Updates and Musings About Life with Parrots
“Happy” Endangered Species Day? Well, there isn’t a lot that’s happy about disappearing biodiversity, but in 2006, the U.S. Congress created Endangered Species Day to celebrate wildlife – and we should certainly celebrate increased awareness about endangered species. Endangered Species Day falls on the third Friday of every May. So, today would be a good…
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In Irene Pepperberg’s book Alex & Me — Pepperberg’s story of how a small bundle of feathers humbled a scientific community and showed everyone just how smart parrots really are — she writes: “How much impact could a one-pound ball of feathers have on the world? It took death for me to find out.” When…
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Of course there are parrots at the National Zoo, but yesterday you could also have found a sun conure named Stewie and a White Capped Pionus named Mika at the zoo in DC. That’s because the Smithsonian was hosting a Bird Fest this weekend that included games, performances and exhibitors — including a booth by…
Read More...When it rains it pours! I’ve been thinking about getting a second parrot and all of a sudden I seem to have three choices available: the Hahn’s (mini) macaw from the animal shelter, a Pionus being rehomed through Craig’s List and today I got an email from Phoenix Landing telling me that there’s an Indian…
Read More...Think only larger parrots can do cool prop tricks? Think again: First, the noob: training a cockatiel to step onto a skateboard Day 3: Cockatiel pushing off on a skateboard Skateboarding cockatiel catches air More skateboarding cockatiels Cute budgies showing off their skateboard moves Advanced skater budgie (sorry, couldn’t embed) .
Read More...This is a YouTube video I found of a woman working with a cherry headed conure (or possibly a mitred conure) who was originally part of a wild flock in San Francisco. Jasper came down with neurological issues and suffered brain damage and was then taken in by Mickaboo Rescue. What I love about this…
Read More...This cockatoo’s puzzle solving skills are really impressive. Doesn’t she look like she’s having fun? Just another example of children’s developmental toys making good (large) bird toys too. (Imagine having to keep a toddler entertained and healthy … that’s at least how much work a cockatoo takes too!)
Read More...I love this video! It’s of a cockatiel (which is about the same size as a sun conure) playing Connect Four (that four-in-a-row tic tac toe game that you play vertically). How adorable is this: This looks like it was taught via clicker training. I’m going to buy one of these travel size Connect Four…
Read More...Another one of my favorite parrot videos. Here’s an Amazon groovin’ to Bob Marley: Whoo-hoo-HOO!
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