~ Site of the Week ~
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The "Site of the Week" is a weekly feature that we started on The Perch back in October of 2004. Each week we try to feature a different pet bird site that's special...something a little different from many of the other sites out there. Occasionally we'll feature a site that isn't specifically for birds if it's a great pet site. Would you like to have your site featured in our newsletter? Send an email to Joey & we'll do our best to include it in an upcoming issue! |
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September 22nd, 2006 - Cleo's Corner From the Cleo's Corner website: The intent of this site is to make searching for parrot related information easier. I hope to make this site a jump point to answer all, if not most, of your parrot questions. While this site is dedicated to caiques the majority of the information relates to all parrots. The information/links on this page were compiled through my search for information that would make me an informed mom for Cleo. The links go to specific pages on wonderful sites. To get the most knowledge be sure to check out what the sites offer beyond the pages I point you to. You may check out a link that takes you to information about toe nail trimming and find that the website also has wonderful bird treat recipes. |
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December 10th, 2004 - The Stop PDD Campaign What is PDD ? PDD is a wasting type disease that can affect and is fatal in captive and free-ranging birds; especially young birds like African Greys; Macaws and Cockatoos and has been seen to spread quickly in some of the avian flocks that have been exposed. Aviculturists, veterinary practitioners, sanctuary and rescue organizations, and pet bird clubs and owner/companions are a few of the wide range of avian communities with vested interests in seeing progress in the battle against this devastating and deadly affliction. The StopPDD Campaign The StopPDD Campaign is administered by Avian Health Network, Inc. (AHN) is a 501(C)3, a non-profit charitable corporation, headquartered and incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia. AHN is an organization of volunteers with no paid personnel. Founded in 2002, AHN is committed to raising public awareness and funds for avian diseases such as proventricular dilatation disease (PDD). AHN is dedicated to making a positive contribution to the advancement of research into causes, prevention, and treatment of PDD. Their mission is twofold: to educate and to raise funds to help advance ongoing research efforts. You too can join the fight to help save our companion and wild birds from this deadly disease. Learn more by visiting their website: |
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December 10th, 2004 - The Hondurensis Project From The Hondurensis Project website: The Hondurensis Project is a cooperative effort among breeders, pet owners and The Amazona Society to sustain the captive population of the A.o. hondurensis. Believed now to be extinct in the wild in Honduras, this Amazon needs help from those of us who own them to make sure that they are not lost to aviculture forever. As of October 1, 2003 we have confirmed 45 Hondurensis in the United States. We know there are
more. Please help us find them. |
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December 3rd, 2004 - Pets Welcome Austrian born Franz Scherr came to America in 1911, and 25 years later, he started a most unusual tourist attraction, Miami's Parrot Jungle. Franz introduced himself to the beauty of this country by working at his trade, carpentry, at many scenic spots as he crossed the nation from New York to California. It was his dream to someday be involved with nature. He returned to Chicago, started a family, and pursued a career in construction. It was a brief stay in the Midwest, for he soon moved the family to Homestead, Florida, during the land boom of the twenties. The depression touched the Scherr Family as it did others throughout the nation, and they lived off the land in Florida preparing tropical fruits and vegetables for market. Later, Franz purchased a feed and supply store in Homestead. This is where the idea began, building an attraction where birds would "fly free". Franz had a few birds in the store, and he noticed that the birds were friendly, and easy to train. So, after talking with his friend, Joe DuMond, of Monkey Jungle in Miami, Franz decided to start his own Jungle. He rented 20 acres of hammock land south of Miami for $25.00 per year, moved to the area and started developing the attraction. His family was sure that the birds would fly away, but Franz had more faith in nature. A winding nature trail was dug through the coral rock and hammock land, leaving the natural flora untouched. An entrance building was built on Red Road. It was nearing time for the official opening of The Parrot Jungle, and the first shipment of 25 Macaws arrived from Laredo, Texas. The birds adapted to their new home quickly, and on December 20, 1936, about 100 curious visitors paid 25 cents admission to see and listen to Franz Scherr describe his birds, trees, and flowers. From this rapport with nature, Franz Scherr created a most unusual attraction. Parrot Jungle is now the home for 1,100 tropical birds, 2,000 varieties of plants and flowers, and the best trained bird show in the world. It is a place where exotic birds "fly free" everyday. Franz Scherr passed on in 1973, but the attraction he started from a romance with nature is still a very special place for his birds and visitors alike. |
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November 19th, 2004 - Pets Welcome Making plans to travel this Holiday season, but not sure whether you'll leave your feathered pets at home or if you'll be able to take them with you? We ran across a very cool website and we thought we'd share it with you as our Site of the Week. PetsWelcome.com lists the most pet friendly lodging accommodations throughout the U.S. and Canada. Of course it's up to you to call ahead and check with the individual location to make 100% sure they will allow your birds, but this database sure is a good starting point. If you choose to leave your bird(s) in the care of a petsitter while you travel, they even have a listing of Petsitters. In the event you choose a petsitter, be sure they have experience with birds and that you supply them with clear instructions on what to do in an emergency (i.e. your avian veterinarians name, location, and emergency contact numbers). Special Note: This is not an specific endorsement of PetsWelcome.com, nor is Pretty Parrots affiliated with their website in any way. We just happen to think the site offers some great information that may help our travelling members. |
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November 12th, 2004 - "The Hyacinth Macaw Project" The Hyacinth Macaw Project, started over 10 years ago by biologist Neiva Guedes, has the objective of promoting the conservation of the hyacinth macaw in Nature, while disseminating the importance of conserving the biodiversity of the Pantanal Wetlands region and mobilising the local population in favour of the region´s conservation. The project includes the monitoring macaws in nature, the monitoring of artificial and natural nests in a 400,000 hectares area, and working with local landowners for protecting the species. This is a great site with lots of information, photos and videos of Hyacinth macaws in the wild. |
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October 29th, 2004 - "The World Parrot Trust" From the World Parrot Trust Website... The World Parrot Trust was founded in 1989 at Paradise Park, Hayle, Cornwall, UK. International expansion has been rapid and the Trust now has linked charities and support groups in Africa, Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Scandinavia, Spain, Switzerland and the USA. Funds raised for the parrots have now exceeded $2,000,000 and have been used to initiate and support conservation and welfare projects in 20 countries for 37 species of parrot. Despite this wide-ranging activity, the Trust is run on a volunteer basis, with a complement of four paid staff. The Trust's Director, Dr. James Gilardi, is based in the USA, along with a part-time administrator. The UK branch also has two staff, one full-time and one part-time. This uniquely cost-effective approach is made possible by substantial financial and logistical support donated by Paradise Park, the UK home base of the World Parrot Trust. The objective of the Trust is to promote the survival of all parrot species and the welfare of individual birds. It pursues these aims by funding field conservation work, research projects and educational programmes. The Trust seeks to promote the concept of ‘responsible aviculture’ where the interests of the parrots themselves are given priority over commercial, political, career or other human concerns. The World Parrot Trust and its members wish to be recognised as the ‘True Friends of the Parrots’, and to win over the majority of aviculturists, pet owners and scientists to its point of view. The task is huge – our resources are limited. We need the commitment of everyone in the ‘parrot community’: those who keep, breed, study and protect the parrots. Beyond those special interests, we look for support from everyone who understands the crisis facing the world through the loss of biodiversity. We aim to continue using the special charm of the parrots to win the hearts and minds of thoughtful people everywhere. |
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October 22nd, 2004 - "The Alex Foundation" If there's anyone receiving this newsletter who doubts the intelligence of parrots, they've probably never lived with one…and they've certainly never heard of Alex, probably the most famous bird in the world! Alex has been at the center of a study of animal intelligence, behavior, and communications since 1977. Purchased in a pet shop by Dr. Irene Pepperburg who has worked with him ever since, Alex can count, identify objects, shapes, colors and materials, knows the concepts of same and different, and bosses around lab assistants in order to modify his environment! They have begun work with phonics and there is evidence to suggest that, someday, Alex may be able to read. Check out the Alex Foundation's site to learn about all of the great work that Dr. Pepperburg and Alex are doing. |