Is Conservation Working?

Daily it seems we lose more species of animals from our planet. We aren’t doing enough, we are saving so few creatures, and we don’t know if what we are doing is working. Money is involved in so many ways, motivating people too often to clear cut timber, catch parrots for the pet trade, and shoot destructive animals who are attracted by crops.

Dove Drama

My flock is very dear to my heart, but sometimes I want to open up their little heads and put in the instructions for finding a mate and laying eggs. Will a male ringneck dove be happy with two girls to service? One would think that would be a solid yes. But no, he’s wired to mate with one girl only.

There’s No Crying in the Amazon

My Double Yellow Amazon parrot Maynard is ill-suited to the mangrove forests and riverside or lakeside forests where his ancestor lived. He doesn’t fly much, preferring to walk. He’s a picky eater, preferring Cheezit’s hot and spicy crackers to vegetables. He loves noodles and he loves cheese. Maynard does like to go outside and sit in his backyard cage. One time a hawk flew over him and he had the good sense to glide to the ground, squawking, “Help! Help!”

Cats and Birds

Sure, I’ve had birds and cats that coexisted beautifully. I have a friend who has sent me photos of his cockatiel grooming his cat. They can learn to live together beautifully but don’t expect it all the time. Each cat and each bird is different. I was once advised to use a lure with feathers on the end to test how much a cat or kitten was excited by them.