The Eclectus Parrot – An Overview

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

Building a Good Avian Library II

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 Mutilation

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

Cockatoos: A Bit of Heaven on Earth

‘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

The ABC’s Of Leg Bands

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