In Your Flock January Issue by Sandy Lender

In This Issue

Resolve to Improve Companion Parrot Care

January 2013

Articles Solving Mysteries of Avian Bornavirus

by Sandy Lender

Here’s How to be a Good Foster Home for a Parrot

Florida Couple Adopts Paradise

Aftermath

24 26

Balance Beta-carotene

Baby Parrots Get Evicted

by Sandy Lender

Avian Community Assembles to Help in Wake of the Storm by In Your Flock Staff

by Leslie Moran

Resolve to Improve Companion Parrot Care By Sandy Lender

by Allan Taylor

Mouse is a Timneh African grey parrot (Psittacus timneh) who enjoys the best companion parrot care her owners can afford. That includes supervised outdoor time on a screened-in enclosure. In this issue, learn specific veterinary and foraging ideas and other care concepts for the companion parrot’s benefit.

Departments 5 Editor’s Note 6 Bright Eyes

25 Snowball the Dancing CockatooTM 31 From Petri’s Kitchen

7 Adopt Me

32 E-mail from Parker

Prepare Beans Properly by Patricia Sund

Parrot Outreach Society’s Blue

Introducing the Popular Grey Parrot by Lisa A. Bono

8 Shades of Grey

10 You May Have Heard

Pumpkin Birdie Bread

b.o.r.e.d.o.m.

33 Here’s How it Works

Idea Factory’s Bird Bather

34 Resource Directory

In Your Flock ~ 3

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ADVERTISERS We have opportunities for you to engage our readers online and in print. If you no longer run print advertising, we can help you tap into the market that has started moving online. Publisher Sandy Lender teaches courses on how to use online media and online resources to grow your business. Let’s get you in touch with her to put your brand in front of more parrot enthusiasts. She’ll be giving one of those seminars in late March at the World of Asphalt in San Antonio. Need a one-on-one consultation? Give her a call at (888) 982-9552. The mailing label on our front cover is available for an online ad with live link to the landing page of your choice. Also ask about sponsoring pages such as the Parrot Products, Bright Eyes, Shaming Parrots and more around the site.

Editor’s Note

January 2013 ~ Vol. 1 No. 2

Where Are the ABV Answers?

1242 SW Pine Island Road Suite 42-404 Cape Coral, FL 33991-2126 Publisher: Sandy Lender Ink, Inc. publisher@inyourflock.com Associate Publisher: Joe Dougherty joe@inyourflock.com Editor: Sandy Lender publisher@inyourflock.com ~ 888-982-9552 Sales Rep: Joe Dougherty joe@inyourflock.com ~ 888-982-9552 Advisory Board Nancy Speed, President American Federation of Aviculture www.afabirds.org Dr. Kirk S. Andazola, DVM Coral Veterinary Clinic http://CoralVetClinic.com Ann Brooks, President, Founder Phoenix Landing www.PhoenixLanding.org In Your Flock magazine and InYourFlock. com are intended for educational and networking purposes. The magazine is published 12 times a year by Sandy Lender Ink, Inc., Cape Coral, Fla. The opinions expressed by experts in the publication are not necessarily those of Sandy Lender Ink or its affiliates. The information presented herein is not meant to replace the expertise of your on-site avian veterinarian. As always, if you believe your companion parrot may be ill, you are advised to take him to your avian veterinarian for examination. In Your Flock staff members cannot vet the breeding sites that may advertise nor the rescues that may request funds, thus we encourage readers to research facilities prior to spending money or donating to new/unknown vendors/entities.

In Your Flock is proud to be a Fellow Member of World Parrot Trust, a Conure Member of Phoenix Landing and a Commercial Member of the American Federation of Aviculture.

Writing an article that delved into the nuances of the Avian Bornavirus (ABV) took more from me emotionally than I realized it would. I found myself flustered by the minimal information available to help bird owners long before I sat down to type. You see, I rehomed a precious Vosmaeri Eclectus parrot last year who passed away in my arms from Proventricular Dilitation Disease (PDD). My discussions with Ernie’s avian veterinarian and the specialist we went to see in Tampa coupled with the research I’ve done for the article lead me to think we humans have no hope of recognizing signs of ABV in a beloved pet until the signs we see are the virus’s progression to a disease we can’t yet cure. Of course that’s only my frustration talking. Advanced testing can help us find subtle invaders, thus the first of the articles I’m sharing with you on page 14 presents what information is available concerning ABV without—I hope—too much repitition of publicized findings. The main and most important common denominator I found while interviewing avian veterinarians, long-time aviculturists and researchers is that of providing a healthful diet for birds you suspect have compromised immune systems. As we dive into the second installment of the ABV/PDD series, we’ll look at diet and medications in depth. For now, it’s apparent that experts believe in augmenting the companion parrot’s diet. Period. When a parrot might be exposed to a virus, the importance of a healthful diet only increases. What are we doing to increase our parrots’ chances of combatting viruses and bacteria that assault them in their cramped, indoor quarters? In this issue of In Your Flock, we take a look at the importance of Betacarotene and safely preparing beans. Believe me when I say these are just the first of many articles that will feature great nutrition tips and ideas for birds. I’m not going to let us forget about hygiene. As discussed in the ABV article, a clean environment is vital to guarding against cross contamination in a flock where one or more birds may have the virus. Our companion parrots don’t have the luxury of flying away from the jungle, forest or savannah floor where they’ve defecated. They have to sit above their toilets until we come home from work or get done with evening tasks or get around to cleaning day. How conducive is your bird’s environment to the growth of bacteria and contagion? Check out the ideas on page 26 for some New Year’s resolutions/goals to help bring about better care for our companion parrots. Caring for parrots isn’t always easy. Researchers and veterinarians still seek answers for some of our questions—some of our heartbreaking questions. Together, we’ll dig up information and share what we learn. t

All my best, Sandy Lender

In Your Flock ~ 5

Bright Eyes

Prepare Beans Properly by Patricia Sund

Including healthy foods from our pantries for our companion parrots enriches their diets. However, we must be aware of proper handling and preparation when pulling new items out for their dishes. The recipes I share at Parrot NationTM and at InYourFlock.com sometimes include beans, so let’s look at the safest and healthiest way to serve beans to our flocks. A variety of websites will tell you that uncooked beans contain a chemical called hemaglutin. It’s a trypsin inhibitor, which means it interferes with the bird’s ability to metabolize protein.There’s simply no point in offering a food high in protein if the food blocks the use of protein. Raw beans also contain a chemical called phytohemagglutinin. According to a few of the nutrition sites like LiveStrong. com, this chemical is an actual toxin. It binds to some sugars in the body and causes diarrhea and vomiting. If your bird displays either of these

symptoms, take your bird to her avian vet. That said, beans are actually a wonderful food to offer your flock with safe and proper preparation. The best method of removing the phytohemagglutinin and hemaglutin is by cooking the beans. Some sources recommend boiling for 10 minutes. Red kidney beans have the highest phytohemagglutinin content of all the beans, so most experts recommend cooking them a little longer than you do the other beans. When I include beans in recipes, I soak the beans overnight in a pot filled with water and then drain and rinse them. Refill the pot with fresh water, bring the water to a rolling boil and cook the beans for about 15 minutes. I tend to be on the safe side by boiling five minutes longer than recommended just to be sure all of the toxins are neutralized. Given the protein and nutrition in beans, I like to serve them in Chop and other recipes I promote for birds. You’ll find iron, calcium, potassium, selenium, and vitamins A, B6 and C in beans. As I have

Beans like the ones pictured above offer dietary fiber, high amounts of protein and an assortment of vitamins. You can take advantage of these superfoods safely by soaking beans overnight, rinsing them well, and then cooking them in boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes before serving them to your birds. 6 ~ January 2013 ~ www.InYourFlock.com

mentioned before at my blog, they’re high in protein and dietary fiber. You’ll see discussions of antioxidants in this issue’s coverage of Avian Bornavirus and the health benefits of Beta-carotene. The antioxidant properties of beans are right up there with carrots and sweet potatoes. You can understand why I include beans in recipes for birds: First of all they are an excellent source of many nutrients. But I also offer them to my birds simply because they like them. Use safe cooking practices in your kitchen such as cooking beans at a rolling boil for at least 10 to 15 minutes and your birds will not only benefit from their nutrition, but remain safe from any toxins. t Patricia Sund as the author of Parrot NationTM. She shares her home with her three African greys, Parker, Pepper and Nyla, and is a speaker and presenter at workshops with presentations on nutrition and preparation of Chop for feeding companion birds. Her Chop method is rapidly becoming “the new black” in feeding and is gaining worldwide popularity as an efficient and healthy way of offering a quality diet.

To be sure lentils are a safe and scrumptious ingredient in Chop, cook them in boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes. Visit www.InYourFlock.com/chop-what-your-birds-like/ for one of the variations of Chop.

Adopt Me

Parrot Outreach Society: Blue The Adopt Me department of In Your Flock is designed to bring loving, long-term homes and adoptable parrots together. We intend to have rescues work hand-in-hand with In Your Flock staff to highlight gorgeous parrots like Blue for placement with new homes. Name: Blue Species: B&G Macaw (Ara araraunga) Sex: female Hatch Date: unsure Apprx Age: 8 Favorite Food: Walnuts, loves pellets, not picky at all Disposition: One-person bird; dominant at first, but a “puppy-dog” once she’s comfortable with a person Favorite Toys: Wood toys, “She loves to make toothpicks out of her big wood block toys.” Favorite Activities: Enjoying walnuts while hanging out on a playstand, “She loves out-of-cage time.” Blue currently stays at the Parrot Outreach Society in Above: Blue tries to steal treats during treat time at the Florida where Pam Hill tells us she arrived at the rescue Parrot Outreach Society. Below: Blue takes a little time to get comfortable after her second home. “She had been a man’s bird at with a person, but then turns into a love. Here both homes and didn’t like the females in the homes. she poses for the camera with a person she She was left to run the home freely with no cage and knows and trusts. Hill says she’s “pretty lived on a play stand. She was being fed a seed diet and fearless,” but can be protective of her cage. human foods. When her human had to travel to work, Blue didn’t like the wife and wasn’t getting enough attention. Blue came to her second family already plucked and continues to pluck. She has no feathers on her chest, stomach or legs. She usually only has a few tail feathers and a few on each wing.” Blue’s only special needs are for warmth and to avoid direct sun, Hill said. She occasionally will pull a blood feather. “We haven’t seen any feathers erupt on the bare skin areas in the three years we’ve had her, though she does get wing and tail feathers. Avoid direct sunlight to prevent sunburn on her bare skin. It’s doubtful she’ll ever grow feathers again except on her wings and tail. She has plucked so badly for so long that she has most certainly damaged the feather follicles. We shower her just like any other bird, but must be careful not to let her get too cool afterward. Aloe misting is beneficial to her skin.” Blue does not come with a cage. Her adoption fee is only $300. You can visit her in the bonding room at 1105 Taylor Road, Unit A, Punta Gorda, FL 33982. t

Contact Pam or Paul at (941) 505-2593. In Your Flock ~ 7

Shades of Grey

Introducing the Popular Grey Parrot by Lisa A. Bono, ACPBC

The African grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus) is one of the top five most popular species kept in aviculture today. Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics present evidence that the history of pet African greys dates back 4,000 years. Ancient Greeks and Romans valued the parrots for their talking abilities, and King Henry VIII of England was said to have kept one as a pet. In the early days, natives of Africa killed and used these beautiful birds as food. Greys that had excessive red feathers were referred to as King Congos or Red Factor. The natives held them in high regard because it was believed they possessed magical powers. It is currently illegal to import African greys into North America under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Importation of wild caught parrots into the United States ceased in 1992 with the enactment of the Wild Bird

Conservation Act. It is however, still she hears as well as communicate legal to import them into Europe. with her trainer Stephanie White. Some of today’s well-known Merlin is the little grey who moved grey parrots such as Alex, Griffin Maggie Wright to author a number and Arthur (aka Wart) at The Alex of caregiver books, magazine Foundation; N’kisi; Einstein; and articles and one of the first websites Merlin help keep our fascination devoted to African greys for us to with the grey parrot escalating. learn and enrich all of our lives. Many readers may Greys are be familiar with Dr. This reaffirms that grey excellent mimics parrots can grasp the and many (though Irene Pepperberg’s 30-plus years of concept of “none” or an not all) are talkers research with absence of quantity as excellent with a capacity for African greys, which include Alex had demonstrated learning and using prior to his passing. several thousand extensive data words. Even greys published about Alex, Griffin and Arthur. That that do not learn to repeat words are research has shown that grey adept at learning household noises parrots are capable of cognitive such as the telephone or doorbell, communication as well as often well enough to confuse their owners. Most greys have a large associated learning. What about these other popular collection of sounds they repeat. As birds? In 2002, the N’kisi Project the work at The Alex Foundation consisted of a series of controlled at Brandeis University has shown, experiments and ongoing research greys have a unique capacity for in interspecies communication putting their words and sounds and telepathy into the right context as opposed to conducted by simply repeating them. Additional caregiver Aimee research shows other cognitive Morgana and her abilities. l a n g u a g e - u s i n g In a study published last year grey parrot N’kisi. in the Proceedings of the Royal Einstein (the Society B, researchers from the Superstar!) of “Pet University of Vienna gave six Star” fame resides grey parrots a complex task to at the Knoxville complete. (See the “You May Have Zoo in Tennessee Heard” department in the holiday and is well known 2012 issue.) Researchers used two for her knowledge canisters—one full of walnuts and ability to and the other empty. In front of perform on cue the parrots, researchers shook the the varied sounds containers one at a time. The parrots of the animals would have to select which canister The Timneh African grey (Psittacus timneh) pictured here has been known to show a bit less fear of new situations or new structures in its environment than the Congo African grey (Psittacus erithacus).

8 ~ January 2013 ~ www.InYourFlock.com

contained nuts to get their reward. When the birds were given the chance to select a canister, they consistently chose the one with the walnuts, whether they had heard the shaking of the canister with the walnuts or the can that produced no sound. Therefore, they were able to determine that a noisy canister meant “walnuts” and a quiet canister meant “no walnuts, so the nuts must be in the other canister.” Though this might not seem impressive to some, let it be known that no other non-primate species has been able to master this type of task. Humans can’t perform this task until approximately three years of age. This reaffirms that grey parrots can grasp the concept of “none” or an absence of quantity as Alex (of The Alex Foundation) had demonstrated prior to his passing. Alex stunned the Brandeis University lab workers and Pepperberg with his use of the label “none.” This wasn’t a label that was taught to him and Alex was thought

to achieve this concept during a temper tantrum. During a routine working session, Pepperberg presented Alex with a tray that contained sets of two, three and six objects. She asked Alex, “What color three?” Alex responded “five,” which made no sense because nothing on the tray added up to the number five. After several attempts to get Alex to concentrate and Alex’s obvious delight in deliberately giving the incorrect answer, Pepperberg gave in and said, “Okay, Alex, tell me. What color five?” to which Alex responded, “none.” One unique characteristic that owners have noticed is that their pet grey parrots seem to be closely in tune with the people who care for them. The parrots possess a special ability to pick up on thoughts, feelings, moods and energy of the people around them. According to Wright, “They force us to face ourselves because they reflect in their behavior what is going on in

and around us.” There is a special type of closeness and connection within the relationship between owner and grey that is not seen in many other species. With our fascination of the African grey parrot growing, so grows the information that research is bringing to light. In the upcoming months, we will discuss in depth more topics of health, behavior and nutrition of the grey parrot in this column. We’ll also answer questions from our readers at www. InYourFlock.com. t Lisa A. Bono, ACPBC is an associate certified parrot behavior consultant with the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants and specializes in the African grey parrot. Lisa is an allied professional member of the Association of Avian Veterinarians and a volunteer for The Alex Foundation. Ask your grey parrot behavior questions at www. InYourFlock.com or contact her at her store, The Platinum Parrot in Barnegat, N.J. www.PlatinumParrot.com.

In Your Flock ~ 9

You May Have Heard... by In Your Flock Staff

Cockatoo Uses Tools Spontaneously The Goffin’s cockatoo (Cacatua goffini) pictured here lives in a different environment than Figaro of Austria, but he shows the same intelligence in his bright, alert eyes. This is Max, a 25-year-old bundle of mischief who once spent his days locked in a garage making toys out of his own feathers. Now he has full flight and a good diet as a sanctuary bird at Miss Vicki’s Parrot Village, detailed on page 12. Photo courtesy of Janet Holt Hilton.

A Goffin’s cockatoo (Cacatua goffini) in Austria surprised researchers one day when they noticed him reaching for a toy. It wasn’t just any toy and it wasn’t just any “reach.” Figaro the cockatoo had dropped his pebble out of reach outside of his wire mesh enclosure and was using a stick he’d picked up off the aviary floor to drag the pebble back into range of his grasp. An experiment was born. Scientists from the University of Oxford, the University of Vienna and the Max-Planck-Institute for Ornithology in Germany got in on the study of Figaro’s intelligence. They set up scenarios in which they placed nuts just out of his reach to see what he would do. The smart cockatoo didn’t just grab a stick and pull the nuts within reach. He made his own tools. First Figaro quickly chewed a splinter off a wood beam, which he reached through the mesh of his cage to get. He pulled the splinter into his enclosure to manipulate it, poke it through a square of the cage wires, use it to rake the cashew toward him, and then toss it to the side when he had the nut close. When he realized the nut wasn’t quite close enough, he grabbed the splinter again, poked it back

through the cage square to pull the nut a bit closer, and then grabbed his prize. The researchers monitoring Figaro reported that he became more adept at making the splinter tools each time they presented him with a nut that was out of reach. Oxford University Professor Alex Kacelnik said no one’s reported a parrot making a tool out of “shapeless wood” to then use later “with great sophistication.” He shared with BBC Nature, “It’s almost as if he discovered a solution and then managed to apply it.” Alice M.I. Auersperg, Birgit Szabo, Auguste M.P. von Bayern, and Kacelnik summarized their findings for the Nov. 6, 2012, issue of Current Biology, stating

10 ~ January 2013 ~ www.InYourFlock.com

that “Accounts of complex tool innovations in animals, particularly in species not adaptively specialized for doing so, are exceedingly rare and often linked to advanced cognitive abilities in the physical domain….Here, we report a case of spontaneous tool innovation in the Goffin’s cockatoo...” The scientists drop the stiff reporting of researchers briefly in their article for Current Biology to share almost comical, detailed explanations of how Figaro manufactured the nine tools used in the trials. They also offer speculation for future researchers to observe parrots and corvids using tools to solve problems. Sources: Current Biology Vol 22 No 21; BBC Nature 6 November 2012

Conserve Macaws In Peru You have the opportunity to travel as a student with George Olah and Don Brightsmith, in collaboration with the Cayetano University in Peru, to partake in the field course â&#x20AC;&#x153;Conservation Biology Techniques of Parrots and Macaws in the Peruvian Amazonâ&#x20AC;? this March 1 through 9 in Tambopata. This is a guided field-based course in the southeastern Peruvian Amazon during which participants will learn the natural history, biology, ecology, behavior, genetics and conservation biology of parrots and macaws. The Psittaciformes are considered the

most endangered large bird order in the world with approximately 26.2 percent of neotropical species classified as threatened. This makes it vital to teach students about this group and possibilities for their conservation. Students will also be familiarized with scientific field research techniques from first-hand researchers of the Tambopata Macaw Project, which is a long-term research project on the ecology and conservation of macaws and parrots in the lowlands of southeastern Peru. The Tambopata Macaw Project has

The Blue and Gold Macaw (Ara ararauna) at left shows off her majestic wings. Her name is Star and she not only makes a terrific ambassador for Miss Vickiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Parrot Village visiting schools, libraries, parks, restaurants and neigborhoods, she makes a nice ambassador for the macaws in southeastern Peru. Photo courtesy of Janet Holt Hilton.

been working with wildlife and local communities since 1989. This is a university accredited course and is intended for enthusiastic individuals with a keen interest in the tropical environment. This course is suitable for master of science undergraduate students in the last three years of their degree and individuals who want to learn from experts about parrots and macaws of the Peruvian Amazon. By the end of the course, students will be able to understand concept of general parrot biology and ecology, design and collect scientific data on wild populations of parrots and macaws, respond to conservation issues in a tropical environment. Direct serious inquiries to George Olah at gyolah@yahoo.com.

In Your Flock ~ 11

If you end up with a messy floor, messy machines and messy beaks, you’ve made Chop correctly. The members of the Bird Lovers Club in Florida have learned another way to make a mess—and happy birds.

Bird Lovers Learn to Chop The November meeting of the Bird Lovers Club in Pembroke Pines, Fla., featured Patricia Sund of Parrot Nation™ demonstrating how to prepare a nutritious diet supplement for companion birds while club members enjoyed a Thanksgiving luncheon donated by Cracker Barrel. After a brief discussion of the Chop concept and what kind of healthy items go into the “typical” batch, Sund enlisted a crew of club members to assist in chopping. As she called out the various ingredients used in that day’s creation, club members struck up a lively discussion about what goes in, what stays out, what’s great for parrot diets and what’s not. Check out the April issue of In Your Flock for our “Health & Diet” edition and visit Parrot NationTM for Chop updates. A quartet of new Cuisinarts served as raffle prizes after the

event—winners had to clean the freshly chopped veggies off the gently used equipment at home. Any club member who wanted a sample was welcome to take one complimentary bag home for his or her feathered friends; additional bags could be purchased with

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proceeds going to area rescues. Additional bags also went to area rescues so lots of beaks had fresh veggies for Thanksgiving dinner. Learn more at www. birdloversclub.net.

Village Assists Psittacines

Once upon a time a majestic Cockatoo with pretty black eyes sat on a perch at Parrot Mountain in Tennessee. She fluffed her lovely young feathers at a family walking by and the members of the family were impressed. They purchased this Cockatoo at the end of the tour for their daughter, and everyone was happy for about a year. When the daughter left for college after that year, Remy the Cockatoo became upset and aggressive. She began to pluck her feathers. As happens so often in such

cases, Remy went to live at a sanctuary. Miss Vicki’s Parrot Village took her in and now Remy no longer plucks and no longer has signs of aggression. She visits schools to teach kids about parrots. Vicki Lynn LeClaire is the director and founder of Miss Vicki’s Parrot Village, Inc., which held its monthly adoption open house on the first Saturday of December so people could visit the birds, learn about parrot care, talk about parrot issues and participate in educational tours of different species. LeClaire explained, “It is open to the public,

and many people come to learn about parrots. This is also the first visit people make when they are considering adopting a parrot. We don’t do same-day adoptions, so they start at the open house. If their application isapproved, then they schedule a one-on-one meeting with the birds.” LeClaire said they typically have anywhere from 20 to 30 people attend an open house, but the December event had 26 individuals, couples and groups sign in. They estimate around 50 individuals came through during the fourhour event. The December open house featured fund raising and the opportunity for visitors to bring toys for the Toy Tree; this let people order and donate toys to all of the birds housed at the

At left, Remy at three years of age. Below, Mickey the scarlet macaw is looking for a place to call “home.” Above, Pat Linhardt offers some much-appreciated scratches to Persephone, who was found living in a ferret cage in a garage in Alabama. She has no toes but she can use her feet to unscrew entire cages and play stands. The African grey in the background is Bob. He’s 18 years old and has undergone treatment for severe liver disease. He’s doing better and loves making video game noises and giving kisses with a laser-noise ending. He’s available for adoption. Photos courtesy of Janet Holt Hilton.

Village. The open houses take place in the licensed, non-profit parrot rescue, which is located in LeClaire’s home in Fayetteville, Ga. “We use about 2,800 square feet of our home for rescue and live in the remaining 1,400 square feet.” Learn more at www. parrotvillage.org.

Wetland System Remains Wild

Secretary of the Department of the Interior Ken Salazar announced Nov. 29, 2012, that full Wilderness Act protections will be granted throughout the entire Drakes Estero within the Point Reyes National Seashore in northern California. This is home to blue herons, egrets and harbor seal pups. Despite recent lobbying for corporate interests to expand operations deeper into the wilderness area, this home will remain free from commercial aquaculture. Source: Sea Turtle Restoration Project t

Track Your bird’s Weight Gram-Ounce Scale/Perch Set It’s important to check your parrot’s weight every week to see signs of illness he may be hiding. Check it reliably with a gram-ounce scale and perch set from Pretty Parrot. 5,000-gram capacity. Visit www.prettyparrot.com Call (800) 767-4208 Tell them you saw it in In Your Flock Magazine

In Your Flock ~ 13

Solving Mysteries of the

Avian Bornavirus by Sandy Lender Editor’s Note: This multiple-part article will include a great deal of technical information, but we will present as much information as possible in layman’s terms to accommodate all interested readers. In the companion parrot community, we have the frightening prospect of introducing a virus or disease into our flocks when we take our birds to a public venue. As prey animals, birds mask symptoms of illness in the wild; they’ve carried this survival skill so well into the domestic situations we’ve placed them in that we can easily sit with a beloved pet next to a sick bird and not realize what we’ve done until it’s too late. For this multi-part article, we’ll discuss the Avian Bornavirus (ABV) and the disease it can develop into, Proventricular Dilitation Disease (PDD). We’ll take a look at the virus and how owners can protect healthy birds within ABV positive (ABV+) flocks from contracting the virus and developing the disease. Dr. Arne deKloet at Animal Genetics guided me to research from the now well-known University of California San Francisco 2008 studies where Bornavirus was first described in psittaciforms. This group isolated a negative-strand RNA virus and designated it the culprit behind PDD. The Avian Bornavirus is an RNA virus, which means—among other things—it requires a host cell to hold it to stay alive. The type of cell it goes for is nerve cells, according to deKloet. deKloet explained that the RNA virus tends to break down nerve endings. Once it gets out of the cell,

though, it can’t survive. As deKloet said, “You need very close contact for this virus to spread from one individual to another.” While PDD is a death sentence for a parrot, it doesn’t have to be the immediate end of a happy life. Here’s the most recent information researchers and veterinarians can share with readers. By now, many parrot enthusiasts know that Macaw Wasting Disease, as PDD was once known, presents with a virus that may or may not show up in a random droppings test. Dr. Ian Tizard of Texas A&M University in College Station explained that getting a negative test result doesn’t mean a bird is in the clear when it comes to any of the four genomes of ABV. “The amount coming out in the droppings is an element of prognosis,” Tizard shared. “That said, we have birds that are infected, but have only shed once in 18 months [since summer 2011]. We’re confronted with the idea that testing the droppings is a very bad way to test. A negative really means next to nothing. We might have missed that temporary shedding.” Tizard’s talking about an infected flock of 60 cockatiels that was donated to the facility at Texas A&M. A number of the birds are infected with PDD. At this time, there’s no cure for PDD, but there’s hope for a comfortable and long life for the birds who have shed ABV during testing. As Tizard said, some birds have only shed once since the summer of 2011. He shared that the facility has a couple of parrots who have been shedding virus for 13 years and “are still just fine” showing no progression to PDD. Unfortunately, the researchers documented an outbreak of PDD in a wild flock of birds in California in which birds started getting sick within 23 days of an infected bird joining the group. At a few weeks, the researchers were losing birds and necropsies showed lesions on the eyes and adrenals. Test for ABV As mentioned above, ABV+ birds don’t shed virus all the time. When actively shedding, the bird’s test results should give an avian veterinarian no doubt as to what’s going on. deKloet at Animal Genetics offered two methods for veterinarians to employ. First, using rELISA, which tests fluids for immunological exposure to ABV antigens, will show whether or not the bird’s body is trying to respond to the specific virus. Second, direct rtPCR detects the presence of the RNA. The direct rtPCR includes testing samples of four to eight chest or breast contour feathers. As shown in the illustration of tail feathers at the upper right, cells in the base of the breast feather will host the virus if it’s present. But how does the average parrot owner know there’s a problem? By the time a parrot shows symptoms, he’s showing symptoms of PDD. deKloet described weight loss in the pectoral area, general depression, regurgitation in excess, vomiting, undigested food in the droppings, ataxia, head tremors, paralysis and seizures as signs that a bird may be struggling with PDD and ABV.

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In addition to the serum test (rELISA) and panel (rtPCR) mentioned at left, the veterinarian will likely perform a barium radiograph to assess the size of the proventriculus (forestomach) and how quickly the body passes the barium. Keep in mind, if ample evidence of PDD is present, putting the bird through the stress of a radiograph may be unnecessary. Virus

Protect Your Birds The best way to keep a bird in your home Virus Researchers have determined the RNA from picking up a virus or contracting a "delicate" Avian Bornavirus doesn't survive for long outside a host cell. Nucleus disease, beyond practicing perfect hygiene, is to practice perfect quarantine Cell measures. Don’t let any bird in and don’t take your bird out. But how practical is As we once learned in Biology such behavior? Rick Jordan of the American Federation of Aviculture class, a virus injects its genetic (AFA) and owner of Hill Country Aviaries, Dripping Springs, Texas, be- material into a host cell to gan breeding parrots in 1984. He has kept and bred more than 200 spe- replicate. Outside of a cell, the cies of parrots. He shared the safest protocol for a parrot owner. RNA-based Avian Bornavirus “Really the only way to assure you will not contract ABV or bring it cannot survive. Thus researchers home is to not visit any bird stores, marts or homes where people have have found it requires direct birds. But this is simply not a feasible solution, and in the real world contact from infected individual where we live, we have to do our best without cramping our lifestyles.” to infected individual through It’s difficult to avoid any and every pet store where you might come droppings or other intact cellular into contact with feathers, dander or droppings when shopping for your “touch” to transmit or replicate with bird. It’s difficult to find a board certified avian veterinarian who will confidence. make a house call so you don’t have to take your bird into an environment where he might breathe in germs. Some bird clubs allow members to Jordan’s supposition is right on bring feathered friends to meetings and events. Even if you don’t take with advice from Dr. Teresa Lightyour parrot to the meeting, are you sure you’re not bringing germs back foot of BluePearl, Tampa, Fla. She to your home or aviary on your shoes or clothing? advised that placing ABV positive In the case of ABV, the short-lived virus dies quickly enough outside birds in structures with separate of its host that drastic measures of quarantine aren’t mandatory. Should air structures was less vital than you take an ABV+ parrot to a bird club meeting? Of course not. Should when working with birds infected you shower, put on fresh clothing and don a pair of shoes you keep out with other viruses or diseases. The in your car before going into pet stores or a bird club meeting? This level reason is that ABV doesn’t survive of caution is up to the individual owner. outside its host. With some airborne viruses and diseases, veterinarians will Lightfoot’s recommendation recommend you keep unhealthy birds in a portion of your home or was to isolate the infected bird and aviary with its own air circulation system. In the typical home, that’s care for him last during routine acdifficult to pull off. You can’t merely put the unhealthy birds in a back tivities, even though she had read room and the healthy birds in a front room, close both doors and expect evidence of aviaries with a mere no contamination. Researchers have found that ABV doesn’t survive six (6) feet of space between cages long in the air, thus constructing a building with its own air circulation providing adequate “room” and system isn’t necessary. What is necessary is the use of sensible sanitation “time” for the virus to expire beamong the flock. tween potential hosts. “It may be prudent to isolate all birds that do test positive until we Lightfoot advised thorough sanfully understand the disease progression,” Jordan said. “Generally itizing of an infected bird’s dishes, speaking, in a flock situation where birds are all caged separately, infected perches and equipment in a manbirds would not be allowed to interact with others, and all bowls and ner that none of it became confused equipment would be kept separate. Also, good hygiene between birds Continues on page 32 and cleaning would be expected.” In Your Flock ~ 15

Here’s How to be A Good Foster Home for a Parrot by Sandy Lender

ostering is a contentious enough topic that not everyone I contacted wanted to go on record discussing it. On one hand, parrot rehoming facilities that are at or near capacity can still take in select birds if an established foster system provides satisfactory nutrition, attention, housing, exercise and other standards of care for some of the birds in the adoption pipeline. Sanctuary president Keriellen Lohrman at Bird Gardens of Naples said the flip side of that is a relinquished parrot in some stage of grief or fear—or both—endures another step in the shuffle when placed in foster care with a family he may or may not begin to trust. Considering one of the tasks for a foster is to socialize a parrot for adoptability, earning the parrot’s trust is important. We as parrot guardians have to decide if it’s fair to befriend the bird in the foster situation and then expect the bird to form that friendship again with an adoptive family. There are pros and cons to the concept. For Patricia Sund of Parrot Nation™, it can be tricky for the foster because you give your heart over to this new friend. “I have fostered and placed many birds,” Sund shared. “I think the best way to provide care for a foster is to treat them as your own. I try and find positive behaviors they have and reinforce them, building up from there. I ensure I get them on a good diet and give them a bit of extra attention so they don’t feel as displaced. The danger is getting too attached. If you do get attached, then I believe you’re doing it right. Best Friends Animal Society calls these situations ‘failed fosters,’ and they love it when that happens.” Of course the term “failed” is tongue-in-cheek. While it is the foster’s job to care for the animal and make sure she feels like part of the family, it’s not truly failing to fall in love. If you choose to foster a parrot for a rehoming center that needs the help and you decide you can’t live without the new friend, it’s usually as easy as making a phone call to set up the final paperwork to give the bird her forever home with you. This may limit the number of birds you can logically or responsibly foster in the future, but you have to follow your heart. 16 ~ January 2013 ~ www.InYourFlock.com

At Phoenix Landing™, fostering is part of the adoption process. Ann Brooks, founder and president of Phoenix Landing, explained that someone who contacts the organization for the purpose of adopting one of the birds must first spend time with the bird. “All of our birds start as a foster to the person or family before adoption,” Brooks explained. “Most people are fostering with the hope or intention of adopting. We do have a handful of people that are very helpful with certain species. For example, one of our Maryland fosters takes in many cockatiels— probably 150 birds over the last several years. As new homes are found, people will pick up a bird from her and she can give them additional information about cockatiel care.” This gives both bird and human the chance to check out life in the new situation. If it seems as though the foster won’t work out, the bird can go back before the final adoption is complete. Thus the foster/adopter has to meet basic standard of care requirements for taking on parrot ownership. Brooks described those. “The most important thing we look for is someone who is willing to learn,” Brooks said. “It doesn’t matter if they have a flock or not, as long as they’re willing to learn. We encourage people to come to our many educational events, as often as possible. We know that some applicants need to attend a core class before fostering, while others are encouraged to come when they can. It’s this willingness to learn that usually determines the success of the human/parrot relationship. “In addition, our adoption coordinators are in touch with foster families, and give them additional information as needed. We also have a yahoo group, which is geared toward our foster and adopting families. It’s a place where specific issues or problems can be addressed or new ideas shared. It’s not a chat group.” Irena Schulz of Bird Lovers Only (BLO) shared that the organization no longer uses a foster program, but the qualifications for fostering included volunteer experience. It’s a good list to have in mind if you’re considering fostering for a rehoming organization.

“They must have volunteered at a bird rescue for a minimum of three months,” Schulz listed. “They must have a good working relationship with a qualified avian vet and have access to emergency avian care. They must have an understanding of parrot behavior and problem-solving measures. They must be financially stable to afford food, toys and veterinary care. And they must supply a letter of reference from either an avian vet or another bird rescue or sanctuary.” Once a person or family took in a BLO bird to foster, the responsibility for the bird’s care was placed on their shoulders. “We expected fosters to keep cages clean and have a fresh supply of water and food daily,” Schulz said. While that sounds simple, it’s merely the foundation for good foster care. “The food the birds received must contain a variety of foods which could include pellets, sprouted seeds, vegetables, fruits, nuts, greens, Chop, and store-bought treats….The main idea is variety, variety, variety. “We also expected fosters to vet their birds once a year as minimum maintenance. If they were fostering a bird that had some health concerns, then they were expected to keep up with vet visits as deemed necessary by the vet. The home could not contain other pets that have the potential to harm them. Bird Lovers Only assisted fosters with advice and suggestions for experts to address situations that we could not.” Other rehoming organizations have similar qualifications for a potential foster to meet and they try to make people feel comfortable with home visits and interviews. A concerned parrot owner who shall remain anonymous posted on a public forum before the holidays that she was loathe to join the fostering or adopting community because she feared the home visit. If I may paraphrase the lengthy explanation she gave, it felt like an invasion of her privacy to have someone—or a committee of someones—come into her home and judge her. Most readers could probably relate to that. No one wants to be judged based on the age of our furniture or based on how far beneath the sofa one of the greys threw a hunk of food that’s starting to smell funny. But the sources I spoke with want to put those fears to rest. Parrot adoption volunteers and managers don’t want to pass judgment on your color schemes. They want to know who you are and how you’ll care for the birds who may have been traumatized and are now in need of love and care. “The home visit is intended to be an opportunity to work together to make the best match possible, for both the family and the bird,” Brooks said. “It

A Good Foster Needs… • access to an avian veterinarian. • access to nutrition information. • a stable enough income to afford food, toys, veterinary care, etc. • a desire to learn more about the bird he’s taking in. • room for an adequate enclosure for the species being fostered. (Depending on the bird’s comfort level, it may accept a play stand in addition to its cage.) • time to interact gently with the bird on a regular basis for socialization.

gives everyone in the family a chance to ask specific questions, to have a discussion about where a bird will be placed, potential dangers or concerns, and what species might work best in each family’s circumstances. Everyone can learn about how to care for a parrot, but it does take time and dedication, and every member of the family needs to be involved. Most people who agree with this approach will also welcome a home visitor. In addition, no one has all the answers; we are all learning together and from each other.” Schulz said the home visit was a way to get to know the foster. “Just be yourselves,” she said. In the rescue, foster or adoption scenario, “We aren’t looking to find fault; we’re looking for the positives and how a particular bird can benefit from being in your specific household. We try to match up lifestyles and personalities. In our general foster program, I wanted to get to know the potential fosters. I felt it was important to understand their lifestyles and personalities to make sure that it was going to be a successful blend. A glowing vet reference was always given a lot of weight in determining whether someone would make a good foster for Bird Lovers Only.” Now BLO is stationed in South Carolina and works more in avian research and in transporting birds that have been confiscated in emergency situations to rehoming organizations or sanctuaries that are able to accept them. There are still plenty of organizations that seek caring parrot enthusiasts to serve as fosters until the right adopter comes into a parrot’s life. t In Your Flock ~ 17

Florida Couple Adopts

Paradise by Sandy Lender

This beautiful blue and gold macaw (Ara ararauna) used to work for a theme park organization in Orlando. The stress caused her to pluck feathers, which made her “undesirable” to the employer. Now she has sanctuary where she doesn’t have to entertain anyone for her food, treats or head scratches. At left, Griffith Lohrman gives some love to Donna the lesser sulphur crested cockatoo (Cacatua sulphurea) and Brie the umbrella cockatoo (Cacatua alba) as we toured the gardens. Below that, a pair of Patagonian conures (Cyanoliseus patagonus) named Scarface and Hank looked upon us with a smug sort of gaze. Griffith explained that he and Keri chose to place them at the front of the property so the notoriously loud birds could sound the alarm in the event an intruder came onto the property. So far, he said, the conures have been far quieter than the cockatoos toward the back of the property. Below, Chico shows off for company.

Color me biased, but I think Keriellen and Griffith Lorhman have accepted guardianship of an amazing venture. After the owners of a 5-acre property in Southwest Florida suffered an accident and health issues that prevented them from proceeding with construction, the Lohrman’s became caretakers, as Keri explained it, for the parrot sanctuary named Bird Gardens of Naples. It’s a 501(c)(3) organization situated in paradise. While that might sound like a dream come true for some parrot enthusiasts, it’s a mountain of hard work. From the moment I pulled up to the front gate where tired, gray boards bespoke a security system in need of an update, I realized this was a labor of love still in progress. Of course, the security system kicked into loud gear when the cockatoos announced my arrival. A short-term goal for the Gardens is to prepare for visitors who can pay a nominal fee to tour the facility. As a non-profit, the Gardens will pump that money back into the care of the parrots and the parrots’ final home. It’s a tall but much-needed order. First, the property used to be a tomato farm so there’s an elaborate and functional watering system in place, but overgrown brush makes access difficult. A great pond area for wild wading birds needs to be dredged and the pipes leading to it need to be cleaned out to allow proper water flow. Griffith estimated about 15,000 linear square feet of wood needs to be replaced or repaired around the walkways and cages. Countless concrete planters dot the property, ready for native and bird-safe vegetation to augment the wild-growing shade and fruit trees around the grounds. All of this is needed because the Gardens has been home to a flock of birds for quite some time. The Lohrmans recently accepted a flock of cockatoos and other beloved parrots from a 78-year-old woman with Stage III

liver cancer. Six of those birds were Indian Ringthe biting. necks (Psittacula krameri) that showed Griffith the It didn’t take long to realize Keri and Griffith are escape hatch they were nibbling during my tour. working with a tender flock. The typical bird at While visiting with the Lohrman’s I learned that the Bird Gardens of Naples isn’t a four- or fivethey’re already preparing for another influx of year-old grey that someone didn’t know how to birds coming from a retiring bird breeder. When take care of, thus tossed into the adoption stream. this gentleman relinquishes his birds, about 80 “Sanctuary birds are older,” Keri said. She parrots will need a safe home in which to live out shared the story of a mealy amazon (Amazona faritheir days. nosa) that arrived obese, old and stressed. The bird “Those birds don’t belong in a cage in someone’s succumbed to his stress, leaving his friend to pine house,” Keri said. She spoke not just of the older for him. She would sit in her food dish, refusing breeder birds who have stopped being productive, to eat. Luckily, Keri and Griffith could place the but also of the birds in the 6- and 8-foot cages on female bird in a large enclosure with two other the property around her. “They need privacy. mature amazons and a nest box. She can sit in the They don’t need toys. It’s been stressful for them nest box when she needs her privacy—and she to have us encroach upon their lives. Now they eats food again. need to live out their lives with dignity.” Keri shared that loss like that is the hardest The vast majority of the enclosures at the Garaspect of working in sanctuary. “When most of dens are outdoors and built with Southwest Floryour birds are 45 to 50 years old, you’re going to ida conditions and climate in mind. That makes have losses.” them pricy, but strong. Visit the In Your Flock web On the other side of the coin, seeing birds rally site for specifications on the cages and building and recover in the sanctuary setting is the positive supplies. One of the items included in most of the for the Lohrmans. “Knowing that they’re okay,” is enclosures is a nest box, which many professionKeri’s reward. als in rescue and rehab find disconcerting. Keri ex “Seeing a bird like Tucker [a cockatoo who came plained the logical reason for letting older parrots to the sanctuary plucked] with all of his feathers have their nesting boxes—they’re accustomed to grown back,” is Griffith’s reward. the boxes. With hard work and continued heart, the She shared that retired breeder birds are no lonrewards will keep on coming. t ger producing eggs. Rather than increase their stress in new surroundings, she lets them have the boxes they’re used to and in which they can seek shelter or find privacy. Keri sees a combination of economy and pet trade supply giving rehoming and sanctuary facilities the importance that they have. “We’ve made these birds dumpable,” she said. “Breeders can sell birds any day of the week into Taiwan, etcetera, for thousands of dollars.” Because the price of a parrot has lowered in the past decade or so in the United States, the birds are not always as “valuable” to the people who purchase them as they were in the past. When a bird bites or screams too much, the owner is less likely to try to work with the bird if it only cost a few hundred dollars. It’s easier to part compa- Dennis is a lesser sulphur crested cockatoo (Cacatua sulphurea) from the ny with it than if you had paid $20,000 Simoa Islands. His mate passed away about five years ago so he lives at to $30,000 for it. If a bird of that price the sanctuary alone. He likes to put his toys in his bottom food dish near bites you, you figure out how to curb the bottom of the enclosure. 20 ~ January 2013 ~ www.InYourFlock.com

A f t e r m at h Avian Community Assembles to Help in Wake of the Storm by In Your Flock Staff

When sustained winds buffet the walls of your blast went far beyond the AFA membership roster. house at 90 miles per hour, the darkness of nightfall “We reached out to everyone we could.” can make even adults get nervous. What’s coming Another way the avian community networked toward the window at that high rate of speed with all prior to the storm was through bird clubs. Lannette of nature’s force behind it? Consider the storm that Raymond heads up the Long Island Parrot Society of struck the Northeast Oct. 29, 2012, made landfall at New York, Inc., which is a 501(c)(3) that does business high tide during a full moon and the worry of high as The Long Island Parrot Society, and Ferragamo winds is overshadowed by storm surge, the fear of has nothing but praise for her system. “She has a drowning, sewage in swamped streets, and cold networking system that should be used around saltwater saturating everything. the world. She publicized who had family and pet The American General Contractors (AGC) reported sheltering, which shelters were bird-friendly and Nov. 12 that New York Gov. which were not. They set up Andrew Cuomo would seek systems as to who “Because of the donations, I networking at least $30 billion in federal to contact before and after the disaster relief funding. About was able to give her a sack storm.” $3.5 billion of that will be spent of ZuPreem and a comfort For people who don’t on repairing infrastructure such toy and tell her ‘This is from experience hurricane events as the state’s bridges, commuter on a somewhat regular basis, people who care about rail lines, tunnels, subway or who don’t need to have you.’”—Lisa A. Bono lines and transportation hubs earthquake preparation kits damaged by Superstorm Sandy. or flashflood emergency kits About $12 billion in disaster aid is available from the ready to grab-and-go, the concept of having a bird Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), travel cage set up for a mad dash may seem like which means Congress will likely need to authorize overkill. At the In Your Flock headquarters, each bird more spending for Cuomo’s request to be met. has his or her own travel cage at the ready because That kind of damage doesn’t happen in a vacuum. we’re in a hurricane-prone part of the world. (Each Everyone from trained meteorologists to concerned bird also has a pillowcase beneath or beside his or her friends on social networks warned citizens in the cage in the event of an unexpected fire emergency.) storm’s substantial path—it was more than 900 miles The items to include in an emergency travel cage are wide—that they were in danger. Concetta Ferragamo different from what you’d put in the travel cage for a is the northeastern regional director of the American simple trip to the vet (See sidebar). Federation of Aviculture (AFA) based in Manchester, Once the storm had passed, people began to find N.H., and said the storm was predicted to do more animals in need. Whether they had a “parent” with damage than it did. With dire news on every channel, them or not, the animals had no home to go back to or pet owners sought shelters that could stand up to the the home had no heat. storm and take in all members of the family. Getting items to the shelters that needed them Luckily for the avian community, bird people are posed another problem. Streets were clogged organized. As Ferragamo explained, “Bird people with fallen trees, wrecked cars, bits of homes and didn’t experience the crisis at the same level as the unidentifiable debris. When delivery trucks could get dog and cat owners. Birds are more easily managed through on regular routes, stores and homes were no because we’re predispositioned to having a cage and longer there. the diaper bag with the essentials because we already The AFA northeast region volunteers held a food have that when we need to travel. It goes along with drive after the storm to get supplies for those who having that type of a pet.” had lost their foodstores, but Ferragamo said people The AFA has a section of its website devoted to couldn’t get to the event. “Birds were in shelters. how to prepare for an emergency. When the storm People were in shelters. Cars were destroyed. The was announced, Ferragamo sent an e-mail blast to people had no means to get to us or to get to their everyone who was in the line of the storm, and that birds. At least I knew enough to ask ‘where do you In Your Flock ~ 21

need the food to go?’ So I could arrange to get the food to their birds in the bird-friendly shelter.” One worker in the area who understood the problem clearly was Lisa A. Bono, owner of The Platinum Parrot. “Lisa jumped on the horn quickly,” Ferragamo said. “She contacted Jamie Whittaker [AFA vice president] instantly. And that’s what you need. There’s a position for everything. It’s all needed. In all honesty, Lisa had a tight control on everything. What she needed from us was moral support. She was doing an amazing job.” Moral support goes a long way when the fog of chaos follows a natural disaster. Bono explained that she began calling the various shelters in her area of the Jersey Shore to see who needed help and what kind, only to find herself frustrated by a lack of available information.

“Roads were washed out, homes were condemned, not all shelters accepted birds,” Bono said. “That made it difficult. I can’t tell you how many calls I’ve made to counties, to states, to animal control to find out who had birds. It wasn’t until I started driving around that I could get answers.” Unfortunately, answers come with a price. “I was not prepared to see what I saw at the shelter.” To get supplies to the birds that needed it, different volunteers in the hard-hit areas put plans together for gathering and delivering the basics. Bono did the same. “At first, I was taking stuff off my shelves [Platinum Parrot store]. A food donation came in from Florida and I was able to distribute that. Then a cash donation came in from Florida and I was able to use that to buy a whole bunch of food. Then the ZuPreem and Lafeber food came in. So when two or three customers came in and handed me twenties, I was able to get a box of comfort toys. Stock Your Emergency Cage “A woman who had lost her home and everything came into the store with her brother. She After the storm, Lisa A. Bono of The Platinum Parrot, was shopping for her little Senegal Barnegat, N.J., facilitated the delivery of emergency and parrot (Poicephalus senegalus). temporary cages to shelters and owners in need. One of the Because of the donations, I was smaller emergency cage examples is pictured here. able to give her a sack of ZuPreem For your cage, you should consider having the following and a comfort toy and tell her ‘This items on hand: is from people who care about you.’ She was in tears.” Thus the avian community • a bottle of water united to help each other. • a bag of favorite food “Members of my clientele • a small bag of treats were calling or walking in to see • a comfortable perch how they could help,” Bono said. • water and food dishes “They’ve become friends. They • a comfort toy really came together. They might • foot or chew toys not have a phone or electricity, but • tray liners they could come here and gather • first aid kit for birds together and help each other. I’m typically closed Sunday and Monday, but I didn’t want to be If you anticipate an closed if someone needed to come upcoming emergency, in and get help.” you can stock the Volunteers stepped up to the emergency cage with plate again. A trusted friend kept additional toys, cage the doors open for emergencies liners, water, food, and taking in donations while etcetera, depending on Bono took deliveries to places that the length of time you needed supplies or coordinated cage drop-offs on the days she was anticipate your feathered supposed to be off work. friend will be away from his regular cage and perches. The bird food suppliers that Bono mentioned were ZuPreem and

22 ~ January 2013 ~ www.InYourFlock.com

Lafeber. Jenny Lyons, executive vice president at Lafeber Company shared that they saw a great need after the storm. More than parrots benefited from Lafeber’s help. Tri-State Bird Rescue received product to help save geese (Branta Canadensis) and a double crested cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) that had been affected by an oil spill in the wake of Sandy. Brewster Vet Hospital received product to help save a heron (Ardeidae). Over the years, Lafeber has been able to offer foods to 501(c)(3) organizations that merit assistance, Lyons explained. “We have them on a donation program where all they have to pay is the freight.” For the storm emergency, Lafeber shipped foods to groups such as A Helping Wing Parrot Rescue and Knapptime Adoption & Rescue that could get the product into the right hands—or beaks. “I’m sure they felt comfortable dealing with someone they knew,” Bono said. She had high praise for the customer service reps she works with on a regular basis. The immediate crises were met with the initial donations and mobilization of “ground forces” like Bono, the 8 Beaks store in New York, AFA and others working alongside them. The disaster recovery continues. “Two main shelters that housed animals were schools that had to re-open,” Bono said. “People from there were going on to relatives’ homes, hotels or churches. Their pets had to go to an animal shelter down here by me.” Sadly, the storm added to the travails of permanent shelters. In Sayreville, N.J., for example, the Sayreville Pet Adoption Center (SPAC) closed its doors Dec. 31, not only because the storm brought financial hardship, but because the storm fell on an already beleaguered system. The staff released a statement saying the shelter had fallen victim to the economy. “Providing and caring for over 120 animals on a daily basis is no easy task….The loss of our municipal contracts combined with the rising costs…has taken a toll on our budget as well as the impact of events relating to Hurricane Sandy.” The staff expressed its gratitude to the Sayrebrook Veterinary Hospital, which had subsidized SPAC operations since its opening. “In today’s economy,” SPAC wrote, “it is no longer possible for Sayrebrook to do so.” By the time this issue mails, the storm could be just a memory for a majority of the United States, but it will remain a disaster for those in the northeast for a long time to come. As Ferragamo pointed out, her portion of the country was still recovering from the damage of Hurricane Irene a year before. Then backto-back natural disasters of Hurricane Sandy and the blizzard that dumped snow and ice on the region

gave them new worries. “They’ve got another year to go of cleaning up,” Ferragamo said. In the meantime, many birds remain in shelters or with family members or friends while parrot owners try to repair homes. Even as this issue was going to press, reports of dangerous mold growing on walls and insulation gave us pause concerning the return of birds to houses where humans can’t breathe safely. Check out the article titled “Parrots in Temporary Shelters” by S.G. Friedman at www.InYourFlock. com for ideas and information on helping out birds in these situations. “The devastation is so severe that this is not going to be a short-term thing,” Bono agreed. “Then we have to worry about where the bags of food are.” Considering the mindset of the avian community, the bags of food will likely be on the next truck in from a group who cares about the birds caught in this natural disaster. Let’s hope the food, toys and attention make the time away from home a little less stressful on the birds in need. Visit the www.InYourFlock. com front page for a short list of reputable and secure organizations and workers who will still be accepting donations and other forms of help into the New Year specifically for the families with birds who have been negatively impacted by the storm. t

Lisa A. Bono, owner of The Platinum Parrot, was able to get these items directly to parrot owners and shelter managers in the time between the storm and aid from state and federal agencies.

In Your Flock ~ 23

Balance Beta-carotene by Leslie Moran Beta-carotene belongs to a class of phytochemicals Symptoms of Hypervitaminosis A called carotenoids. They are fat soluble pigments If you suspect your parrot has consumed too much found in yellow, red, green, and orange vegetables vitamin A or has been overdosed with a vitamin A and fruits. This family of antioxidants also includes supplement, you may see these signs. Whenever you alpha-carotene, lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin. suspect something is amiss with your feathered friend, There are more than 500 different carotenoids in take him to his avian veterinarian for a check-up right nature. Fifty of these, including beta-carotene, can away. In my experience, birds typically become defibe converted to vitamin A in a healthy liver, and that cient in vitamin A rather than overdosed. Either extreme applies to our feathered friends, as established by can injure a bird. Ritchie, Harrison and Harrison in Winger Publish* weight loss * loss of appetite ing’s Avian Medicine: Principles and Practices. Be* swelling of the eye lids * crusting of the eye lids cause of this conversion, beta-carotene is considered * inflammation of the mouth * inflammation of the nares a provitamin. The body converts beta-carotene into * inflammation of the skin * decreased bone strength vitamin A as needed, with any left over beta-carotene * liver disease * hemorrhaging then acting as an antioxidant. Source: This list compiled from Avian Medicine: Prin Antioxidants are the only way the body can succiples and Practices by Ritchie, Harrison and Harrison cessfully manage free-radicals. Numerous diseases, the effects of pollution, degenerative conditions and antioxidant and is the precursor to vitamin A. The even the aging process itself have been attributed to nutrient vitamin A is also called rentinol. It is a fat free-radical damage. A free radical is a highly reacsoluble vitamin that is found in animal foods such as tive molecule that can bind to and destroy other whole eggs, liver, fatty fish and cod liver oil. When molecules. Also known as oxidative damage, free discussing beta-carotene and rentinol vitamin A radical damage can irreversibly impair body cells you may see the letters RE, which stand for rentinol and physiological processes. equivalent. During the past 10 years research has In its role against free radicals, beta-carotene been done showing that the body’s ability to convert has been identified beta-carotene to as being able to vitamin A rentinol When beta-carotene comes from common break down the food sources only one twelfth of it can be converted will vary between chain reactions individuals. When to vitamin A. However, if the beta-carotene has been beta-carotene comes of these highly charged free radical dissolved in oil, half of it can be converted. from common food molecules. When sources only one this occurs, this twelfth of it can be converted to vitamin A. However, potent antioxidant prevents cholesterol oxidization if the beta-carotene has been dissolved in oil, such as and protects DNA from the harmful effects of coconut oil as discussed by Dr Becker in the article oxidization. Beta-carotene has been seen to disable on page 13, half of it can be converted. reactive oxygen species molecules caused from Rentinol vitamin A is one of the few nutrients exposure to sunlight and air pollution. This helps for which the American Association of Feed Control prevent damage to eyes, lungs and skin. For Officials (AAFCO) has set a minimum daily requirethese reasons, beta-carotene has become known ment for birds. Rather than attempting to dose a bird for promoting eye health and good vision. It with a vitamin A supplement to reach a minimum helps postpone the effects of aging, helps prevent goal, I recommend feeding a balance of wholesome cancer, heart disease, heart attack, strokes and foods that meet the bird’s needs. I do not supplearteriosclerosis. ment any of my birds with vitamin A. It’s actually Any thorough discussion of beta-carotene must very easy to feed foods that supply adequate betaclarify the relationship between this nutrient and carotene and vitamin A levels—and other nutrients vitamin A. Many nutrition data sources use the term as well. beta-carotene and vitamin A interchangeably. This People with diabetes and hypothyroidism (under gives the impression that they are the same nutrient, active thyroid gland) cannot convert beta-carotene when in reality they are not. into vitamin A. Although avian veterinarians have As you learned above, beta-carotene is an not documented similar findings in parrots, if your 24 ~ January 2013 ~ www.InYourFlock.com

bird is ever diagnosed with either of these conditions check to ensure that he has an adequate intake of vitamin A rentinol in his diet. Although vitamin A has been identified as an essential avian nutrient, because it is a fat soluble vitamin, hypervitaminosis A (an overdose of vitamin A) can and has occurred in parrots. (See sidebar at left for symptoms.) For our birds to be healthy they must consume hundreds of nutrients every day. Nutritional research from the University of Maryland Medical Center has shown that it’s best to get the full benefits of beta-carotene from food sources, not nutritional supplements. The research shows that getting more antioxidants through diet helps boost the immune system, protects against free radical damage, and may lower the risk of two types of chronic illness— heart disease and cancer. Foods rich in beta-carotene include apricots, beet greens, broccoli, cantaloupe, watermelon, carrots, collards, dandelion and mustard greens, kale, papayas, peaches, pumpkin, red peppers, sweet potatoes, Swiss chard, turnip greens, yellow squash, and an assortment of select sprouts. t

Select sprouts are also rich in beta-carotene. Visit the In Your Flock website at www.inyourflock.com/sprout-seedsfor-your-parrots/ for Patricia Sund’s article on sprouting. Leslie Moran is the author of The Complete Guide to Successful Sprouting for Parrots and uses food as medicine for creating health and wellness in parrots. Moran shares her knowledge and newsworthy results in using food, nutrition and holistic healthcare for maintaining or restoring avian health and wellness. She writes, teaches and provides consultations from her facility in Northern Nevada. For more information, contact her at www.BestBirdFoodEver.com.

Snowball the Dancing CockatooTM

Snowball the Dancing CockatooTM appears courtesy of Bird Lovers Only, a 501(c)(3) not for profit bird sanctuary. Visit www.birdloversonly.org for information.

In Your Flock ~ 25

Resolve to Improve Companion Parrot Care by Sandy Lender

#10

Depending on the school of thought to which you adhere, it should take 21 to 66 days of repeating a behavior to make it a new habit. Whatever the time period, repetition is key to keeping resolutions. Not all the goals you set for the New Year require daily attention, but some may demand a course of action to reach the finish line. Something as ambiguous as resolving to improve care for your companion parrot needs thought, new habits and a plan. Here are our top 10 suggestions—some easy, some complex—to improve companion parrot care in homes and aviaries for 2013 and beyond.

Sing to your bird every day. This is the simplest sign of affection I can think of for my sun conure (Aratinga solstitialis). He seems to truly appreciate it when I step up to his cage in the morning and sing to him. My singing is off-key and even though he gets the same song each day, I manage to bungle the words some mornings. He doesn’t mind all that. For him, his person is focused on him and offering him soft, swaying words.

Change the cage liner every night before bed. Not only does a change of the cage liner take the messy toilet out from under your feathered friend for the night, it gives you a clean canvas upon which to view the morning droppings. This is important for tracking good health. Companies such as Birdie Boutique and Cage Catchers sell white cage liners trimmed to the size of your cage’s tray, which makes both the changing and the dropping-tracking easy. The folks at Birdie Boutique even offer a nice tip on their website. “Put seven sheets of cage liners in the tray of your cage,” they write. “Take out the top one each day. When the last one is removed at the end of seven days you will be reminded to clean the rest of the cage on schedule.” Less expensive options such as newspaper are still popular, of course. Be sure you’re changing frequently to keep must and mold from building up in the paper’s texture. You can also try out newsprint that has not been printed on for a cleaner environment. I’ve even used the recycled packing paper sold at Home Depot. In all these instances, you’re folding and fitting the paper to your cage’s tray, but you’re not spending as much money as you would on the special white liners mentioned above. You have to decide if the time you spend folding and fitting will deter you from proper hygiene for your feathered friend and what’s in the budget. 26 ~ January 2013 ~ www.InYourFlock.com

Add more vegetables to your bird’s diet. Whether you try out the Chop concept promoted on our website or you fit new vegetable offerings into the daily feeding routine, adding fresh veggies to your bird’s diet is a great way to stir him from monotony and better his health.

Subscribe to the RSS feed on inyourflock.com. While this may not directly increase your bird’s happiness right away, we plan to offer so many neat ideas and health tips in both the free/general public areas of the website and in the Flock Member Access areas of the website that your feathered friend is sure to benefit from your updates at the site.

Practice a behavior or trick or song or sound or phrase. While I don’t condone teaching birds tricks for the bird’s exploitation, I do believe in positive interaction with our feathered friends. Some birds get a kick out of seeing their humans get excited. If you get excited when your bird learns a new word or dunks a treat in a water dish on command, maybe you and your bird are training each other.

Build a new toy every month or every week for each bird and rotate toys around, out of and back into the cage every few days. There are plenty of bird-safe materials—such as coffee filters, paper cupcake/ muffin holders, paper towel tubes, paper towels—that we can use to enhance old toys to make this exercise not as expensive as you think it might be.

Weigh your bird weekly or daily. One of the first things your avian veterinarian wants to know about your bird is its weight. Before she can prescribe medication for your bird, she has to know how much

your bird weighs. Before she can tell if your bird is wasting or not, she has to know how much your bird weighed the last time he was at the office and how much he weighs this time he’s at the office. If you think your bird will stand flat-footed on a new surface, purchase a kitchen scale that weighs in ounces or grams and start keeping a journal of his weight. If you think he’ll balk at the flat surface, you can affix a small, light-weight table-top perch to the scale or purchase one of the many avian scales available on the market today. Whatever you get, make sure you weigh your feathered freind at the same time of day each day and reward him for putting up with this new habit of yours.

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Take each and every member of the flock to an avian veterinarian for his or her annual well-bird checkup. The necessity for this resolution should be self-explanatory. I’ve placed it in high regard, yet far “down” the list because it can be something difficult for parrot owners with multiple birds, thus multiple veterinary expenses for which to plan. If you can’t afford a large vet bill all at once, maybe you can take one bird in for his well-bird check in January and another in February and so on.

888.454.6887 www.lanuthouse.com (tell them you saw it in In Your Flock magazine)

Put a non-ionizing air filter in the bird room. This may be another goal that an owner has to set a budget to achieve. The filter that I purchased for my home cost around $400 a few years ago, but I made the purchase when an avian veterinarian suggested my sun conure was allergic to something in his environment. The filter has resolved his issues.

Give your bird playtime outside of the cage every day. Obviously this goal requires an assessment of your bird and his immediate environment/surroundings. Some birds are more comfortable in their cages than on a play stand. Some birds will be reluctant to return to the cage. Giving your bird his choice is a great way to offer him a sense of independence over some aspect of his life. This list is not meant to be exhaustive. Depending on your financial obligations or mobility issues, the order of complexity can be argued until the sun goes down. We at In Your Flock encourage readers to add ideas in this article’s comments section on the website to help other parrot guardians in home settings, aviaries, sanctuaries or zoos to trade out activities or modify what’s listed here. Let’s put our minds together to help each other improve companion parrot care. t

Behavior, Conservation, Diet, Fun, Health, Nutrition, Rescue, Tips, Toys, Training...

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In Your Flock ~ 27

Baby Parrots Get Evicted by Allan Taylor

The Ara Project is a Costa Rican non-profit organization that breeds, for the sole purpose of release into the wild, endangered scarlet (Ara macao) and great green macaws (Ara ambigua). With only 2,000 scarlet macaws left in Costa Rica and only around 2,500 great green macaws left in the world, the Ara Project is proving breed-for-release to be a valuable tool to prevent further declines in the numbers or even extinction of these magnificent birds. We work in conjunction with MINAET (Costa Rican Ministry of Environment, Energy & Telecommunications). We have already released more than 100 scarlet macaws in four locations with a longterm survival rate of more than 80 percent and are currently finishing our second release of great green macaws, which was the first official reintroduction of these amazing and endangered birds. On Nov. 25, 2012, the current owners of the property housing the breeding center in Alajuela handed us notice for eviction. It’s a long story but the property housing the birds was donated solely for the birds; unfortunately it was in the name of the founders of the project. When they sadly passed away it transferred to their family. The new owner has shown some sympathy to our plight and has given us a three-month extension, meaning we are due to leave around end of March 2013. The breeding center currently houses more than 150 macaws and employs four local workers plus all the international volunteers, some permanent and some short-term. We have been donated another property

to move to in Punta Islita, which is adjacent to our release site. Because we have had no funds available we need to create the new site from nothing. Breeding Center Manager Chris Castles has overseen the preparation of the new site. With the layout for the new infrastructure complete, this is platforms for aviaries, houses, roads and drainage. All we need to do now is build them. To complete this process and relocate we think we will need to raise at least $250,000; however, a figure of $50,000 may be enough to do a very basic but safe relocation of the birds. The project team and supporters are all currently working flat out to raise as much money as we can as quickly as possible. If any In Your Flock readers can help in any way, please do. We have started an Indiegogo campaign where people can donate and in return can request certain perks like their name on a plaque at the new site, sponsor the move of a bird, or become a macaw godparent for a year. http://igg.me/p/290177/x/1841720 You can donate on our website using the Razoo or PayPal buttons at http://www.thearaproject.org/ If you can’t afford to donate at this time please share these links with as many people as you can. If you can help in any other way please contact us at info@thearaproject.org. If you live locally or know anyone who lives in Costa Rica there are other ways you can help: • We have land but need materials to build the aviaries. • Our new breeding center site is on the Nicoya Peninsula south of Playa Samara and we need help to create the new site: excavating, construction of houses, aviaries, drains, etc. • We will hopefully be housing more than 150 macaws there in the near future. If you have contacts who can help feed the birds in 2013, please let us know. Our current property is self-sufficient for feeding the birds. t Allan Taylor is the head biologist for the Ara Project. You can reach him through www. thearaproject.org or Skype thearaproject.

28 ~ January 2013 ~ www.InYourFlock.com

In Your Flock ~ 31

Avian Bornavirus Continued from page 15

with other birds’ belongings. By feeding and caring for all healthy birds in the general population before attending to the infected bird in his isolation, the owner minimizes the chance of accidental contamination by carrying virus on her hands or clothing or on utensils or cleaning items. “Any avian virus should be handled with full cleaning of facilities and isolation of birds and equipment,” Jordan said. “It’s only fair to the ones that are not infected.” One significant way to protect your bird is through proper nutrition and diet. Dr. Karen Becker recommends owners with ABV+ birds “push nutrient-dense whole foods and organic foods with reduced chemical loads.” She explained that the bird’s body is up against a number of obstacles. “The body is trying to cope with cellular debris from the virus. Antioxidants like Beta-carotene can help get that debris out.” Becker shared that our diagnostics have improved and veterinarians are looking for ABV when birds present with suspicious symptoms, but the captive bird populations are debilitated at this point. “In captive populations, we’re missing the boat on environmental husbandry,” Becker said. “We’ve taken away the bird’s choice. We have owner neglect. We’re dealing with birds that are metabolically stressed and opportunistic viruses are getting at them.” However ABV enters a flock, avian veterinarians have tests to detect it when it’s shedding and best husbandry practices to offer to keep its progression to PDD at bay. In the February article, “Solving Mysteries of Proventricular Dilitation Disease,” we’ll explore the efficacy of medications available to veterinarians and bird owners, holistic practices to help infected birds and flocks, and preventive measures for us all to share. t

Here’s How it Works

Idea Factory’s Rinse Ace Sink Misting Bird Bather

by In Your Flock Staff

Step 5 Use the orange toggle to turn on and adjust water flow to bathe your bird.

Step 1 Remove the faucet’s existing aerator.

Step 3

Step 2 Twist the Rinse Ace aerator and quick connector together.

Using a washer, attach the connected aerator-andconnector to the faucet.

Step 4 Twist the hose onto the quick connector.

Frequent bathing is important for good feather and skin health. Many perches for use in the shower offer varying levels of safety and security that our feathered friends can sense. If your bird shows a fear of the shower, he may just need a change of venue. At In Your Flock headquarters, a couple of the parrots enjoy the soothing “rain” effects of water from the Rinse Ace Sink Misting Bird Bather from Idea Factory, Inc., Menomonee Falls, Wis. Here’s how it works. Begin by removing the existing aerator from your faucet. Twist the chrome aerator that comes with the Rinse Ace onto the spout instead. To make your life

easier, first twist the plastic quick connector and chrome aerator together and then attach the chrome aerator to the faucet. Twist the quick connector into the hose base. Turn the hose clockwise a quarter turn until it stops. You’re ready for water. Turn the water on slowly to make sure everything is secure. Be sure to test the water temperature on your forearm the way you would baby formula, and let it run for a bit to ensure the temperature is constant before introducing your bird to the spray. You adjust the cascade of water through the sprayface by toggling the orange lever “up” to start the flow and toggling it

“down” to stop the flow. You can manuever the toggle through different positions in between to control the water pressure for your bird. The manufacturer suggests lubricating the black o-ring on the quick connector if you have difficulty plugging the hose into the aerator. Subscribers with Flock Member access can check out the animated version of this department at www.InYourFlock. com on the products page. t For more information, call (800) 8674673 or (262) 703-0011 or visit www. rinseace.com. Tell them you saw it in In Your Flock magazine. In Your Flock ~ 33

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company name, 30 to 45 words of text, and contact information. Contact joe@inyourflock.com or (888) 892-5992 for more information.

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Resource Directory

Did you meet Alex?

In Your Flock’s Resource Directory is designed for you to have quick access to the manufacturers and service providers who can get you the information you need to keep your birds happy and healthy. Let them know you saw them in In Your Flock magazine. Avitech Contact: Ed Chernoff, 800-646-BIRD (2473) sales@avitec.com code YF13 at www.avitec.com

9, 11

Birdbrain Gifts Contact: Janet Bray code INYRFLOCK at www.birdbraingifts.com

Bonnie’s Birds Contact: Rebecca Stockslager, 941-979-8295

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Kissinger, Megan Contact: Megan, 239-410-0066 www.megankissinger.com

Nuthouse 27 888-454-6887 www.lanuthouse.com Parrot NationTM 34 Contact: Patricia Sund http://parrotnation.com Pretty Parrot 800-767-4208 www.prettyparrot.com

34 ~ January 2013 ~ www.InYourFlock.com

Life with Alex, a memoir film is now available from Grey Parrot Studios. Order Yours At

www.LifeWithAlexMovie.com (a portion of the proceeds benefit the Alex Foundation)

Article Submissions If you have an article to submit to In Your Flock, we’d love to hear from you. First, send an e-mail to publisher@inyourflock.com with the following: 1. your general idea or topic; 2. approximately how many sources/ experts you think you can include in the article; 3. approximately how many high resolution pictures you can provide with the article; and 4. what credentials you have as a) an authority on your topic and b) a journalist. You can see our editorial calendar with deadlines at https://www.inyourflock. com/whos-in-your-flock/editorial-calendar/

Check out the February issue of In Your Flock where we’ll discuss Parrot Relationships and Mental Health.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was strangely like war. They attacked the forest as if it were an enemy to be pushed back from the beachheads, driven into the hills, broken into patches, and wiped out. Many operators thought they were not only making lumber but liberating the land from the trees...â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Murray Morgan