From the parrot's beak: 8/7 edition

- Toast the Next one, Please: Cockatoos will resist the urge to gobble up a treat if the reward for holding off is a better treat. they'll even pick up and hold a nut without eating it in anticipation of more, or a better type of nut (sometimes) according to a study on a captive flock of cockatoos by University of Vienna scientists. The "marshmallow tests" have been conducted on chimpanzees, corvids, and other animals as well as human children.The record time for holding out - 15 minutes - is held by none other than Griffin, the Congo African grey parrot colleague of the famous Alex and Dr. Irene Pepperberg.

- Quaker Persecution: Baby the Quaker was confiscated when his veterinarian ratted out his owners for possessing a species of parrot that is illegal to have in Pennsylvania out of fears that escaped quakers could potentially become agricultural pests. Human caretakers Jim and Cindy Tome feared Baby would be euthanized. Due to the efforts of The Quaker Parakeet Society and The American Federation of Aviculture, the Tomes were given a temporary permit which allowed the tomes to give Baby safe passage out of Pennsylvania to another state where quakers are legal. The case echoes a similar scenario where Gizmo, another quaker parakeet, was confiscated by the Pennsylvania Game Commission on March 23, 2013 and later returned.

- Lights Back on for Night Parrots: Australia's night parrot had not been seen in over a century and was presumed extinct - until photos of one surfaced in 2013 and one was captured and tagged April 4 of last year. What's more, the first discovery of a night parrot’s nest on 7/28 of this year was announced by biologists Steve Murphy and Rachel Barr, the researchers who captured that specimen. The bad news is, the eggs were apparently eaten by a predator about a week later. Despite this setback, or perhaps because of it: Queensland government confirmed an idea to establish a \protected area in the western part of the state. This region is going to be monitored by the same way as in African national parks where rangers use specific technology to prevent poaching.

- More Hoarding Horrors: Just as the World Parrot Refuge crisis in Canada comes to a head, an assortment of monk parakeets (illegal in California and some other areas), budgies, conures, a peach-faced lovebird and a cockatiel are facing impending euthanasia unless homes are found for them soon. The United States Dep't. of Agriculture (USDA) bird quarantine station in San Diego, CA is shutting down. Two Amazons have been placed...A wildlife inspector has asked the Oasis Sanctuary of Cascabel, AZ for assistance; putting an unexpected strain on the sanctuary's budget. The Oasis is appealing for public donations. -- Meanwhile, in DeKalb county, GA; volunteers are being sought to help care for more than 300 birds recovered from a recent hoarding situation.The birds, along with eight dogs, were found at a doctor's home on July 13. At least 20 additional birds were dead inside the home.The animal shelter doesn’t have the space to house 300 birds, so they are being taken care of at an off-site location.

- Didja know: August 1 is Dom DeLuise's birthday? The late comedian owned a parrot and left a portion of his fortune to rescue parrots.

- Go for the Gold(en conure): Surprising Olympic/parrot connections revealed in August '16 Pet Gazette http://petgazette.net/ feature article Page 8 by George Sommers.

- Psittacine cinema: The Parrot Olympics – YouTube -- Dom DeLuise and his Parrot, Charlie - YouTube

- Quote o' the Week: Yes, I'm a bird person. No, I'm not socially awkward or lonely. And no, you're not invited to my bird's birthday party. - Facebook meme

- Ten Grand and Counting: Hubpages, the publisher of this column; recently announced that this writer's columns have had a total of 10,000 views.Thank you to all of my readers!

- Hot dates: 8/4-6: American Federation of Aviculture 42nd Educational Conference & Avian Expo- Radisson Cromwell, 100 Berlin Rd., Cromwell, CT

8/5-6: Critter Palooza Bird and Animal Fair. FREE. ri. 5-10; Sat. 8-1:30. Clemmons Civic Club Middlebrook Dr., Clemmons, NC.

8/6: Fun with Food Class 2 pm Parrot University, 321 South Polk St, Pineville NC -- Solutions for Biting and Aggressive Behavior in Companion Parrots webinar with Barbara Heidenreich 12:00- 1:30 CST.

8/7: Avian Health & Medicine class. 2 pm. Parrot University, 321 South Polk St, Pineville NC

8/12-14: Skills to Empower People to Understand Parrots workshop. Phoenix Landing, Asheville NC.

8/13: Sex & the Single Bird class. 2 pm. Parrot University. 321 South Polk St, Pineville NC

8/14: Positive Reinforcement class.

8/15-17: Zoological Association of America Mid-Year Conference with Barbara Heidenreich -Sheraton Providence Airport Hotel,1850 Post Road, Warwick, Rhode Island

- Lost: Eclectus. Hixson/Chatanooga TN. Reward offered. (423) 453-9749-- Lost: Blue crown conure 'Jack' Domville area, Ontario, Canada Reward offered. (343) 264-8631.