Presented by Jim McKendry – Parrot Behaviour & Enrichment Consultations www.pbec.com.au

Live in Victoria? Can’t make it to Parrots 2010 in Brisbane? Well, we’re bringing the Companion Parrot Workshops roadshow to you! Jim McKendry has developed the Companion Parrot Workshop over the past 6 years into Australia’s most comprehensive and professionally presented educational opportunity for parrot enthusiasts. These workshops are fun, engaging, and filled with opportunities for learning and sharing at all levels of expertise – from the novice to the experienced parrot owner. Our first workshop in Melbourne will offer the best learning experience available in Australia for companion parrot owners. The scope of the workshop day will cover...

• Setting the Companion Environment Up for Success
• Diet Management for Training & Enrichment
• Developing Applied Behaviour Analysis Pathways for Learning & Behaviour Change
• Tips for Success with Parrot Training & Behaviour
• Focused participant Q&A

Workshop date is Saturday April 10th. Registrations are limited so please ensure that you enquire early to avoid missing out! For more information please e-mail Jim McKendry via jim@pbec.com.au. We look forward to seeing you there!

Kind Regards, Jim McKendry BAppSc Bteach
Parrot Behaviour & Enrichment Consultations
http://www.pbec.com.au
E-mail: jim@pbec.com.au
Phone: 0421 175 841
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Clinic Consultations at Brisbane Bird & Exotics Veterinary Service – 3rd Saturday of each month. Please call 07 3420 6773 to book your session.
Australia’s best Parrot Behaviour & Enrichment Workshop – Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary: Saturday December 11th 2010. See website for details & registration information

Need advice and support to achieve your Companion Parrot behaviour, training and enrichment goals?

Jim proudly supports the PRC by purchasing Parrot Toys and Accessories from the PRC Shop, Answering any of your FAQ and continually referring clients to the PRC Services and Programs. We greatly appreciate Jim's support. Please show your thanks by showing your support of Jim's initiatives.

For more information about Jim McKendry please visit:

www.pbec.com.au

The Parrot Society of Australia Inc is once again holding the 6th international 'Parrots 2010' convention in Brisbane between July 2 - 4 at the Bardon Convention Centre. The extensive program caters for companion parrot owners and specialist parrot breeders alike. Delegates who attend this event are drawn from the general public, professional aviculturists, pet owners, zookeepers, veterinarians and nurses, pet industry personnel, conservationists and parrot enthusiasts.

The guest speaker names read as a who's who of the parrot world and includes both international and domestic experts in their fields. For the companion parrot community, Dr. Susan Friedman and Steve Martin from the USA are sure to be a major draw card and not worth missing. Aviculturists wont be disappointed too. Dr. Susan Clubb DVM and Roger Sweeney, also from the USA will share their years of experience with delegates.

The experienced domestic speakers include Jim McKendry, Philip Ghamraoui, Stewart Williamson, Peter Odekerken, Nicholas Bishop, Alex Frankowski, Bruce Watts, Des Bartz and Bruce Richards.

Conservationists will be enthralled to hear presentations made by Dr. Jamie Gilardi from the World Parrot Trust (USA), Dr. David Waugh from the Loro Parque Fundacion (Spain), and Australia's own Dr. Rob Heinsohn who is a specialist scientist on Cape York's unique parrot species. 

Once again there will a Fledglings Workshop for young aviculturists conducted by Shane Hancock and Nicholas Bishop. This is a wonderful opportunity for children to engage in the hobby of aviculture through responsible management practices. It is a hands-on experience using live birds to demonstrate real positive reinforcement skills.

There is a special Gold Coast Aviary Tour with limited seats available scheduled for Friday, July 2nd as well as Conservation Dinner on the Saturday night. The convention will open and close with informal drinks and nibbles. An avian trade display will also be on site for all delegates to access the latest products and services.

For more information including the program, times, speakers and registration forms, please visit www.parrotsociety.org.au or phone Shane on 0403 284 665 for more details. Early Bird registrations close on the February 28 - so be quick!

When I ordered this DVD I really thought that I knew all I needed to know and would know exactly what to do if my birds escaped, but what this DVD taught me was just how unprepared I really was.
    This DVD really sets you up for success and arms you with a so many ideas and things to do now, ahead of time, just in case you ever lose your bird. By following the advice given, you can create a lost bird kit, so if your bird ever escapes, you are already on the ball with all the information and resources that you need to start looking for your bird.
    If you can imagine how you would feel at the moment your bird sales off into the clear blue sky….your mind would be racing, you would be panic stricken and be finding it really hard to concentrate and think rationally. What this DVD does is help you get prepared ahead of time, and hopefully you will never have to use it, but should you lose your bird, you will already have “To Do” lists, contact numbers and resources already made up, even lost bird posters prepared, which you can do with a template supplied on the second DVD supplied.  It tells you about making recordings of your bird making noises and talking, so you can use these when you are searching for your bird. There is even a list of prerecorded parrot calls in a huge variety of parrots, which you can down load and use to help call for your bird.
    I was delightfully surprised at just much I learnt from this DVD and think this would be a really useful and definitely needed gift which will delight every parrot owner.

The PRC Shop currently has selected toys on special, please check out the Specials Category.

Don't Miss out, there is limited stock available.

The Parrot Rescue Centre spends a lot of time and resources in doing what is best for the parrots in its care by ensuring the birds are 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, Jamie, Bella and volunteers. To help fund the PRC we have created the PRC Shop, Bird Boarding, Sanctuary Program and also rely 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 and also to continue to provide the Website, Newsletter and other services such as Sanctuary, Rescue, Rehabilitation, Adoption and Placement programs.

Thankyou for your kindness.

Yours truly,

Zarita Garozzo

Thankyou for your support.

Snippets for the Month

Burgular Luck not so good!

A burglar broke into a house one night. He shined his flashlight around, looking for valuables when a voice in the dark said,

'Jesus knows you're here.'
 
The burglar nearly jumped out of his skin, clicked his flashlight off, and froze. When he heard nothing more , he shook his head and continued. Just as he pulled the stereo out so he could disconnect the wires, clear as a bell he heard

'Jesus is watching you.'

Freaked out, he shined his light around frantically, looking for the source of the voice. His flashlight beam came to rest on a parrot.

'Did you say that?' he hissed at the parrot.

'Yep', the parrot confessed, then squawked, 'I'm just trying to warn you that he is watching you.'

The burglar relaxed. 'Warn me, huh? Who in the world are you?'

'Moses,' replied the bird.

'Moses?' the burglar laughed. 'What kind of people would name a bird Moses?'

'The kind of people that would name a Rottweiler Jesus.'

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!

Another cause of obesity in pet birds is their sedentary lifestyle.  Pet house birds don’t get enough exercise to burn off excess calories.  Aviary birds have more opportunity to fly and exercise and are less likely to suffer from obesity and its related disorders.

Single pet birds that are sexually frustrated often become obsessive compulsive about eating.  When a bird is frustrated in fulfilling one of its normal behaviours (eg. Bonding with a mate and nesting) they often become obsessive compulsive about another one of their normal behaviours (eg. Eating, drinking, grooming).  When they become obsessive compulsive about food, they can very quickly become obese.

Obese birds have an increased risk of many diseases, including arthritis, heart disease, and cancer.  Most commonly, obesity affects the liver. Healthy liver cells are replaced by fat cells and the liver becomes enlarged and unhealthy.  The enlarged liver puts pressure on the air sacs and respiratory system.  Consequently, many obese birds are presented suffering from respiratory disorders and have difficulty in breathing.  When the liver is enlarged and unhealthy, the blood doesn’t clot and obese birds suffering from associated fatty liver are in danger of dying from an internal haemorrhage. (eg Cockatiels are often presented coughing or sneezing blood). 

Obese galahs are often presented suffering from benign, fatty lumps (lipomas) growing around their abdomen and vent. Owners first notice the lumps and bring their birds in for veterinary attention.  They are horrified to learn that the lipomas are a side affect of obesity and an unhealthy lifestyle. In the majority of these cases changes to diet and
lifestyle will reduce the size of the lump and will reduce or eliminate the need for major surgery

Obese birds need to be treated for associated health problems caused by unhealthy lifestyles. Owners need to be educated about healthy diets for their birds.  Weight loss and exercise programs should be undertaken under the supervision of an avian veterinarian.  All pet bird owners should have a set of digital scales and regularly weigh their birds.  It is also important to have yearly “wellness” checks at your avian veterinarian to keep a check on weight and diets.

Written by Peter Wilson
BVSc MACVSc
Avian and Reptile Practitioner

To contact Peter Wilson Click Here

Leave your precious birds with understanding and knowledgeable parrot carers.

We provide quality care for your pet birds including clean housing, healthy diet, enrichment and interaction.

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 to support the Parrot Rescue Centre.

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

Thankyou to everyone that we have not listed below that continues to support the PRC.