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Angel Wings A monthly journal for human angels who make a positive difference in companion birds' lives. July 2007 |
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Happy belated 4th of July, Angels and Supporters!! We hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable holiday. A warm welcome to our newest Angels, Amey R., Carol S. and Bonnie B. Also, welcome back to Andrea H.
Today is the kickoff for the Parrot Toy Angels Private Auction. A little something for your babies, a little something for you parronts, and, a little something for the cause closest to our hearts: "Making a difference, one bird at a time". Be assured that 100% of the proceeds will go to do just that. You've all been instrumental in making that happen. ParrotNutz's Anniversary Sale has been postponed for a couple more weeks due to her mother's hospitalization. We'd all like to wish Mama 'Nutz a speedy recovery!! Watch your mail towards the end of July for the sale announcement. We've got a jam packed newsletter this month. Bursting with Quaker stories. If you'd like to see a specific species featured, please drop us an email. Or if you have a story you'd like to contribute, we welcome submissions. Please send it to The Editor. All submissions will be considered. ~~ Lynn Williams
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Sale prices good thru 7/31/07...limited quantities
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 Due to the emergency hospitalization of Nutz' mother, the Anniversary Sale has been temporarily postponed. We hope to be able to announce the sale dates within the next couple weeks. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused! ParrotNutz Presents... 
Tropical Mini Muffins
Dreaming of summer?  Squawky (Cindy's boss) Zip Tie Weaving Masterpiece ♥ ♥ ♥  Rhonda's master, Chanceman with his girlfriend Sticky |
LET THE AUCTION BEGIN!!
 Why buy a Bird Cage from Bird Cages Galore?? Because we do not "just sell" top quality cages at reasonable prices, provide free shipping and a free toy with each cage; we offer first rate customer service and will answer your questions about most bird-related matters. Visit us on the web, browse our selection, join our discussion forum and sign up for our free Newsletter, The Caged Bird Courier. We are here to help, because we care about your bird!! ♥ ♥ ♥  Fonzie, Ellen's master, Weaving Feathers & Leather ♥ ♥ ♥ Kewl Quaker Links The Quaker Song Quaky sings the "Can-Can" Quaker Parakeet Society Quakerville Fonzie Books, Weaving, Bathing
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>>C O U P O N<< 10% off any item on the Parrot Toy Angels site Coupon expires 8/05/07 Offer not valid for purchases made by Angels
♥ ♥ ♥  Gazpacho with Noodles and Chick Peas Submitted by Howie Caique In food processor or blender:  Precious, who owns Paula |
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Featured Fid ~ Quaker Parrots
By Rita McCarthy
I love Quaker's looks, I love their talking potential, I love their colors and their size is perfect. It's one thing and one thing only that makes Quakers my favorites, and that's their personality! Quakers have a kind of self-assured, "loud" personality that I adore. They're the kind of bird that will always let you know what they're thinking.
♥  Casey the Escape Artist! Interesting factoid from Wikipedia: The Monk Parakeet is the only parrot that builds a stick nest, in a tree or on a man-made structure, rather than using a hole in a tree. This gregarious species often breeds colonially, building a single large nest with separate entrances for each pair. In the wild, the colonies can become quite large, with pairs occupying separate "apartments" in nests that can reach the size of a small automobile. Their 5-12 eggs hatch in about 24 days.
Has this story got your toymaking talons twitching? Do you want to help make a difference in somebirdie's life? Come join our ranks! We have angels from all different backgrounds and walks of life, and there's always room for another generous heart.
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The Quaker Parrot (myiopsitta monachus) also known as the Quaker Parakeet or Monk Parakeet, average approximately 11" in length and range in weight from 85 - 150 grams. The average weight is 90 - 120 grams. Quakers are about the size of a large cockatiel, but have a stockier build. The forehead and breast are pale grey and the rest of the underparts are very light green to yellow. The flight feathers are a beautiful dark blue, and the tail is long and tapering. Barring accident or disease, Quakers can be expected to live around 20+ years.
While it seems hard to believe, Quakers are actually illegal in some states! This is due to a fear that feral Quakers will harm native wildlife or become an agricultural pest. To some, this is a very legitimate fear, as non-native sparrows and starlings have certainly harmed native birds and become nation-wide pests, and Quakers in their native South American eat and damage crops. To others, both these fears are completely unfounded. Regardless, some states have outlawed Quakers, and others require a permit or have certain restrictions. Make sure to read up and research your local laws before beginning your search for a Quaker! There's an online list of state laws concerning Quakers here 
Quakers can be stubborn, and rather exasperating birds. Quakers are extremely smart in a clever sort of way, and have a definate sense of humor. They can be nippy and downright mean if they're not properly socialized and/or have decided they don't want people near "their" space or talking/touching/looking at "their" human(s). They have definate opinions
on all subjects and will willingly let you know what they think, whether you care to hear or not. At the same time, Quakers are exceptionally loyal birds and love their "chosen" with all their heart; they are big sweethearts and always want to be near you, on you, loving you, cuddling you (...well, except when they're not in the mood...). They're adventuresome but always ready to run back to mommy/daddy should things take a scary turn. They're bullies with birds smaller than themselves but usually scared of or perfectly accepting of birds their size or larger (ah, what a contradiction they are...). Properly socialized, Quakers get along with a variety of people; not properly socialized, they may hate everyone but "their" person.
A base diet of pellets is ideal. (It's always a good idea to make sure your bird is accustomed to eating pellets in case of an emergency). They'll usually eat either cockatiel sized pellet or a larger parrot size; some birds prefer one over the other. Besides pellets, a wide variety of other foods should be offered: fruits, vegetables, breads and grains. Very little seed should be offered as they are prone to Fatty Liver Disease. The more variety in the diet, the better. An occasional treat now and then is fine.
Quakers require relatively large cages, the larger the better of course. Quakers have a tendancy to be territorial and nippy around "their" space, and this is usually their cage. To prevent this, try providing a "bedroom" area within the cage; a Happy Hut, sleeping box or similar product is ideal. The idea is to allow the bird to have "their" space to be territorial around, but not have that space be the entire cage. Quakers usually love toys, however many are not as rowdy and acrobatic with their toys as conures are - there are, of course, exceptions to this.
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Rescue and Placement Program (RAPP)  What is QPS RAPP? QPS RAPP is the Quaker Parakeet Society Rescue and Placement Program. QPS RAPP was founded in September of 1999 by their parent organization, QPS (the Quaker Parakeet Society). QPS RAPP is dedicated to the rescue and placement of Quaker Parakeets upon the request of people who can no longer keep them for a variety of reasons. How Does It Work? Volunteers may be called upon to transport, foster or adopt. RAPP is a unique program in that most communication takes place over the internet through email, enabling RAPP to reach and work with its volunteers quickly. QPS RAPP birds are placed with volunteers at the request of their relinquishing owners only. RAPP does not purchase birds from pet stores, breeders, or from private individuals. No fee is charged to place or adopt a RAPP bird. A RAPP bird will not be placed in a breeding situation unless the relinquishing owner specifically expresses that request. Education: QPS RAPP is dedicated to educating its volunteers and the public about Quaker Parakeets. Adoption tips, compiled by volunteers, are available to all who visit their website. Many volunteers are also RAPP Support mentors, volunteers who've already adopted a Quaker and help not only new adopters, but also owners who have contacted RAPP to place their birds and are unsure if that is the right thing to do. A RAPP Support mentor will help them work through problems they might be experiencing with their bird, which often results in the bird remaining with its owner. QPS RAPP stands behind QPS in its effort to educate the public about the importance of preserving our feral Quaker population and colonies in the US. RAPP also works with other agencies when relocation is necessary in cases where Quakers find themselves in restricted or illegal states. Success: From their first placement of Racketts in Nebraska, to their latest in Michigan, QPS RAPP has successfully placed an average of 4 Quakers per month since its conception. RAPP has also helped other Quakers to remain in their homes by providing their owners with educational support. For more information on becoming a RAPP Volunteer click here ♥ |
Help Us Help the Birds...
We also welcome donations of toymaking parts and supplies. A receipt will be issued for every donation. Contact us at Parrot Toy Info for further information on donating. Other ways you can help: 
 Gus, Amey's owner, ready for bed |
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Quaker Parrots: Master Architects of the Bird World by Steve Baldwin (Reprinted with Permission)
Visit Steve's site |
People sometimes ask me -- especially when they see wild Quaker parrot nests in New York City for the first time -- how could these little birds build something so impressively massive?
Well, Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither was a Quaker nest like this one, which probably weighs at least 200 pounds. It takes teamwork, persistence, and patience!
A well-engineered Quaker nest begins in a tree. Quaker nests are built of twigs - lots of them, intricately woven together. These expansive, all-weather parrot condos are built one twig at a time, and the construction work goes on throughout the year, rain, shine, or snow. In the photo to the left, this little guy has already severed a good-looking twig from a tree, and is trying to balance it so that he can transport it to his nest without any aerial mishaps.
Leaping from the branch with twig in beak, this Quaker begins air-lifting the fresh-cut lumber to its destination. Within 30 seconds, it will be placed in the nest, where it will subsequently be woven into the existing nest structure by other Quakers.
Quaker parrots are Nature's equivalent of the heavy-lifting C-130 Hercules transport aircraft. This twig is almost twice as long as the little bird's body. If I could play music on this site to accomodate this next sequence of photos, I'd play the Beatles' wonderful song from the Abbey Road LP: "Boy, You're Going to Carry That Weight a Long Time."
Now the difficult part of the journey begins. This Quaker must lift that heavy twig UP some 75 feet. Don't try this at home, kids!
Wings grabbing mightily for traction in the icy air, the high stadium light nest is soon almost within reach.
This Quaker isn't alone in adding twigs to the nest today -- another one is pitching in. Quakers are amazing flyers who can hover in place much like hummingbirds. This allows them to place twigs with precision; when thy're through hovering, they simply shift into forward-flight mode, much like a Harrier Jump Jet.
In fact, nest building is very much a family affair: this whole clan is doing construction today (although most are taking a well-earned break right now) - many beaks make light the work! After the twig is placed, another bird will take it and begin weaving it into the existing structure. Sometimes, the twig will need trimming, in which case the weaving bird will adjust its length.
It is speculated that one reason that young birds stay in the nest for such a long time (up to 2 years) is to "apprentice" in the various specialized skills required to build a successful nest before setting out on their own. Cutting, ferrying, and weaving twigs all day takes energy: lots of it. By the time a few dozen twig installations have been made, these little birds are hungry. Unfortunately, the Quakers' foraging field is covered in snow today, making the task of finding acorns -- these Quakers' main high energy staple -- difficult.
The birds aren't going to go hungry today, however. See those tiny sprigs of grass sticking up through the snow? They're delicious and nutritious!
Well, enough munching. We've got mouths to feed, a nest to insulate, and the weather ain't getting any warmer. Back to work, compadres - you're going to carry that weight a long time!
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Staying Forever by Rhonda Heflin One morning, about 2 1/2 years ago, I got a call from my friend, Rose. She was driving to Walla Walla to pick up a couple of baby birds that she was going to finish hand feeding and then sell in her bird shop. She wanted to know if I wanted to go along for the ride. She picked me up and off we went. She bought a baby sun conure and a quaker. The quaker was older and didn't need hand feeding, he was about 9 weeks old. The quaker was put in the back seat in its carrier and I held the baby sun all the way home. When Rose asked me if I wanted to take a baby home and get it ready for sale, I knew it would be the sun, I wanted a sun so bad. The quaker, well, I wasn't interested, they're kind of plain, you know? Well, I didn't have an incubator so I ended up taking the quaker home, after Rose trimmed his wings. My husband, Dan, saw us drive in and said "another bird, huh." I explained the situation and said "no, he's not staying." I got out one of Five Oh's cages, cleaned it up and put toys in it and put the quaker in. I had no intention of really playing with the bird, because as I told my husband, he wasn't staying, and besides, Baby Five Oh was so upset about another bird, I had to calm him down. The days went by and I couldn't stay away from this fluffy, beady eyed bird. I would find myself picking him up as I walked by his cage (he would NOT step up at all) and washing dishes and making the bed with him. I can't even remember what we called him, we didn't name him, because he wasn't staying. We had a couple of lovebirds that had the big setup on top of the entertainment center that Dan had rescued a few months earlier, and although they had bred and had a good clutch of eggs, they would never be pets. The girl who had them before we took them in hadn't played with them at all, and more than likely if they hadn't had each other, they would not have survived. We didn't need anymore birds. This funny little bird started saying words, he was saying "I'm a baby" almost sooner than Five Oh had said it. I would be sitting in my office doing paperwork and it would be very quiet and I would hear "are you okay?" I'd say, "I'm okay, are you okay?" This bird would then repeat, "I'm okay, sure you're okay?" I just knew someone would want to buy him, because he was such a sweetheart, but he wasn't staying and there was no way I was going to fall in love with him. About three weeks after I brought him home, I thought I had found someone who was interested. The lady liked him a lot, but I overheard her daughter and a friend whispering that they could give him beer, because it's funny watching animals get drunk and maybe teach him to smoke. I quietly got up from my desk and went into our living room and told Dan what I'd heard. He got up and went into my office and said "this bird is no longer for sale". What do we do now? I had told Rose I had a sale. I called her and told her and she said "just keep the quaker". I told her she could have the proven pair of lovebirds, but she didn't want them. Our son wrote me a check for $50 to pay for the quaker and finally Rose relented, she knew someone who had an inside aviary and wanted the lovebirds. The quaker was ours. I could allow myself to fall in love. He had to be a boy, he just acted like a boy, but what to name him. We were still a bit apprehensive, (take two birds camping?), but we decided to 'take a chance', hence he became Chance, then Chanceman. Yes, Chanceman has learned to step up, in fact he did so shortly after we decided he would stay after all. His speaking ability and understanding of our language sometimes blows me away. I walked by his 'bedroom' one day and told him that he had pooped on his toy and he said "doesn't matter", and he was right, though he's never said that again. He learned the word 'idiot' from his brother, Five Oh, and when he asks someone, 'are you an idiot?' he's usually right on. We have since added Five Oh's clutchmate sister to our home, we had to take her when she became available, I mean, we had no choice, right? Chanceman is my little buddy, perhaps my best friend. If I forget and go to work early, he'll jump down from his setup and waddle in and say "gotta help make the bed, gotta help make the bed", but the best part of the evening, is when he stands on the topmost part of his 'bedroom' and says, "I'm staying........forever."  Chanceman, I'm Staying Forever! ....Are you an idiot?.... |
Fourth of Jelly by Chester P. Featherbutt  The Fourth of Jelly...Why do they call it the Fourth of Jelly? Mom said it be a very special day. Lot's of peoples in the US of A celebrating this very special day. They have fireworks. How do fire's work, I thought fire cooks food. That is so confusing. BBQ's...that I love, anything with lot's of food has got to be good!! But the Fourth of Jelly. I just don't get it! The Fourth of Jelly. And what kind of jelly are we celebrating: Grape, apple, raspberry, strawberry..which one? Or do you just pick out your favorite jelly and celebrate that one?? Hmmm...Fourth of Jelly. That just don't make sense to me. I overheard my humans saying there was going to be parades, music...all kinds of activities just for this day. Why?? Why are we celebrating jelly?? I don't like jelly that much, do I really have to celebrate it? Couldn't we make it the Fourth of Cheese? Now cheese, I could get into. I looovvee cheese. So, why not the Fourth of Cheese?? I can change this day to that? OH, that would be great. Wait. Oh, now I just feel so silly. My gray cheeks are turning red. Let me tell you, that's hard to do. I miss-understood what mom and dad were talking about. It's the Fourth of July. America's birthday. Well, of course, I want to celebrate that. Let's get the cook out going, music playing, friends together and lots of pretty fireworks!!!Hope you all had the bestest Fourth of July!!! Your Birdy Buddy Chester P. Featherbutt
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© 2007 Parrot Toy Angels • P.O. Box 34372 • Houston, Texas 77234 www.parrottoyangels.com |