They found that a change of just a fraction of a millimeter in tongue position could significantly affect the qualities of the emerging sound. The scientists also suggest that there are four acoustic "formants" in parakeet sounds.

Formants are small ranges of frequencies that remain strongly audible as sound travels past the throat, tongue, mouth and nasal cavities. The geometry of these passages deadens some frequencies but leaves others relatively unaffected. What's left distinguishes the character of a sound, in this case, the voice of a parakeet.

Parrot's Vibrant Red Colors

2010-02-09T23:34:00.000-05:00

ASU Researcher Finds Novel Chemistry At Work To Provide Parrot's Vibrant Red Colors
TEMPE, Ariz. – Parrots, long a favorite pet animal, are attractive to owners because of their vibrant colors. But those colors may mean more to parrots than what meets the eye.

For more than a century, biochemists have known that parrots use an unusual set of pigments to produce their rainbow of plumage colors, but their
biochemical identity has remained elusive. Now, an Arizona State University researcher has uncovered the chemistry behind the colors of parrots, describing on a molecular level what is responsible for their bright red feathers.
The work casts a new light on what is chemically responsible for the colors of birds, and defies previous assumptions and explanations for color variations in parrots, said Kevin McGraw, an assistant professor in ASU’s School of Life Sciences.
“Evolutionary biologists have not really thought hard about parrot coloration,” said McGraw. “This research is exposing a whole new world of color communication in parrots and the potential physiological and biochemical roles of the new molecules we found in our work.”

Details of the work are in a paper, “Distribution of unique red feather pigments in parrots,” by McGraw and Mary Nogare, a parrot fancier from Snoqualmie, Wash., published in the Feb. 16, 2005 issue of the journal Biology Letters.

Animals, like birds and fishes, commonly use biochromes like carotenoids to acquire red, orange or yellow coloration, but McGraw and Nogare found that these compounds are not responsible for the red colors found in the parrot species they sampled.

The researchers used a chemical analysis technique called high-performance liquid chromatography to survey the pigments present in red parrot feathers. McGraw and Nogare collected and analyzed samples from 44 parrot species that have red feathers. Overall, there are some 350 species of parrots, 80 percent of which have red in their plumage.

They found a suite of five molecules, called polyenal lipochromes (or psittacofulvins), that color parrot plumage red in all of the species studied.

“We’ve uncovered a system where all red parrots use the same set of molecules to color themselves,” McGraw said. “It is a unique pigment found nowhere else in the world. We are fascinated at how parrots are able to do this.

“The fact that there is a single set of molecules unique to and widespread among parrots, suggests that it is a pretty important evolutionary novelty, and one we should carefully consider when we think about why parrots are so strikingly colorful,” McGraw said.

McGraw has been studying the colors of birds for seven years. He first became interested in the behavioral significance of bird colors as a form of visual communication within a species (e.g. to denote status or attractiveness). As he studied these aspects, he wanted to understand more about what makes the colors of the birds possible, and then focused on “deconstructing the color into its component parts.”

McGraw said an interesting aspect of the five polyenal lipochromes that provide the red in parrots, is that the pigment is found only in the bird’s feathers and nowhere else in the body of the bird, indicating that parrots manufacture these molecules internally and directly at the maturing follicles of the growing, colorful plumage.

In addition, these pigments may play a valuable role in maintaining the health of parrots. McGraw cites an independent study on the parrot pigments that suggests that they can act as anti-oxidants to quench free radicals and potentially protect cells and tissues in the body from oxidative damage.

Now, McGraw says, he’s interested in learning more about the connection between the red colors and anti-oxidants within and among parrot species, as well as “to specifically explore the balance of naturally and sexually selected costs and benefits to becoming colorful.

“Parrots are unusual among birds, in that they almost without exception display fantastic colors but exhibit very little variation in color within a species – at least in colors visible to us. Parrots in general may not be using color in the classic cases of mate choice or competitive ability,” he said. “Exactly why they are so uniformly colored remains an interesting mystery to us – one we want to investigate.”

“There is a sea of colors in birds,” he added. “Our goal is to learn why there is such a diversity from an evolutionary standpoint.”

Woman creates program to rescue parrots

2010-02-03T16:06:00.000-05:00

By Rob Carroll -Staff Writer
DeKALB - You could call Sandi Madsen a "parrot head," but the moniker would have nothing to do with liking the music of Jimmy Buffett.

Madsen runs Ollie's Parrot's Perch, a boarding house for parrots, and A Place To Call Home, a parrot rescue service. Both are operated out of her rural home.

"Birds take to me, and that's how I got involved," she said.

Madsen's mother had a bird that seemed to dislike everybody in the family except for Sandi. She became intrigued and wanted to find out more about the bird's behavior.

Eventually, Madsen's interest led her to open the boarding service to those who wanted to drop off their birds while they were out of town.

"When I started, I thought there were no parrots out here," she said. "Boy, was I wrong."

While several people used her service, others came asking if Madsen would permanently keep the birds. Some owners grew tired of the parrots, which Madsen described as being like two-year-olds.
Sandi Madsen of DeKalb, holds a small parrot known as a Jenday Conure. The bird, named Maya, had been pulling out its own feathers from stress when Madsen rescued it. Many of the birds Madsen takes in show signs of environmental stress which Madsen patiently works to overcome before finding new owners to adopt the birds. Chronicle photo HOLLY LUNDH

"You need to find the right person for the bird," she said. "It takes patience."

Madsen characterizes the birds as being very needy and requiring a lot of attention.

"People don't realize parrots have attitudes," she said. "They get jealous."

Some parrots have come to A Place To Call Home after being abused or abandoned.

"Unless you understand why they do what they do, it's difficult to have them as a pet," Madsen said.

According to Madsen, some owners don't realize that their parrot must become familiar with them. She said they cannot force the bird to do things.

"When you go to grab them, they have to know you," Madsen said.

Madsen suggests owners read books aloud while sitting next to their birds' cages so that the birds become familiar with their owners' voices.

Madsen currently has about six birds in her house. Some of them were rescued, others are part of the boarding service. Only two of them are hers.

Madsen said she tries not to become too emotionally attached to the birds. She doesn't want to keep them all for herself.

"I love them to death, but if I find the perfect home I know they are better off," Madsen said.

In the past, Madsen has had people give up their parrots after they have become extremely possessive of the birds. She has seen people cry and almost refuse to leave the birds even though they may have scratched or nipped at them.

"For a lot of people, this is like giving up a kid," Madsen said.

Most of the time when people give a bird to Madsen, they also donate the cage and any accessories for the parrot.

Local law enforcement and veterinarians contact Madsen about parrots they find that need homes. She also is contacted by TAILS Humane Society. A representative from the operation was not available for comment.

Madsen thinks she might have to expand her rescue service to a facility outside of her home. She also is in the process of becoming a not-for-profit organization.

"These make great pets if you know what you're doing," Madsen said. "It's not a dog. It's not going to act like a dog."

Drunken parrots drink up a storm Down Under

2010-02-03T16:00:00.000-05:00

Australia - Parrots in Sydney's Royal Botanical Gardens are getting drunk on tree nectar that has fermented in the spring sunshine, it was reported on Friday.

The Sydney Morning Herald said rainbow lorikeets in the central Sydney reserve were staggering around tipsy after eating nectar from the tree "schotia brachypetala", a member of the pea family which began flowering this week.

"It produces a lot of sweet nectar, a nectar that is a sugary juice. If it ferments in the heat of the sun it can produce alcohol," the gardens' curator, Ian Innes told the newspaper.

"The lorikeets get right into it."

Senior veterinarian at Taronga Zoo, Larry Vogelnest, said lorikeets in northern Australia were also known to become intoxicated on fermenting fruit.

"Basically they behave like drunk people, staggering around and unco-ordinated," he told the Herald.

Bad Mouthed Parrot in trouble with Queen

2010-02-03T15:56:00.000-05:00

LONDON (Reuters) - A foul-mouthed parrot, which blurts out expletives and pecks people when she's angry, is to be removed from a British Royal Navy ship to spare any embarrassment during a visit by Queen Elizabeth.

African-gray parrot Sunny will be sent ashore from HMS Lancaster so she doesn't ruffle any royal feathers when the queen and her husband Prince Philip visit the ship on Friday, British newspapers reported Wednesday.

The frigate's 205-strong crew are determined to avoid a repeat of a recent visit by the British fleet's commander-in-chief, when Sunny's four-lettered rantings could be heard even though she was locked in a cupboard.

"She learns new words all the time and mimics what people say," Lieutenant Commander John Pheasant was quoted as saying.

When will animal rescuers go to Haiti?

2010-01-19T20:51:00.000-05:00

When will animal rescuers go to Haiti?
January 18, 2010, 4:15PM

I been asked this several times and wanted to share the following statement posted on the ASPCA's web site:

With hearts and minds focused squarely on the devastating earthquake that occurred in Haiti on January 12, the ASPCA extends its full support to those organizations providing humanitarian relief in the ravaged island nation. Soon, the animal victims of this disaster will need help, too—that’s why the ASPCA has joined the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti (ARCH).

ARCH was created to address the needs of animals in Haiti in this time of crisis. The coalition is headed by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), and in addition to the ASPCA, consists of a number of animal welfare groups including American Humane, Best Friends, the Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International.

The ASPCA has joined ARCH with the belief that partnering across organizations is the most effective way to address the serious and enormous problems facing animals in Haiti. There are an estimated 5 million head of livestock in the country (mostly goats), a large stray dog population, and an untold number of companion animals and native wildlife all adversely affected by the earthquake.

Currently, a team of experts in animal emergency response is staging in the Dominican Republic waiting to get into Haiti to begin work. IFAW and WSPA have also begun to stock a mobile clinic with vaccines, antibiotics, bandages, food and other supplies in anticipation of bringing direct aid to animals.

The ASPCA has committed to providing logistical support to the disaster responders from the U.S. In addition, the ASPCA stands ready to deploy highly skilled and specially trained members of our own Field Investigations and Response Team to the area. .