Avian Vol 01
a birds lifestyle starts here
Q&A
With Good Bird Inc
Barbara Heidenreich
How to Maintain Bird Behavior Getting to Know These Exoctic Birds
Looking into
Peach is In Season Do’s & Don’ts
Care and Feed: A Birds Diet
BEWARE OF FAMOUS PET SHOPS
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Table of
CONTENTS 09
Facts of Owing A Peach Faced Love Bird fairlyeasy, even for the beginner. However, they breed so frequently and with such verve, there is a veritable population explosion, with many breeders unable to place the babies.
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Rarest Pink Cakatoo Spieces Discovered So far they require so much attention, they are recommended for experienced bird owners who are familiar with keeping large parrots. Origion and history Major Mitchell’s cockatoo is native to Australia, where it makes its home in the arid inlands. These birds nest in pairs in woodlands and treless areas, arid inland
These birds nest in pairs n woodlands and treeless areas,
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Take A Look at The Bulest Paraot Alive The hyacinth macaw lives primarily in the scrublands at the outskirts of the rainforest, though its large range also includes grasslands and lightly forested regions. It is an endangered species there are an estimated 2,500 to 5,000 Hyacinth macaws left in the wild today. Destruction of their environment.
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Getting To know The Quaker Bird Quaker parrot adapts very well to urban landscapes and, as a result, there are numerous feral populations in North American as well as in Europe. Quaker parakeets are voracious chewers, and will make fast work of furniture. Quakers are sometimes reluctant to nest in breeding.
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Avian
a birds lifestyle starts here
A NOTE
From The Editor
Dear Readers, When taking your new bird home please remember that the surroundings in your home will be new to it and it may take some time for the bird to feel settled in the new environment. Speak softly and move very slowly whenever you are near the bird's cage. It is recommended that you do not handle your canary as they are very fragile. With a well-balanced diet you should not need to give your bird vitamin supplements. Before adding supplements to your bird's diet you should consult with an avian veterinarian. When giving any supplements in the bird's water, make sure you clean and wash the water dish daily to remove any residue from the supplements.We recommend taking your bird to the vet for regular checkups and purchasing a book about your new pet. Always wash your hands before and after handling your new pet. You should have toys in the cage to prevent boredom. Bored birds are known to have behavior problems. Birds need to be active to maintain good health and to prevent them from getting overweight. Foraging toys are excellent because they stimulate the natural avian instinct to search for food.Toys should wwbe changed regularly to keep your pet interested and if the toy becomes worn to prevent injury. When you change toys for your bird or even move your bird to a new location in the house, please be aware of how sensitive most birds are to changes. Never place a new toy directly inside the cage without first allowing the bird to see and get used to the new toy in a neutral area outside the cage.Birds can be scared to death. Frightening a bird can cause the bird enough stress to harm and possibly kill it. Move slowly and talk quietly to your bird until it is comfortable with you and its new home.We recommend using a cuttle bone or mineral block for your bird. Many birds enjoy chewing on these items but only absorb a small amount of minerals from them. A cuttlebone or mineral block should never be.
Elizbeth Smith
Elizbeth Smith
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By The Numbers
Editor in Chief Elizbeth Smith
Exotic Bird Population
Creative Director Brian Johnson Executive Editor Sara Elbert Deputy Editor Sara Elbert , Dana Raidt Senior Editor Sydney Berry
Brazilian All Blue Parrot Population
Senior Writer Andrew Zimmern Contributing Editor Elizabeth Doyle Contributing Bird Editor Allison Oleskey, Chelsea Yin, SHO & Company, Inc. Contributing Bookings Editor Jean Marie Hamilton Senior Copy Editor Edgar Rojas Spanish Editor/Translator Sabrina Badola, Rachel Guyah, Colin Miller Editorial Interns Amy Ballinger, Ted Rossiter Art Directors Steve Mathewson, Bill Sympson Digital Prepress Group Frank Sisser Director of Project Management Jonathan Bernson Production Manager
Bea Jaegar
Director of Project Management Jonathan Bernson
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1,300 Cape May Warbler
50
years
Life Span
Agriculture threatening
74%
declined by over
2.5%
Breeding Population
7
million
& 2%
In the U.S.
Nightjars
50% Increase
species at risk of extinction
1,469
Canada warbler species found
13%
Eurasian tree sparrow Range of More of
50%
“ Birds naturally create messes in the most literal sense.�
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Review
Boasting up to 335 miles of range, the Model S is the all-electric dream car envied by many. Icing on the cake is Ludicrous mode,
which blasts the top P100D to 60 mph in a claimed 2.5 seconds. The lower-spec models offer reduced driving ranges and features. Luxury items such as an air filter that Tesla says can protect occupants from bioweapons and pollutants plus available high-tech features such as Tesla’s Autopilot seal the deal. Major redesigns occur every five years or so; not much changes in between. Dividing them into generations provides more meaningful distinctions in the shopping process. the Model S slightly for 2018 by updating the onboard media control unit to smooth out some rough spots in the infotainment and digital gauge displays—and we can confirm this update has done just that. A new, optional 21-inch wheel design joins the roster, and ordering the available Cream faux-leather interior nets a new wood-trim design for the dashboard. The high-performance P100D model now comes with ventilated seats, contrast stitching, updated floor mats, and aluminum doorsill kickplates with the P100D logo. Last year's Premium Upgrades package in cabin air filter with Bioweapon Defense mode, upgraded stereo system, SiriusXM satellite radio, heated front and rear seats, heated
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steering wheel, wiper-blade defroster heated windshield-washer nozzles is now included in the price of any Model S trim. The Model S also can now prepare itself for your journey ahead of time by firing up those heated seats as well as other features if you use the available smartphone app to set your departure time.
An electric motor dedicated to each of the front and rear axles,the Model S offers full-time all-wheel drive no matter which model you choose. Acceleration performance of the various models ranges from outstanding to ferocious. There are three distinct models 75D, 100D, and P100D whose names correspond with the size of their battery pack. Driving range and acceleration performance varies from model to model, with the base 75D's 75.0 kWh battery providing up to a 259 mile range and the 100D's 100.0. kWh battery offering up to 335. Our 100D test vehicle blasted from zero to 60 mph in a mere 3.9 seconds and delivered endless entertainment thanks to its immediate power delivery. Aggressively launching from a stop is almost enough to take your breath away. If that's not enough for you, the P100D is far more brutal and comes with the aptly named Ludicrous driving mode that sends the Model S from zero to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds, according to Tesla Despite its performance potential, the Model S is never difficult to drive smoothly at lower speeds. Negotiating urban traffic is even easier than in a gasoline-powered car thanks to the electric motors' ability to aggressively regenerate power during coasting, which allows for one-pedal driving. You rarely have to touch the brake pedal; simply lift off the throttle "With Model S prices and the car slows as if the starting at more than." brakes were engaged. The $70,000, buyers should Model S can charge at expect a reasonable amount either a 120 volt or a 240 volt outlet. A full charge requires more than 50 hours on standard 120 volt household current but only 11 hours on 240 volts with the provided adapter. Opt for the 240 volt Tesla wall charger (only $500 plus installation) and the Model S will replenish itself more quickly up to 52 miles of range per hour for a full charge in less than five hours for 75D models and just over six hours for 100D models. While rivals such as the Chevrolet Bolt and even Tesla's own Model 3 have encroached on its driving range superiority, the Model S remains an impressive alternative to gasoline powered vehicles when it comes to long distance usability. The top of the line P100D sacrifices some of its driving range to provide brutal acceleration performance. We've devised our own fuel economy test in an attempt to replicate how most people drive on the highway. Our procedure entails a 200 mile out and back loop on Michigan's I-94 highway. We maintain a GPS verified 75 mph and use the cruise control as much as possible to mimic the way many drivers behave during long trips. With all-wheel-drive traction and immediate power delivery, all Model S trims perform heroically when the driver punches the throttle. A low center of gravity and quick steering lend a decidedly nimble feeling to its handling capabilities, and the aggressive electricity regeneration from the motors makes quick work of scrubbing off speed for an upcoming corner. Peppy isn't an accurate word to describe the Model S's acceleration performance, considering how our base-model 75D and midrange 100D test vehicles both laid down hasty zero to 60mph and quarternmile times at our test track. Wealthy leadfoots who can afford the top spec P100D model can enjoy a claimed 2.5-second zero to 60-mph time, which is sure to give unsuspecting passengers a serious case of the butterflies. nder the Tesla's floor lies a battery pack that yields a low center of gravity and evenly distributed weight from front to rear. The Model S is an agile sports sedan with well-controlled body motions and direct steering. Two different settings allow drivers to choose heavy or light steering effort, but neither of them enable more feedback from the road ahead. Ride comfort is good, and the Model S imparts a solid feeling on the road that perfectly accompanies its tranquility when cruising. When driving the Model S, using the brake pedal is a rarity due to its aggressive regenerative coasting that allows for mostly one-pedal driving. The regenerative braking system recharges the battery when you lift off the accelerator, which means you can drive in most scenarios without ever touching the brake pedal. When you do have to step on
the brake pedal, it feels firm and reassuring underfoot. With Model S prices starting at more than $70,000, buyers should expect a reasonable amount of luxury inside the car. The cabin's atmosphere is nice enough, but it's not as plush as those of our favorites such as the Mercedes-Benz E-class and the Volvo S90. A few missteps, such as poorly aligned interior panels, remind us that Tesla is still working through some growing pains as a young carmaker. Front-seat space is adequate, and most occupants should find plenty of head- and legroom. Those forced to ride in the back seat may find their hair touching the Model S's faux-suede headliner. Tesla offers a pop-up rear-facing third row of seats (a $4000 option), but they are strictly for young children since the sloping roofline of the rear hatch severely limits headroom Fans of modern minimalism will adore the Model S's cabin, which comes standard with a giant infotainment screen that controls almost all of the vehicle's functions. The dashboard and door panels are covered in faux leather and, in our test vehicle, accented by a lovely glossy wood trim. Unfortunately, some of the interior panels in our 100D test car were misaligned and spoiled the otherwise upscale design. The standard power-adjustable tilting-and-telescoping steering column provides a good range of motion to help suit a broad range of the driving public. Neither the front nor the rear seats are plush in the way of those in most luxury cars, but they're well bolstered and supportive enough to hold you tightly when you decide to put the spurs to the Model S 100D's 483 ponies.
Unfortunately, some of the interior panels in our 100D test car were misaligned and spoiled the otherwise upscale design. The standard power-adjustable tilting-and-telescoping steering column provides a good range of motion to help suit a broad range of the driving public. Neither the front nor the rear seats are plush in the way of those in most luxury cars, but they're well bolstered and supportive enough to hold you tightly when you decide to put the spurs to the Model S 100D's 483 ponies. To measure a vehicle's interior quietness, we use a sound meter to take two measurements at the height of the driver's ear while traveling at 70 mph. We then average the results. As illustrated graphic. below
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Feature
The Amaing Usen Exotic Birds The popular peach-faced lovebird exudes a big personality in a small body. Peach faces love their playtime and positive interaction with their
“T
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This peachfaced vebird has a busy beak.
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Lovebirds are susceptible to chlamydiosis, self-mutilation as well as nutritional deficiencies related to an
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Peach is In Season M
“Big parrot in a little bird’s body.”
a good idea to have lots of toys on hand and to ales tend to be smaller and thinner, rotate them throughout t the cage to keep these while the females can often be noticeably stouter. birds occupied. Make sure all toys are zinc and Males are generally sweet and reserved while lead-free and that there are no loose threads females are spunkier, tend to nip, and can be on cloth that may entangle your lovebird's toes. argumentative. Breeding peach-faced lovebirds Lovebirds can be aggressive chewers so keep is fairly easy, even for the beginner. However, this in mind when choosing toys. Make sure they breed so frequently and with such verve, there are no small parts that can be chewed off there is a veritable population explosion, with and ingested. You should also avoid clips, loose many breeders unable to place the babies. If strings, and other small parts in which your you breed your bird, realize that he or she may bird could get their beak, feet, or head trapped lose the qualities that you wanted in a pet. in. Safe toys include wood, sisal, leather, acrylic, Pet Peachies are true companions if you have and rawhide toys, as well as bells and ladders. the time to share, and will quickly become an Household items such as empty cardboard tubes enchanting addition to your host of feathered from paper towel rolls, paper cups, ink-free friends. ovebirds are known for their short and cardboard, and dried pasta shapes may also be rather blunt tail feathers. Beyond size, this is one used by your lovebird.As a bare minimum, you of the primary features that distinguish them will need a cage that is at least two feet wide by from budgerigars. Lovebirds also have a stockier two feet long and two feet tall. However, a larger build.The colors that "During breeding season, cage is always better. If you can these species come in provide a larger cage, focus more can vary widely from female peach-faced lovebirds on the length rather than the peach to teal to white might chew strips of paper and height. This will ensure that your to green. They all tuck them into the feathers on lovebird can spread its wings and tend to be rather vivid even fly across the cage some If with heads and faces their back" you love the bold personality of of a different color an Amazon parrot, but you’re not than the main body feathers plumage. Breeding sure you can deal with a bigger bird, a lovebird peach-faced lovebirds is airlyeasy, even for the just might be the pet for you. Lovebirds have beginner. However, they breed so frequently and tons of personality, and they can be extremely with such verve, there is a veritable population affectionate with the people they bond with. explosion, with many breeders unable to place They can also be rather cantankerous, so they’re the babies. If you breed your bird, realize that a better choice for someone who already has he or she may lose the qualities that you wanted some experience keeping birds. If you’re willing in a pet. Pet Peachies are true companions if to learn how to care for them and don’t mind you have the time to share, and will quickly the occasional nip to remind you that you might become an enchanting addition to your host of not be quite as in charge as you can.he colorful feathered friends. exception of the Madagascar Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo is primarily a pinkishlovebird native to that island all lovebird species white and very easy to recognize. These flashy call the African continent home. They tend to birds have broad pink patches around the neck live in small flocks.These lovebirds species are and on the underbelly. They often have bold rarely kept in cap Lovebirds are susceptible pink under their white-tipped wings.he crest to chlamydiosis, self-mutilation as well as is often the first thing people notice about this nutritional deficiencies related to an nadequate bird. When extended, you’ll see bright pink and diet, especially if fed a mostly seed diet. Like all yellow-orange feathers. A loud and constant parrots, lovebirds are quite active and playful. chirper, these birds are very social animals and They'll do best with plenty of interaction and often congregate in small groups in the wild playtime. By giving them attention every daythis As their name implies, lovebirds are known for will also strengthen your bond and prevent being devoted to their mates female peach-faced unwanted behavior. It is lovebirds chew paper into strips and stuff them
Quick fact As their name implies, lovebirds are known for being devoted to their mates. Peach-faced lovebirds come in more than 15 color mutations become an enchanting addition to your host of feathered friends. Pet Peachies are true companions if you have the time.
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The New Pink is In S
o far they require so much attention, they are recommended for experienced bird owners who are familiar with keeping large parrots. Origion and history Major Mitchell’s cockatoo is native to Australia, where it makes its home in the arid inlands. These birds nest in pairs in woodlands and treless areas, arid inlandsThese birds nest
in pairs in woodlands and treeless areas, always near water. They can become nomadic during dry periods. They do not like to nest near other pairs, so each requires a large swath of territory. They do, however, often hang around galah cockatoos, another Australia native. Quite a bit of their native habitat has been subjected to human development, so the wild population of Major Mitchell's is dwindling, while the more adaptive galahs are thriving. According to the 1865 "Handbook to the Birds of Australia" by John Gould, this cockatoo is named for Major Sir Thomas Mitchell, who was an admirer. He wrote of the bird, "Few birds more enliven the monotonous hues of the Australian forest than this beautiful species." This bird is the only member of the subgenus Lophocroa. It's also the only cockatoo to have a mult get their owner's attention. They can hit some pretty
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high notes and have a natural alarm call that will get anyone's attention.Major Mitchell's cockatoo is native to Australia, where it makes its home in the arid inlands. These birds nest in pairs in woodlands and treeless areas, always near water. They can become nomadic during dry periods. They do not like to nest near other pairs, so each requires The Major Mitchell’s cockatoo is a beautiful colored cockatoo. The feathers on the wings are white, the rest of them are a soft pink. The crest looks plain when it is down, but when erect is has beautiful orange and yellow coloring. The bill and feet are bone-colored. It is possible to keep this species of cockatoo as a pet in your home, but it is not common. They can become just as tame, affectionate and loving as any other species of cockatoo, but they need to be socialized well.If they are not correclty socialized and tamed when young, they will never become really tame or affectionate to humans. This species is also extremely hard to breed in captivity and generally needs a very large aviary. A denizen of the inland, Major Mitchell’s Cockatoos live in arid and semiarid regions of Australia, where they generally
"Due to their natural tedency of forming a tighly knit pair and you will be replicating the flock experience the cockatoo needs in the wild.
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How to Care and Maintain? While it can be tempting to rush out and buy one of these beautiful birds, Major Mitchell's cockatoos need specialized care and environments that not all bird owners can accommodate. It's best if they live in a walk-in cage that is at least 14-foot in length. This allows the medium-sized bird plenty of room to move. In addition to needing a large cage, Major Mitchell's cockatoos are loud vocalizers. They probably aren't suited to live in apartments or other close quarters. These are high-maintenance, sensitive birds, so if you're planning to take one as a pet, prepare to spend a lot of time interacting with them. Cockatoos and other birds in captivity that are neglected may resort to destructive behaviors. Some Major Mitchell's owners have reported that they were even shunned by their bird after taking a short vacation. They also admit that it took time to earn the bird's trust again, so keep in mind that this can be a very emperamental species.
A Perfect Blue
The hyacinth macaw stunning cobalt-blue
coloring and massive size will cause anyone to pause and take notice. Bright yellow around the eyes and at the base and the corners of the beak makes the largest of the macaw species appear stunning cobaltblue coloring and massive size will cause anyone to pause and take notice. Bright yellow around the eyes and at the base and the corners of the beak makes the largest of the macaw species appear to be in a perpetual smile. This is a parrot for someone who afford a hefty price tag and who has space to spare. Many people are familiar with macaws and parrots as pet store animals. It might be difficult, then, for people to imagine what these large, loud, beautiful birds look like in the wild. The spectacular flash of color of a wild macaw is becoming more and more of a rare sight. The largest species of macaw.
Feeding a Major Mitchelle Like all cockatoos, Major Mitchell's may struggle with weight gain. It is important that owners monitor their fat intake. High-quality pellets, a moderate amount of seed mix, and daily helpings of fresh, bird-safe fruits and vegetables that have been thoroughly washed are the ideal diet for these birds. They tend to enjoy green leafy vegetables like lettuce, spinach, and Swiss chard as well as carrots, celery, corn, green beans, and zucchini. Many also enjoy nuts, including hazelnuts, peanuts, pecans, and walnuts. Exersice Routien Just like its fellow members of the parrot family, Major Mitchell's cockatoos are active birds that need plenty of exercise to maintain their physical condition. They need a minimum of three to four hours outside of the cage every day to stretch their wings.a smart owner will provide a Major Mitchell's cockatoo with safe chew toys to exercise their beaks on. These birds chew wood to make nests in the wild and will display that same behavior in captivity if they get bored or restless. It's a good idea to regularly give your bird untreated elder, fir, pine, or willow wood pieces or toys. Leather toys and even heat-sterilized pine cones are favorites for these birds as well. Also, keep in mind that these cockatoos really like water, so a watering bowl to bathe in and a mister will be very well appreciated by your pet. When They Breed? A clutch of 3–4 eggs is laid in a large hollow in a vertical hollow. Both birds incubate the eggs and care for and feed the chicks, with young birds becoming independent from their parents when they are about 4 months old. Major Mitchell pairs will not nest close to one another; in consequence, they cannot tolerate fragmented, partly-cleared habitats, and their range is contracting. These cockatoos are very challenging to breed. Captive males can be very mate aggressive.
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Where do They Come From? Originally from Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia, the hyacinth is the “Great Dane” of companion birds, with the mature male reaching over 40 inches in length. Very few people actually have a hyacinth macaw as a companion, and will probably only have the pleasure of seeing one in a zoo or a larger bird shop. Despite its size, penchant for destruction, loudness and expense, this blue macaw is the penultimate companion bird for the person who has the time, patience and wallet to properly keep this beautiful beast. The hyacinth macaw is a stunning cobalt color all over its body, with a ring of bright yellow around its eye and the same color yellow at the base and the corners of its beak. It is often referred to simply as a “blue macaw.” The hyacinth is not twice as large as other large macaws, though its big personality makes other macaws seem like dwarves in its presence Where is Their Habitat The hyacinth macaw lives primarily in the scrublands at the outskirts of the rainforest, though its large range also includes grasslands and lightly forested regions. It is an endangered species — there are an estimated 2,500 to 5,000 Hyacinth macaws left in the wild today. Destruction of their environment, hunting for feathers and food, and illegal poaching for the pet trade have contributed to the Hyacinth’s declining numbers. Eggs and nestlings have some natural predators as well. Another reason why these birds are so rare, both in the wild and in the pet trade, is because they develop much more slowly than companion birds. Babies fledge (leave the nest) at about 13 weeks, but they don’t become fully functioning adults for another six months. Breeding age begins at about 7 years of age. These birds can live to be more than 60 years old if cared for properly. The hyacinth macaw’s beak lacks the ridges other macaw species have: its scientific name “Andodorhynchus” means “bill without teeth.”
It can usually be found in the open areas along major rivers. English ornithologist and artist John Latham first described and cataloged the hyacinth macaw in 1790, and its numbers in the wild have been in steady decline since then, due to a gradual reduction in habitat and steady demand for the bird in the pet trade and by indigenous tribes who hunt the birds for meat and for their ornamental feathers. As a result, the hyacinth macaw is listed in Appendix I of the Convention in International Trade of Endangered Species list, which prohibits international trade of parrot species. Both Brazil and Paraguay now protect the bird by law. A hyacinth macaw that is well cared for in captivity can live more than 60 years. Diet is especially important in achieving this lifespan. yacinth Macaws are a deep shade of solid blue, with bright yellow patches around the eyes and beak. It is a rare owner who has the time, patience, and financial resources to care for a unique and sensitive bird that is nearly as large as a bald eagle. should be kept only by a very dedicated owner who can provide for needs that are as large as the bird itself. This is a bird that is more common in zoos than it is in private Although not the most fluent talkers of the
"Very few people
actually have a hyacinth macaw as a companion."
What Part of The World They Came From? The hyacinth macaw is native to central and eastern South America. There are three main populations: one in the Pantanal wetland region of Brazil, eastern Bolivia, and northeastern Paraguay; another in the Cerrado region of Brazil's eastern interior; and one in the Amazon basin of Brazil. The hyacinth macaw prefers to dwell in palm swamps, woodlands, and semiopen areas, and usually avoids dense, humid forests.
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macaws, a hyacinth can learn a few words and phrases, which it will repeat incessantly. They are highly intelligent, and may even learn to use Caring & Feeding?
The right owner for a hyacinth macaw is someone who has either kept many birds successfully before, or someone who has done a lot of research, has consulted the experts, and knows exactly what they’re getting into. Still, the Hyacinth is not a great first bird simply because it can be a handful. Hyacinth macaws need a very specific diet. In the wild this bird’s diet consists almost wholly of palm nuts from two specific types of palm tress. Hyacinths harvest the nuts from the trees in the wild, though the bird also has a very characteristic way of finding the nuts already stripped of their tough.
Quick Fact The hyacinth macaw’s diet is very high in fat, and though you may not be able to find palm nuts. grows to be up to 40 inches (1 m) long. The hyacinth macaw survives today in three known distinct populationin southern Brazil, eastern Bolivia and northeastern Paraguay.
Going Green Desire for Companionship and Tendency
W
here are they born Quaker parrots are unusual in that they come equipped with attitude, determination, intelligence and a desire to make and keep a home, said Ellen Krueger, a member of the Quaker Parakeet Society since 1999. Think a parrot building a nest isn’t unusual? These aren’t your typical nests. “These often large, domeshaped clusters of sticks comprise multiple chambers, each occupied by a single pair for roosting and breeding. The human equivalent to this structure is an apartment building,” said Cordeiro, who has an honors degree in zoology and lives in Australia. In fact, the nests are often comprised of three compartments or “rooms,” and are usually attached to other quaker nests in the wild, added Alyson Burgess, a quaker owner of three years in the southeast who is one of the avian experts at About.com. “These quaker ‘neighborhoods’ can become quite large and serve as evidence of the communal nature of the species. This inherent love of interaction makes them great pets for owners who want to form a close bond with their bird,” Burgess said. The quaker parakeet, also called the quaker parrot and the monk parakeet/parrot, a native of South America, is one of the most popular parrots of its size due to its availability, low cost, and outstanding mimicking ability. This bright, resourceful, 12-inch bird has been able to set up large wild colonies from Southern Florida to the Northeast and Midwest, making themselves a charming addition to the landscape of those areas, though many places consider them pests and have outlawed them. What Nation are They From? The quaker parakeet is native to Argentina and nearby countries in South America, where it inhabits subtropical areas. The of th spiecies that live today and open areas these birds
quaker parrot adapts very well to urban landscapes and, as a result, there are numerous feral populations in North American as well as in Europe. How to Care and Feed? Quaker parakeets are voracious chewers, and will make fast work of furniture, so provide lots of chewable toys and safe branches to avoid living a bored and unhappy quaker parrot that can easily turn its destructive nature onto valuables. Wild quakers parrots are quick to nest, and build elaborate oven-shaped, many-chambered “pots” out of thousands of twigs woven into sophisticated nests. Quakers are sometimes reluctant to nest in breeding boxes, though they are often bred that way if offered twigs and other substantial nesting material. They lay six to eight eggs, though they are known to lay up to 13 viable eggs in one clutch. The quaker parakeet is reported to live up to 30 years with the proper care. Lafeber’s foods for parrots offer nutritionally balanced daily diets.
"Unfortunatly,
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Q&A Come See
Barbara Heidenreich Talk About a Feathered Lifestyle By Erik Corredor In 1982 Barbara Heidenreich secured her first job working with animals in a veterinary hospital. In 1990 after exploring various animal related professions, Barbara started her career as an animal trainer at a zoological park and has been a professional trainer ever since. Barbara provides consulting services to zoos, nature centers and other animal facilities.
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Q : Since When Where You Fromer President and Where ? A: International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators and served on the Board of Directors from 1997-2009. learning theory as described by the science of behavior analysis. Im passionate about teaching excellent animal training practical application skills. Barbara is thrilled to have had the opportunity to train thousands of animals, from rats to rhinos. This experience makes Barbara’s expertise truly unmatched. This hands-on practice with so many different individual animals has been invaluable to helping her provide caregivers the tools they need to solve behavior problems and have a great relationship with the animals in their lives based on trust. Her goal is to leave behind a legacy of kindness to animals by sharing her expertise. Q: What Part Position you Worked In? A: The Wings of Wonder section of the Dallas Zoo is home to a variety of raptor and new world vulture species. The recently refurbished exhibit is primarily designed to give zoo guests the opportunity to view these impressive birds of prey in their large, attractive and naturalistic enclosures. There is an additional goal of obtaining reproductive success with a number of the species on display. To date a pair of King Vultures (Sarcoramphus papa) has successfully reproduced while housed at the refurbished Wings of Wonder. n the past caring for exhibit and birds in reproduction programs has usually involved a “less is more approach.” The idea being that the fewer disturbances a keeper makes in a bird’s life, the more likely the bird is to show behaviors indicating comfort and therefore potentially breed. However with the addition of an animal training consultant and zoo keeping staff members with experience and interest in training it was decided a different approach could prove successful. Q : What Initial Training Did You Provide? A : Traditional raptor training practices often involve capturing and restraining a bird to get a bird on a scale to determine a “starting” weight for training. However the process of grabbing and restraining a bird against its will is contradictory to the goals of a positive reinforcement training program. Furthermore knowing the weight of an animal is not necessarily important to reaching training goals. While the information can be of interest for evaluating health, it is not required to train an animal. Instead keepers tried to ascertain based on observations, the amount of food Killa
typically ate in a day. They also observed her responsiveness to food when she was relaxed and comfortable. More or less food could be added or removed from the diet based on her response during a training session to maintain an adequate level of interest in training. This amount changed in correlation with the time of year. Colder temperatures meant an increase in diet. Warmer weather meant a decrease. Because Killa showed a high level of comfort around people she readily took food from keepers in the first training session. Per zoo policy the food was offered from hemostats as opposed to hands. Training was initiated with keepers outside of the enclosure. The first behavior Killa learned was to target. The target was a blue plastic circle attached to a dog clip.
area made this process stress free and more reliable. Crate training progressed with the crate now being in the enclosure and keepers in there as well to help direct Killa into the kennel using the target and food reinforcers. A scale was able to be brought into the enclosure to get a weight on the eagle. This was after months of training. Therefore although it was helpful to know her weight for record keeping purposes it was not integral to hertraining success. Q: How Did You save This Hawk? A: On several occasions Killa was found caught in the netting/wire of her enclosure. This meant keepers had to restrain her and untangle her legs from the netting. Pairing her trainers with this aversive experience had the potential to affect the trusting relationship that had been nurtured via positive reinforcement. Unfortunately the problem occurred more than once before Killa was moved to another enclosure while the netting was replaced with something more suitable. The entanglement incidents did cause Killa to show some hesitancy with her trainers, but because of a long positive reinforcement history she was able to return to her consistent performance during training rather quickly.
“Along the way other traiing
challenges including finding a crate large enough to comforably hold a large eagle.
"
The target could be hung on the outside of the cage near the eagle. At first food was held near the target. Killa learned to touch the blue target with her beak to earn the food reinforcer. In the early stages of training, the target became a useful tool to call Killa to the front of the cage for keeper talks. This offered zoo guests a great opportunity to see the impressive wingspan of a Harpy Eagle as she flew to the front of the enclosure. The target was also used to call her to the back of the cage to work on training other behaviors. To initiate introduction of a kennel, the target was used as a means to pair reinforcers with the kennel. The kennel was placed outside of the enclosure and Killa was reinforced for targeting nearby. Q:What is you Tranning Gaols? A : hoped, Killa learned quickly and was an eager participant. In addition her continued calm demeanor helped increase the teams’ confidence that the presentation of aggressive behavior would be very unlikely. Because of this keepers moved from training outside of the enclosure to training inside. Very quickly Killa learned to fly to perches when cued by the keepers. This made for an even more dynamic presentation for zoo guests. Killa also learned to shift into a holding area. This was an important training goal. Colder weather often required birds to be placed in holding. Training Killa to voluntarily enter her holding
Q: What Type of Tools do You Use To Train? A: The move to the new enclosure proved to be a blessing in disguise. Although the enclosure was smaller, it opened up the possibility for some new training goals. Because Killa had been doing so well, the idea of bringing her out of the enclosure for educational opportunities had been suggested. However her role as an exhibit (and potentially breeding) bird was also important. To bring Killa out of her enclosure would require the bird to be equipped with anklets and jesses. However it was agreed for her safety, based on her entanglement history, and for her role as an exhibit bird that she not wear equipment while in her enclosure. For these reasons it was decided to train her to allow keepers to apply anklets, jesses and any other equipment for excursions outside of the enclosure. These would then need to be removed when she returned to her enclosure. At the time, to the team’s knowledge, training a Harpy Eagle to accept the level of manipulation required to apply and remove equipment daily had not been attempted before. A shaping plan was devised to achieve the training goal. The steps included the following. Touch foot with hand, touch foot with anklet, drape anklet
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Q : What types of parrots as pets you recommend? A: In general I don´t not think one species is better than the other. What makes a great parrot is training and how the birds are raised. I personally prefer to work with a breeder who knoA cockatiel I have that came from a breeder who used force still is hesitant around hands despite lots of good training from me. The difference between a bird raised with a positive reinforcement approach and a bird raised with force is like night and day. Training with positive reinforcement is what makes a great parrot in my opinion, not so much the species or genetics.ws about positive reinforcement training. Baby parrots are learning so much when they are still hand feeding. A breeder who knows about training can start teaching that young bird during feeding sessions. My parrot Delbert came from such a breeder. When he arrived he already knew how to step up, hop onto a scale, fly to me, allow nail trims and more. Q: How Far Can The Intelligence of a Parrot? A: Intelligence is something that is difficult to measure. As a trainer I define it as how quickly the animal learns. In general parrots do tend to learn quickly and some species have a tendency to learn faster than others such as the kaka and keas mentioned before. But that is based on my experience and not on any scientific study. In the animal world I think species who need to problem solve to acquire food tend to be fast leaners. Q: What do you think about cutting the feathers? A: I personally prefer to keep birds flighted. I greatly enjoy watching a bird have the ability to choose to go where it wants. I use my positive reinforcement training strategies to safely manage a flighted bird in my home and have written several articles for my magazine Good Bird on how to do this. However I understand this is not always an option for every household and have certainly met many clipped birds who seem very content. I am not involved in breeding birds so don´t really have much comment on hybridization. In my opinion every bird can benefit from training with positive reinforcement even if they are a hybrid. I highly encourage parrot owners to take advantage of positive reinforcement to create a great relationship with any bird in their life, no matter what the genetics.
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Q: Can You Tell Us Your'e Experience? A: recently had the pleasure of training two young parrots for a company that does education programs. I wrote about my experiences with them in my blog http:// goodbirdinc.blogspot.com/ . It is a great story to follow for someone who is just getting started with their own bird. I include video clips on the birds´ progress. It can give new parrot owners some guidance on what to do with their own birds to raise a successful companion parrot. What Advice Can You Give to Someone Who Wants to Buy Parrot? A: First I recommend finding a breeder who trains their babies with positive reinforcement. I also recommend learning as much as possible about positive reinforcement traing before you bring your parrot home. This will allow you to start using the appropriate methods as soon as your new bird arrives. I also recommend learning about common behavioral problems people encounter. If you know about them in advance you can do things to prevent problems before they happen. Or you will know what to do the moment a problem happens for the first time so that it does not happen again. Q: When You Are Your Own Boss? A: if you want your vision to come to life, you have to make it happen. This means prioritizing your goals, and including them in your schedule. Projects can get done very quickly if you want them to.
Q: What Are You Working On Right Now? A: I always have several projects in the works. I have a few DVDs in post-production and one in production as well as another book on the way. Q: Where Did The Idea For Good Bird Inc Come From? A: Prior to starting my own company I trained birds for educational presentations as a zoo employee. After shows I would frequently be asked questions about parrot behavior problems. I found it surprising that the answers did not seem to be out there for the companion parrot owner. I decided to write a book with answers to common parrot behavior problems. Everything snow balled from that one book. When I am working from home, the day starts with animal care and training sessions. The rest of the day may be devoted to working on projects such as editing a new DVD, answering emails and handling the normal requirements of running a business. However I am frequently on the road presenting animal training workshops. had budgies as a child, but in 1987 my blue fronted amazon parrot Tarah came into my life. Over the past 23 years this parrot while a trainer walks around her enclosure, allow her feet to be manipulated, allow a trainer to wrap his hands around her legs and apply pressure, and allow touching of her chest and beak. Killa’s training is ongoing and it is the team’s hope to continue to add more
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BEWARE of FAMOUS PET SHOPS Here we dig into the depth of of why not even go to a famous pet shop store that know to be "Iconic" and exposing the danger to what is really happening to these bird and what is causingthe abuse they go through daily as we look at the Truth. By Corrissa Perez Where I like to began is in Famous pet such as Pet Co , Pet Smart and Sun Pet are not in the recomended list in where to buy bird or any other animal they don't want you to know whats really is happening to the pets that are in the backroom and how they are treated each day leaving a bird left to die in a manner just by letting them wrot to the death. With poor nuetrition and diying leathargicly and begeaning pyschicaly abused as well in the process knowing these creatures are know to be delicate and need to be handle gentely with iggnorance they are performing even. If the magment know about this they simply refuse what happening and don't take any action at all as if these birds seem so valueless to them. As the berdeers ship the animals they come out to be in very poor conditions such as hydration and no food to feed as they take the road of death. And alot of these famous chains don't get these birds to any vetienarian help at all for these birds knowing thier live do really matter and we will disscuse how these big pet store chains pay these breeder to produce more birds and ship them in poor condition and try to sell them to people and they don't sell they get shipped back to once they even if injured and sick its schocking what we can discover overall. Knowing its a waste of money down the drain thinking they would be in proper care. As those famous chains have really poor skill in how to train their employees and so on buying food products are always okay to just do not animals in those type of store and this will explain why not doing so.
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Refeshingly
Honest tea
‘‘Vocalize at sunrise and sunset, and
various other points throughout a typical day.”
with Queens of the Stone Age The Kills Cage the Elephant Liam Gallagher
at The Forum 3900 west Manchester blvd. Inglewood, CA 90305 Over 18s only
H B MTH BRING ME THE HORIZION
Saturday , November 24, 2018