From the parrot's beak: 5/22 edition

- Help for parrot victims of Canada fire: The devastating fire in Fort McHenry caused many to lose their homes- including parrots. But like the phoenix rising from the ashes, some of the luckier parrots managed to pull through, with a little help from friends. Over 25 parrots and exotic birds have found refuge in Meika's Birdhouse, a pet store and bird rescue operation. Proprieter Ian Sprague is providing the service for free, no less; with the assistance of volunteers and donations of food, treats and toys."The owners are obviously traumatized. The birds are obviously traumatized," said Sprague; who notes that many of the birds have been pacing on their perches or picking their feathers.

- High flying Wi-Fiers: Mojo and Brindsley, two blue and gold macaws, are helping set up the WiFi system at the Chessington World of Adventures theme park in Great Britain. As part of a service dubbed 'FlyFi', customers can surf the web whenever they are near the pair. Clutching the routers in their claws and beaks as they soar the skies, Mojo and Brindsley are based at the park's new Explorer Glamping accommodation. Spokeswoman Megan Wilson says: "We only develop skills that are part of their natural abilities. For instance they are used to using their powerful claws to hold food during flight, and this can vary in weight. We only ever use positive reinforcement in our training so Mojo was given a lot of his favorite treats while he learned to carry to FlyFi device." She adds: "It's important for families to spend quality time together, but they also need to stay connected to others, so our macaws will be on hand to help." It's like a modern take on those message carrying pigeons of a bygone era!

- Sign, sign, everywhere a sign: Rally the blue crowned conure was born with a fitfh toe on his right foot. In addition to learning human speech at an early age; Rally learned to gesture using both foot, and beak actions including asking for food using his left foot, by taking it slowly to his beak, then opening his beak to mimic the biting action. Later, to indicate he was tired and wanted to go to his cage to sleep, using both feet, he bent and kissed his left foot first, then lifted his right up to his beak and kissed it. Rally even taught his buddy, a green cheeked conure to respond to his sign-language.

- Do they make sunflower seed pizza?: A large red and blue parrot was sighted outside a Cici's pizza outlet in Staunton, VA.. Although feral parrots are not uncommon in the area, it seemed like the parrot was peering in and looking for help. Both the nearby Pets-N-Pals store and the local Petco said it was not their bird, but Petco took it in until the owner is identified.

- Parrot rescue needs to be rescued: The World Parrot Rescue in Coombs, British Columbia, Canada is home to over 600 parrots. Sadly, the refuge's founder, Wendy Huntbatch, died in February. Her husband does not wish to continue the operation and is hopeful someone will step forward to purchase the property or at least help with increasing costs.

- A parrot with expensive tastes: Sinbad saw the Whole Foods bag, and from there it was non-stop "Something to EAT?!" "Want VEGGIES?!" "Got some FRUIT?!" That;s a bird with expensive tastes- they don't call it "Whole Paycheck" for nothing!

- Psittacine cinema: Friday Night Disco - YouTube

- Speak out: The list of speakers for the American Federation for Aviculture conference this year includes Robin Shewokis, Jason Crean,. Concetta Ferragamo, Amy Hopkins, Laney Rickman, Lara Joseph, Patricia Anderson and several others

- Parrotrivia: In a "Desperate Housewives" episode, Alma trains a parrot named Baby to say "Don't tell Bree", and when Bree visits her to tell her to move away, she hears the parrot and drops a glass of lemonade.

- Quote o' the week: I don't always poop on you but when I do you're wearing something white and about to walk out the door. - Facebook meme.

- You oughta be in pictures: Do you have cute pictures of your birds? Send them in to be a part of Great Companion's Annual Calendar Contest. Photos are accepted by using their online form, by mail or email at the following addresses: Mail: Great Companions, Attn: Marketing, PO Box 166, Orange City IA 51041. Photos must be at least 3" x 5" and printed on glossy photo paper. See Website for online form and more details.

- Hot dates:

5/21: Lancaster Bird Expo - featuring "The East Coast Food Feud" Queen of Chop Patricia Sund vs. King of Raw Jason Crean. Lancaster Host Resort, 2300 Lincoln Hwy E, Lancaster, PA - 9-5 -- Greater Charlotte Cage Bird Society Spring Expo. Admission $3.00; seniors under 8 FREE. $50.00 door prize. 9-4. North Carolina Army National Guard, 300 6th Street Belmont, NC. -- Sex and the Single Bird class. 2 pm.Parrot Univ. Pineville Towne Market at 321 So. Polk Street. Pineville NC -- Things I Wish I'd Known class. Fairfax also Chesapeake, VA details: phoenixlanding.org/events -- No Place Like Home class Millersville MD also Alexander, NC. details: phoenixlanding.org/events

5/22: Ziggy Haven Bird Sanctuary Open House. Q & A with Vet Dr. Branson Ritchie. Raffles, door prize, FREE hot dogs and chips. 10-3. 2600 E. Hayes St. Inverness, FL.

5/22: Positive Reinforcement class. 2 pm. Parrot Univ. Pineville Towne Market at 321 So. Polk Street. Pineville NC

5/25: Avian Vet Dr. Vanessa Rolfe live Youtube broadcast from the Bird & Exotic Hospital hosted by Parrot Society of the Palm Beaches. If you have an important question, text (561) 317-6080. Include your first name and where you are from. For more info go to: www.parrotsocietypb.club.

5/28-29: New England Cockatiel Breeders & Exhibitors SPBE Quad Show - Club Frontenac, 1143 Main St., West Warwick, RI - 9-5

5/28: Toy making class11 a.m. Parrot University. 321 South Polk St, Pineville NC

- Lost:Catalina macaw 'Yoshi'. Orange County, CA (626) 991-7772/(954) 305-51005/22- Ziigy's Haven Bird Sanctuary Open House featuring Dr. Branson Ritchie, DVM. Tour the open air aviary. Raffles, door prize. FREE hotdogs and chips. 10-5 2600 E. Hayes St. Inverness, FL -- Lost: Grey cockatiel. Houston, TX. ☎ (832) 668-9532 -- Found: Cockatiel, Brooklyn, NY.If this is your bird, please contact jbolstridge@polyprep.org.-- Lost:Blue and gold macaw. Orlando, FL. (757) 409-2782 -- Lost: Blue and white budgerigar 'Samantha' Smithtown, NY (870) 636-1958 tonicicala@gmail.com