Give a smile get a smile!

Smiley's Birds Forum is one of the leading bird forums in Australia today. The PRC is proud to have the Administrator of Smiley's as part of the PRC team. Natalie is the PRC QLD Placement and Adoption Co-ordinator. If you are interested on updates that the PRC has on birds that are available for adoption or wanting to place your bird with the PRC, please contact Natalie on the below details.

Smiley members are also currently running Christmas fundraising for the PRC. And from the PRC we would like to say a big thankyou for this great support.

Some words from Smiley:

We are dedicated to serving the needs of birds and the people they own. Our goal is to inform and educate bird owners about proper nutrition for their birds, and how to handle behavioural issues along with any other bird related questions that may arise.

Our mission is to provide our readers with an ultimate avian place on the internet A place where those involved in aviculture can come together to communicate and learn from one another, whether it is the bird lover with a single companion or the breeders and scientists who are involved in the propagation and preservation of our feathered friends.

These are some of the topics that we have been discussing on Smileys Birds Forum in December 2007:

• An Injured Corella...Rescued By School-children!
• When To Let Kids Have Large Parrots
• Bird Thief!
• Over-bonded Cockatoo
• Christmas Fundraising For Parrot Rescue Centre

Join our flock on Smileys Birds Forum today!

Please visit http://smileysbirds.proboards26.com/index.cgi

Nat (Smiley), Smiley's Administrator and PRC QLD Placement & Adoption Co-ordinator.

I can tell you that your parrot will understand if you take the time to inform them of the impending trip in a manner in which they will understand and if do some preparatory education. This will ensure that both you and your companion parrot enjoy your holidays!!

Here are a few of the tips I give my clients.

1. Introduce your bird to the new environment and people gradually. Allow them to spend time with the designated people for short periods, slowly extending the time frame. For example, start with half a day (or 4 hours), make a big deal when you go to pick them up and give them a favourite treat. Then next time, leave them for 6-8 hours and again, make a big deal and fuss when you arrive to pick him/her up – not forgetting the special favourite treat!!

2. To help them understand the days & nights you will be away, provide them with a “Treat Calendar”. Set aside a treat for each day you are away one special treat (a favourite!) for the last day. Before you leave, show your bird the treats they will receive and emphasize that they will receive their special “favourite” treat the day (or day before) you return home. For example; if the bird is staying in the home environment and you will be away for 8 days, you can place seven Almonds and one Walnut on the window sill or somewhere that is within the birds eyesight. Ask the person feeding your Parrot to give them one Almond each day and then the “favourite” treat (the Walnut) the day before you arrive home.

3. You can vary the above “Calendar” to suit your bird type. It doesn’t always have to be a food based treat. The aim of the exercise is to provide the bird with a “Visual Reference” that associates your return with a particular object. I recently had a client who used Pegs, which is great for birds in outdoor aviaries. For example if you are going to be away for ten days, purchase nine same coloured pegs and one distinctively different coloured peg. Before you leave for your holiday, show your bird the coloured pegs and then show them the one different coloured peg, whilst telling them that when they see the special coloured peg you will be coming home that day!

Ask the person looking after your feathered friend to clip one peg per day somewhere within the birds line of view (out of reach of course!!!) leaving the odd coloured peg until the day you return. What happens here is, the bird has been given a visual point of reference to look for as an indicator of your impending return. Plus, while you are away you are also thinking about “that special odd coloured peg” and believe it or not when you are thinking about that peg your bird is also picking up on your visualisation!!! So they too will be looking out for it!!

4. Give the animal an important job to do while you are away – For example give a talking Parrot a new word to learn and ask the caretaker to practise saying that word with the bird. Or you can tell the bird it is their job to make sure the person looking after the house brings in the mail each day or waters the plants! In this case, it is best to inform the person that you have given the bird this task. There may come a time when the job is not done and the bird may get agitated or scream, simply because the mail has not been brought in!!!

5. If you are going away for more than a week send the bird a Postcard!! I know it sounds silly but; 1. Animals in the home get just as excited as we do when receiving a postcard from a loved one! 2. It will enhance the importance of the bird doing the above “mail job” 3. Whilst you are deep in thought writing on the card, you are connecting with them telepathically and 4. It makes a great item to chew & shred!!

6. Each day while you are away set aside ten minutes to “connect with the bird”. All this means is simply go to a quiet place, take some deep breaths and mentally say the birds name. Then visualize a conversation between you both. Ask what they have been doing, ask how they feel, ask if the person looking after them is doing everything accordingly, ask them to tell you about any exciting events that have occurred. Then simply sit and reflect on all that you have seen and experienced that day, it is most important to concentrate on expressing how you feel. By doing this you are telling your bird what you are doing!!! When your bird picks up on how happy and relaxed you are – they too will be happy and relaxed where they are. If you are constantly worrying and stressing about the bird back home, chances are the bird itself will pick up on those negative feelings and also be stressed and unsettled. It doesn’t matter whether you are 10km away or 1,000km away, your bird will feel your energy!!

7. This is where things can get confusing because the bird energetically picks up on your anxiety and therefore, physically expresses that anxiety by screaming, not eating or feather picking etc. The caretaker of the bird is oblivious to the cause and assumes something is wrong with the bird and subsequently calls you to explain that something is upsetting the bird. Commonly, us “ego” based humans assume that our feathered friend is missing us…..and thus, you get even more worried and stressed! The truth of the scenario is that our Parrot believes something is wrong with you because you keep sending them the message (& feelings) of “worry and concern”.

In a nutshell, the best thing you can for your companion Parrot is to place them in an environment where YOU will be confident that they are safe and happy. Go on your holiday and be grateful that you can have a carefree break without worrying about your feathered friend and have a great time!
Chances are your birdie friend will also have just as much fun as you!

Leah Petersen is a well respected Animal Intuitive with a client base from around the world. She has successfully facilitated Animal Communication readings for many pets and their people. Her unique gift provides you with a glimpse into the sacred innermost thoughts and feelings of your beloved animal companions.

Consultations are conducted in person or via telephone.
Phone: (07) 5556-0335 or Mobile: 0427-157-156

If you believe your parrot has a physical ailment or illness please see a qualified Avian Veterinarian before seeking an Animal Communication session.
Investigate the physical, then explore the spiritual!
For On-Line bookings & further information please visit my web site at;

www.animalinstincts.com.au

This article will be published in Talking Birds Newspaper January 2008

Please Click here for our full product range.

Don't forget your PARROTS this CHRISTMAS they like presents too! Especially ones they can destroy!

A TOY DISTROYED IS A TOY ENJOYED!

Here are some cheap gift ideas for your parrots that you can wrap in CHRISTMAS PAPER and put under the tree!

• Toilet rolls after the toilet paper has been used can be filled with treats, wood bits and food and then raped in CHRISTMAS PAPER like a lolly, your parrot will rip, chew and have a great time trying to get to the hidden treats.
• Open Pine cones can be filled with treats and then wet the pine cone and it will close with all the treats inside, your parrot will chew the pine cone up to shreds to get the treats.
• Old Yellow pages wrapped in CHRISTMAS PAPER!
• Old Cereal box filled with treats (pinecones, leaves, nuts etc) and then wrapped up in CHRISTMAS PAPER and put under the christmas tree!
• Tissue Box wrapped up in CHRISTMAS PAPER.
• A Straw basket filled with nuts, pinecones and flowers wrapped up in CHRISTMAS PAPER.
• Wrap up your parrots favourite treats with CHRISTMAS PAPPER, wrap the treat, so it looks like a small foot toy!
  

About Parrots 2008...

Parrots' is the premier international avicultural convention held in Australia for all parrot enthusiasts. It brings together a network of leading aviculturists, animal behaviourists, veterinarians, zookeepers, pet industry personnel and conservationists all linked by a common interest in avicultural education.

Its scope covers everything from species-specific content, avian management practices, health and nutritional care, breeding techniques, animal behaviour and training, junior aviculturist workshops, global parrot conservation projects to current industry product awareness. Parrots 2008 will be the ‘must attend' educational convention for any serious aviculturist in the coming year.


An exciting program of keynote and guest speakers, commercial displays, practical workshops, tours and conservation fundraising dinner will be offered to delegates. A choice of concurrent presentations will allow delegates to choose a program that best suits their educational needs and avicultural interests.

In today's modern avicultural world, there is a growing need to develop international networks and establish links with experienced professionals in the field. Parrots 2008 provides a dynamic networking opportunity that will stimulate aviculturists from different locations to cross paths, extend international awareness, learn, share knowledge and exchange ideas on all aspects of parrot keeping, breeding, behaviour and conservation issues. Conventions such as Parrots 2008 provide a platform to renew life-long friendships, establish new connections, discuss personal experiences and access unique information.

Parrots 2008 aims to provide delegates with opportunities to:

• increase their avian knowledge and understanding through topical presentations with
dynamic speakers;
• network with fellow parrot enthusiasts from around Australia and abroad;
• enhance their avicultural skills and practices; and
• develop business and personal avicultural networks.
• Parrots 2008 is the fifth convention since the inaugural convention held in 2000.

Firstly – I hope all PRC Newsletter readers have a safe and enjoyable Christmas/New Year period! In this edition I’d like to share a question that I recently received from a PRC supporter. At this time of year it’s likely that many parrot owners are considering the acquisition of another parrot. Although our question this issue does not involve adding a new parrot to the environment, it does set up some great food for thought about what is realistic in terms of housing parrots safely and appropriately in multiple parrot households.

G’day Jim,

I have a Galah and a Quaker, however they are not very friendly to each other. They like me just fine and are very good outside of their cages, as long as they aren’t out together. We would like them to be housed together, as the cages they are currently in don’t allow them much freedom, but we have a much larger cage that would allow Q.C. to fly, and our Galah (Akasha) more freedom to move and flutter/flap freely, if they could just get along.

Akasha is quite friendly, rarely nips and only gets aggressive to defend herself, while Q.C. can be very aggressive toward Akasha, often biting hard enough to draw blood and tear skin. Luckily enough for Q.C. we have been close enough to stop anything serious happening to him when he lashes out at Akasha. She could easily bite his head off if she wanted. When we first got her she almost took my finger off when she was spooked, and I’m worried she may do serious damage to Q.C if he lashes out at her and we aren’t there to stop any retaliation.

If at all possible we would just like some quick advice or tips as to how we could go about getting them to co-exist in the same cage, or at least in the same room while out of their cages, as I’m sure this would allow them a better quality of life. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Given the current state of lack of compatibility and existing aggression between the two, housing Akasha and QC together in the same indoor cage will almost certainly result in injury or significant stress being incurred. The confines of indoor cages are simply too limiting to adequately cater for the degree of spatial separation required to confidently house two such different species together. Bottom line – these two will have to continue to live in separate enclosures.

Many inexperienced parrot keepers tend to consider `parrots’ as essentially a group of the same birds but with variations in colour and size. The reality is that each species, and each individual, brings to the table unique differences in terms of their behaviour and captive management needs. It is rare that two parrots from significantly different genera, such as the Galah and the Quaker in the e-mail above, will develop a compatible relationship. It has happened – many years ago I had a Conure and a Galah that got along famously. In my experience though, this is the exception and not the rule. It can be difficult enough to facilitate the development of harmonious, shared enclosure environments with two or more birds from the same species or even the same genus, without expecting relationships to bloom amongst species that are distinctly different in terms of their natural history, range, diet and foraging preferences, social interaction dynamics and pair bond behaviours. Having an environment where many different types of parrot are housed is great – we just need to be realistic in terms of what we can hope to achieve in relation to the way we house them, the way we manage out of enclosure time and the way we facilitate the creation of a safe environment where resources are shared amongst the birds without the risk of physical conflict.

The question above also indicates issues concerning the management of time outside of their enclosures together. I would really need more information about how this is presently managed, such as what the perching options for the birds are outside of their enclosures and whether they are flighted or not. Basically, managing out of cage time for two incompatible parrots comes down to setting up multiple areas for the birds to perch on and engage with stimulating enrichment items, whilst maintaining their `personal space’ needs. If you are trying to get them to co-exist without conflict while trying to share a single playstand, such an expectation is going to be unrealistic. Multiple perching options/areas, multiple access points to food and enrichment items and plenty of opportunities for them to engage in stimulus that creates a diversion away from aggressive encounters with each other is required. To keep the motivation going for remaining on perches and play areas their needs to be a consistent reinforcement schedule happening as well. In other words – it takes a lot of work and there are no `quick’ solutions.

Sometimes when we have two parrots that simply do not like each other the only option is to have them out at different times, unless you are prepared to be highly vigilant, creative and monitor them closely. Setting up a positive reinforcement plan for rewarding non-aggressive and independent play behaviour is integral in achieving success in these circumstances.

The goal of wanting to acquire a larger enclosure to house the Quaker and Galah is such a great one to have. My suggestion is to consider investing the same money that might be spent on a large indoor enclosure into the design and construction of an outdoor flight aviary. This can even be compartmentalised so that each bird has a safe area to fly in. Long-term, this would provide a highly enriching and potentially dynamic alternative to a life kept indoors.

If you are planning on adding to your flock over this coming summer period then consider carefully what your expectations are going to be. Don’t assume that a new bird will happily live with your existing bird/s in the same enclosure. If you can’t afford to purchase or build another enclosure then hold off on buying another bird until you are confident that you can cater for all of the potential variables and contingencies that might need to be addressed if things don’t work out as planned. Research the species you are thinking of acquiring, speak to other owners and gauge your degree of capability, ability to provide resources – both financial and physical, and your commitment to owning another parrot.

If you have done all of your research and still have a few specific questions that you would like some honest and experiences answers for then give me a call on 07-5442 5342 or drop me an e-mail at jim@pbec.com.au and hopefully I can help guide your decision making so that you and your new parrot are set up to succeed.

Hope to see all of you at the Parrots 2008 Convention in Brisbane in 2008! For full details – check out the amazing Parrots 2008 website at http://www.parrotsociety.org.au/Parrots2008/index.html

Have a Merry & Safe Christmas
Kind Regards, Jim McKendry
Parrot Behaviour & Enrichment Consultations
http://www.pbec.com.au

P.S If anyone has a question – no matter how small or insignificant it may seem, please e-mail Zarita and I’ll do what I can to help you out via this newsletter service.

The Parrot Rescue Centre spends a lot of time and resources in doing what is best for the parrots by ensuring the birds are regularly vet checked, given fresh food, enrichment, clean aviaries and cages, providing natural habitats and by building larger enclosures.

The PRC is not a large organisation, it is privately owned and managed by Zarita, a couple of volunteers and Family. To help fund the PRC Zarita has created the PRC shop and bird boarding services and also relies on the generosity of the public. The PRC does not receive any financial assistance from the government or other large organisations.

We need your help and support to continue to provide a high standard of care to the PRC parrots.

Thankyou for your kindness.

Yours truly,

Zarita Garozzo

Thankyou for your support.

Story of the month - My Story of Koko, Palomito and Evita

Elizabeth is the winner for the story of the month for DECEMBER/JANUARY.

Hi Zarita,

I thought you would like to hear a cute story....

Until a few months ago, I had 2 gorgeous but naughty ring-neck parrots, Palomito (albino), and Evita (grey), living with me. I thought I had my hands full. Then I had a phone call from Naomi Britten (PRC Sydney), asking me if I wanted a little grey ring-neck. I replied that I already had one of those, so no thanks.

A few days later, I had 3 parrots living with me. A woman had found this bird in her backyard, and as he was obviously a well-cared for pet, tried (unsuccessfully) to locate his owner. Having dogs, kids and budgies already, she couldn't keep him and contacted Naomi. Naomi had 9 large native parrots of her own, mostly abused and injured, and thought he would be better off with other ring-necks. So Koko is now a member of my crazy household.

I called him Koko as he talked like a cockatoo, muttering under his breath, and it sounded like something he said. After a few weeks he was clearly saying "hello Koko" to anyone who would listen.

He is definately a Generation Y parrot. He adapts well to change, and after having 4 homes in 2 weeks, has settled in easily.

Koko also has an obsession with technology. His favourite perch is on top of my beautiful new flat screen TV, and his favoutite toy is the remote control, which no longer has any numbers left on it. He especially likes pressing the fast forward button.

After watching me take a photo of him on the mobile phone, Koko can now take photos himself. He presses one button to flip the phone open, then turn the camera on, and another to capture the photo. His first photo was a little abstract, I have now taught him to take self-portraits, albeit headless ones as he pushes the shutter with his beak.

Finally I have a well-behaved parrot. Koko says "thank you" when I give him a treat, eats all his vegetables (and everyone else's), and goes to bed when asked. Now I wonder if the PRC trade-in naughty little white parrots.......

Keep up the good work PRC.

Elizabeth Hoy

ps the photos are: Koko is with the mobile phone, Palomito is white, Evita is the other grey one.

How to enter the monthly draw to win a PRC recommended parrot toy and have your birdies picture and story part of the PRC Newsletter.

· Fill out the Parrot Rescue Centre Membership Form
· Write a story about your feathered friends, whether emotional, funny or silly
· Send it to zarita@parrotrescuecentre.com
· Include a photo of your bird as an attachment on the email.

It’s that easy! We look forward to hearing your stories!

Written by Peter Wilson
BVSc MACVSc
Avian and Reptile Practitioner

To contact Peter Wilson Click Here

This article will be published in Paws and Claws Journal

Leave your precious birds with understanding and knowledgeable parrot carers.

We provide quality care for your pet birds including clean housing, healthy diet, enrichment, interaction and training (extra fee).

Your bird will not have time to be bored or sad, so stress and frustration will be less likely.

All funds made from bird boarding are directly used by the Parrot Rescue Centre to help with caring and maintaining the sanctuary birds environment.

• Tested negative to Psittacosis
• Tested negative to PBFD
• Faeces Tested negative for worms and bacteria
• Examination suggests that the bird is clinically free of illness or infection and is considered in sound physical health by the examining veterinarian

For more information please contact:

Zarita Garozzo

Ph: 07 5569 2840

Email: zarita@parrotrescuecentre.com

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The PRC is very grateful for your support. THANKYOU

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