Companion Parrots
The Parrot Within
By Stewart Metz, M.D.
,
I was asked to write a short article by a lady whose seven parrots sadly disappeared into the parrot mill (alluded to below) under false pretenses. She was having difficulty explaining to people unfamiliar with parrots why the fate of her beloved birds (at least three of whom had died) still haunted her, and so she asked me to write about the often-unappreciated needs of captive parrots. The following is the result.
By Stewart Metz, M.D.
,
I was asked to write a short article by a lady whose seven parrots sadly disappeared into the parrot mill (alluded to below) under false pretenses. She was having difficulty explaining to people unfamiliar with parrots why the fate of her beloved birds (at least three of whom had died) still haunted her, and so she asked me to write about the often-unappreciated needs of captive parrots. The following is the result.
The Bigger the Mess, the Happier the Parrot!
By Leah Lemieux
,
With a single word, my world was turned completely upside down…
How did it happen? About ten years back, I had been talking to my friend Wanda, a parrot aficionado with two African Greys. Knowing I adored cockatoos but had never owned one, the question came up - would I ever keep one? I answered that I would never consider buying a parrot, because even then I knew there were problems with too many unwanted birds whose owners simply couldn’t handle them.
By Leah Lemieux
,
With a single word, my world was turned completely upside down…
How did it happen? About ten years back, I had been talking to my friend Wanda, a parrot aficionado with two African Greys. Knowing I adored cockatoos but had never owned one, the question came up - would I ever keep one? I answered that I would never consider buying a parrot, because even then I knew there were problems with too many unwanted birds whose owners simply couldn’t handle them.
Rehabilitating rescued and rehomed Amazons is so rewarding
By Dorothy Schwarz , Four orange-winged Amazons live in my aviary in Essex, in the United Kingdom - Archie and Lena, and Basil and Cybil - the former pair in their late thirties or early forties, the latter pair between seven and ten years old. Their fragmentary stories must be similar to that of many wild caught birds that change their homes for various reasons.
By Dorothy Schwarz , Four orange-winged Amazons live in my aviary in Essex, in the United Kingdom - Archie and Lena, and Basil and Cybil - the former pair in their late thirties or early forties, the latter pair between seven and ten years old. Their fragmentary stories must be similar to that of many wild caught birds that change their homes for various reasons.
The beautiful Black-winged Lory - A species in danger of disappearing from aviculture
By Rosemary Low , The number of parrot species being bred in numbers sufficient to sustain them is gradually declining. This is mainly because the market is driven by commerce and the species for which there is little demand will not survive.
By Rosemary Low , The number of parrot species being bred in numbers sufficient to sustain them is gradually declining. This is mainly because the market is driven by commerce and the species for which there is little demand will not survive.
Tick Related Disease in Cage and Aviary Birds
By Neil Forbes, DipECAMS FRCVS RCVS , Avian medicine is a young, challenging and fast developing field. It is a sad reflection that there is very little original research being undertaken in any of the UK veterinary schools into many of the new and emerging bird diseases. One of the things which make working as an avian vet genuinely exciting is the potential to discover new diseases, even if at the time one does not find all the answers.
By Neil Forbes, DipECAMS FRCVS RCVS , Avian medicine is a young, challenging and fast developing field. It is a sad reflection that there is very little original research being undertaken in any of the UK veterinary schools into many of the new and emerging bird diseases. One of the things which make working as an avian vet genuinely exciting is the potential to discover new diseases, even if at the time one does not find all the answers.
Obesity in Parrots : Killing with Kindness
By Chris Hall , The problem of obesity is common to all species, and means excessive weight in relation to body size, as a result of fat deposition. It is a complex subject, only partially understood. Hormones, genetics, psychological factors and exercise all play a role. Further research in obesity prevention and control in our pet parrots is vital. Avian veterinary surgeons whose patients are mainly pet birds find that obesity, and diseases caused by poor diet, make up a very significant part of their workload.
By Chris Hall , The problem of obesity is common to all species, and means excessive weight in relation to body size, as a result of fat deposition. It is a complex subject, only partially understood. Hormones, genetics, psychological factors and exercise all play a role. Further research in obesity prevention and control in our pet parrots is vital. Avian veterinary surgeons whose patients are mainly pet birds find that obesity, and diseases caused by poor diet, make up a very significant part of their workload.
The Benefits of Fresh Juices
By Leslie Morán , Whether your parrot is curious about new foods, or highly suspicious, introducing fresh fruit and vegetable juices can be fun and have health enriching benefits for the whole family. The primary reason to juice fresh fruits and vegetables is that juicing makes the rich array of nutrients which are present in the foods, readily available for digestion, and they are easily absorbed by the body. It has been estimated that people can assimilate fresh fruit and vegetable juices in 20 to 30 minutes.
By Leslie Morán , Whether your parrot is curious about new foods, or highly suspicious, introducing fresh fruit and vegetable juices can be fun and have health enriching benefits for the whole family. The primary reason to juice fresh fruits and vegetables is that juicing makes the rich array of nutrients which are present in the foods, readily available for digestion, and they are easily absorbed by the body. It has been estimated that people can assimilate fresh fruit and vegetable juices in 20 to 30 minutes.
Blue-throated Conures - How Carl solved the problem of egg-eating
By Pauline James . Carl Miller, an experienced bird breeder from South Wales, tells me: “The Blue-throated Conure used to be rare in captivity, but now they are fairly well established, even though, as a species, they are well known for either destroying or even eating their eggs”. Unfortunately, the Blue-throated Conure in its natural habitat - in the forested regions of eastern Brazil - is now an endangered species, due to the massive land-clearance that has occurred in the area over the last 20 years. It is therefore essential that they are given every encouragement to breed in captivity.
By Pauline James . Carl Miller, an experienced bird breeder from South Wales, tells me: “The Blue-throated Conure used to be rare in captivity, but now they are fairly well established, even though, as a species, they are well known for either destroying or even eating their eggs”. Unfortunately, the Blue-throated Conure in its natural habitat - in the forested regions of eastern Brazil - is now an endangered species, due to the massive land-clearance that has occurred in the area over the last 20 years. It is therefore essential that they are given every encouragement to breed in captivity.
Clicker Training as a Tool to Help Manage Aggressive Parrots
By Jessie Zgurski , I still have the scars from where Fergus, a Lesser Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, bit me several times during a bizarre frenzy. I agreed to foster him for a local parrot rescue, and the first thing he did when I let him out of his cage was fly towards me and bite me several times on my hands and arms.
By Jessie Zgurski , I still have the scars from where Fergus, a Lesser Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, bit me several times during a bizarre frenzy. I agreed to foster him for a local parrot rescue, and the first thing he did when I let him out of his cage was fly towards me and bite me several times on my hands and arms.
An examination for the preservation of the Black-cheeked Lovebird
By Jörg Asmus , The Black-cheeked Lovebird (Agapornis nigrigenis) is represented by the greatest number of species within the genus Agapornis - nine in all - but its area of distribution is the smallest within its genre. Considered the most endangered of all African parrot species, the Black-cheeked Lovebird is endemic to south-west Zambia, and is mainly found in extensive lowland areas - between altitudes of 900 and 1,400 m - along the Nanzhila River and the courses of the Kafue, Simatange, Sichifulu, Ngweza and Zambesi Rivers.
By Jörg Asmus , The Black-cheeked Lovebird (Agapornis nigrigenis) is represented by the greatest number of species within the genus Agapornis - nine in all - but its area of distribution is the smallest within its genre. Considered the most endangered of all African parrot species, the Black-cheeked Lovebird is endemic to south-west Zambia, and is mainly found in extensive lowland areas - between altitudes of 900 and 1,400 m - along the Nanzhila River and the courses of the Kafue, Simatange, Sichifulu, Ngweza and Zambesi Rivers.
Unwanted Birds - Problems and Solutions
By Dorothy Schwarz , Are birds considered anything more than an object we can buy and sell? At present the answer is that they aren't. They are classed as pets. Pets are bred for our amusement and pleasure. This is a profitable business, not only for breeders, but also for traders supplying birds' food, equipment and toys. Opposing these practices are welfare organizations and charities, many of which are written about in the avian press.
By Dorothy Schwarz , Are birds considered anything more than an object we can buy and sell? At present the answer is that they aren't. They are classed as pets. Pets are bred for our amusement and pleasure. This is a profitable business, not only for breeders, but also for traders supplying birds' food, equipment and toys. Opposing these practices are welfare organizations and charities, many of which are written about in the avian press.
Intuitive Parrot Feeding
By Gudrun Maybaum , Between all the different diets that we can find these days, there is one called intuitive eating. It teaches us how to get in touch with our body and recognize the messages it gives us.
By Gudrun Maybaum , Between all the different diets that we can find these days, there is one called intuitive eating. It teaches us how to get in touch with our body and recognize the messages it gives us.
