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Free Range Parrots

How captive birds can have freedom

Variety and enrichment in a dry diet

Variety and enrichment in a dry diet

2020-10-05

I’m defining a “dry diet” as either pellets, seeds, dried chop, or a combination. Regardless of the dry diet, most people know the importance of giving your bird fresh vegetables and fruit every day.

This article is closely related to a number I’ve already written.

I talked about how pellets…

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Learn bird training from the experts (addendum)

Learn bird training from the experts (addendum)

2020-09-25

I previously wrote an article about Avian Behavior International (ABI), where I attended two week-long bird training workshops a couple of years ago. I also mentioned that they offer an on-line version of their training for a monthly fee.

The purpose of this article is to illustrate the value I’ve gotten…

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Is feather plucking worse than decades ago?

Is feather plucking worse than decades ago?

2020-09-15

Feather plucking is something I’ve always been curious about. There isn’t much research into it and no magic bullets. But if you search the internet for it, you’ll find dozens of proposed remedies, none of which have any scientific backing.

With one exception. Here’s one study …

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Do we know our parrots are happy?

Do we know our parrots are happy?

2020-08-14

I suspect most people would say their parrots are happy and cite some evidence:

  • They sing or talk
  • They play with toys or do tricks
  • They willingly interact with us and let us scratch their heads

But sometimes we mistakenly think other human beings are happy when they really aren’t. So, can we really…

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Learn bird training from the experts

Learn bird training from the experts

2020-07-23

Hands-on training

A couple years ago, I was fortunate to have the time and the means to visit Avian Behavior International (ABI), one of the premier bird training facilities in the world.

Hillary Hankey, the founder of ABI, working with a macaw.

It’s run by Hillary Hankey, her staff, and guest experts…

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Grape stems as enrichment

Grape stems as enrichment

2020-07-15

After a protracted move to Portland (Oregon), I’m back to writing about parrots.

Unlike most of my articles, this one is entirely anecdotal, supported only by my own experience and a handful of people who I’ve told about this.

We have three cockatiels who are not big fruit eaters. So when…

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Seeds as enrichment

Seeds as enrichment

2020-05-29

To anyone that has read my articles on diet, I have no love for the bird food manufacturers selling processed food to our birds.

As a background, I feed my birds a diet that is at least half seed, with added chop (dried fruits and vegetables), nuts, legumes, sprouted seeds, and fresh fruit and vegetables.…

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The toy hook to rule them all

The toy hook to rule them all

2020-05-27

It’s important to provide your bird with plenty to do to occupy their brains and beaks. Toys of different types are popular to place inside a cage, but you can also attach them on the outside of a cage or anywhere your bird likes to hang out.

It also helps immensely to rotate items around and introduce…

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What does my bird eat in the wild?

What does my bird eat in the wild?

2020-05-15

I previously wrote an article called Learn about your bird in the wild where I stress the importance of not just thinking of your bird as a pet. Think about how they would live in their natural habitat as you make decisions about how to care for them.

Fortunately for everyone, an excellent research paper…

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Can’t we get along with breeders?

Can’t we get along with breeders?

2020-05-14

People that breed birds are disliked and even despised by many bird groups, especially bird rescue organizations. They have a valid point, given that there are many unwanted birds out there, just like there are for dogs and cats.

Some people and groups won’t even speak to them. Despite the obvious…

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About cricket


cricket with Guiness the owl

I’ve been a bird owner since 1980, including a few years as a bird breeder and many years doing bird rescue. Many bird owners turn to the internet to learn how to care for their birds and they find information not backed by research or bird experts.

I’ve spent a lot of time battling against this and decided to write down all my thoughts so I could point people to them in one place.

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About cricket


cricket with Guiness the owl

25 years in tech. I like to write manifestos. I like to offer interesting tips. I like making fun of things. Everyone copes differently.

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