If you don’t know Barbara, she is a world-renowned animal trainer who consults on animal training in zoos, nature centres and animal facilities around the world. Barbara also holds parrot training workshops for professionals and companion bird owners around the world and you may have been lucky enough to attend one of her training sessions here in Australia. Barbara also runs Good Bird Inc, which produces her videos and books and also a wonderful quarterly magazine, Good Bird.
     In these new DVD’s Barbara shows how to train parrots, in her usual, and very entertaining manner. She has one of her birds, Pudding, a cockatiel, plus an assortment of parrot breeds, owned by members of the audience. This makes the training sessions realistic and shows what to do using positive reinforcement training methods. Some of the birds take to training very quickly, while others are more cautious. Some of the birds present are nervous, which is an excellent chance for Barbara to explain and show important points about boy language, and how to read it. In the last DVD, Barbara shows a African Grey which is demonstrating aggressive behaviour when she tries train it. Again it is a wonderful opportunity for Barbara to point out displayed body language and also discuss different training strategies when dealing with an aggressive bird.
    In the first DVD, Barbara discusses the history and background of training and starts right from the beginning in explaining what Positive Reinforcement training is and how to use it. She discusses the use of Reinforcement and Punishment and why not to use force and how to get your parrot to want to do something, rather than making it. Step Up request Vs Step Up command.
    Barbara shows examples of using small approximations to reach the desired behaviours. The thing I like most about Barbara’s examples, when training birds is, she just works with the birds and lets them monitor the pace. She explains step by step what she is doing and more importantly what the bird is telling her, through its actions and body language. She explains what she is doing and why and when to end a training session and why. Actually seeing her training in real time, without any over sensationalised, or simplified results makes her training DVDs so beneficial and realistic to companion bird owners, trying to learn how to train their own birds.

The PRC Shop currently has new Food, Parrot Toys and Toy parts available, please check out the

New Products Category

• All of the PRC Small toys that include wire have always been made with Stainless Steel wire and we have only just recently sourced heavy gauge wire in Stainless Steel for the medium to large toys, so now all of the PRC toys that include wire are made with Stainless Steel.
• Stainless Steel will not rust and can be kept out in the weather.
• All other hardware used on the PRC Natural Toys such as Chain, Qlinks, Eyelets and O Rings are made with Nickel Plating, which is also a 100% safe metal product for your parrot. The only downside to Nickel Plating is that when kept outside in the rain and weather it may rust overtime.
• Parrot Toy hardware manufactured by most Bird toy suppliers are made with Nickel Plating.
• If you keep your toys indoors Nickel Plated hardware will not rust and is 100% safe for your parrots.
• If you keep your toys in aviaries we suggest you upgrade your toys to Stainless Steel. The PRC sells these hardware Stainless Steel parts under Toy parts -Hardware.
• For an extra fee you can request us to make your Natural toys using Stainless Steel hardware.

We have introduced some New PRC Natural toys made with untreated Pine Dowel, please check them out under our New products section. These pine toys have been a huge hit with the PRC Birds.

They are cheap and we guarantee your parrots will love them!

For a limited time $20 each or 2 for $35

(normally $25 each)

T-Stand Placement Ideas:

• T-Stands are great for training. You can place a T-stand in different parts of your house and teach your small to medium bird to fly to each stand for a treat (large birds can sit on the T-stand but cannot fly to them due to their size and weight, they will topple the perch over with their landing force).
• T-Stands are good to use for weighing your parrot to ensure your bird is maintaining a healthy weight. Place your T-stand on some kitchen scales, set the scales to 0 and then place your bird on the stand. When birds drop in weight suddenly it can be a sign of illness, so keeping a record of your parrots weight is important.
• T-Stands are a good place for your bird to sit while watching you on your computer or when you are having dinner.

FREE Sample of Pine Chew Sticks for all orders over $100

Pine Chew sticks sample includes 3 different size pine sticks (50mm, 100mm & 150mm). One sample per order. Please see picture above. Offer ends May 31st.

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, Virtual Adoption 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.

Snippets for the Month

SIGN & SHARE PETITIONS

We would like to say a big Thank you to Annette Spanksi for the donation of the below painting. Annette has donated this piece, so that we can sell it and use the money to help continue our work at the PRC. If you are interested in purchasing the painting please email zarita@parrotrescuecentre.com or phone 07 5569 2840.

Title: "My Little Companion" series 2011
Size: 24cm x63 cm
Bird: Australian Male Fairy Wren
Acrylic Mixed Media on board with matching shabby chic wooden frame Signed by the Artist Annette Spanski and ready to hang
Price: $150

Your support is greatly appreciated.

To see more of Annette Spanksi artwork CLICK HERE

The following update was posted on facebook in March:

Sweet has been recovering really well after her operation (wing amputation). She has lots of pin feathers now around her wing area and is happily allowing us to preen her. She loves a preen under the wing and will lift her wing specially to let us know. She is currently still wearing the collar and will do until her wing scab heals fully. Once it heals we will remove the collar and monitor her very closely. If there are any signs of mutilation then we will only have the collar off under supervision. The mutilating behaviour has been occurring for nearly 30 years, so is very ingrained in Sweets memory.  Therefore we know the recover process will be slow, but we are very optimistic based on previous experience with other birds.

Sweet is currently being housed next to a special needs male cockatoo ‘Elvis’ and is showing increased interest in him. Elvis is also showing increased interest in Sweet, by being very nesty in his paper near her side of the cage.

Current Update for April:

Sweet is still recovering well. Elvis and her have now moved into small aviaries outside were they can enjoy fresh air, rain, sunlight and the view of natural bush and other birds. Sweet loves her new home chewing into all her new perches, fresh branches and toys. Her wound has healed and scab has now completely fallen away, so soon we will begin the process of removing her collar periodically for her to preen herself.

Thanks again for everyone’s concern and support.

Note: If you have not previously read about Sweet then please Click here to find out more.

Do you want to help Sweet?

Please check out our Virtual Adoption Program, you will get the chance to meet sweet, find out more about her and help us provide the special care that she requires. Click here for more information.

14th April 2011 -Coco has arrived adopted 10/4/11 so sweet, so gentle,so loving,what a little darling has come into our lives, will be introduced to the flock once bonded with us

27th April 2011 - Coco is such a darling, we can hardly believe that he is so good, he has been a house bird in the past, we are introducing him to our other birds & the great outdoors, he is taking it all so well. We dog sat a friends young dog over Easter, when the dog barked he took of into a gum tree, sat in tree, danced & whistled his favorite song, only took 15 mins to get him down.

Geoff and Jenny have adopted several birds from the PRC. Here are some updates on two Galahs that they recently adopted.

Junior has settled in very well. He spends the night inside with us watching the tele, having dinner and playing games. This afternoon he met the other birds, Emily & Fred -- Galahs,      Tooky -- Long Billed Corella,      Matilda -- Major Mitchell Cockatoo,     Harry -- Little Corella, and all the cockatiel's.

He wasn't sure whether to be scared or friendly so he just hung on tight and looked and chatted to them.
I gave him a light clip as he is a little flighty while outside his cage. This will get better with time to adjust and become confident of his new surroundings and I shouldn't have to clip him again

Charlie arrived on Sunday arvo. He -- is a girl -- LOL
Pauline (previous owner) was a little teary but coped ok. She will be back to visit Charlie as much as she can.
Charlie has settled in very well in such a short time.
She is caged right next to Junior and he put on such a show off performance but to no avail. Charlie just watched him without involvement.
They had there first time out of the cages together at the same time tonight and it went very well. Junior wanted to get closer but Charlie kept him at wings length away--- even though she was interested, just playing hard to get maybe. It was so funny to watch. We had a great laugh watching it all unfold.

Story of the Month - How to Enter Your Story:

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.

· Write a story about your feathered friends, whether emotional, funny, silly, short or long.
· Send it to info@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!

Budgerigars

Budgerigars or budgies are known for developing various solid external tumours as well as internal cancer.  A common cancer affecting the kidneys or reproductive organs causes a unilateral (one-sided) lameness that owners often mistake for an injured leg.  Cnemidokoptic mite infestation (scaly face mite) is a frequent cause of crusty dermatitis of the cere (area around the nostrils over the beak), face and feet.  Trichomoniasis (a protozoal infection of the crop and oesophagus) is also commonly found in budgies.  This causes serious illness and death if not diagnosed and treated.  Megabacteria, an organism that causes bleeding stomach ulcers is regularly diagnosed in budgies by routine faecal tests.  It is also a very contagious disease that can be transferred by birds eating contaminated droppings.  Since many budgies are fed a high fat diet which includes a lot of canary seed, hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease), is another common problem that is often fatal in budgies.  Fat budgerigars often have problems laying eggs and egg binding is seen with some frequency in pet budgerigars.

Cockatiels

Cockatiels, like budgies, are commonly adversely affected by being fed a high fat diet.  Cockatiels should never be fed a sunflower seed mix.  Fatty liver disease and associated vitamin deficiency are some of the most common health problems presented in cockatiels. Coagulopathy (blood not clotting) as a result of Vitamin K deficiency often causes fatal haemorrhages in cockatiels.  Cockatiels also suffer from a range of reproductive disorders including chronic egg laying, egg binding, uterine infections and egg related peritonitis.

Canaries

Canaries have several genetic maladies.  Feather cysts, which require surgical removal, frequently occur in canaries.  Cataracts are not uncommon.  An unusual form of Cnemidokoptic mite (scaly face mite) infestation called Tassle-foot occurs frequently in these popular birds.  Air sac mites that infect the trachea and air sacs, commonly contribute to respiratory disease in canaries. Pox virus often causes skin disease or death in canaries.

Love Birds

Love birds are often affected by Megabacteria, which left undetected will cause chronic wasting or acute haemorrhage and death in single pet birds or aviary collections.  Behavioural feather picking and self-mutilation is often apparent in single pet love birds.  They do better in pairs or in a flock situation.

Galahs

Galahs are another species of parrots that suffer adversely from a high fat diet (specifically a sunflower seed mix).  Many galahs on high fat diets develop fatty liver disease.  Lipomas (benign fatty tumours) are commonly seen in galahs.  Bumble foot (infected callouses) is another health problem in galahs associated with obesity and fatty liver disease.  Galahs also suffer from many psychological problems that result in obsessive compulsive and stereotypic behaviours.

Sulphur Crested Cockatoos

Cockatoos, like other large birds, often develop psychological feather picking that is difficult to treat.  This type of obsessive compulsive behaviour requires a lot of extensive behavioural modification therapy.  Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease Syndrome is another common problem affecting Sulphur Crested Cockatoos.  These birds are also adversely affected by high fat, sunflower seed mixes which cause fatty liver and obesity health problems.  Overweight, female cockatoos also develop many reproductive problems.

Some other common problems affecting pet birds.

Chlamydiosis is a common cause of respiratory disease in pet birds.  It is also a zoonotic disease (infectious to humans)

 Fibre impaction is an increasingly common problem amongst pet birds.  Birds that chew on carpet, upholstery, cage covers, “happy huts”, tasselly toys, woven rope perches etc., develop indigestible “fibre balls” that cause blockages in the digestive system. Some of these impactions can be surgically removed.  However, many go undetected and cause chronic wasting and death.

 Metal toxicity can also affect household pets as well as aviary birds.  There are many sources of metal within a home and aviary.  Birds are very visual and are attracted to shiny things.  Gold and silver jewellery don’t harm your pet but other types of metal can poison and cause death.

Conclusion

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.

View Boarding Birds here

For more information please contact:

Zarita Garozzo

Phone: 07 5569 2840

Email: zarita@parrotrescuecentre.com

Location: Gold Coast, QLD

This advertising section is for Businesses who directly support the PRC in some way, either through free or discounted magazine advertising, services and donations etc.

The PRC is very grateful for your support. THANKYOU

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