G'day Parrot Enthusiasts,

Just a quick update on the forthcoming `Parrots 2010’ convention... The early bird registration period has closed and we have actually exceeded our anticipated numbers for this stage of the registration period. That’s great news and it bodes well for hopefully being able to reach our goal of achieving our greatest number of Parrots Convention delegates yet. If you haven’t already registered then it’s definitely worth considering doing this sooner rather than later. One of the events integrated into the convention is the aviary tour. This is strictly limited in terms of participant numbers and it is already getting close to being closed. Only full convention delegates can participate on the tour and it simply works on a first come, first served basis. The later you leave registering for the event, the less likely your chances of being able to join us on this tour – which is a great opportunity to meet speakers and other delegates in a relaxed and informal context prior to the convention. For registration details go to http://www.parrotsociety.org.au/Parrots2010/index.html

Also – if you’re one of the rare few who can afford to spend 10 or 15 minutes reading blogs over a cuppa’ then you might want to check out the PBEC blog. I’m trying to keep it reasonably regularly updated – ie at least once a month. I wish I had time to do it every week but that’s just not going to happen. Anyway – worth a squiz if you have the time and I’d love to hear from anyone on the post topics.

I look forward to seeing many of you at Parrots 2010!

Kind Regards, Jim McKendry BAppSc Bteach
Parrot Behaviour & Enrichment Consultations

Tailored Pet Parrot Consultations

Regular ABK columnist Jim McKendry, in conjunction with Brisbane Bird and Exotics Veterinary Service, is offering a specially tailored consult session designed for people who are planning to add a parrot to their lives as a companion animal.

This session will provide the essential information and advice new parrot owners need to make an informed decision and to be set up to succeed with an awareness of the enclosure, enrichment and dietary needs of pet parrots.

To make the session even more special, clients will be able to choose from a selection of parrots to use as a ‘trainer’ bird during their consultation. This will facilitate basic handling and positive reinforcement skills to be covered in a ‘hands-on’ context.

 For more information check out Jim’s Blog at http://parrotconsultations.blogspot.com/

         Jim McKendry

Hi Pet Parrot Enthusiasts,

Just a quick e-mail to let everyone know about two workshops we have planned for the first half of 2010. If you lie in the southern states then don’t miss out on the opportunity to spend a full day engaging in the best educational experience available in Australia for companion parrot owners, veterinary staff, bird retail staff and bird trainers. Here are the important details...

Set Up For Success – Companion Parrot Workshop
Date: Saturday January 16th
Location: Hobart, Tasmania.

Set Up For Success – Companion Parrot Workshop
Date: Saturday April 10th
Location: Melbourne, Victoria.

All registration details need to be accessed through the workshop organisers Lisa Kearney and Kate Morris owner@friendlybirdinn.com.au

 

Jim McKendry writes a regular column in Australian BirdKeeper Magazine—Pet Parrot Pointers. If you require further information on Pet Parrot subjects please contact ppp@birdkeeper.com.au

© ABK Publications

By Jim McKendry

Jim McKendry

First up – welcome to the new ABK online site and our `blog’ section! I believe that quite a few members of the extended ABK family will be contributing blogs from time to time with tips, insights, hot links, snippets of knowledge and food for thought across a variety of areas of interest that make up the kaleidoscope of birdkeeping. My job is to share some perspectives on the keeping of parrots as companion animals. To kick things off I thought I would highlight some of the key points from my latest article in ABK Magazine. The article itself shares some of my thinking and the processes of elimination I went through recently when making the decision to acquire another parrot. Make sure you pick up a copy of the Feb/Mar issue for the full read.

Here are some of the key `pointers’ from the article...

When acquiring a new parrot, consider the complete picture of the financial commitment you are making. This challenges you to seriously assess the costs involved in properly housing the bird, providing suitable enrichment opportunities, a varied and nutritionally sound diet, and the possibility of veterinary check-ups and perhaps even a session with a behaviour and training consultant to set you and your parrot up with the most up-to-date knowledge on creating a dynamic and positively reinforcing environment for a companion parrot. The cost of owning a parrot as a pet starts with cost of housing and maintaining it properly and doesn’t stop with the price tag of the bird!

Consider some natural variations in the characteristics of different species groups. The parrot you saw in the glossy magazine or quietly sitting on the perch in the bird store might not be `exactly’ what you had in mind when you really start to experience life with such a creature. Do some research into some of the general characteristics behaviours and requirements for each species you are interested in and make sure you gather your information from sources that offer more than just a sample size of one. Relying on establishing a true picture of what owning a species of parrot you are interested in from the anecdotes of someone you meet online who has only owned one of these birds is unlikely to really paint the full picture of what to expect. They may have some great experiences and valuable knowledge to share but make sure you speak with as many owners and breeders as you can to identify the consistent experiences that seem to hold true. When researching, forget about ridiculous reasons for choosing a parrot, such as colour and `talking ability’ and instead, see if you can find out a little about the following...

• Functional activity levels – think about Lories and Pesquet’s Parrots as opposed to Amazons and African Greys
• Natural vocalisation characteristics – think about Aratinga Conures as opposed to Grass Parrots
• Natural receptivity to tactile handling and preening – think about Asiatic Parrots and Rosellas as opposed to Macaws and Cockatoos
• Physical size and relative flight and enrichment requirements – think about Macaws and Cockatoos as opposed to Pyrrhura Conures or small Poicephalus Parrots.

Having found out as much information as you can about the above, the choice you make should then ultimately be based on the following self-evaluation...

• Am I starting out with a species whose natural calls I was comfortable with?
• Am I choosing a species that I am confident in being able to house, feed environmentally enrich and cater for appropriately? (ie – Can I `really’ afford this commitment?)
• Am I aware of what to expect from my chosen species in relation to its natural level of receptivity to tactile handling?
• Am I confident that the natural functional activity level of my chosen species is compatible with my desired interactivity levels?

Hopefully that quick self-evaluation and those characteristics to consider when researching will help some people out there make a considered and educated choice before committing to owning a parrot as a pet.

Feel free to e-mail me with any questions or issues you would me to see me write a little `blog’ in response to! I can be contacted via ppp@birdkeeper.com.au

Take Care – Jim McKendry
Parrot Behaviour & Enrichment Consultations
Find out more at: www.pbec.com.au