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Free Range Parrots

How captive birds can have freedom

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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Artificial colors in bird food

Artificial colors in bird food

2020-04-27

This is one of those articles I feel like I shouldn’t have to write. No creature should eat artificial colors, period. Having said that, there’s a ton of research into the hazards of artificial colors to back up my feeling.

The most unequivocal I could find is this one.

This review finds that

…

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Deterring predators and pests

Deterring predators and pests

2020-04-23

NOTE: This article only applies to those with outdoor aviaries.

The internet is full of safe ideas to deter predators (e.g. raccoons) and pests (e.g. parasites) and they all have two things in common.

  • They are indeed safe for the most part
  • They don’t work for the most part

Unlike most articles on this site,…

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Buying extra stainless steel food/water bowls

Buying extra stainless steel food/water bowls

2020-04-16

If you’re like me, you may have a lot of:

  • Birds
  • Bird cages
  • Stainless steel food/water bowls

So many bowls

Since I have so many bowls, I don’t hand wash them, I run a dedicated dishwasher load every morning. But then I need two of every kind of bowl I use every day.

So many manufacturers

You’d think this would…

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Birds and flickering lights

Birds and flickering lights

2020-04-07

What is flicker?

In its simplest definition, flicker is the constant fluctuation of light output from on to off.

LEDs: Fighting Flicker

In the US, the power that comes in through our outlets cycle at 60 times per second. Instead of one continuous stream of electrons, it goes ON and OFF 60 times per second…

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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 Me

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.

Contact Me

My Other Blogs

  • Tech Reflect
  • Plucky Tree (personal)
  • Little Dinosaur
  • Contact Me
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