Helping Parrots

In mid-December, a North Carolina resident was charged with animal cruelty and a total of 142 birds and 44 dogs were seized by animal control under the authority of the Catawba County Animal Shelter.  The environment the parrots and dogs were found in was described as containing years of accumulated waste; feces contaminated what little food and water was available. Many of the animals were fragile, injured, malnourished and in need of extensive veterinary care.

Charlotte, A Gold Capped Conure

By February 11, 26 parrots – ranging from parakeets to macaws  – remained at the shelter and it did not have the capacity or resources to care for the birds any longer.  They asked Phoenix Landing for help.  We mobilized volunteers and gathered as many new and used cages, travel carriers, parrot food and toys that could be located on 24‐hour notice and moved the birds from the shelter to a donated space in the Hickory, NC area.

Dreamer and Keepher, Blue and Gold Macaws

We usually stress that most of the parrots rehomed by Phoenix Landing are not “rescues,” and come from loving families who for whatever reason cannot continue to care for them.  Our adoptable birds generally don’t come from neglectful situations and it does them a disservice to describe them as such; and while we often find homes for birds that have come from shelters, the situation in Catawba County required a more intensive response and substantial resources.  These parrots came from dreadful hoarding conditions, and their extended time at the shelter had come to an end.

Eeyore, A Lilac Crowned Amazon

We’re pleased to report that they are already doing immensely better, diving into their fresh food and healthy pellets, soaking under shower mists, and having a fantastic time with some of their new toys from generous donors!  Medical support has just begun, and we have high hopes that they will all be survivors and enjoying  lives with new families in the near future.  Parrots are amazingly resilient creatures and we are confident that they will each have many happier years ahead.

How You Can Help

As our members know, Phoenix Landing is an all-volunteer network which relies mostly on foster families to take care of the  300+ foster parrots in our program.   Since the Catawba birds are under our direct care for the time being, we are greatly appreciative for the support and kindness of those who have offered to help.

Most needed are gift cards for grocery store fresh produce, Harrison’s or TOPS pellets, extra large cages in usable condition, new toys, and donations to offset medical costs and other supplies.  In addition, Phoenix Landing is looking for foster homes for these birds, so they can be housed in smaller numbers and with more individualized care.  However, we are looking for homes without other parrots until we can be sure that they have no serious medical problems that could pose a risk to other birds.

Chatter, A Nanday Conure

Our wishlist:

• Harrison’s pellets
• Full-spectrum lighting
• Grocery store gift cards
• Foster homes with no other birds in them
• Boings and perches
• Big chunky wood toys
• Foraging Toys
• Extra large cages in usable condition (clean, no rust, no broken parts)

Item and checks can be sent via the Postal Service to:

Phoenix Landing
PO Box 1233
Asheville, NC 28802

Donations can also be made via our PayPal link at phoenixlanding.org

Very Special Thanks to Our Volunteers

A big thanks to everyone who helped make this happen at the last minute; and an extraordinary thanks to Teri Rand and Lannie Ellison, daily caretakers of these 26 very special feathered survivors.

Phoenix Landing was recently welcomed as special guests of Dr. Donald Brightsmith, Director of the Macaw Project at the Tambopata Research Center (TRC) in southeastern Peru.   For 11 years from this remote site, Dr. Brightsmith has been conducting a wide variety of important research and conservation studies regarding wild parrots, and several specifically regarding the largest claylick in the world where parrots spend their early dawn hours eating clay chunks.   The parrots most common in this area include severe, scarlet, blue and gold, and greenwing macaws; white bellied caiques; mealy Amazons; a variety of conures; pionus parrots; and the rare blue headed macaws.  We saw them all and many other species of birds as well, it was a true bird-lovers paradise.

It is darn near impossible to find the words to describe the experience of seeing parrots in the wild — they were beautiful and free and busy of course; but they were also frivolous, and grouchy, and romantic, and ever so social, and loud, loud, loud!  We were privileged to see them interact as parents, mates, adversaries, and friends.  They live robust active lives, full of challenges and fun, and their intelligence radiates.   If you ever thought your captive parrot needed more to do physically, mentally and/or socially, I’m SURE you were right.

To reach the Tambopata Research Center, we traveled east across Peru by plane, and up the Tambopata river in a small boat for a total of 7 hours, deep into the jungle.  In the spirit of true eco-tourism, lunch on the boat was served wrapped in leaves, what fun!

Richard Weger, DVM

The lodge is nestled into the jungle and built of eco-friendly cane walls, curtained doors and thatched roofs.  Your room faces the open jungle so the bed is covered with mosquito netting.  It is a blend of simple comfort and a true jungle experience.

Being deep in a large national reserve, far removed from populated areas, the forest at TRC is hundreds of years old.  This makes for a huge biodiversity of animal life, and the plant life is equally remarkable.  Here we are standing under a super-sized tree. Don’t forget it can be dark in the jungle, since the trees are fighting for access to the sunlight above.

Frank Rutowski, DVM; Richard Weger, DVM; Mary Ault;
Karen Regan, DVM; Leslie Mapes; Ann Brooks

It is in large ironwood trees like this that the macaws find cavities for their nests.  These are very precious commodities, and worth fighting for.  Don told us several soap opera type stories about macaw mates, one couple even fought to the death trying to protect their tree cavity.  Upon occasion, a divorce or courting drama will happen as well.  Life is not so simple in the jungle ….

It is summer and the rainy season in the southern hemisphere in January, so the parrots were busy raising their chicks.  Dr. Brightsmith’s researchers were monitoring the nests, tracking the survival rates and growth of the chicks, and studying the behavior of the parents.  We had the pleasure of watching the researchers at work.  Using ropes to climb high up into the tree canopy, they would carefully remove the chicks and lower them in a bucket in order to perform a variety of weight and measurement checks.  Sometimes this involved kindly but firmly asking the permission of the parents, who would anxiously wait nearby for the return of their little ones.

From 1992-95, researchers at Tambopata had removed some of the chicks from the nests and finished hand-raising them.  Most macaws lay about 3 eggs, but only one chick usually survives through fledging, so this conservation effort was directed towards saving chicks that would have otherwise died.   These chicks are now famously known as the “chicos” and some have maintained a relationship with the Research Center.  This relationship mainly involves stealing food from the breakfast tables when no one is looking, or rummaging through the open lodge rooms for any unprotected snacks such as trail mix or granola bars.  I can attest to that, being pretty sure it was greenwing Ascensio that stole my granola bar and left a large green poop on my blanket!  (I later had the great pleasure of teaching Ascensio to “high four” and turn around.  We’ll save that story and movie for a future blog post).

Ascenio, a greenwing “chico”

We were there at a particularly exciting time.  Tabasco (a scarlet macaw “chico”) and his wild mate were doing a unprecedented job of successfully raising 3 chicks.  Don and his wife Gaby (she is also an important scientist at the Research Center) accompanied us on the walk to their nest one morning.  After the 3 chicks had been successfully removed from the nest for their routine checks, Don and Gaby hovered over them like proud parents.  We hope these three beautiful scarlet babies make it through fledging!

Gaby and Don Brightsmith

It is less common to visit Tambopata during the rainy season, but we wanted to see both the chicks and the life on the claylick.   After several failed tries because of the rain, we finally had one morning at the lick, and what a glorious sight it turned out to be.  Hundreds of parrots of all species came that morning.  It started with a pair of blue and gold macaws at the highest point on the highest tree, where they waited for everyone else to arrive just at the very crack of dawn, and while they waited they joyfully teased and frolicked with each other.  Soon after, the mealy Amazons gathered just beyond the lick.  We couldn’t see most of them, but we sure could hear them.   It sounded like a family reunion of the greatest proportions, with everyone talking at once (make that squeals, trills and serenades).   Once parrots started moving to the claylick, the Amazons picked out their prime spot, and they all piled up pushing and shoving to take their turn.   Over the next couple of hours, a wide variety of species, common and rare, took their turns pulling out chunks of clay.   There was so much happening, it was hard to see it all as we quietly peered through our binoculars at the social and eating frenzy.

Dr. Brightsmith’s research has largely validated that the clay provides a vital source of sodium for the parrots (and many other animals as well).  He is continuing this research effort in other Central and South American countries, and we will all benefit from the results his work.  This is an effort truly worth supporting, and I hope that all parrots lovers will do something to support parrot conservation and research, because if we don’t, who will?  For more information about how you can help, go to http://vtpb-www2.cvm.tamu.edu/brightsmith/.

Dr. Brightsmith, kindly helping me learn about the foods that parrots eat

When you share your life with a bird, you quickly realize that parrots are not far removed from their wild ancestors and that a bird’s nature is truly unique in all the world.  Unfortunately, many wild caught parrots are also kept in captivity.  Their ability to adapt to our homes has always amazed me since they must go from a life of flight, flock and freedom to a fairly restrictive environment as “pets.”   For these reasons and more, I have always had an abiding desire to learn about parrots in the wild.  I wanted to catch a glimpse of the wild spirit that my macaws Phoenix, Dallas and Fred must carry inside even as they live with me in captivity.  If you love parrots too, I hope you will have the opportunity someday to visit a parrot’s world, so you can fully appreciate them as they were meant to be.

The trip to Tambopata was truly a significant life experience, and we are deeply grateful to Dr. Brightsmith for making it so special.  What a perfect place to usher in 2010!  For those that might be interested, we are planning another trip to Tambopata two years from now.  Maybe you will join us!

CHARLOTTE is a lesser sulphur crested cockatoo in her mid-20′s. This is one little cockatoo that knows how to entertain herself, a very admirable trait. Your job is to keep the supply of toys flowing. Ms C’s favorite activity is a tub of foot toys.  Just throw some nuts in the mix and she is entertained for hours.

SCOOTER is a very curious blue front Amazon, estimated to be about 10 years old. Since coming under the care of Phoenix Landing, he has learned to step up to a stick to come away from the cage, eat a whole variety of new things, and found people to be pretty cool after all (he was not much appreciated by his former family).

When Scooters’ foster family comes home from work they hear…..”Hi!!!!!!”, wolf whistles, cat calls, “pretty birdie birdie birdie”, “oh boyyyyy”… and the Andy Griffith song.”  Scooter is so happy when the humans come home! Scooter is a very fast learner and new things seem to interest him. We’re so happy to have him in the Phoenix Landing family.

If you’re interested in adopting a Phoenix Landing parrot, please fill out our parrot  adoption/foster application form.

Juno came into Phoenix Landing in October of this year. He was technically a “lost bird.”  A lovely couple rescued him and searched for his owner to no avail. This couple was retired and traveled a lot. They were not prepared to make a long term commitment to their new companion so they called Phoenix Landing for help.

The vet believes Juno to be at least two years old but probably not much older. Juno has been a delight for his foster home. He adapted very quickly to the other birds in the home. He is an active guy and plays readily with all new toys that are given to him. He is also extremely fond of showers and likes to get completely soaked.

The best thing about him is his zest for food – and for the right types of foods. His foster home has learned that Ekkie’s have very specific diet needs. This includes NO formulated foods, not even the highest grade of organic pellets. He currently eats veggies, fruits, nuts and selected seed mixes, eggs, limited grains (mostly quinoa), and grain free birdie breads. His foster family has gone to some effort to learn about the needs of his species. He has made it easy by liking all of the foods he should eat!

Do you have room in your home for this active boy? Can you continue giving him the nutrition that he needs to stay healthy? He is one gorgeous sweet boy looking for his next long term landing.

If you’re interested in adopting a Phoenix Landing parrot, please fill out our parrot  adoption/foster application form.

Hot off our new press, two books to enhance the quality of life for parrots.

Nourish to Flourish, A Healthy Cookbook for Parrots
Our new parrot cookbook has 125 pages of recipes, information about plants, herbs and general information about how to add quality whole foods to your parrot’s diet. ($24.95)

Project Parrot: A Behavior Guidebook for You and Your Bird, by Jenny Drummey
Re-engineer the relationship with your bird using a do-it-yourself approach. This book examines the many factors that contribute to good (and not-so-good) behaviors in your home, highlights the changes you can make to build trust, and helps you to create simple training plans. Also learn to teach your bird some important husbandry behaviors, such as how to forage, bathe, and even step up with confidence. Available December 10th. ($22.95)

Buy either book online here or on-site at an upcoming Phoenix Landing educational seminar.

Ruth, Jenny, and Leigh Ann along with Lady Scarlet (scarlet macaw), Zoe (Moluccan cockatoo), and Pepper & Franco (Congo African greys) visited The Virginian on November 17. This facility is a retirement and continuing care community for seniors, and Phoenix Landing has an ongoing relationship with them thanks to the efforts of Bozena Pait.

Bozena kindly cares for the facility’s resident cockatiels and schedules our group‘s visits about every six months. Staff and residents alike know and love Bozena, and many asked about her and sent along well wishes as she recovers from her recent surgery. We missed Bozena, and we look forward to our next visit when we know she’ll be better and able to rejoin us.

As is typical with our visits to this facility, a good time was had by all. We had some excellent questions and discussions. One gentleman seemed particularly fascinated when Jenny mentioned the Indonesian origin of Zoe, the Moluccan. We finally realized why he was so interested when he told us he had been in a war in that region but didn’t see any parrots or other animals at the time. It was sobering to imagine beautiful creatures like Zoe living in lands torn by warfare.

Lady Scarlet, Pepper, and Franco demonstrated a few of their trick behaviors and were very good little parrot ambassadors. However, I think anyone we asked would likely have voted Miss Zoe as the highlight of the visit. Ever a sweetheart, Zoe became very animated and vocal to the delight of all the residents. Surprisingly, many commented they had never known parrots can be so interactive and intelligent.

Special thanks to Ruth and Jenny for taking time out of their day to help.

This morning, Sam Williams from ParrotWatch.org spoke to a packed house at Phoenix Landing’s annual conservation-themed lecture. He shared his team’s research on the Amazon parrots of Bonaire — both the scientific results, as well as the stories (and scars) behind how the team undertook the research.

Similar to last year’s event with Dr. Brightsmith and his research into the macaws of Peru, Sam Williams showed nest and hatch data over a period of years, except with a species that hasn’t gotten the same level of attention from the eco-tourism industry. Because Bonaire comprises such a small geographic space, the Amazons tend to overlap with human populations a lot, which brings with it a set of problems above and beyond the poaching issue. An interesting insight into the issue was that the locals don’t have a word for “poaching”, so in his campaigns to educate the island’s the researchers describe the taking of the hatchlings in terms of “stealing” and “kidnapping.”

According to the team’s research, one year, of the 90-odd laid eggs that were documented, only 30-something lived to the fledgling stage and 10 were taken illegally; in a population of wild birds where very few actually mate, this is a huge hit on the ability of the population to grow.

Poachers also create other long-lasting problems when they cut down the trees in which the Amazons built their nests. The Parrot Watch team is trying to figure out how to help replenish the availability of suitable nesting sites. These parrots nest in trees as well as cliff faces, but man-made nest boxes that mimic the right shape and size of natural nests have had only limited success. Wild parrots, being fairly neo-phobic, just weren’t interested in exploring and making a home in these objects for the most part. Perhaps in the future they’ll have more success in figuring out what makes a “hole” a “home” for these Amazons.

Sam also shared some amazing videos that were taken within the nest, including a clip of eggs being laid, a chick hatching, and Amazons fighting with iguanas, plus some gorgeous photography of the Amazons and other native fauna. The video and nest photos were taken with the recorder and data loggers that Phoenix Landing purchased for Parrot Watch earlier this year.

In terms of next steps for him and the project, Sam talked about the need to get the local population of Bonaire to take ownership of their island’s conservation effort.

Phoenix Landing’s Adoptable Pet Parrots

As always, several adoptable parrots were on hand to meet potential adopters… and add to the auditory experience. Two of the umbrella cockatoos had to be moved around the room because the sound of Cockatoo screaming was drowning out the lecture.

In addition to several cockatoos, we also had two Blue & Gold Macaws and a number of smaller birds including lovebirds, cockatiels and a Poi.

Another Fantastic Lecture (and Potluck)

A big thanks to Sam for his presentation and all the volunteers who put together the fantastic potluck.

We still have a lot of classes for the remainder of the year, but be especially sure to join us on December 12 for our event with Rebecca K. O’Connor, who will be talking about her book “A Parrot for Life“. The discussion will include advice on how to avoid problem behaviors; prepare your parrot for life’s surprises; integrate changes into your parrot’s life seamlessly and train for a healthier relationship. Rebecca’s books will be available for sale.

Have you ever wished you could potty train your parrot, but just didn’t quite know where to begin?  Here are some pointers to help you get started.   It’s not a good idea for health reasons to teach your bird to ‘hold it’ indefinitely, but it is certainly possible to get the behavior of ‘going’ on cue so that you can have some say as to when the parrot relieves himself when you’re spending time together.   That way, depending on the individual bird, you’ve got 15 minutes or so until you have to be concerned about it again.   

As with any training, the first thing is to make a plan.  First, pick a cue word or signal.  This cue will eventually let the parrot know when it’s a good time to relieve himself.  (At our house it’s “shazam.”)   The next step is to decide where will be the best location for this action.  I’ve found that having a specific area that’s only used for this purpose seems to work best; I like to use a sturdy-handled basket lined with layers of newspaper.  The handle serves as a perch, and the newspapers can be easily disposed of afterward.    (Be sure to habituate the bird to the basket before proceeding with potty training.)  What will the parrot’s reward/reinforcer be?  For this behavior, I usually use only verbal praise, but it might be a good idea to have a favored food treat ready, especially in the beginning.   

Learn to recognize your parrot’s body language just before he’s going to relieve himself.  Depending upon the individual, it can be quite clear:  moving the tail back and forth, squatting slightly, shifting weight, etc.   Just as the poop is released, say your chosen cue word.  If you use clicker training, quickly give a click; then offer positive reinforcement.  The goal is to eventually be able to cue the bird before the release occurs, rather than simultaneously as it happens; the bird just needs to make the connection between the cue and his action, which will probably happen relatively soon.  Hint:  I’ve found the easiest way to facilitate this mental connection for the parrot is to offer the cue when I know he needs to go…i.e. when first coming out of the cage in the morning.  I suggest trying to get your bird out of the cage before that first big dropping of the morning, setting him on the basket, and cueing as he releases.    These days, unless I happen to sleep in, our birds will actually hold the morning dropping until I bring them out to their baskets.  They seem to like the idea of keeping their cages clean almost as much as I do.  (Of course they won’t hesitate to go inside their cages if I’m late getting to them!)

With planning and patience, this form of parrot potty training is easily attainable.  One word of warning:  I was new to parrot training years ago when I first taught this behavior, and I made the mistake of going really overboard with the verbal praise I use as a reinforcer.  As a result, my sweet African grey thought for a while that she could get the praise anytime she pooped, and that made her want to go even more often!  I had to redirect my training a bit until she realized the importance is for her to go on my cue.  I’ve heard of other parrots who will only relieve themselves in the trained location, and this is certainly an example of taking the training way too far.  Remember:  parrots are evolved for flight, and it is nature’s intent that they’re not weighted down by waste. This training method is designed to help you get ahead of the behavior, not to postpone it.

Good luck to all, and may your clothes and sofas stay forever clean!

by Kris Porter
This post is reprinted from the Phoenix Landing Fall Newsletter.

I try to incorporate food items into toys to make them more interesting and it seems to me that I get more sustained activity if there is a bit of food hidden amongst the items strung on a toy. I have found that a rice cake will have great shredding appeal when added to toys. My favorite application is to top an empty clear plastic applesauce cup that has nuts, small pieces of vegetable and fruit inside with a rice cake. My parrots will eagerly shred through the rice cake to get at what is inside the applesauce cup.

I find my birds are more interested in shredding away the rice cake to get at what is under it than they are in eating the rice cake. But it is good to know that there are whole grain rice cakes available that are made with brown rice and no added salts or sugars.

Recently, in a quest to give my parrots something new and exciting to do; I found that ice cream cones make great additions to toys. They have the same appeal as the rice cakes and they add variety. I will make a small hole in the end of the ice cream cone or cup and string it on the toy (upside down).

Inside the ice cream cone I will put nuts and other treats and then cover the cone with an empty applesauce cup. Above and below those items are other toys like a crunch ball, whiffle ball, corn husks, plastic toy parts, etc.

I hope you have found these ideas helpful and that this article gives you inspiration to tweak your imagination and think of other ways to incorporate the rice cakes and ice cream cones into toys you make for your own birds.

Kris Porter is the author of the Parrot Enrichment Activity books and Parrot Enrichment.com.

Spend New Year’s Eve in one of the most spectacular places on the planet, and in the company of good friends who care about parrot conservation the way you do.

Visit the Tambopata Macaw Project with Dr. Brightsmith
Phoenix Landing is organizing a trip to the Tambopata area of Peru with Dr. Donald Brightsmith. This area has the highest concentrations of avian clay licks in the world and is an amazing opportunity to see macaws in the wild.

Dr. Brightsmith is the Director of the Tambopata Macaw Project, located in the unique rainforests of southeastern Peru. His research projects include nest activity data; the diets of macaw chicks; clay lick use and the consequences of consumption; ecology, conservation and diseases of psittacines; and the movements of Amazonian wildlife.

The Tambopata Macaw Project supports long-term research about the ecology and conservation of the nearly 20 species of macaws, parrots and parakeets that reside in the region. As in many areas, parrots are threatened by poaching and the clearing of forests.

In addition to time spent at the clay licks, hikes to key areas of parrot and wildlife activity, and special videos, Dr. Brightsmith will also give us special lectures about ongoing research projects such as the macaw nests, chicks research, and clay lick activity.

The cost of the trip is $1,650 (deposit due November 15), which does not include airfare from your point of departure to Lima, Peru and on to Puerto Maldonado (about $300), or hotel in Lima on 27 Dec. Some of you may decide to extend your time in Peru to see many other wonderful sites such as Machu Picchu.

This extraordinary trip is limited to 17 people, so reserve your spot today. For more details of this trip’s itinerary and how to reserve your spot, please see the Phoenix Landing newsletter (page 11).