Parrots magazine - November 2020

In this issue

Parrot News – Please send us your news stories; News from Loro Parque – Calabash for parrots. Cucurbitaceae enrichment for our parrots; Increasing Knowledge of the Most Endangered Parrots – by Rosemary Low; Non-stick Dangers – Pamela Howell highlights this potentially lethal issue; Complete Psittacine by Eb Cravens – Subtle Secrets for Feeding Psittacines, and Getting them to Eat; GSE and its uses – by Leslie Moran; Happy Birthday Max; Coronavirus threat to PNG’s animal rescue centre – Port Moresby is the capital of Papua New Guinea and is home to its unique animal rescue centre, including the rare Pesquet’s Parrot, that is now facing the threat of the Covid-19 pandemic, and could be shut down; “Polly Want a Sprout?” Much more than a book on sprouting – by Leslie Moran; Landmark event for Philippine Cockatoo – by David Waugh, Correspondent, Loro Parque Fundación; Christmas Offers – your chance to buy a gift subscription, or a selection of CDs or DVDs at three for the price of two (while stocks last); Your parrot queries answered – our panel of experts is available to answer all your queries on companion or breeding parrots; Letters; DVDs and Back Issues for sale – a selection of mostly parrot related DVDs and many back issues of this magazine, all with delivery included in the price; Avian Vets – our worldwide listing of those vets with a special interest in parrots. If you would like your surgery included in a future edition of this magazine, please contact us; Parrots Helpline – if you have a parrot problem, whether it be health, diet, or whatever, you can contact any of the advisors listed here; and lots more…

Regent parrots thriving in SA wetland

Passion drips from Tim Field’s every word when he speaks about eastern Regent Parrots. The wetland manager at Banrock Station in South Australia is, it’s fair to say, smitten with these striking birds. “September and October is Regent Parrot survey time,” Tim says, “So we’re up well before dawn to make sure we’re at the wetland’s to track the fly-in, fly-out breeding population.”

1 min

The value of animals

Children at a nursery and day care facility were delighted to receive a visit from some very special guests. Learning Land in Workington has a range of animals drop by, as part of an educational encounter paid for by the Co-op. The store has been working with animal specialists, Pet Encounter Cumbria, based in Workington, to deliver therapeutic and educational visits to children and the elderly.

1 min

Rare macaw refuge destroyed

A rare bird sanctuary in Brazil, which is home to 15 per cent of the world’s population of Hyacinth and Lear’s Macaws, has been destroyed by fires, and there are now fears for the survival of these blue macaws. “It is very sad to see decades of my family’s work, years taking care and preserving nature, for this to happen,” said Ana Maria Barreto, owner of the São Francisco do Perigara, a cattle ranch and bird sanctuary of more than 61,000 acres in Mato Grosso state.

2 mins

Parrot language issue

Puerto Rico’s endangered parrots are facing a new threat to their survival – their strange squawks. In a phenomenon never seen before, Puerto Rican parrots bred in captivity, with a view to being released into the wild, were communicating with a different dialect to the wild populations.

2 mins

Calabash for parrots

Different types of calabash has grown this year very well within our organic crops and a big advantage for our parrots that are relishing every moment during this season.

1 min

Cucurbitaceae enrichment for our parrots

The group of cucurbitaceae is the one that includes cucumbers and pumpkins. Climbing or creeping plants that usually cover large areas to produce fruits that usually accumulate a lot of water. In nature, these plants defend themselves with a very bitter substance called cucurbitacin.

1 min

Increasing Knowledge of the Most Endangered Parrots

Fifty years ago our knowledge of the status of parrots in the wild was limited. Few parrot species were known to be in danger of extinction and these were mainly Amazona parrots which were confined to small islands. At that time very few species had been studied in the wild.

9 mins

Complete Psittacine Subtle Secrets for Feeding Psittacines – and Getting them to Eat

I have been daily feeding psittacines for 40 years now and there have been times in the past when I felt that was all I did each day – pets, breeders, babies, the birds at the shoppe in Santa Fe. The good news is this has taught me a whole lot about how to do it. And across all species groups, there are some really good guidelines for what to feed, when to feed, and how to make sure your parrots are actually consuming what you are giving them.

4 mins

Coronavirus threat to PNG's animal rescue centre

Port Moresby is the capital of Papua New Guinea and is home to its unique animal rescue centre that is now facing the threat of the Covid-19 pandemic, and could be shut down. Papua New Guinea is the most populous nation in Melanesia and faces a potentially devastating wave of Covid-19 infections.

4 mins

Landmark event for Philippine Cockatoo

Exciting news has recently arrived of a landmark event in the Philippine Cockatoo Conservation Program (PCCP), the long-term endeavour to bring about the recovery of this ‘Critically Endangered’ species endemic to the Philippines. For the first time ever, a Philippine Cockatoo rescued from the wild, and subsequently released back to its original site, has been recorded to breed and produce a healthy hatchling. Such rescue and release to augment the wild population is just one of a raft of conservation measures conducted by the PCCP and supported by the Loro Parque Fundación over many years.

4 mins

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Parrots magazine Magazine Description:

Parrots magazine is exclusively about parrots and parakeets covering a wide range of topics including how they can become valued companions, behavioural issues, breeding, veterinary and healthcare, conservation, general husbandry and many other interesting aspects about these unique birds. Apart from information being interesting and appealing to readers, the magazine always encourages responsibility and education in order for owners to provide the best care for their birds. Information on shows, conventions and many other visitor attractions. Advertisements from a wide range of suppliers of feeds, accessories, ecotours, vet listing, ‘Lost and Found’ register, and other parrot related items