The Year 2k And Our Birds

Probably more words have been written and said about this topic than any other computer related subject. This a serious subject, but it does have some ironic characteristics. First of all, it is not millenium related. The next millenium starts on January 1, 2001 (our current calander started with year one, not zero), while our … Read more

Bird Lighting Hotspots

As we move forward into the 21st Century, the lives of our birds are understood better than at any time before. Consider that just a scant 20 years ago, avian medicine was so poorly understood that many vets refused to treat parrots and other large birds. We have seen the advent of the pellet diet, … Read more

Starting A Bird Club

Starting a bird club in your area can be a very rewarding project. Making new friends, learning about birds and sharing experiences are just a few of the benefits a club can provide. I was a founding member of my bird club, the Parrot Fanciers Club, which now has over 100 members. I had been … Read more

Avian New Years Resolutions

As the new millennium begins, hubby Ken and I have made a few resolutions to ease our future lives with our birds. Perhaps some of them will be of use to you, too. So here goes. Take out two subscriptions to the Sunday New York Times, to ensure that there is sufficient paper in the … Read more

Zebra Finch Mutations

Looking at zebra finches in the pet store gives no indication that there are more than thirty mutations of this common bird. A normal zebra finch has a gray back, with bright orange cheek patches, beak, and legs. Black teardrops fall along the edge of the cheek patch, and a strip of white accentuates the … Read more

What Is A Parrot

There are thousands of species of birds in the world, yet parrots are by far the favorite birds kept as pets. Why are parrots so valued and desired? And what makes them different from other birds? There are lots of reasons as you shall see below. All parrots belong to a family called Psittacines and are often … Read more

Parrot Limmericks

My ‘too is a pretty white cloud, Whose antics make me quite proud. That son of a gun Is so full of fun. But boy, is he ever so loud.Our conures were always so good, Until they encountered some wood. Then with a will, Each used his bill, To destroy whatever he could. There once … Read more

Disorders Of The Upper Digestive Tract

Disorders of the upper respiratory system may be inherited, may be caused by early growth conditions, or may be the result of a disease or dietary deficiency. Knowing more about these problems will help, both in recognizing them and in taking corrective action. The upper respiratory system is divided into the beak and orapharynx. The … Read more

A New Cage And Aviary Disinfectant

Birdkeeper’s are caught in a dilemma – if you disinfect aviaries and cages you put your birds at risk from chemical poisoning, or if you don’t thoroughly disinfect you put your birds at risk from disease. The problem is serious. Avian veterinarians tell us that at least 75% of all bird deaths are premature and … Read more