The strikingly beautiful Eclectus hails from the South Pacific. Depending on which authority you believe, there are 9 or 10 subspecies of Eclectus, but I am aware of only six presently available in the United States: Grand, Vosmaeri, Red-Sided, Solomon Island, Biaki, and McGillvary. The first three listed are considered common, and the Solomon Island … Read more
Very few of us in the US have ever seen a kakariki “in the feather”. Information about these birds has been growing for several years, and they sound as if they are a lot of fun. But they are fairly rare in the US, so most of us have never really had the opportunity to … Read more
Providing the best furniture for the inside of your parrot’s home is paramount to good health. Next to perching on his favorite person, your bird will spend the rest of his/her time on perches. There are a wide variety of textures and styles to choose from including natural woods, plastic, acrylic, dowel stock, and cement. … Read more
In a previous issue, Building a Good Avian Library, we covered in detail the books which should be contained in the Basic, Advanced and Breeder Level Avian Libraries. We also included a list of recommended avian books, including reviews and ratings. However, due to time and space limitations, we did not address the genus/species oriented books. … Read more
Feather plucking or shredding is as frustrating for the bird owner as it is for the companion bird. There is nothing more dreadful than returning home to find the bottom of your bird’s cage filled with feathers. The guilt that pet bird owners feel is not unique. The unanswered question….”Why is my bird doing this?” … Read more
‘Cotton Candy’, ‘Pink or White Clouds’, ‘Bundles of Fluff’ – How does one describe a species of birds which seem to have come to us straight from Heaven? White, pink or black with magnificent erectable crests, COCKATOOS are the affectionate and softer cousins of the vibrantly colored, magnificent Macaws. Cockatoos are native to Australia and … Read more
Some time towards the end of July 1996, I was working late on my computer and heard on the TV that a “spot” was coming up shortly regarding a woman who was rescuing birds. My ears pricked up; I shoved a tape in the VCR and managed to tape the spot. What I saw was … Read more
There is nothing more amusing than watching a parrot play. Hanging from the top of the cage by one toe, while swinging from side to side and screaming, as he attacks a toy, is a favorite pastime. Parrots play not only for entertainment but for emotional well being too. Providing your parrot with plenty of … Read more
Owning a bird is one of the most rewarding experiences a person can have. But like all things which are worth doing, they are worth doing well. Birds are very special beings. They are blessed with a high level of intelligence and capable of enriching their owner’s lives in hundreds of ways. The owner who … Read more
There are a number of reasons why identification of a bird is important. These include proof of ownership, governmental requirements, identification of lost or stolen birds, and tracking of birds for breeding purposes. The ability to identify a bird also acts as a deterrent to smugglers and the illegal bird trade. Thus it has a … Read more