THE SAFE BIRDY GAME

THE SAFE BIRDY GAME

The object of the game is to train yourself and your family to have an eye out for everyday hazards.  The reason I love this game is it gives rewards for having a careful eye, and “punishment” for being careless, but all in a fun and playful way that avoids yelling and guilt.  It is especially great for homes with kids.  It is a very flexible game, so tweak and adjust to best fit the personalities of the people around you.  As long as everyone is getting in the habit of being careful, the game is working! 1.)    Pick a small...

HOW TO SAVE UNWANTED PARROTS

HOW TO SAVE UNWANTED PARROTS

“Unwanted Parrots;” a sad, ugly topic that many breeders shy away from and rescue organizations loudly discuss.  “Adopt, don’t shop!” we are told, and how could we disagree as we see the overflowing bird rescues and see the numerous Craigslist ads for birds that we know are unwanted?  Unwanted parrots pose a huge ethical issue for those of us who love them, so we must ask the question: How do we keep parrots from becoming “unwanted”? It may surprise you to learn that the solution is not “adopt don’t shop,” but quite the opposite. Birds usually end up in need of a...

MOVING BIRDS TO HAWAII

MOVING BIRDS TO HAWAII

The process of moving to Hawaii with any pet is daunting. Many people have heard horror stories of dogs and cats forced to stay in Rabies quarantine for months upon arrival and think “well birds don’t usually get Rabies, so we should be good, right?” Actually, bringing a bird to Hawaii is a whole different process than dogs and cats, because with birds they are more concerned with West Nile Virus than Rabies. Here are some steps to get you started. Remember, if the list below ever differs with information given by the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, please follow their...

A LETTER FROM A PARROT

A LETTER FROM A PARROT

Dear person thinking of buying me, I am not a dog.  I am not your best friend, I do not love you unconditionally, I will not easily forgive you for mistakes, and I do not understand “dominance” or “obedience” the way a dog does.  If you try to treat me like a dog, I will be afraid of you.  This fear will likely cause me to bite you, or anyone else who tries to touch me. I am not a cat.  I will not be “seen but not heard,” I am not content to be left alone for long periods,...

SPROUTING FOR YOUR PARROTS

SPROUTING FOR YOUR PARROTS

Sprouting is not hard and is perhaps the easiest step you can take toward a healthy diet for your companion bird. First, choose your seed.  You can sprout any seed, but be sure that it is a safe seed for your bird to eat.  I like to sprout Volkman’s or Royal brand seeds in the size labeled for my species.  Be sure that there are no pellets in the seed mix you choose, as they will make the sprouts more likely to spoil. You can also sprout things like mung beans, chick peas, lentils, quinoa, any seed for a plant...

HANDLING HORMONES

HANDLING HORMONES

In order for a species to survive the individual members of that species must reproduce. The drive to reproduce is programmed into all animal species, and parrots are no exception.  Parrots are programmed to respond to cues from their environment, diet, and mate in order to determine the ideal time to raise chicks.  In the wild this means healthy chicks hatched at the ideal time, but in our homes it can mean a cranky, confused bird who is sexually frustrated and humans who want to know what crazy psycho-bird body snatched their beloved pet.  It can start out “cute,” but...

TAMING YOUR RINGNECK

TAMING YOUR RINGNECK

PLEASE NOTE: When you pick up your handfed “tame” ringneck, the bird should step up easily and be eager to interact with you. Do not believe sellers who claim the bird is tame but “just nervous” if the bird is clearly afraid to be handled. That is how you end up needing to know how to tame a completely wild ringneck. I get a lot of questions on how to build trust with a fearful ringneck, and I want to address some specific points for people starting this process. There is a lot of conflicting advice online and hopefully we...