Toxicity in Pet Birds

Articles concerning toxicity in Pet Birds:

• Bennett, Jean. "Back Talk: Dangerous Sweets," Bird Talk, 8 (Jul. 1990): 4.
• Bond, Matthew W. and Katherine K. Muser. "Ask the Vet: Vitamin D₃ Toxicity," Bird Breeder, 67 (Jan. 1995): 68.
• Clipsham, Robert. "Avocado Toxicity," Bird Talk, 17 (May 1999): 60-61.
• Gaines, James. "Get the Lead Out," Birds Talk, 17 (Nov. 1999): 56-57.
• Vaughn, Samuel B. "Malnutrition: A Silent Killer," Bird Talk, 19 (May 2001): 40-49.
• Wissman, Margaret. "Causes and Cures: Lead and Zinc Poisoning," Bird Talk 23 (June 2005): 62-63.

Pet Bird Care: Diet and Nutrition

Topics: avian diet, bird diet, avian nutrition, bird nutrition, parrot diet, bird diet, pelleted diets for birds, pellet conversion, converting a bird's diet - do a Google search on any of these topics to find current articles online.

Web sites with links to numerous articles:

• avianeducationandresourcecenter.org - Articles on avian nutrition, food safety, converting your parrot to pellets, vegetable eating tips, and foraging.
• birdsnways.com - Articles on diet, nutritional needs and foods.
• drsfostersmith.com - Articles & food comparisons.
• naturalbird.com - Articles on avian nutrition and holistic health by Dr. Alicia McWatters, author of A Guide to a Naturally and Healthy Bird.

Select online articles:

• Blanchard, Sally. "A Healthy Parrot Diet," companionparrotonline.com.
• McWatters, Alicia. "The Mash Diet: Learn to make this nutritious blend of foods in your own kitchen," Bird Talk, 15 (Mar. 1997): 122-127, (read online: naturalbird.com).
• Nutrition for Birds - articles & food comparisons, drsfostersmith.com.
• Poole, David. "Safe and Unsafe Foods For Birds," Petcraft (1996).
• Schwab, Susan. "Nutrition: Foundation for a Healthy Bird," HotSpot for Birds.
• Wilson, Liz. "Is Your Parrot Really Eating a Good Diet," upatsix.com.
• Wissman, Margaret. "The Importance of Avian Nutrition," exoticpetvet.net.
• Wissman, Margaret. "20 Things You Must Know About Nutrition," Bird Talk, 17 (Aug. 1999): 62-77 read online: exoticpetvet.net).

For further reading, here are articles from various bird publications that you might be able to find at your local library. If none of these publications are available in your library, most libraries have an interlibrary loan service (may be a fee involved). Merely provide them with one or more of these citations.

• Armstrong, D. Stewart. "Diet and Nutrition" in The Bird Care Handbook & Resource Guide, 1st ed., Monterey, CA: Seacoast Publishing (1997): 12-13.
• Blanchard, Sally. "Parrot Psychology: Proper Nutrition and Eating Behaviors," Bird Talk, 15 (March 1997): 116-119 (mentions grey cheeks).
• Chamberlain, Susan. "Cage 'n' Cookin': Success with Fruits and Vegetables," Bird Talk, 19 (Jan. 2001): 68-71.
• Chamberlain, Susan. "Nutrition Dos and Donts," Birds USA, 2002/03: 78-83.
• Clipsham, Robert. "Fight Malnutrition With Table Foods," Bird Talk, 16 (April 1998): 98-107.
• Davis, Chris. "Do or Diet," Bird Talk, 20 (Mar. 2002): 38-47.
• Davis, Chris. "Foiling the Finicky Eater," Bird Talk, 13 (Aug. 1995): 46-54.
• Henzler, David J. "Avian Nutrition," Bird Talk, 10 (Jan. 1992): 36-40.
• Kauffman, Melissa L. "Your Bird's Nutritional World," Birds USA, (1998/99): 72-77.
• McWatters, Alicia. "7-Day Diet," Bird Talk, 18 (Feb. 2000): 23-33.
• McWatters, Alicia. "Stress Relief Through Dietary Support, Part I," BirdBreeder On-line (Nov. 1997) and "Stress Relief Through Dietary Support, Part II" (Dec. 1997).
• Nash, Holly. "Switching from a Seed-based Diet to a Pelleted Diet," peteducation.com
• Rind, Sherry. "Basic Avian Dietary Guidelines," Bird Breeder, 67 (Jan. 1995): 18-20.
• Sondel, Nancy. "Hooking Your Hookbill on Pellets," Bird Talk, 14 (May 1996): 34-40.
• Walz, Patricia. "Nutrition ABC, 123...," Bird Talk, 14 (May 1996): 42.
• Wissman, Margaret. "Basic Nutrition," Birds USA, (1997/98): 96-101.

Pet Bird Care: Grooming

Topics: avian beak trimming, proper toenail clipping for birds, and correct wing-clipping techniques - do a Google search on any of the grooming topics above to find current articles online.
Web sites with links to numerous articles:

• drsfostersmith.com - grooming articles.

Select online articles:

• Clipped Birds CAN Fly - avianeducationandresourcecenter.org
• Feathers, Flight and Parrot Keeping - Pamela Clark
• Flight Feather Trimming: Physiology, Psychology and Philosophy - Layne David Dicker
• How to Take Care of Your Bird's Beak - drsfostersmith.com
• How to Clip Parrot's Nails (video) - Kelly Willey, eHow Presenter
• How to Trim Parrot Beaks (video) - Kelly Willey, eHow Presenter
• How to Trim Parrot Feathers (video) - Kelly Willey, eHow Presenter
• Proper Wing Clipping - Margaret A. Wissman, DVM
• Pros and Cons of Trimming Flight Feathers - avianeducationandresourcecenter.org
• Pros and Cons of Wing Clipping - Judy Leach's Parrots
• Standardization of Wing Clipping for Psittacines - Margaret A. Wissman, DVM
• To Fly or Not To Fly, That is the Question - Steve Martin
• Trimming Nails Safely And Successfully - Louise Bauck
• Wing Clipping: Why, When & How - Carol Highfill

For further reading, here are articles from various bird publications that you might be able to find at your local library. If none of these publications are available in your library, most libraries have an interlibrary loan service (may be a fee involved). Merely provide them with one or more of these citations.

• Gonzalez, Fran. "Wing Clipping Basics," Bird Talk, 14 (May 1996): 72-75.
• Kikuchi, June. "Grooming—Just Do It! Keep your bird safe and healthy with these simple grooming tips," Birds USA, (1997/98): 108-109.
• Mizera, Richard. "Small Birds: Time for a Trim—Here's How," Bird Talk, 19 (Apr. 2001): 72-73.
• Samuelson, Phil. "Clip Those Wings!" Bird Talk, 12 (Apr. 1994): 72.
• Wissman, Margaret A. "Proper Toenail Clipping," Bird Talk, 14 (Apr. 1996): 28-29.
• Wissman, Margaret A. and Bill Parsons. "Correct Wing-Clipping Techniques," Bird Talk, 11 (May 1993): 69.

Photographing Birds

• Burgess, Alyson. "Bird Photography Tips: How to Take Great Pictures of Your Bird."
• Cornell Lab of Ornithology. "Photographing Birds."
• Digital Photography School. "An Introduction to Bird Photography."
• Moore, Justin W. "Photographing Birds."

More Publications:

• Austin, Janice. "Photographing Your Bird," Bird Talk, 12 (Oct. 1994): 76-77.
• Hofland, Allison K. "Taking Perfect Photos of Your Birds," American Cage-Bird Magazine, 63 (Sep. 1991): 19-22.
• Ilasenko, Eric. "Photographing Your Bird," Birds USA, 1999-2000: 94-103.
• Ilasenko, Eric. "Picture Perfect," Bird Talk, 19 (Apr. 2001): 14-24.
• Morrison, Diane. "Photographing Pet Birds," Bird Talk, 10 (Jan. 1992): 46-55.
• "Photo Tips," Birds USA, 2004-2005: 110-111.
• Salas, Kelly. "Avian Photographers Cyril Laubscher, Carolyn A. McKeone, Bonnie Jay and Eric Ilasenko share their experiences in avian photography," Bird Talk, 20 (Dec. 2002): 40-49.
• Williams, Roger & Elaine Radford. "Coping with Special Exposure Problems," Bird Talk, 7 (Aug. 1989): 90.
• Williams, Roger & Elaine Radford. "Picture Your Bird," Bird Talk, 7 (Aug. 1989): 82-89.
• Wrobel, David J. "Lighting Techniques," Bird Talk, 7 (Aug. 1989): 82-89.

Chronic Egg Laying

View the online sources below to help demystify chronic egg laying in parrots, how to deal with it, and about the other accompanying conditions it causes.

• Beautyofbirds.com. "Chronic Egg Laying."
• BirdTricks.com. "Chronic Egg Laying in Parrots."
• Bukett, Dr. Greg. "Chronic Egg Laying."
• "Excessive or Chronic Egg-laying in Birds: Causes, Effects, and Treatment."
• Hartman, Steve. "Chronic Egg Laying."
• Parrot-and-Conure-World.com. "Chronic Egg Laying."
• VA Animal Hospitals. "Chronic Egg Laying in Birds."

Just heard about a product that is supposed to stop chronic egg laying. It is called Releaves Dietary Supplement. Though I am not endorsing it by any means, you can order it from www.HEALx.com.

Living With a Noisy Parrot

Do you have a noisy bird beyond the normal? Does your parrot engage in nuisance screaming? Here are some online and print resources for you to check out at your convenience.

• Athan, Mattie Sue. "Correct Excessive Screaming: Easy As 1-2-3," Bird Talk, 14 (Aug. 1996): 56-60.
• Blanchard, Sally. "Keep It Down!," Bird Talk, 13 (Sep. 1995): 60-65.
• Blanchard, Sally. "Negative and Acceptable Screaming in Parrots."
• Blanchard, Sally. "Parrot Psychology: Garrulous Grey Cheeks," Bird Talk, 9 (June 1991): 82-83.
• Blanchard, Sally. "Parrot Psychology: Is Harmony Possible?" Bird Talk, 8 (Oct. 1990): 17.
• Blanchard, Sally. "Parrot Psychology: Silence the Screaming," Bird Talk, 17 (July 1999): 74-75.
• Blanchard, Sally. "Stop That Screaming!, Nippy Fits, Do You Dislike Your Bird?" Bird Talk, 12 (Apr. 1994): 118-123.
• Blanchard, Sally. "What Those Screams Mean," Bird Talk, 9 (Mar. 1991): 117.
• Davis, Chris. "Heart to Heart: 5 Steps To Control Screaming" Bird Talk, 19 (Nov. 2001): p. 24-25.
• Davis, Chris. "Why Is That Bird Screaming?" Bird Talk, 12 (Aug. 1994): p. 24.
• Harris, Robbie. "About the Aviary: Bonded Grey Cheeks Are Loud Grey Cheeks," Bird Breeder On-line, July 1997.
• Johnson, Anne. "Bird Noise - Sound of Music or Torture Alley," Winged Wisdom (May 1997).
• Kaplan, Elise. "Stop the Squawk," Bird Talk, 22 (Nov. 2004): p. 60-63.
• Kaufman, Melissa. "Quiet! Oh, Those Noisy Birds," Bird Talk, 15 (Feb. 1997): p. 20-39.
• Micco, T. & M. "Why do Birds Scream and Bite?" Bird Talk, 4 (Apr. 1986): 25.
• Moustaki, Nikki. "Turn Down the Volume," Bird Talk, 20 (Apr. 2002): 51-59.
• New. K. "Tips on Quieting Birds" Bird Talk, 6 (Mar. 1988): 84.
• Pietroski, Linda. "Ask the Experts: Loud Birds," Bird Talk, 9 (Feb. 1991): 39.
• Rind, Sherry. "Living With A Noisy Parrot: Learn how to quiet a raucous parrot--and how to live with one," Bird Talk, 10 (Sep. 1992): 120-127.
• Sweat, Rebecca. "The Truth About Bird Noise (And Lack of)," Bird Talk 22 (July 2004): 18-25.
• Wilson, Liz. "Is Your Bird Quieter Than You Think," Bird Talk 23 (May 2005): 20-24.
• Wilson, Liz. "Parrot Psychology: Excessive Screaming," Bird Talk, 19 (May 2001): 46-48.

Frodo's Vocabulary

My green cheek Frodo has been expanding his vocabulary of late. He is constantly surprising me. In addition to his first phrase, "Peek-a-boo", his favorite go-to word is "Baby." He uses it in a variety of ways. "Baby", "Hello baby", "Hi baby", "Hey baby" or just "Baby, Babeeeee, bee." He also shushes me when I suggest that he be quiet or when he pipes up loudly at bedtime. He has also learned to say "Pssst" like he is going to whisper something to me.

First, he's been hearing me calm down the cockatiels during their night frights on many occasions. To my surprise, he added his own comment to the cockatiels with "It's okay." He's heard me saying "It's okay" or "It's alright" many, many times.

Second, when he's in the bird room and I'm in the living room, I ask him, "What're you doing?" He now reciprocates.

Third, I often ask Frodo, "Who's a good boy?" He says that now as well.

Fourth. His latest word is the name of one of my cockatiels. "Chipper."

Frodo also mumbles a lot in human speech. I call it practicing. When he gets it down, then he'll use it smugly. Such a funny little guy.

Conure Heath, Hygiene & Safety

• AvianWeb.com. "Bird Diseases / Common Health Problems."
• Barras, Wanda. "How Clean is Clean? Sanitation? Antiseptic? Disinfection? Sterilization?," Hotspot for Birds.
• Bauck, Louise.  "Tips from the Vet," HARI.
• Blanchard, Sally. "Companion Parrots   Household Dangers, Toxins and Hazards."
• Books and More.com. "Health Issues and Tips For the Bird Owner."
• Kalhagen, Alyson. "Hygiene and Pet Birds."
• Ladyhawke. "Avian First Aid Kit: Why Not Make Your Own?"
• Paul, Lisa. "The New Vet Exam," Winged Wisdom, (July 1997).
• PetMD. "Diseases A-Z: Bird."
• Sherwood, Lou and Sue. "Hotspot For Birds: Bird Care Guide."
• Sweat, Rebecca. "Common Bird Beak Health Problems."
• Wilson, Liz.  "Avian Medicine: Why Is It So Expensive?" upatsix.com.

Print Resources:

• Anderson, Sue. "The Bird Owner's To-Do List, Bird Talk, 17 (Apr. 99): 14-19.
• Beck, Louise. "Light Makes a Difference," Bird Talk, 17 (Feb. 99): 30-36.
• Chamberlain, Susan. "10 Steps to Bird-Proofing Your Home," Bird Talk, 19 (Feb. 2001): 44-49.
• Chamberlain, Susan. "Dealing With The Bird Mess Dilemma," Bird Talk, 14 (May 1996): 16-20.
• Chamberlain, Susan. "Spring Cleaning," Bird Talk, 13 (Mar. 1995): 108-119.
• Charette, Sally. "A Safe, Clean Sweep: Learn some helpful hints from a fellow bird owner on how to keep your home neat," Bird Talk, 14 (Dec. 1996): 76-83.
• Clark, Pamela. "A to Z Guide to Bird-Proofing Your Home," Birds U.S.A, 2002/03: 16-25.
• Clipsham, Robert. "Preventive Health Care," Bird Talk, 14 (Feb. 1996): 41-50.
• Corbett, Penny. "Ask the Experts: How Clean Is Clean Enough?" Bird Talk, 15 (Aug. 1997): 97-98.
• Downey, Christine. "Is Your Bird Sick? Take Action," Bird Talk, 16 (Dec. 1998): 72-79.
• Halvorson, Joy. "The DNA Analysis To Sex Birds," Bird Talk, 11 (Sep. 1993): 56,58-59.
• Hefton, Donna M.  "The Fundamental Aspect of Care: Bathing the Psittacine," Bird Talk, 15 (April 1997): 16-28.
• Higdon, Pamela L.  "Household Hazards," Bird Talk, 11 (Nov. 1993): 62-82.
• Huber, Barton C. "Avian Health Care: Environment and diet are the keys to your bird's good health," Bird Talk, 14 (Jun. 1996): 76-83.
• McWatters, Alicia. "Herbs For Health, Herbs That Heal," Bird Talk, 18 (Apr.  2000): 58-63.
• McWatters, Alicia. "Holistic Healing: Question and Answer," Bird Talk, 17 (July 1999): 54-63.
• Nickolin, Theresa.  "Avian Care Tips," Bird Talk, 13 (Mar. 1995): 16-26.
• Rossum, Sharon J. & Anderson, Elizabeth.  "Back Talk: Birds Left Together Leads to Injury," Bird Talk, 18 (Feb. 2000): 4 (mentions grey cheek).
• Smith, Jeanne.  "First Aid for Avian Emergencies: Learn how to react when your bird needs you most," Bird Talk, 14 (Jan. 1996): 32-36.
• Sweat, Rebecca. "The Air They Breathe," Bird Talk, 19 (Dec. 2001): 38-43.
• Wilson, Liz. "Sleep: How Much is Enough for a Parrot?" Bird Times, (Feb. 99): 11.
• Wissman, Margaret A. "Avian Medicine for the 21st Century," Bird Talk, 20 (June 2002): 22-30.
• Wissman, Margaret A. "The Avian Respiratory System," Bird Talk, 14 (Aug. 1996): 16-23.
• Wissman, Margaret A. "The Birds and the Bees," Bird Talk, 17 (Apr. 99): 50-60.
• Wissman, Margaret A. "Carbon Monoxide: Hidden and Deadly," Bird Talk, 18 (Apr. 2000): 94-95.
• Wissman, Margaret A. "Causes & Cures: Bathing Your Bird," Bird Talk, 18 (Aug.  2000): 76-77.
• Wissman, Margaret. "The Top 10 Bird Killers," Bird Talk, 17 (June 1999): 14-23.
• Wissman, Margaret A. "What to Expect During A Vet Exam," Bird Talk, 14 (Nov. 1996): 126-131.
• Wissman, Margaret A. and Bill Parsons. "Recognizing Signs of Illness," Bird Talk, 12 (Mar. 1994): 14-17.
• Wissman, Margaret A. and Bill Parsons. "20 Do's and Don'ts For Pet Bird Owners," Bird Talk, 15 (Aug. 1997): 88-93.

Handfeeding Baby Conures

• Brinker, Bobbi. "Handfeeding: Cornerstone to a Good Pet," Winged Wisdom (June 1997).
• Brinker, Bobbi. "Handfeeding Methods: Good Methods Yield Good Pets," Winged Wisdom (Feb. 1997).
• Hartman, Steve. "The Science of Handfeeding and Weaning the Baby Parrot," 1988.
• "How to Hand Feed Baby Parrots" (video)
• Maneke, Debbie. "Handfeeding," ACS.
• Wilson, Helga. "Hand-feeding Birds From Conure to Macaw."

Print Resources:

• Blanchard, Sally. "Parrot Psychology: How Long Should I Hand-Feed?" Bird Talk, 17 (Aug. 1999): 82-83.
• Bond, Mathew W. and Diane Downs. "Handfeeding & Weaning Baby Birds," Bird Breeder, 66 (June 1994): 34-39.
• Chamberlain, Susan. "14 Fail-Safe Hand-Feeding Tips," Bird Talk, 22 (Apr. 2004): 50-55.
• Forster, Susan (Chamberlain). "Covering the Cage: Help With Hand-Feeding," Bird Talk, 11 (May 1993): 16-20.
• Gould, Barbara and Geoffrey. "Nest Box: Faster, Easier Hand-feeding," Bird Talk, 17 (July 1999): 14-15.
• Grindol, Diane. "Hand-feeding and Weaning Baby Parrots," BirdBreeder On-line (Apr. 1998).
• Linden, Phoebe Greene. "Eating as a Social Behavior in Parrots: Implications in Weaning," The Pet Bird Report, 3 (J/F 1993): 34-36.
• Linden, Phoebe Greene. "Eating Skills for Recently Weaned Chicks," The Pet Bird Report, Issue 23: 38-45.
• Vriends, Matthew M. "Hand-feeding and Raising Baby Birds," 1996.

Teaching Your Conure To Talk

Products:

• Cockatiel DVD + Bonus Video: Train Your Bird to Talk
• Feathered Phonics the Easy Way To Teach Your Bird to Speak, Vol. 1
• Feathered Phonics the Easy Way To Teach Your Bird to Sing, Vol. 2
• Parrot Training CD's
• Teaching Your Bird to Talk by Diane Grindol
• Train Your Bird to Talk
• Train Your Parrot To Talk
• Wordy Birdy

Print Resources:

• Athan, Mattie Sue. "Eliminate Foul Language and Other Nuisance Sounds,"  Bird Talk, 17 (Feb. 1999): 76-83.
• Beane, C. "Teaching Birds to Talk," Bird Talk, 4 (Jun. 1986): 32.
• Blanchard, Sally. "Parrot Psychology: Teaching a Parrot To Talk," Bird Talk, 14 (Dec. 1996): 12.
• Blanchard, Sally. "Parrot Psychology: To Talk or Not To Talk," Bird Talk, 14 (Aug. 1996): 46-47.
• Davis, Chris. "Yak Kitty Yak, Please Talk Back," Bird Talk, 18 (Aug. 2000): 62-67.
• Doss, J. "Learn to Speak Parrot," Bird Talk, 10 (Aug. 1992): 68.
• Grindol, Diane. "5 Ways to Rev Up Your Bird's Vocabulary," Bird Talk, 23 (Aug. 2005): 32-35.
• Higdon, Pamela L. "Talking Birds," Bird Talk, 11 (June 1993): 50-62.
• Higdon, Pamela L. "Talking Questions and Answers," Bird Talk, 13 (Jun. 1995): 52-59.
• New, K. "How Birds Learn to Talk," Bird Talk, 5 (Oct. 1987): 40.
• Nickolin, Theresa. "Teaching Birds to Talk," Bird Talk, 10 (Apr. 1992): 108-119.
• Samuelson, Phillip & Kathleen Etchepara. "Look Who's Talking!" Bird Talk, 9 (Jan. 1991): 88-99.
• Sweat, Rebecca. "The Who, Why and How of Talking," Bird Talk, 22 (Aug. 2004): 20-26.
• "Talking Success Stories," Bird Talk, 13 (June 1995): 82-90.
• Tevis, P. "How to Train Your Bird to Talk," Bird Talk, 2 (Aug. 1984): 44.
• Wilson, Liz. "Parrot Psychology: To Speak or Not to Speak," Bird Talk, 20 (May 2002): 16-17.
• Wissman, Margaret A. "Causes & Cures: How Do Birds Vocalize," Bird Talk, 20 (May 2002): 18-21.
• Worth, Gail. "Teaching Your Parrot to Talk," Bird Talk, 15 (Jan. 1997): 113.

Feather Plucking Conures

Photo from bestbirdfoodever.com

Some conure owners deal with birds who pluck out their own feathers. Learn why they do it and ways you can work with your conures in the online and print resources below.  

Selected Online Resources:

• Highfill, Carol. "Feather Mutilation," Cockatoo Heaven.
• Johnson, Anne. "Feather Mutilation," Winged Wisdom (Oct. 1996).
• Moran, Leslie. "Natural Parrot Care: Why Do Parrots Pick Their Feathers?"
  
• Newman, Chick Ph.D, D.V.M. "Feather Picking by Pet Birds," Newman Veterinary Medical Services.
• Newman, Chick Ph.D, D.V.M. "Feather Picking Relationship to Species," Newman Veterinary Medical Services (mentions grey cheeks).
• Wikipedia. "Feather-Plucking."

Print Resources:

• Blanchard, Sally. "The Complexities of Feather Destructive Behavior," The Pet Bird Report.
• Blanchard, Sally. "Feather Picking in Parrots," IAS.
• Blanchard, Sally. "Parrot Psychology: Solve Behavioral Feather Picking," Bird Talk, 20 (Aug. 2002): 12-13.
• Dahlhausen, Bob. "Feather Picking in Pet Birds," Proceedings of the Mid-Atlantic States Association of Avian Veterinarians, 1997: 1-5.
• Davis, Chris. "Feather Picking: Living With a Feather Picker," Bird Talk, 15 (Aug. 1997): 72-79.
• Delp, Joanna and Ron Delp. "Overcoming Mandy's Plucking," Bird Talk, 12 (Mar. 1994): 66-68.
• Dicker, Layne David. "What Your Feather-Picking Bird Can't Tell You," Bird Talk, 18 (Jan. 2000): 68-81.
• Dorge, Ray and Gail Sibley. "What to Do With a Feather Plucker," Bird Talk, 13 (May 1995): 26-30.
• Evans, Kathy L. "Feather Picking and Self Mutilation," Bird Talk, 11 (June 1993): 102-103.
• Farlow, Susan. "Coping With Feather Plucking" in The Bird Care Handbook & Resource Guide, 1st ed., Monterey, CA: Seacoast Publishing (1997): 39.
• Hallander, Jane. "Feather Picking: The Pattern Often Tells the Story," Pet Bird Report, 9 n. 2 (Feb. 2000): 76-78.
• Johnson, Cathy. "Chronic Feather Picking: A Different Approach to Treatment," Proceedings of the Association of Avian Veterinarians, 1987: 125-142.
• Johnson-Delaney, Cathy. "Feather Picking Diagnosis and Treatment," Journal of the Association of Avian Veterinarians, 6 (1992): 82-83.
• Kauffman, Melissa L. and Amy Taylor. "Feather Picking: Reader Case Studies," Bird Talk, 15 (Aug. 1997): 52-71.
• Lennox, Angela M. and Nicole VanDerHeyden. "Haloperidol For Use in Treatment of Psittacine Self-Mutilation and Feather Picking," Proceedings of the Association of Avian Veterinarians, 1993: 119-120.
• Linden, Phoebe G. "Feather Picking: A Complex Problem! Checklist for causes and cures," The Pet Bird Report, 3 (M/A 1993): 14-16.
• Messonnier, Shawn P. "Acupuncture: Discover this novel approach to treating feather-picking birds," Bird Talk, 17 (June 1999): 78-83.
• Murphy, Joel. "Homeopathic Remedies for Feather Picking," Journal of the Association of Avian Veterinarians, 6 (1993).
• Oppenheimer, Jerry. "Feather Picking: Systemic Approach," Proceedings of the Association of Avian Veterinarians, 1991: 314-315.
• Ramsay, Edward. "Self-mutilation Syndrome," Journal of Avian Veterinarians, 5 (1991).
• Ramsay, Edward C. and Howard Grindlinger. "Treatment of Feather Picking With Clomipramine," Proceedings of the Association of Avian Veterinarians, 1992: 379-382 and 1986: 265-279 (mentions grey cheeks).
• Rosenthal, Karen. "Differential Diagnosis of Feather-Picking in Pet Birds," Proceedings of the Association of Avian Veterinarians, 1993: 108-112.
• Rosskopf, Walter J., Jr. and Richard Woerpel. "Feather picking in psittacine birds: a clinician's approach to diagnosis and treatment", Proceedings of the Association of Avian Veterinarians, Miami, FL, (1986): 265-279.
• Rosskopf, Walter J., Jr. and Richard Woerpel. "The Psittacine Mutilation Syndrome: Management, Incidence, Possible Etiology and Therapy", Proceedings of the Association of Avian Veterinarians (1990).
• Schmidt, Robert E. "Use of Biopsies in the Differential Diagnosis of Feather Picking and Avian Skin Disease," Proceedings of the Association of Avian Veterinarians, 1993: 113-115.
• Swicegood, Carolyn. "Feather Destruction," Watchbird, (July/August 1998).
• Turner, Richard. "Trexan (Naltrexone Hydrocholoride) Use in Feather Picking in Avian Species," Proceedings of the Association of Avian Veterinarians, 1993: 116-118.
• Vaughn, Samuel B. "Feather Picking: A Mystery of Avian Medicine," Bird Talk, 15 (Aug. 1997): 42,44,46-51.
• Wissman, Margaret A. "Causes & Cures: Facets of Feather Picking," Bird Talk, 22 (Sept. 2004): 18-22.
• Wissman, Margaret A. "Causes & Cures: Feather Picking Causes," Bird Talk, 20 (Aug. 2002): 14-17.
• Wissman, Margaret A. "Causes of Feather Picking," Bird Talk, 17 (Mar. 99): 78-79.
• Worell, Amy Beth and William L. Farber. "The Use of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Feather Picking in Psittacines," Proceedings of the Association of Avian Veterinarians, 1993: 121-126.
• Worth, Gail. "Ask the Experts: Causes for Feather-Picking," Bird Talk, 17 (Oct. 99): 98-99.

Potty Training Your Conure

• Burkett, Greg. "How to Potty Train Birds."
• Hartman, Steve. "Potty Training Your Parrot in 72 Hours."
• Highfill, Carole. "The ABC's of Potty Training," Winged Wisdom, Mar./Apr. 2003.
• Kalhagen, Alyson. "How to Potty Train Your Pet Bird."
• Lambdin, W.H. "Potty Train Your Bird," Birds N Ways.
• MIT. "Potty-training Your Bird."
• "Potty Training for Parrots" (video).
• Rei. "Potty-training Your Bird."
• Spadafori, Gina and Speer, Brian L. "Potty Training Your Bird."

Print Resources:

• Gonzalez, F. "Potty Train Your Parrot," Bird Talk, 3 (Dec. 1985): 38.
• Kaplan, Elise. "Potty Training," Bird Talk, 22 (July 2004): 52-55.
• Rhea, M. "Potty Train Your Bird," Bird Talk, 6 (July 1988): 44.
• Warsalla, Denise. "Training Tips: Potty Training Parrots," Bird Talk, 8 (Aug. 1990): 64-73.

Black Discoloration on the Ends of Bird Feathers

A recent discussion on the CONURE OWNERS UNITE group on Facebook prompted me to look up a few things on why the tips of our bird feathers sometimes turn black and what some of the causes are of this condition.

It appears that diet and even vitamin deficiencies might be at the root cause. To eliminate any medical cause, a trip to a certified avian vet might be in order. A number of sites mention that lighting can be the problem and recommend special lighting. Here are a few sources that I found to let you determine for yourself if you need to adjust anything in your bird's life.

• "Feather Discoloration," 8/15/09, BirdTricks.com - http://www.birdtricks.com/blog/feather-discoloration-and-dull-plumage/
• "Feather Disorders in our Pet Parrot's," 11/18/09, articlesbase.com - http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/feather-disorders-in-our-pet-parrots-726620.html
• Thrush, Patrick R. "Lighting and Your Bird," (reprinted from the NCS Journal July/August 1999, Vol. XVI, No. 4) - http://www.mmlights.com/bird%20lights.html
• "Birds Need Light - Natural or Full Spectrum UV Lighting: Essential Lighting For A Healthy Bird - http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=1015
• "Feather Quality and Skin Condition are Nutrition-Related" - http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?dept_id=&aid=1012
• "Full Spectrum Light for Birds that you can use in regular light fixtures and the AvianSun lamps" - http://www.parrot-and-conure-world.com/full-spectrum-light-for-birds.html
• Beaudoin, Terry. "The Necessity of Full-Spectrum Lighting" - http://www.parrotislandinc.com/articles/alight.htm

Make Your Own Avian First Aid Kit

There are so many things that can happen to your bird in our day to day existence and being prepared can save your bird(s) life. Every seasoned or new bird owner should have an avian first aid kit available at all times for emergency care of your bird(s). There are many kits that you can buy online--just do a Google search on the term avian first aid kit, and you'll get lots of results.

What if you don't want to spend your hard-earned money on buying an avian first aid kit that is offered online? Why not make your own? It is not that difficult. Some items you may already have in your home to add to a basic kit.

First of all put together a list (perhaps on an index card) of emergency contacts and keep it with your kit. Your list or card could include your vet's emergency number, a complete medical history of each of your birds including their ages, and the number of a local poison control hotline (in case your bird ingests something harmful), Another thing to consider is adding the phone number of a friend who is also a pet bird owner or someone you trust.

Secondly, you will need something to house your kit items. If you decide to make your own, you can use anything from a 1 gal. ziploc freezer bag to a small tool box, a document case, a small tackle box or an art supply storage organizer. It's up to you. Whatever you have around that would hold the contents you purchase.

Here are things that I recommend you add to your kit, most of which you can find locally. The links are to examples I found online, but other brands will do:

• 1 - bottle Styptic Powder (for toenail & blood feather bleeding only)
• 1 - pair scissors (to trim feathers or cut bandage tape--I use the Fiskars double thumb scissors 5 in. length, stainless steel. They also work for cutting threads or small strings that become wrapped around a toe. A pair of small medical scissors would work as well.)
• 1 - pair hemostat 5" locking forcephttp://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41ybE0TOLwL._SY450_.jpgs (to remove broken blood feathers)--I found a pair for $1 at a local flea market.
• 8 - cotton swabs (to apply apply ointment or creams prescribed by your vet)--Q-Tip purse pack of 30 or generic brand works well if you don't have any on hand)
• 1 - bottle eye & skin flushing solution, 1-8 oz. (to flush eyes or wounds)
• 1 - roll 1/2" x 2 1/2 yd. adhesive tape (to secure bandages)
• 1 - pair latex gloves (for personal protection)
• 1 - 1" x 6 yd. sterile gauze bandage to (wrap wound areas)
• 2 - iodine antiseptic swabs (PVP) (for sterilization)
• 2 - antiseptic towelettes (to clean wound or hands)
• 2 - pks. 2" x 2" gauze pads (to apply to wound area)
• 1 - anti-bacterial hand wipe (for personal cleanup)

This is by no means an extensive first aid kit to cover all emergencies, but will get you started for minor emergencies until you are able to take your bird to your vet for emergency care. Other items to keep on hand for emergencies are a travel carrier for transportation to a vet. I found a small animal carrier at a garage sale for $2. I cleaned and sterilized it, and it works great. The next is a towel to restrain or secure your sick or injured bird.

Keep your emergency kit near your bird room so that you can get to it immediately.

Conure Care: What To Do and What Not To Do

What To Do

• Give your bird(s) a lot of love, time, and patience.
• Consider subscribing to Bird Talk magazine. This is a helpful source of information on caring for pet birds.
• Wash fresh fruits and veggies before giving them to your bird and give him/her fresh food and water every day.
• Allow your bird to bath frequently at least a couple of times a week and daily if possible. My bird prefers a bath taken in a small 5-6" wide (2-3" high) bowl of water (room temperature).
• Teach your bird the "up" and "down" commands. Although with green cheeks, they don't always wish to obey the "down" command. They sometimes grip their owner's finger even tighter when one gives the "down" command or try to scramble up your shoulder.
• Take your bird for regular well-bird check-ups with a certified avian vet. Also consider keeping an Avian First Aid Kit in your home and check out NetVet. 
• Consider purchasing a book on basic bird care and one on avian first aid.
  
• Clip your bird's wings when the primary coverts grow out and trim your bird's nails when they get long and sharp. If you are not acquainted with these procedures, please have a professional do it for you; it is fairly inexpensive to have done.
• Dismantle and clean your bird's cage completely, including toys and perches, with hot, soapy water to which a cap full of liquid bleach (like lemon Clorox) has been added. This will clean and sterilize the cage to provide a safe environment for your pet.
• If you have a single bird, consider leaving a radio on during the day when you are away at work or school to keep your bird entertained and allow some supervised "out" time for your bird when you are home.
• Research a bird species, like green-cheeked conures, that you are interested in before you buy one to determine if it is right for you. 
• Visit Birds n Ways' Library of Articles/FAQs which has a listing of excellent bird care articles too numerous to reference here.

What Not to Do

• Never buy a bird merely for its color, buy a bird on impulse, or for the sole purpose of expecting it to be a talker (and then be disappointed if it is not).
• Do not lose your temper or get frustrated with your bird or its behavior. Birds, like other animals, are in tune with their owner's emotions and will react accordingly.
• Do not use teflon or other coated cookware (fumes from overheated pans can kill your bird if heated past a certain temperature). Some irons and hair dryers also contain teflon-like products. Update: One reader pointed out in her comment that there was an article in ConsumerReports.org in 2007 called "Nonstick Pans are Ok in New Tests." In the article, they didn't mention testing them with birds though, so I would still be cautious.
• Do not keep your bird shut up in its cage all the time. Birds have feelings too and will be extremely unhappy if shut up constantly and may develop behavioral problems as a result. During the week, spend at least an hour a day interacting with your bird and more on weekends.
• Do not feed your bird avocado, chocolate or foods full of sugar, fat, salt, or an all seed diet.
• Do not use soaps or other chemicals directly on your bird or use aerosols, paint, or other chemical products around your bird(s); they have very delicate, sensitive respiratory systems and could die from asphyxiation.
• Do not place your bird directly by a heater or place your bird in direct sunlight without providing a place for him/her to be in the shade (sun/heat stroke could occur). Do not place your bird near an open window or near an air conditioner as birds are susceptible to upper respiratory infections.
• Do not let your bird chew on jewelry, metal or painted buttons, dried paint, metal or plastic blinds, treated wood, etc. (paint and costume jewelry, especially, could contain lead; and wood can be treated with harmful chemicals).
• Do not walk blindly into bird care without knowing how to care for them.
• Do not let your bird's nails get too long as they can get caught in frayed ropes or other toys in its cage or let your bird's primary coverts completely grow out. Free-flying birds can accidentally escape through an open window or door, fly into windows, mirrors, water boiling on the stove or a hot frying pan, or land in the commode and drown. 
• Do not let your bird's cage go uncleaned as mites, bacteria, old food, and feces can adversely affect your bird's health.

Conure Diet: Taking Care of your Conure's Nutritional Needs

So, you've found yourself the brand new owner of a Green-cheeked Conure, a member of the Pyrrhura family of birds (Pyrrhura molinae). Now what do you do?

A cute little green cheek (just-weaned) was added to my flock back in 2002. Below is some information that a new owner might find helpful in providing a proper and enjoyable diet for a new green cheek or other small parrot.

Keep in mind that you need to make a concerted effort to make your conure's diet more well-rounded and healthier, so even the pelleted diets need to be supplemented with a variety of other healthy foods. I recommend keeping pellets in their cage at all times, to offer them seeds more as treats, but supplement their diet with fruits, vegetables and other healthy items from the list below.

Vegetables

Peas in the shell or thawed frozen peas, broccoli, corn (fresh or thawed frozen corn), green beans, cooked and cooled limas, yellow or green squash (baked), carrots (raw or cooked), red or green peppers, cucumbers, greens (such as chopped spinach or other greens), cooked pinto beans, cooked lentils, cooked white beans. Please note that is important to let cooked food cool thoroughly before offering them to your conure, otherwise they could burn their tongues and crops.

Fruit

Apples (mine's absolute favorite!), blueberries, cut-up oranges, tangerines, bananas, pears, grapes, peaches, melon (minus the rind), strawberries, mangos, papaya, plums, cherries, etc. Always remove seeds/pits from fruit before serving.

Starches

Cooked brown rice, cooked pasta, baked or boiled shredded potatoes or yams (note that corn/peas are also starches).

Other

Pellets (Roudybush, Forti, Zupreem and others), a good seed blend such as Kaytee's Conure/Lovebird Forti-diet (if the Kaytee conure blend is not available in your area you could substitute a cockatiel blend), spray millet, sprouted seed, Lafeber's Avi-cakes, a mineral block or cuttlebone, multi-grain cereals that are low in sodium, sugar, and fat.

My green cheek is partial to the Forti seed diet and the Zupreem Fruit Blend for cockatiels. Neither my conure nor my tiels will eat the yellow banana-shaped Zupreem fruit pellets. He seems to like the orange and red ones the best. For some reason he puts the green ones in his water tube. He likes avi-cakes and will occasionally eat the mini Roudybush pellets that the cockatiels like.

Food Preparation Shortcuts

As a working woman and head of household, I do not always have time to spend cutting and chopping in the mornings or evenings, so I started doing a few shortcuts. Cook up batches of the following items separately: cooked peas, carrots, corn, green beans, lima beans, brown rice, pasta, yams, acorn squash, potatoes, pinto beans, lentils, white beans, pasta, yams, acorn squash, shredded potatoes, and brown rice. Rinse the batches well, cut them up as needed, and freeze them spread out on a cookie sheet so that they do not stick together.

When the items are frozen, the pan is then removed from the freezer, and its contents broken up, placed in ziplock freezer bags, and dated. The same procedures works well with a cooked mixture of pinto beans, lentils, white beans and split peas. In addition, it is easy and fairly economical to purchase a bag of frozen mixed veggies (carrots, corn, peas, green beans & limas) when they are on sale and keep these in the freezer as well.

Then, as needed, open the different bag mixtures, take out some of each, place in a microwave dish, add a little water, and pop everything into the microwave for 2 minutes or so or until heated through.

Dump the hot mixture in a colander, run some cool water over it, so that it isn't scalding hot, and give your bird about a 1/4 cup serving dish of the mixture. They REALLY love it! Your bird will probably make contented little noises when she/he eats and have a mess on his/her beak afterward--not to mention the wall, floor, etc.

Cook enough of the mixture to last for a couple of days and keep it in the refrigerator. Also treat your bird with fruit from the list above. I use the term 'treat' when it comes to fruit since green cheeks definitely have a sweet tooth, and when fruit is mixed into their regular food dishes with the vegetables, they rarely eat the veggies! I found that it's wise to give them fruit at a different time than they are given vegetables. But it is important to provide fruit as a steady part of their diet.

It is equally important to thoroughly wash fresh fruits and veggies that you give to your birds. Any fresh or cooked food that you give your bird should be removed from their cage after an hour or so, otherwise it tends to spoil (bacteria) and is not good for your bird.

Foods to Avoid

Absolutely no chocolate, avocado, coffee or alcohol no matter how much they bob up and down and beg.

• Chocolate is poisonous to animals and birds.
• Avocado is poisonous to birds.
• Dairy products - there are mixed opinions about dairy products. I read an article that mentioned that parrots are unable to properly digest dairy products. Another source mentioned that it causes diarrhea. I made a personal choice not to give my birds dairy products.
• Caffeine should be avoided. Soft drinks, coffee, etc. Coffee, especially, contains some of the same elements as chocolate.
• Alcohol, a well-known poison with documented side effects, is a big NO! I personally believe that anyone who owns a pet should never give their pets alcohol. I often see idiots posting YouTube videos of animals they have gotten drunk and thinking it is so funny. Makes my blood boil!
• Avoid junk foods - anything that is high in fat, salt, and/or preservatives. An occasional bite of pizza crust is okay. Humans already have enough bad habits in regard to these foods but you don't want your conure to become a junk food junkie.

Housing Your Green-cheeked Conure

The HOEI (18.3" x 18.3" x 22") cage is an excellent cage for smaller conures and gives them plenty of room to move around. They are difficult to find these days, but a cage similar to this would work fine for your pet. The cage that you select should have 1/2" to 3/4" bar spacing. I would suggest putting newspaper (cut to the cage size) in the bottom of the cage for adult birds; make a stack of about 10-20 papers high and then just remove the top soiled paper every day as conures tend to be messy--both their food and stool. However, if your conure is still a baby, being hand fed, and lives in the bottom of its cage, newspaper would not be a good choice.

It is necessary to give your bird fresh water every day. All food dishes, glass water tubes, etc. should be washed in hot, soapy dish water with a capful of liquid bleach--lemon Clorox is good--added to the water to disinfect the dishes at least twice a week if not daily (also a good idea to clean their wooden perches and all their toys as well in this solution making sure that the perches and toys are rinsed well and dried off before putting them back in the cage). The entire cage should be dismantled and cleaned with the same solution at least once a month. [Also see article How Clean is Clean?]
 
It is important to provide a variety of different perches for your bird, so that their feet do not get sore from being in the same position all the time. Some suggestions for mixing and matching are: 1/2" wooden dowels (untreated), Comfort perches, small or medium Booda cables, natural manzanita perches, and a small (3/4") cement perch to keep their nails dull.


The site owner suggests that one purchases (or makes one's own) play area for your bird as conures need a lot of "out" time from their cages when you are home and can supervise. For your bird's safety and to better train your bird, make sure your bird's wings are clipped first by a professional; your bird's nails should be clipped by a professional as well since windows, large mirrors, food cooking on your stove, commodes, etc. can endanger your bird's life). If kept in their cages too much, some green cheeks can throw temper tantrums that you would not believe! Green cheeks also need a wide variety of toys to play with to keep them entertained (but don't overstock their cage with toys so that they have no room to maneuver!). 

In addition, rotating toys every week or two will help keep them from getting bored. The owner's bird enjoys playing with toys with knots in them that they can unravel and hand-held toys. They relish playing with large buttons, and a favorite is a soda bottle cap. They especially like rope toys that they can swing and climb on (and hang upside down from!).

What To Do If Your Conure is a Biter

Have a problem with your parrot biting you? You are not the only one. I have had three different parrots who enjoyed biting the crap out of me. Learn to look for what kind of mood they are in before handling your bird.

If their irises are mere pinpoints, if their wings are jerking a bit, if their head and neck feathers are puffed out, or if they are chatting angrily to themselves, stay away. I have avoided many bites just from watching their mannerisms before handling them.

There are a number of reasons that parrots will bite you. I highly recommend you view the video playlist below from YouTube and read the articles provided about this problem behavior in parrots so that you can prevent bites and regain your parrot's trust.

• Burgess, Alyson. "Why Does My Bird Bite Me So Much?" About.com.
• "Correcting Bird Biting Behavior," drsfostersmith.com.
• "Exotic Bird FAQ: Why Does My Bird Bite?" thetrueparrot.homestead.com.
• F., Ann. "Success With A Biting Pet Bird!" Winged Wisdom (Feb. 1998).
• Hallendar, Jane."To Bite or Not to Bite - That Is the Question," Pet Bird Report.
• Hines, Ron. "How To Tame a Wild or Aggressive Parrot," 2ndchance.info. 
• Johnson, Anne. "Once Bitten...... Twice Shy," Winged Wisdom (June 1997).
• Mandis, Kathleen. "The Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde Syndrome."
• Margison, Becky. "Why Does My Bird Bite?" Petfinder.com.
• Nash, Holly. "Bird Biting: Why They Do It and How to Correct It." Peteducation.com.
• "Pet Tips: Stop Biting Birds," essortment.com.
• "The Biting Bird," Quakerville.com.
• Tucker, Kelly. "Ouch!! Bird Bites," Winged Wisdom (March 2000).
• YouTube videos to watch.
• "How To STOP Green Cheek Conure Biting and Make Them Listen To You."
• Wilson, Liz. "Biting Parrots: Why They Do It and How To Control It," UpAtSix.
• Wilson, Liz. "Don't Take It Personally," UpAtSix.
• Wilson, Liz. "Facial Bites, Nozzle Nuzzling, & Tummy Kisses," UpAtSix.
• Wilson, Liz. "Biting: The Great Power Game," The Grey Play Round Table.

Print Resources (try requesting via interlibrary loan):

• Athan, Mattie Sue. "Beyond Biting," Bird Talk, 16 (Sept. 1998): 62-71.
• Blanchard, Sally. "Biting: Getting Past the Fear," Pet Bird Report, 9 v. 2 (Feb. 2000): 6-10.
• Blanchard, Sally. "No More Biting Birds," Bird Talk, 9 (Oct. 1991): 109-115.
• Blanchard, Sally. "Parrot Psychology: Cheeky Grey Cheek," Bird Talk, 6 (Mar. 1988): 26.
• Blanchard, Sally. "Parrot Psychology: Minimize Biting Behavior," Bird Talk, 17 (June 1999): 68-69.
• Blanchard, Sally. "Stop That Screaming!, Nippy Fits, Do You Dislike Your Bird?" Bird Talk, 12 (Apr. 1994): 118-123.
• Blanchard, Sally. "Why Birds Bite," Bird Talk, 11 (Mar. 1993): 68-72.
• Chamberlain, Susan. "The Big, Bad Bite," Bird Talk, 23 (Jan. 2005): 26-35.
• Davis, Chris. "The Biting Bird," Bird Talk, 12 (Jun. 1994): 32-38.
• Davis, Chris. "Heart to Heart: Why Does My New Bird Bite," Bird Talk, 20 (May 2002): 22-23.
• Doss, Joanie. "Biting the Hand That Feeds Them," Bird Talk, 13 (Oct. 1995): 106-109.
• Dorge, Ray. "10 Ways to Avoid Bird Bites," Bird Talk, 15 (May 1997): 80-83.
• Micco, T. & M. "Why do Birds Scream and Bite?" Bird Talk, 4 (Apr. 1986): 25.
• Moustaki, Nikki. "Turn Down the Volume," Bird Talk, 20 (Apr. 2002): 50-59.
• Thornton, J. "Taking the Bite Out of the Bird," Bird Talk, 6 (May 1988): 16.
• Wilson, Liz. "Take the Bite Out of Biting," Bird Talk, 19 (July 2001): p. 30-39.

Frodo Loses His Budgie Friend

Last night a tragic accident took the life of my beautiful budgie, Skylar. She was the sweetest little hand-fed budgie who loved being cuddled.

It was love at first sight for both Skylar and me. She was sharing a cage with a cockatiel when I spotted her at the pet store. When she saw me, she came running over and offered her head up against the bars so that I could pet her. Needless to say, I was shocked.

Apparently, her breeder had removed her from her parents care to hand feed her. Skylar had been so tiny that the breeder had to use a toothpick in order to feed her. It certainly paid off because she was the sweetest little budgie who loved to be scritched and who wasn't the least bit fearful of her new owner.

Those of you with budgies know how unusual it is to have a budgie who is tame and sweet right from the store. Usually it takes some time and effort to tame and win the love of a budgie. I had to pay twice as much as one normally would for a budgie, but she was worth it.

A great mimic, Skylar nailed the ring tone of the phone and the beep of the answering machine as well as the beeping of the microwave. Another little imitation that she enjoyed was the sound of my sneezing. It even became a game with her. I would pretend to get ready to sneeze, and she would finish the sneeze. She had me in stitches with her antics.

Skylar was what I called my multiple personality bird. She could imitate the calls and noises from every one of my birds in their voices. One minute she was Chipper the cockatiel. The next minute she would be Ringo the cockatiel or Snowflake the cockatiel. She even imitated the way that Chipper would do his little knocking routine. Skylar learned to do it as well, and it quickly became a game with us just like it was with Chipper. Not even a few minutes later, Skylar was the second green-cheeked conure in the house when I was pretty darned sure that I only had one. She was extremely adorable, and her loss will be difficult to overcome.

My green-cheeked conure Frodo thought so too when I brought him home to live with us. After a period of quarantine from the rest of the flock as a precaution, Skylar immediately introduced herself to him, and they quickly became buds.

Since Frodo was as bold as her, they were kindred spirits who enjoyed spending time and getting into mischief together. They also adored each other and would chatter to each other, would sit side by side and offer their heads to one another for preening. Skylar even chatted in conure speak. They were adorable together.

Frodo would follow behind Skylar where ever she went and was pretty territorial about and protective of her. Together they would climb up my floor length drapes and perch on top of the ruffle to heckle me or to take a nap. Because he was so intent with her, you might even say that he was even a trifle obsessed with her. Because of this relationship, I knew that he would not understand why her cage was no longer sitting next to his and why she didn't answer him when he called to her.

Of course, all the birds had heard me crying and grieving over Skylar, but it wasn't until I took her little lifeless body to them, tearfully laying her down on the table on which two of the cages were housed that they could understand why I was upset. I thought it only fair that they could see her, and that Frodo especially would understand that she was gone and not being hidden away somewhere by me and resenting me for it.

It was hard to watch, but Frodo came over to her and made little soft inquiring noises to her as he walked around her. He even preened her little head for her. That just made me cry even more. Finally, Frodo gave her a good nip to wake her up, and I knew when he understood that she was gone. As he processed that, he allowed me to take her away. When I came back into the room, he climbed onto my arm and spent the rest of the evening with me.

The tiels had all watched this with interest but none of them were friends with Skylar even though she had tried her best, bless her little heart.

Frodo and Skylar were not a mating couple, in case anyone was wondering, but since I didn't want them to attempt cross-breeding, I did only allow them some supervised play time together.

I spent some extra time with Frodo today, because I saw how much he was looking over to where her cage had been and looking sad. We had a good day together despite grieving over our dear friend.

Yes, Conures Do Accept Bribes

Who knew that a simple green nut could wrangle a green-cheeked conure so completely?

Innocently eating a few pistachio nuts one day in front of my birds, it sparked an interest from my flock. At the time, the tiels had tried them before and liked them. Green-cheeked conure Frodo, however, was new to my home, so seeing me eating, he mooched one to try for himself and literally went nuts over them. If you have a conure that really likes a particular food and the happy little noises they can make as they relish the treat, you will understand the inference. He absolutely loved it!

I don't have pistachios in the house very often, because I think they are a bit spendy. Though they aren't very good for them and shouldn't be given to your pets on a regular basis, conures can be bribed with a pistachio nut. Perhaps not all conures feel the same, but my Frodo would trade his best friend for one.

When they first met, Frodo didn't like my dad at all. I think it was the baseball cap dad was wearing. If you want Frodo to scream, walk into a room wearing a baseball cap, and that little sucker will bring down the house, stirring up all the rest of the birds into a panic. The same thing happens when my brother walks into the bird room with his baseball cap on.

Disappointed that Frodo wasn't making a very good first impression on my parents when they came to visit, I asked my dad to remove his cap and gave Dad a pistachio nut. As soon as Frodo saw the nut in my dad's hand, he stopped screaming and began bobbing his head up and down and straining forward. If you own a green cheek, you know the behavior to which I am referring.

Dad gave Frodo the nut. Frodo took it right out of his hand, ate it and begged for more. No more screaming at my dad that day. It was really cute.