Summer Worries

The warmer weather is upon us in Southern California. My outside birds are up early and stay up later, because during the middle of the day, the oppressive heat makes any actions difficult. Misters help to keep the birds cooler, but in a drought area, I only use them when the temps reach 100 degrees plus.

How do We Know Who to Help?

When the last white rhino dies, we will know as a species we failed to help when it would have made a difference. The little I did was to become a member of the San Diego Zoological Society. Not enough by any means. As gorillas, crocodiles, and bears all suffer because of human stupidity one way or another, they are at least getting media coverage, along with elephants and whales.

Maynard’s Virtual Mailbag

Dear Maynard: How do you convince your human to give you crackers? What is your favorite kind of cracker?

Signed, Polly Parrot

Avian Fathers

Most of us have grown up with the notion that bird moms will sit tight on the nest, feed the chicks when they hatch, and often attempt to draw predators away from the babies. This concept made Horton the Elephant’s story (Horton Hatches an Egg) so interesting, that a bird mom would give up her nest and let someone else sit on it.

I Think Nacho Likes it Here

Some months ago, I had the pleasure of getting to know a green cheek conure named Nacho. He was giving the other parrot in his home a hard time, so his mom made the hard decision to rehome him. I offered, she brought him over, and we hit it off. Not only did we welcome him into the flock, but his mom has become an interesting person to stay in touch with.

Eggs-Citement

I love that pun, and I am sure I have used it before. So sue me. No, wait, don’t! Think of the chicks! Lots of baby birds would be out on the street, begging for crackers. You don’t want that on your conscience, do you?

Feathers to Fly With

In my spare time, when I am not cleaning bird cages, I write romances. I particularly love Regency Romances, because the language is a real hoot. In fact, when someone said he doesn’t have a feather to fly with, they meant the person in question was extremely poor, no money, nothing that could be turned into cash in a hurry.

Parrot Lost in His Cage

Last time I talked about how we adopted Bo Dangles and Blind Io into our flock. Io doesn’t say words that we can decipher, but he makes the best dripping water and ray gun noises I have ever heard. He also can sound like two overweight pugs whimpering and panting. The longer he has been with us, the less he lets the pugs out.

Giant Steps in Care for Parrot with Disabilities

Once upon a time, a woman passed away, leaving over 100 birds, mostly large parrots, in need of homes. The macaws, cockatoos, Amazons, and African greys were readily dispersed to new homes, the small parrots like lovebirds and cockatiels also found new places to live.