Introduction I will never forget the first time I saw a parrotlet. My husband and I attended a bird show in Sacramento, California. We were walking around and I saw two tiny green parrots in a show cage. They looked like miniature Amazon parrots! I did not know what they were, but I was determined … Read more

We have all wondered which foods contain the most nutrition for our birds. Many of us also want to know what nutritional differences exist if foods are served raw, fresh, cooked, sprouted, dry roasted or oil roasted. This is the first of a series of articles which will address these questions.We are beginning with Seeds … Read more

On the seventh of December, 1997 Venus came into my life. I’d never received such a precious gift from anyone. I spent my whole day bubbling over with anticipation. I could hardly sit still due to the excitement. Today, we were adding a new member to our “family”!My little angel arrived after dinner that evening. … Read more

Providing a good environment as well as a good diet is essential in keeping your bird healthy. In addition to proper temperature, good ventilation is essential.Although good ventilation is necessary for any type of bird, it is especially critical for macaws. Blue and Gold macaws, as well as several other species of macaws, seem especially … Read more

Mention the words “bird show” and most aviculturists think of bird expos or marts where birds and related items are sold. However, these are fairly recent developments in the world of aviculture. For many years, indeed, centuries in some cases, birds have been exhibited for the purpose of improving birds by selective breeding. While most … Read more

In our article Feeding Our Birds – Part I Nutritional Needs, we discussed both our research and experiences concerning a healthy diet for our avian friends. We have found that there is still much to be learned about a bird’s nutritional needs. Scientific information is just beginning to become available. Aviculturists are also realising that various … Read more

If I could look through the eyes of a bird at food, what would I see? Would I see something to eat? Would I see a toy? Would I go for color or texture? Would I look to see what another bird was eating? Or would I back away because I was afraid and worried, … Read more

Feathers are unique to birds. They provide insulation, camouflage, protection, water repellency and display. In some species of birds, the feathers of the male and female are identical. These birds are monomorphic – meaning their sex can’t be determined by their physical appearance. Other species are dimorphic – meaning the male and female look different … Read more

Kita menjaga burung Burung menjaga hutan Hutan menjaga kita We look after the birds The birds look after the forest The forest looks after us. – Project Bird Watch motto Perhaps you’ve heard of Dr. Charles Munn’s Tambopata Research Center in Peru where macaws are the center of attention? Tourists go there from all over … Read more

I have been involved in many aspects of aviculture over the past eight years. Of all of them, training has taught me the most about birds. It has enhanced my relationship with my pet birds and has helped me in socializing young birds that we hand raise. Training has helped me to better understand birds’ … Read more