From the parrot's beak: 6/19 edition
- I'll take it if you don't want it: Emmett the yellow naped Amazon was stolen from a New Hampshire family's car as they ate in a restaurant. A $10,000 reward was offered for Emmett's return. A woman returned Emmettt, explainining she found the bird on her porch. She declined the reward, saying she was just glad to see a happy reunion. Years ago, fire burned their farm to the ground and claimed the lives of the family's 15 horses. A daughter went into shock and was not able to talk - until Emmett joined the household. “My daughter is able to work now, because of the bird, she'll speak to people, she helps her cope with life,” says Ms. Finks, owner of Emmett.
- Parrot vs. Parrot: There are only several dozen Indian ringneck parrots left on Seychelles Islands, and the ones left are being picked off by hired guns. The invasive species, introduced in the 1970's, is apparently outcompeting native Vasa parrots and (predictably) farmers complain about ringnecks stealing their crops. Some one hundred million dollars has been spent on a bid to bid bye bye to the unwelcome birdies. But the going hasn't been easy. “These birds are very intelligent. If you’ve attacked them in one spot and they managed to escape, they will not return to that same spot and this makes our work more difficult,” says project coordinator Laurent Leit.
- The Snowball Effect: Alex the grey may have had the brains, but Snowball the 'too has the moves. With Snowball''s help, scientists showed that parrots are among an exclusive group of critters (including humans) that literally and spontaneously dance to music. Trainer/dance partner Irena Schulz notes, "We have a film crew flying in from the UK in July to film us for their scientific documentary 'Animal Symphony'." A video of Snowball getting jiggy with "Another One Bites the Dust" by Queen is still going strong at eight years old.
- Head of the Class: "The macaw has a brain the size of an unshelled walnut, while the macaque monkey has a brain about the size of a lemon. Nevertheless, the macaw has more neurons in its forebrain -- the portion of the brain associated with intelligent behavior -- than the macaque," says a new study by "Science Daily". Birds can make and use tools, solve problems, understand cause-effect, recognize themselves in a mirror and plan for future needs, among other skills - just like primates. So if someone calls you a "birdbrain", take it as a compliment. For more on parrot intelligence, see Max Planck experiment in Psittacine Cinema.
- Psittacine cinema: Funny Singing Parrot Poncho on "The Tonight Show Starring John -- hawk-headed parrot - YouTube -- Max Planck Experiment - Intelligence of Parrots - YouTube
- Didja know: that a bird’s eye takes up about 50 percent of its head; human peepers take up about 5 percent of our head? To be comparable to a bird’s eyes, our eyes would have to be the size of baseballs!!
- Help for Pets of Orlando Tragedy Victims is available at Claws For Worry Pet Care (407) 251-0131 or noclawsforworrypetcare@yahoo.com. * Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando (407) 351-7722 * The Pixel Fund * Winter Park Pets . (407).834.6464 . * Pookie Bros. Pet Sitting.(407) -222-8133.
- Good (For a Change) Conservation News: The number of wild yellow eared parrots has increased a nearly incredible 50X over the last 17 years, thanks to Fundación Pro Aves and Loro Parque Fundación. In 1999, conservationists found 81 yellow-eared parrots on one of two most important locations in Colombia. Today, there are over 4251 individuals at the same place.
- Quote o' the Week: Sorry I'd rather stay home and nurse an unhealthy level of attachment to to my bird than socialize with people.- Facebook meme
Hot Dates:
6/18, 19: New York Pet Expo-Brooklyn Expo Center, 72 Noble St., Brooklyn, NY -Sat 10-6, Sun 11-4
6/18: The ABC's of Behavior class. 10-12. 31 Landing Place, Alexander, NC. -- Toy Making class.11 a.m. Parrot University, Pineville Towne Market at 321 So. Polk Street. Pineville NC
6/19: Fathers' Day. Make sure daddy birds have a happy day!
6/24-26: Skills to Empower people to Understand Parrots workshop (Step up) Phoenix Landing . Asheville, NC.
6/25,26:Steel City Pet Expo - Monroeville Convention Center, 209 Mall Boulevard, Monroeville, PA - Sat 10-6, Sun 11-4
6/25: So You Want a Talking Bird? class 1 pm Parrot University, Pineville Towne Market at 321 So. Polk Street. Pineville NC -- Sex and the Single Bird 2 pm Parrot University, Pineville Towne Market at 321 So. Polk Street. Pineville NC --A Parrot's Point of View class. 1-3. Pender Exotics Veterinary Centre, 4001 Legato Rd., Fairfax, VA [satisfies Phoenix Landing adoption process requirement]
- Lost: Lovebird 'Lucy' Hialeah, FL "My daughter is offering a small reward from her piggy bank" (786) 2871557 -- Lost: Parrotlet 'Walter' Green w blue markings. Smithtown, NY - Email: rrankel12345@gmail.com -- Lost: African grey parrot. Mineola, NY. reward offered. (917) 686-6742/(516) 298-8534 -- Found: Blue parakeet.
Mill Pond, Stony Brook NY Leg Band. Email: bberentsen@aol.com
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