HAPPY LABOR DAY EVERYBIRDIE

 Before I get into the good bird-word for the month, I want to offer my apologies for not having this newsletter to you sooner.  We really, really, needed to change the Newsletter Logo and I really, really, wanted my Niece-bird Precious the Sun Conure to be in it – So I waited for the picture of her beautiful self to arrive.  Thank you, Kim, for doing such a good job with our new logo.  I will promise to get a new batch of birdie news earlier next month, with my sights set on getting it out the first week of the month, by October.  (Jan)

LEGISLATIVE NEWS:

Pennsylvania Nanday Owners, do not lull you into complacency over the “Ban the Nanday” Legislation that we thought got “defeated” last year. It is still laying latent waiting for re-activation by the Bill Sponsor again this year. I will keep my eyes and ears open and you do the same. Even if you are not from Pennsylvania, it is wise to pay attention to this, because; it has been proven in the past, with Quaker/Monk Parakeets; this stuff spreads from state-to-state like wildfire. The rest of the legislative world is busy with the upcoming elections and not doing any kind of advance session work that involves anything as low on the totem pole as the parrot – but – fear not; they will be back.

THE PATAGONIAN (BURROWING) CONURE IS OUR BIRD OF THE MONTH:

This wonderful parrot comes in three convenient sizes.  While the Greater Patagonian measures 18 inches in length the next most commonly found, Lesser Patagonian is the most popular, only growing to about 12-14 inches. Their average lifespan is 12 – 25 years. The 3rd subspecies is not commonly raised in captivity. These playful, talking, interactive and intelligent birds, bond tightly to their human slaves. They love toys, toys, toys (especially wood chew toys) and a nice roomy cage. A 24" by 24" by 36" cage will do, but bigger works well, too. A variety of perches are good exercise for the Lesser Patagonian’s feet, and make sure the food dishes are not directly below a perch, so the food and water is not soiled.  Why do you need to make special accommodations for their feet, you ask.  THEY ARE THE BIG FOOT OF THE PARROT WORLD.  The Patagonian Conure has the largest feet in proportion to their body size of any other parrot.  Why? - Because they burrow in cliffs and dirt for their nests, in the wild.  They are far from drab and their colors considered quite striking because their colors are in “splashes” rather than in a rigid pattern.  They do not get their adult plumage until they are about a year old.  Their diet should consist of pellets (a few fortified seeds may be offered) and fresh fruits, vegetables and eggs. Regular bathing and or misting is a must for these birds, because they love to bath and play in a shallow dish or water. Like most Conures, they often suffer from Vitamin K deficiency so vitamin supplements with Vitamin K or a Vitamin K fortified pellet is recommended.  The one drawback of owning one of these loving birds, that they are conures and can be Very Loud.  Anybody who has ever owned a Conure will tell you that the Greater Patagonian is NOT a good apartment bird, because, when excited, conures let out what is fondly referred to as the Conure Nuclear Alert (CNA).  The larger the bird, the louder the squawk.  Patagonians are not prone to diseases except for Pacheco's virus and should be vaccinated against it.  If you are planning to make a Patagonian Parrot a member of your family, talk with Kim or Korey about the perfect cage and toys for them.

OTHER BIRDIE NEWS

LABOR DAY MARKS WARM DAYS AND CHILLY NIGHTS

This next month or two will see some nice warm days with open windows and fresh air followed by cooler nights and crisp air, in most climates with seasonal changes.  It is pretty easy to leave the windows open at bedtime, because it really isn’t cold out – YET.  However; as night progresses, the air cools and breezes blow, it might not bode well for your precious fid.  Keeping them away from drafts and direct chills is a must and the foremost in birdie advice give by vets, breeders and other exotic bird experts.  Close nearby windows and should you find it a tad warm to be covering them with the normal cage cover, use a dark colored sheet (dried without fabric softener) and “Voila” your fid has “summer/fall “jammies” that will afford the security of a cover without having them uncomfortable from the inside warmth.

HURRICANE’S – TORNADOES – STORMS – OH MY!!

Weird weather has been everywhere this year, to include earthquakes in addition to the storms mentioned above.  Make an “instant” evacuation plan, even if it is to your basement, inside closet or bathtub and have the fids ready for being moved at a moment’s notice.  Keep their travel cages, under or beside their regular set ups and should a storm be warned, pop them in their travel cages, cover them with a lightweight pillow case or pre-cut piece of dark colored sheet and enact your evacuation plan.  Earthquakes aren’t so easy to deal with, but; should one occur and aftershocks expected, those travel cages will come in handy.  Ask Kim and Korey if they might have just the one for your fid.  www.birdcagesgalore.com

A PREVIEW OF NEXT MONTH’S ISSUE: 

You will meet Dave the “Macaw Man” from Parrots R 4ever Rescue and Sanctuary.  He has made a real mission of rescuing Quaker Parrots who have accidentally ended up in the Illegal State of Tennessee.  The rescue of Raspberry is quite a story.  I can’t wait to write it and send to you in the next issue.