Make Eating A Challenge

Parrots spend a lot of their day foraging for food. Don't just fill their bowl and expect them to be content all day... make finding food an adventure! One way is to cover their bowl with paper. You may want to slit some "windows" in the paper until they learn to explore. Secure the paper either by tucking it in the holder, tying it with a shoelace, or using a piece of cotton string or leather strip.
My fluffy grey, Buster, loves millet. I wrap a piece of millet in a small paper bag to make it a longer and more rewarding project. He loves to tear into his bag wraps to find out what is inside.
Preparing these foraging challenges takes a little longer but I am hopeful that they will make a difference in Buster's feather issues. 

Foraging Idea

Pinecones are falling this time of year. If they appear clean and you feel assured that they haven't been sprayed with chemicals, they make great enrichment items. By stuffing food treats amongst the sections, you can make an interactive foraging toy. This one has pine nuts, almonds, pistachios, banana chips, and a small piece of spray millet. Hang it in the cage and expect a mess! If your parrot is frightened of new and scary objects...go slow. For beginners, stuff the goodies in lightly. For more advanced birds, try to really hide things deep inside the pinecone. Foraging is a very important part of the day in any parrot's life. Teach your bird to forage. Small birds would enjoy a small pinecone, etc. Pinecones come in all sizes from parrotlet to macaw! Have fun. 

Parrot Seminar This Sunday August 27th

This Sunday August 27th there is a seminar in Walnut Creek at the Dean Lesher Center of the Arts. Dr Brian Speer will discuss West Nile Virus and Avian Flu among many other things. Dr Irene Pepperberg will speak about her studies of avian intelligence in the African Grey parrots. There will be lots of "parrot people" to mingle with and it should be quite an interesting day! I hope to see lots of familiar faces!

My Fluffy Grey Buster

Buster is my feather challenged Grey. I provide the best diet, light, showers, and a fun and challenging environment. But, alas, whenever he gets stressed, he fusses with his feathers. Yes, it's exasperating but I refuse to take it personally. He has issues...just like we all do! He is happy and talkative and has had extensive veterinary checks. So, I'll just let it be. 

How Big Should the Cage Be?

This is Keifer, my young yellow collar macaw. He was originally situated in a cage that I thought was adequate for his size. The longer I had him, the more I realized that he required a much larger cage. Why? Because of his activity level and keen interest in everything! He spends a lot of time in my huge Exotic Enclosure 4' x 6' x 6'. He also spends a good portion of each day outside in a large outdoor flight cage. Is your bird's cage big enough? What activity level does your bird display? Is he/she all over the place? Does your parrot stay glued to the side hoping to get out and play? A little careful observation will help you determine your bird's needs.

Parrots Have Their Own Bonds

I keep my parrots in two parts of my home. One group (the noisy group) has their own "birdroom" equipped with extra sound proofing on the walls! These are foam mattress pads covered with cloth shower curtains and stapled to the walls. It deadens the sound nicely. The other group is currently situated in my living room. I have noticed that my noisy group has become very attached to each other. When I rotate them to a play area or outside cage I do it one bird at a time for their safety as well as mine. What a madhouse during this transition time! Josey cannot bear to be without Molly even for a minute! They seem to think they'll never see the others again. Talk about stress for me! I take one out and hurry back to get the compadre... Once they are all outside, it's quiet for a short while. They also don't like it if I leave their birdroom door open! These guys have created a club and I have to honor it!

Cannot Post Images

I have been struggling with suddenly not being able to post photos on this blog site! I feel it's an important part of educating and entertaining those that visit. I will attempt to resolve this and in the meantime, I will continue to post my thoughts and stories. Thanks for your patience. If anyone out there knows why this has suddenly occurred, please enlighten me! Thanks, Gayle

Conversation with a Cockatoo

This is Chauncey. He is my Slender Billed Cockatoo. Chauncey is the smartest bird! Today I had a rather complex conversation with him. His three roomates were in the outdoor cages and he and I were in his room. (I was sweeping up the debris on the floor.) "I want a shower." he said. "I'm busy right now" I responded. "Want to go outside?" he asked. "In a minute, okay?" "I want a shower!" he said louder and more demanding. I spoke back calmly..."I want a shower, please." I suggested. "Please..." he responded. This guy has never said "please" ever! I felt this conversation was real communication. What do you think? By the way, I took him to the shower after that! Good boy, Chauncey!

Simple Fun

Simple Fun is a small brown bag with a hidden treat inside. These two are really getting into shredding and tearing the bag to get to the almond! Oh boy! I always try to have something fun for every bird that I visit.

Do your birds have a favorite simple fun item?

Earthquake

No one knows the effects of a minor earthquake until they've experienced it in a house full of parrots! Last evening there was a 4.4 in the North Bay. Here, in the East Bay, it was strong enoung to feel. This time, the greys were the most affected. I have three here (two that are mine and one guest). Usually it's the cockatiels that are most terrified. The greys seem to set each other off. The trouble is... aftershocks. I know we had many. Not because I felt them. I didn't. But I was awakened throughout the night by the grey's flailing about in their cages. I left a light on throughout the night so that they would be less scared. I would enter the room and talk softly to reassure them that all was okay. I don't remove them from the cages. I want them to get back to calm as soon as possible. I try to create as little disruption as possible. My biggest worry comes from knowing that the seven macaws that I care for with home visits are alone. Macaws don't generally come off of their perches in an earthquake, at least mine don't. But, I am anxious to go to see them right away. Can you share your experience with the quake? Make a comment!