Please join me in welcoming our newest Angels, Tiffani H. and Penny B. A warm Angel welcome to you both!! More talons to make more toys!

We'd like to thank all that made our July Auction a resounding success! Both the donators and the purchasers. By now, everyone should have received their winnings. We do hope you're enjoying them! Because of the great success of our July Auction, we are planning another one for October. We'll have alot of great gift items listed...a little something for every-birdie. The holidays are right around the corner..it's never too soon to start shopping for the bird-lovers in your life. If you'd like to donate anything for the upcoming auction, please contact us and we'll make arrangements to receive it. All donations gratefully accepted and appreciated.

As always, we appreciate your support.

Raising parrots is much like raising children. In fact, children and parrots are very much alike in many ways. Both go through different stages in their lives. From babies they grow into toddlers, from toddlers to youngsters, from youngsters to adolescents, from adolescents to teens, and from teens to adults.

They each have mood swings, throw temper tantrums, are demanding, push their limits, break the rules, and can make you wonder why you wanted them in the first place. Children and birds can also be loving, sweet, want to snuggle, make you smile when you're sad, make you laugh when you want to cry, be your friend, give you a reason to get up in the morning, and make you wonder how you ever got along without them.

Come and spend the day with me and my flock and I think you'll see how much caring for birds is like caring for children.

Our day always starts with a wake up call. I go through the house singing, "Wake up, wake up you sleepy heads, get up, get up, get out of bed." Some of the birds wake up with a song and a smile, while others are grumpy and try to snap at me. This is the time of day when the birds are most vocal. Sometimes the chirping, chattering and yelling is almost deafening. When every bird is up and awake, it's time for baths. Some go willingly to the bathroom for a shower, some prefer I mist them in their cages, and the rest do everything they can to avoid the water all together!

While they are preening, themselves or each other, and drying their feathers, I head to the kitchen and start breakfast. We usually start the day with a warm cereal of some kind. Today I chopped apples, peaches, and grapes for the larger birds, and the smaller ones get bananas and raisins in their mash. Some come into the kitchen to eat, while others are happy with breakfast in bed. There is always one bird that demands to be spoon fed. While they are eating I try to clean the kitchen. I usually get about half done before I have to break up a squabble.

After breakfast it's off to the playroom. There is a jungle gym and ropes to climb for the acrobats, blocks and balls for those that are not so brave, and of course, no playground is complete without a swing. There is some bickering going on over who is going to play with what, but they soon settle down. It's pretty quiet now and every bird is quietly chewing wood into toothpicks, swinging like Tarzan on the swing, or trying to figure out how to get that bell out of the ball.

This is when I have a break. I get a nice hot cup of coffee, sit down with the paper and hope I can finish both before some bird is screeching about an emergency, real or imagined. Some days I can, some days I can't, but every day I try.

By now playtime is over and it's time for a snack and a nap. Each bird gets a scritch on it's head and a small bowl of seeds. I blow them all a kiss before they tuck their beaks under their wings. I always get called back once or twice before they are settled down.

Okay, now it's time to make toys for the birds. I sneak out to my workshop and begin cutting and sanding, drilling and painting. Today I am making toys to keep my own birds occupied. Tomorrow I will make toys to send to less fortunate birds in a sanctuary in Colorado, or an avian rescue in California. Birds are very intelligent creatures and need toys to stimulate their minds and keep them from getting bored just as children do.

I hear screeching and screaming coming from the bird room and I know they are saying, "We're awake, can we get up?", and "We're awake, can we come and play?" They know it's time for our walk, and they all love it when we go outside. I take two birds at a time, it's all I can handle at once, and we start our fun-filled adventure in the great outdoors. We walk the quarter mile of fence line and say "hi" to the wild critters that are about, flap our wings, and enjoy the fresh crisp air.

When all the birds have had their time outside it's time for dinner. Just like children they all want something different and they all want it now. So it's more washing and peeling, and grinding and chopping. There's fresh fruits and vegetables, some beans and legumes, some peanuts for some and walnuts too. Some want theirs with rice and some would rather have pasta.

When dinner is over and they have eaten their fill it's back to their cages for some quiet time while I attempt to clean up the mess made today. One by one each of the birds wanders out to see what I am doing. This is the time I try to spend a few minutes with each bird separately, to reinforce our bond, and to let every bird know that they are special to me.

Next on the agenda is cleaning the cages. The old paper comes out and new goes in. The food dishes are washed and fresh water is put in their bottles. The cages get a quick wipe down every day and a thorough cleaning weekly.

It's getting late and almost time for bed. I hide a treat in a paper sack under a toy in each cage. The birds really enjoy searching for their treat. It's like the foraging they would do if still in the wild. Like most children some take themselves off to bed, some want to be carried, and one always wants to stay up, "Just a little longer please." When all the flying and fussing is through they all want their goodnight kisses. "Night night", I say as I turn off the light. As I'm closing the door I hear some bird saying "night night" to me too.

Well, after spending a day with me and my feathered kids can you see how parronting a parrot is much the same as parenting a child?

The Facts
The Blue-throated Macaw (Ara glaucogularis; previously Ara caninde) is a bird endemic to a small area of north-central Boliva known as Los Llanos de Moxos. Recent population and range estimages suggest that 100 individuals remain in the wild. The main cause of their demise is capture for the pet trade to supply the aviculture in the USA and Europe. They are currently considered critically endangered by BirdLife International. Several breeding and conservation schemes in zoos have now been set up to save this species. Other projects have been started to protect the remaining wild population, but at present numbers are still decreasing.

They are not a forest dwelling bird, but live in the savanna of the Beni Department of Bolivia, nesting in "Islas" (islands) of palm trees that dot the level plains. Their colours are vivid with turquoise-blue wings and tail, and bright yellow underparts. They have a large black bill, a long tail, a bare black-streaked white face, and a pale yellow iris. They can be separated from the similar-looking Blue-and-Gold Macaw by the blue (not black) throat, the blue (not green) forehead and the lack of contrast between the flight feathers and upperwing coverts. In the wild these species often compete over nesting-holes, with the Blue-throated Macaw typically losing due to its slightly smaller size.

The Basics
♥ Size: 32 to 36 inches, half of which is tail. The average weight for females is 550 to 650 grams. Males range from 600 to 750 grams.

♥ Lifespan: One of the rarest Macaw species. These Macaws are on the Endangered Species List. It is estimated that there are less than 100 left in the wild, and not many more in captivity. The BTM was virtually unknown in Aviculture until the 1970's, and the first captive breeding took place in 1984. Until recently this species has been very difficult to breed, however, at long last a limited number of handfed babies are becoming available as pets.

♥ Loudness Factor: I find these birds to be relatively quiet as far as volume. They have a softer and more pleasing voice than most of the large Macaws. They do tend to be more "chatty" than the other Macaws. Usually carrying on conversations for most of the day. They do not seem to be prone to screaming and even so, do not attain the volume of the other Macaws.

♥ Cage Size: They require a large cage, at least 30" x 40" to meet exercise requirements. The cage should be a heavy gauge wire.

♥ Diet: Pellets, fresh vegetables, fresh fruit, high quality nuts.

♥ Talking Ability: As with most Macaws, they will generally learn a few words and phrases. A few have shown exceptional talking ability, learning as many words and phrases as an African Grey. Those that choose to be "exceptional" talkers, also show exceptional, human-like, clarity in their speech.

♥ Pet Potential: EXCELLENT x 2!! These are lovable, comical, somewhat crazy, and highly entertaining birds. They love to show off and seem to enjoy meeting people. They will test your intelligence regularly and you will find yourself spending a good deal of time trying to outsmart them!

♥ Personality: Extremely active and playful, and "extremely" is putting it mildly. They border on 'hyper' in a fun sort of way. They need lots of exercise, toys and diversions. Both hard and soft wood chew toys are a must! A large, well put together play gym for exercise outside of the cage is a necessity. BTMs can be as demanding as other Macaws, however, they are also quite content occupying themselves with challenging toys, or uninstalling the new toy, feed bowl or perch you just installed in their cage. Exceptionally tame and friendly. Wild-caught adult birds have been known to "tame down" enough within a couple of weeks to be easily handled. Handfed babies generally adjust to new surroundings and people within a few days, and make very loving, cuddly pets. Highly inquisitive, they are into everything. BTMs are very social and like to be part of the family activity. Not a particularly "nippy" bird, they can, however, become quite cranky during moulting, particularly their first full molt. Highly intelligent, they can be manipulative, bossy, and a bit jealous as most intelligent species can. Training is essential. These guys are the class clowns! It is not uncommon to find BTMs sleeping on their backs, or just lying about on their back. They seem to enjoy hanging from the top of their cage by one toe nail, and will eat, sleep, and play in this position.♥

What is hepatic lipidosis?
Hepatic lipidosis is a disease in which large amounts of fat are deposited in the liver. It is most common in budgies, cockatiels, Amazon parrots, Quaker parrots, lovebirds, and cockatoos. It is a very serious condition, and death may occur if treatment is not started early in the course of the disease.

What causes hepatic lipidosis?
There are many possible causes of hepatic lipidosis in birds. These include:
♥ High fat content in diet (all-seed diet)
♥ Too frequent feedings, or eating too much at each feeding
♥ Nutritional deficiencies such as biotin, methionine, and choline
♥ Thyroid disease
♥ Toxins such as lead, arsenic, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, phosphorous, aflatoxins, and ethionine
♥ Hereditary factors
♥ Diabetes mellitus

What are the signs of hepatic lipidosis?
Birds with hepatic lipidosis generally have a sudden loss of appetite, are lethargic, and depressed. Many are overweight and the liver is enlarged due to the additional storage of fat. This results in a distended abdomen and difficulty breathing. They may have diarrhea and abnormal droppings (green in color). Birds may have poor feather quality. If the liver function is greatly decreased, birds may develop central nervous system signs such as seizures, loss of balance, and muscle tremors. Budgies may have overgrown, soft beaks. Some birds with hepatic lipidosis may develop few signs before they die suddenly.

How is hepatic lipidosis diagnosed?
Results of a physical examination, including the palpation of an enlarged liver often raise suspicion of hepatic lipidosis. The diagnosis can be supported through liver tests, radiography (x-rays), and confirmed through liver biopsy.

What is the treatment for hepatic lipidosis?
Birds with hepatic lipidosis must be placed on a low-fat diet which includes high quality pellets and fresh fruits and vegetables. It is sometimes difficult to get them to eat, so tube feeding may be necessary during the beginning of the treatment. They usually need additional supportive care such as supplemental heat and fluids. Additional medications, such as lactulose, may be given to treat or prevent central nervous system signs.

References and Further Reading
Altman, RB; Clubb, SL; Dorrestein, GM; Quesenberry, K. Avian Medicine and Surgery. W.B. Saunders Co. Philadelphia, PA; 1997.
Oglesbee, BL; McDonald, S; Warthen, K. Avian digestive system disorders. In Birchard, SJ; Sherding, RG (eds) Saunders Manual of Small Animal Practice. W.B. Saunders Co. Philadelphia, PA; 1994.
Olsen, GH; Orosz, SE. Manual of Avian Medicine. Mosby, Inc. St. Louis, MO; 2000.
Rupley, AE. Manual of Avian Practice. W.B. Saunders Co. Philadelphia, PA; 1997.