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Making The Most of Your Surroundings


In our seminar DVD set, I talk about the Gypsy Experience as a means to training your bird.  It refers to my lifestyle – everyday a hundred new mile markers roll by, every night my birds are in front of more than 5,000 people.  Every day they experience different people, places, and things.  For a species that spends 80% of its day foraging for food and having to figure out new things, this is the next best thing to a magic potion for success with your psittacines.

Whether I’m traveling by land or by ...

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How Much Time Does A Parrot Need To Spend With You Everyday?

Q: I have a 7 year old yellow naped amazon named Petey. I have had him since he was a baby and he means everything to me. I was just given a promotion at work and my new position is going to take up a some of the time I used to spend with Petey and I am afraid it will change our relationship. How much time is too little to be spending with him?

-Jack M., Laguna Beach, CA

A: There really aren’t any minmum requirements as to the ...

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One Year Later… Remembering Fiji

 

It’s hard to believe that it has been exactly one year since we lost Fiji (October 12, 2010) in a tragic accident that shattered the earth beneath my feet.  I’m sure that many of you can relate when I say – that was one of the hardest things I’ve ever gone through.  With all tragedy comes some kind of peace and chance to learn.  This experience really altered my reality and gave me a new perspective as well as an increased gratitude to you, our friends and fans.

Over ...

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Toucan Toys vs. Parrot Toys


Photo by Jamieleigh
Location: Orlando, FL
Shown: Swainson Toucan “Fiji”

 

Having a pet toucan is wayyyyyy different than having a pet parrot. Parrots can grab onto things and shred them with their beaks. Toucans can’t do that. Sure, Rocko can step on his newspaper and pull it up with his beak at the same time, tearing it… but you won’t find him chewing on it and making it into newspaper confetti.

 

It’s important with toucans to keep small objects away that they can toss up and swallow ...

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Telling The Difference Between Our Camelot Macaws

Photo provided by Mirror Lake Exotics
Location: Florida
Shown: 3 camelot macaws related “Tusa”, Unknown, “Comet”

Someone asked me recently how to tell the difference visually between our two camelot macaw brothers; Comet and Tusa.

 

When camelot macaws are bred, they come out in 3 color variations (shown above), either yellow-dominant, red-dominant or a blue/green-dominant. Our boys are the yellow-dominant (Comet) and the blue/green-dominant (Tusa). They are only days apart, and Comet is surprisingly the elder.

 

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Playtime and the Importance of Social Skills with Parrots


Photo by Dave
Location: Musha Cay, Bahamas
Playing: Blue and gold macaws “Jersey” & “Chayko”

 

My nephew Jimmy is at that age where he is learning to rough house with the boys (his dad and uncle and friends) but then also learning how to shut off the playtime mode and calm down in time for dinner, or a movie, or something else.

 

There’s a time for playtime, and it plays a very important role in developing proper social skills. This goes for parrots and humans. Learning to ...

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