Posts – Pet Birds by Lafeber Co.

Chris Davis Virtual Celebration of Life/Memorial, Sunday November 17, 2024

November 2, 2024 by lafebercares

Chris Davis Virtual Celebration of Life/Memorial

Date: Sunday, November 17, 2024

Time: 10 a.m. PST (double-check your local time with this time zone converter)

Let’s celebrate a life truly dedicated to birds and the people who love them. We look forward to coming together in Chris’ memory.

You are warmly invited to join us for a virtual Celebration of Life honoring Chris Davis. We’ll remember her remarkable legacy, dedication to elevating our understanding of parrot behavior, and the countless lives she touched with her passion for animals and genuine kindness. Please join us as we share stories, memories, and gratitude for Chris’ life and the joy she brought to so many.

Ted & Chris, Chris, Ted — Chris and Ted shared a deep, devoted bond, supporting each other’s vision to improve the lives of others, whether animal or human.

Chris was, in many ways, an essential part of the heart and soul of Lafeber Company. Alongside her husband, Dr. Ted Lafeber, Chris helped guide the development of Lafeber’s semi-elemental EmerAid—a pioneering line of emergency foods to help save critically ill birds, small mammals, reptiles, wildlife, cats, and dogs. Together, Chris and Ted lovingly supported one another’s vision and dedication to improving the lives of animals and those who care for them.

A Lifelong Bond With Animals

Chris relaxes with two of her dear feathered companions—BabyDoll, a blue-and-gold macaw, and, Legolas, a yellow-naped Amazon.

Chris Davis, a beloved pioneer in avian behavior, recently passed away, leaving an indelible mark on the bird community. Through her groundbreaking work in avian behavior and unwavering dedication, Chris transformed countless lives, touching the hearts of birds, caregivers, and animal lovers alike.

Chris grew up in the rural foothills of Southern California where, until she was 5, her only playmates were animals. From that young age on, Chris dedicated her life to the well-being and care of animals, and long into her adulthood, she still considered them her primary social group.

Her professional career in animal-behavior consulting and modification started when, at 12 years of age, she trained her first dog, a large adult boxer with behavior problems who had been given to her family. Despite the difficulties she had in training him, within a couple of months, she took the boxer through obedience trials and won first prize; the only child in a field of adult trainers. Although Chris lived in rural ranchland, her animal friends were numerous and varied, and she often went for walks on dusty country roads accompanied by a pet turkey, sheep, collie, and monkey. She also had rats, guinea pigs, and chickens as her most trusted and beloved friends and family.

Many years later, after life took her in many directions, including working in offices, Chris realized that she would never be happy if she wasn’t working with animals. In the mid-1970s, she began working in Orange County, California, at Lion Country Safari, where she performed in the bird show owned by Ray Berwick, who also owned the Animal Actors Studio at Universal Studios. He was also one of the top movie animal trainers of the time.

Transforming Our Understanding of Bird Behavior & Care

Chris worked at both Universal Studios and Lion Country Safari. People asked her questions about problem behaviors their birds were exhibiting. Until then, few people in the United States had pet birds and knew little about them.

In the late 1970s, bird importation and ownership began to skyrocket because of one of Ray’s most popular actors, Fred, the cockatoo on the popular “Baretta” television show. For a few years, Chris worked at both Universal Studios and Lion Country Safari. During that time, people asked her questions about problem behaviors their birds were exhibiting. Until then, few people in the United States had pet birds and knew little about them. In general, it was believed that birds could be trained, but were not intelligent enough to respond to behavior modification. Because of this, many pet birds that exhibited negative behaviors were badly treated or simply discarded.

Chris became the first person in the country to visit clients’ homes to assess their interactions with their avian companions and to devise methods for modifying their environments and behaviors so people could have better relationships with them. Initially, she also focused on educating the veterinary community so they could benefit from what she was learning about companion bird behavior modification. In time, she visited more than 2,500 homes before finally accepting mostly telephone consultations.

Chris Davis, Dr. Irene Pepperberg — Chris and Irene’s friendship spanned decades.

Dr. Irene Pepperberg and Chris were lifelong friends, as both shared an interest and passion for companion avian behavior. Chris has spoken nationally and internationally at veterinary conferences, pet shows, and bird clubs. She contributed articles, papers, and chapters for numerous veterinary textbooks and, for more than 30 years, she wrote columns for several magazines continuously, including Bird Talk magazine’s “Heart to Heart,” one of Bird Talk’s most popular columns.

Chris loved all animals, from the majestic whales of Alaska to the wondrous birds that bring joy into so many homes. One of her greatest joys was helping animals and igniting the hearts and spirits of both long-term and neophyte animal lovers through sharing information and experiences that validate the profound importance of animals sharing their lives with humans. She deeply believed that animals are blessings, enriching the human soul in profound ways.

The Dracula Parrot — The Truth Behind Its Spooky Name

October 31, 2024 by Laura Doering

Pesquet's parrot perched on branch outdoors — Pesquet’s Parrot (*Psittrichas fulgidus*) at Loro Park, Tenerife Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net)., CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

New Guinea is home to the most goth-like parrot, aptly nicknamed the Dracula parrot. Its common name is Pesquet’s parrot (Psittrichas fulgidus), but its predominantly black plumage with striking red chest and wing patches truly gives this parrot vampire-like vibes. The parrot’s bald, vulture-like head and long, hooked bill add to its spooky look.

Behind The Name

closeup on head of Pesquet's parrot — Compared to other parrots, Pesquet’s parrot—otherwise known as the Dracula parrot—appears unusually small-headed because of its bare black facial skin and long, hooked bill. “Pesquet’s Parrot” by Peter Tan, CC BY-SA 2.0

The Dracula parrot’s true name—Pesquet’s parrot— is a nod to French naturalist Étienne Pesquet, who first described the species. Pesquet is recognized for his contribution to the identification and classification of this remarkable parrot, which is the only member of the genus Psittrichas.

The Pesquet’s parrot is one of three parrots with bald heads. The other two are the Orange-Headed parrot (Pyrilia aurantiocephala) and the Vulturine parrot (Pyrilia vulturina). (A second nickname for Pesquet’s parrot is the vulturine parrot due to its head looking vulture-like, which can cause some confusion with the actual Vulturine parrot.)

What Does A Bird That Looks Like Dracula Eat?

They might have a dark and foreboding nickname, but Pesquet’s parrots are not bloodsuckers. (Nor do they hide from sunlight; they are not night parrots!) These birds feed primarily on figs, and their bald, vulture-like head prevents the fig’s sticky fruit pulp from getting matted up on their feathers.

This in-depth research paper, notes that “the jaws of the largest frugivorous parrots, e.g. Pesquet’s parrot (Psittrichas fulgidus), and the hawk-headed parrot (Deroptyus accipitrinus), are far less massive, and their proportions of head to body length are 1:4 whilst in the granivorous Anodorhynchus and Probosciger they are 1:3. The palatines in Psittrichas (Fig. 6E) and Deroptyus are also reduced, hence the ability of Psittrichas, for example, to swallow large chunks of fruit (Homberger 1981).”

A Look At Pesquet’s Parrots In The Wild

Size-wise, Pesquet’s parrots are relatively large at 18 inches in length. (In comparison, they are similar in size to an Umbrella cockatoo.) Males can be distinguished from females by a patch of red color on the head feathers behind their eyes, which females lack. According to CornellLab eBird, they have a raucous and rasping call (which you can check out with this link), similar to a cockatoo’s harsh call. They are known to be relatively shy in the wild, preferring the canopies of lowland forests in their native New Guinea.

You won’t find the Dracula parrot available as a pet. This species is protected due to its vulnerable conservation status. Unfortunately, their stunning feathers make them a target for hunters. In their native region, their feathers are used in ceremonial headdresses. In one study, out of 170 surveyed, 43% had headdresses containing Pesquet’s Parrot feathers. A focus of conservation efforts include dispersing protection kits (comprised of naphthalene mothballs, paper, and heavy-duty plastic sheets) to help preserve and prolong existing ceremonial headdresses to reduce hunting for replacement feathers. You might be lucky enough to see a Pesquet’s parrot in some zoos, such as this one at the Toledo Zoo.

Explore A Unique Museum Of Rare Bird Eggs, Nests, And More!

October 29, 2024 by Matt Rowe

For many animals, the life cycle begins with an egg. For birds, the egg is expelled and nurtured in nests until the life within it hatches and becomes world-aware. At one time, bird eggs were a thing to be collected by hobbyists who found the different sizes and colors to be of extreme interest. These collectors traveled the world to find and acquire some rare eggs. That practice, thankfully, never expanded into today’s obsessed world. But many of those eggs are still in existence, and many are housed in a museum in Camarillo, California.

The museum is known as the Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology (WFVZ for short). Within the walls of the museum are more than a million eggs, all well-preserved to maintain their viewability and beautiful display, free of dust and parasites. Many of these eggs are from previously held private collectors, who traveled far and wide to gather some of the most exquisite specimens from many birds.

Museum’s Beginnings

Of these million eggs, they are sorted into 250,000 sets that represent over 4,000 bird species. The museum is also home to 500 once-private collections of bird eggs. These days, it is not legal to collect bird eggs, but the WFVZ organization has a special license to do so and to continue what is now known as the largest collection of bird eggs anywhere.

The museum is watched over by a purist caretaker, René Corado. A biologist from Guatemala City, Corado’s childhood was steeped in poverty. He immigrated to the U.S. and worked as a gardener to wildlife photographer Ed Harrison. Harrison was an avid egg collector who took an interest in Corado, encouraging the young man to improve his English skills and to attend school to improve his opportunities.

Corado credits Harrison with his transformation to where and who he is now—caretaker of a vast set of studied eggs, nests, and skins. A large portion of the collection was originally held by Harrison, who moved his large collection to Camarillo, where the museum currently resides.

A Go-To-Source For Scholars & Scientific Communities

Eggs within the museum are often evaluated and studied by researchers, those within educational and scientific communities, and artists. The contents of the museum have contributed to more than 4,000 scientific studies. The eggs are all digitized, and information and images can be acquired with the right credentials. Many of the images are used in Cornell’s Birds of North America pages.

The museum also has more than 14,000 nests as part of its collection, making it a repository of nests more than any other place in the world. As if that weren’t stunning enough, the museum is home to more than 56,000 skin specimens and is one of the top collections of avian skin specimens in the U.S.

The museum offers one-hour tours by appointment only on a few selected days and specified hours. You can read up on all things pertaining to WFVZ at the Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology website, including how to become a member, special workshops, and more.

Lafeber’s Parrot Conservation Spotlight October 2024: Nicaragua’s Yellow-Naped Amazon Parrots

October 24, 2024 by Ann Brooks

Yellow-naped Amazon, yellow nape, Amazon — A yellow-naped Amazon parrot perches in a tree. Image courtesy of One Earth Conservation.

The Republic of Nicaragua is the third most populated and the geographically largest country in Central America. The largest freshwater lake in Central America is Lake Nicaragua, and in its center is Ometepe Island. This island is formed by two volcanoes and is home to the highly endangered yellow-naped Amazon.

One Earth Conservation (OEC) conducts parrot conservation work in the field in six countries in Central and South America. In Nicaragua, it works in partnership with two local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) – Biometepe and Fauna and Flora International, Ometepe.

Parrot Rangers in Action

Yellow-naped Amazons, yellow nape, Amazon parrot — Parrot Rangers from Biometepe with yellow-naped Amazon parrot chicks. Image courtesy One Earth Conservation

Parrot rangers from Biometepe, as well as staff from Fauna and Flora International, Ometepe, are now working with six communities on the island to protect yellow-naped Amazon parrots. Rangers patrol and protect the nests, and they also hold meetings and talk regularly with the community.

In addition, they hire members of the community to help with conservation work, and facilitate educational activities with schools and children to promote the value of protecting the parrots. These methods show some positive outcomes, although there are still significant pressures for poaching. Habitat disturbance and loss also seem to have increased in the last three years.

yellow-naped Amazons, yellow napes, Amazons — Yellow-naped Amazon chicks in nest in Nicaragua. Image courtesy One Earth Conservation.

In 2023, there were fewer nests than the year before, likely due to increased habitat loss and disturbances in nest areas. But climatic variations cannot be ruled out. One of OEC’s goals is to look at climate changes over the years to see if rainfall patterns correlate with nesting success. There is now enough data to begin this analysis soon.

It is normal for parrot reproductive output to vary year-by-year, but sometimes the change is due to fewer active nests or higher predation. While there were fewer nests in 2023 as compared to prior years, there was also lower poaching (only one nest was poached!) which allowed for a higher overall fledgling success rate.

One Earth Conservation has also increased the number of communities conducting an annual parrot population count. Originally four communities participated and now there are six. The count is conducted every July, and many volunteers, students, and community members participate. The annual count serves as much as an educational and awareness program as it does to assess the parrot population and conservation success.

Join the Parrot Pilgrimage

Participants from the 2023 Parrot Pilgrimage on Ometepe Island pose for a group photo.
Image courtesy One Earth Conservation

Last, but far from least, One Earth Conservation and Biometepe host an annual Parrot Pilgrimage that consists of a walking tour on the road that goes around the Maderas Volcano. Participants learn about parrot conservation, grow awareness in the world about the beautiful people and parrots of the region and their often-dire status, and help support conservationists whose families have been severely impacted by economic pressures caused by the pandemic and civil disturbances. If you’d like a chance to soar on Ometepe Island, check out OEC’s website in the coming months for information about next year’s December 2025 Parrot Pilgrimage!

This information is courtesy of LoraKim Joyner, DVM and Gail Koelln from One Earth Conservation. Lafeber’a Global Conservation Spotlight donation this month goes to support the efforts to protect Ometepe Island, Nicaragua’s yellow-naped Amazon parrots. To learn more about OEC’s projects or donate, visit its website.

Explore The Spooky Side Of Birds This October: Toxic Terrors

October 17, 2024 by Laura Doering

Let’s have a Spooktacular October by uncovering some of the world’s spookiest birds. First up, birds that are poisonous! Yes, we’re talking about birds that could make you sick if you encountered them.

Birds That Poison

Hooded Pitohui, toxic bird — Don’t let the cuteness fool you. The Hooded Pitohui’s skin and feathers have batrachotoxins, which can inflict numbness and cause burning sensations if they come into contact with skin wounds or if ingested. Image by Benjamin Freeman, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

You may have heard of the Colombian poison-dart frog, the skin of which has alkaloids called batrachotoxins, which are neurotoxins that have marked effects on heart muscles. But have you ever heard of the Hooded Pitohui (Pitohui dichrous), a bird primarily found in the rainforests of New Guinea? The Hooded Pitohui’s skin and feathers also have batrachotoxins, which can inflict numbness, cause burning sensations, or worse, if they come into contact with skin wounds or are ingested.

New Guinea is home to other poisonous birds with varying levels of toxins on their skin and feathers, including the Variable Pitohui (Pitohui kirhocephalus) and Blue-capped Ifrita (Ifrita kowaldi). These birds’ super toxicity is thought to deter predators and offer protection from parasites. But how are they toxic in the first place? One study shows that neither poisonous frogs nor poisonous birds generate the toxins themselves but likely from their diet, especially from eating Melyrid beetles (Choresine), which have high batrachotoxin levels.

Common quail; Eurasian quail — Quail meat can be poisonous if quail have eaten seeds of the hemlock plant, their go-to meal during migration. Image by christoph_moning, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

What could be dangerous about the Common Quail, also called the European quail (Coturnix coturnix)? Nothing, unless you dine on one during certain times of the year. This study shows that quail meat can be poisonous if the quail have eaten seeds of the hemlock plant, with one in four who consumed poisonous flesh becoming ill with coturnism, characterized by muscle soreness, and even kidney failure. Coturnism is seen in rural Mediterranean areas during autumn, which is the European quails’ migration period and hemlock seeds help fuel their journey. Reports of poisonous quail date back to biblical times.

Carolina parakeet, Carolina conure — The now-extinct Carolina Parakeet was once plentiful in its native U.S. range. Image by Daderot, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Interestingly, the Carolina Parakeet, the only parrot within its range in the Eastern, Midwest, and Plains regions of the United States (and, sadly, declared extinct in 1918), was thought to be poisonous. As mentioned in this Forbes article, Carolina Parakeets liked to eat cocklebur, a plant especially poisonous to the liver. These parakeets could eat cocklebur with no ill effects, which made them a poisonous meal for predators.

Birds That Vomit

While not poisonous, some birds can cause stomachs to churn. That’s because of their strange defense mechanism when they feel threatened—they vomit. And the term to describe this is spot on; it’s called “defensive regurgitation.” Taking a cue from skunks, these birds’ quirk is an effective deterrent because no predator wants to be sprayed with a foul-smelling mess.

Northern Fulmar, seabird — Northern Fulmar might spray you with a vile-smelling stomach liquid if you get too close for comfort. Image by Dawn Beattie from Morro Bay, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

First up is the Northern Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis). According to Cornell Lab of Ornithology, it looks like a gull and is a heavyset, medium-sized seabird. Scare one of these birds or get too close to their nest, and you might be sprayed with a vile-smelling stomach liquid, which they can vomit-launch several yards. Northern Fulmars live most of their lives in the open ocean, but they come to shore to nest in colonies on cliffs scattered around the North Atlantic, North Pacific, and Arctic Oceans.

Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura) can also vomit when threatened. They bring up their partially digested food and aim it at a predator. The powerful combo of stench and acidity makes for a strong warning to predators to keep away.

Perhaps the most defenseless-looking vomiter is the Eurasian Roller (Coracias garrulus). If a predator tries to invade the nest, the chick will vomit what is described as a bright orange, foul-smelling liquid. Researchers in one study opened the nestbox of Eurasian Roller chicks and either spoke loudly to the nestlings, showed their faces to them, touched them, or picked them up and gently shook them. All 43 chicks they studied vomited when grasped or moved, yet they did not vomit with the other stimuli. It was also noted that most of the young nestlings were still blind when they vomited while being grabbed or moved. (Talk about hands-off parenting!)

It might seem like a gross tactic, but vomiting serves as a last-ditch effort to ward off attackers or distract them long enough for the bird to escape. This strategy is particularly useful for species lacking physical defenses such as claws or sharp beaks. Imagine how spooked an unsuspecting predator might be after thinking they have found an easy meal only to discover it’s “Trick” rather than “Treat!”

Inside Dr. Pepperberg’s Lab: Lateralization In Parrots

October 15, 2024 by Irene Pepperberg, Ph.D.

Dr. Pepperberg had the opportunity to collaborate with her Austrian colleagues, who have a large aviary of Goffin’s cockatoos (Cacatua goffiniana) similar to the one pictured, to test each bird on a series of tasks that varied in postural, spatial, and cognitive demands. Photo by RoyBuri/Pixabay

Lateralization has to do with using one side of the body (and/or brain) preferentially to do various activities. Evolutionarily, the advantage for the body would be to do different things simultaneously. For the brain, the rationale is that if the different sides were not identical then more “computing” power could be crammed into the same-sized skull.

Humans, although we appear completely symmetrical — at least with respect to the right and left sides of our bodies — are lateralized, in both body and brain. For some activities, such as speech, we clearly do not notice that the left side of our brain is doing almost all the work. We probably also don’t notice that almost all of us are right-eye dominant (until we are getting our eyes checked, for example…or look at a distant object that is partially obscured by a near object…focus on the nearer object, then cover one eye at a time…you’ll notice a difference). And most humans are right-footed — if asked to take a step, we start with our right foot.

When it comes to handedness, however, everyone is aware of favoring one hand for many activities (writing, painting, etc.)…and most humans are right-handed. Handedness in other species is trickier to establish. A study looking at a large number of different species found 51.26% showing evidence for population-level asymmetries, 16.81% showing evidence for individual-level asymmetries and 31.93% showing no evidence for asymmetry (Strӧckens et al., 2012).

Left Foot Or Right Foot?

One of the cockatoos, Zorro, working on the difficult reaching task. Adapted from Colbourne et al., 2024.

Birds are particularly, tricky. Although much research has demonstrated left-sided brain laterality for vocal behavior in birds that learn their vocalizations (Chirathivat et al., 2015), it is not clear how that relates to footedness. Most studies investigated tasks such as which foot was used to hold food; for parrots, most cockatoos were left-footed, most other parrots were right-footed, and lorikeets didn’t seem to have a preference (Strӧckens et al., 2012).

However, MacNeilage and colleagues (1987) hypothesize that the limb that is supporting the body is actually the dominant one, as it has to be both strong and fine-tuned for balance. Another possibility is that an individual chooses a limb with respect to a particular task that needs to be completed (Rogers, 2007, 2009). Not enough data yet exists to prefer one hypothesis over another.

In any case, all such studies need a fairly large sample size to differentiate individual preferences from species-wide preferences, and obviously my lab does not qualify. However, I was given the opportunity to collaborate with my Austrian colleagues, who have a large aviary of Goffin’s cockatoos (Cacatua goffiniana) — we could test each bird on a series of tasks that varied in postural, spatial, and cognitive demands (Colbourne et al., 2024).

The procedure was as follows. We first tested each bird as to what foot they used to hold food; three birds were right-footed and 12 were left-footed, but not all habituated to the experimental situation, so only nine birds were tested (seven left-footed and two right-footed). We then used three tasks, each with simple and difficult versions (see Colbourne et al., 2024 for the details). In each case, the simple task could be achieved by using a foot to grasp the reward fairly quickly, whereas the difficult task required a series of actions to release the reward.

Switching Foots

The results were fascinating. As expected, the difficult trials took a lot longer to solve. The main result was that the birds tended to use their food-handling dominant foot for only two of the three simple trials and only one of the difficult trials; however, they tended to do a lot of foot-switching during difficult trials. Some birds mostly used their nonfood-handling foot on the difficult trials whereas others mostly used their food-handling foot. In some cases, they seemed simply to use the most convenient foot.

So our data did not strongly support any of the common hypotheses — that the food-holding foot would be dominant for all other tasks, that the foot used for balance would be dominant (e.g., why would birds switch feet multiple times during a task if that were the case?), or that a particular task would be more likely to require use of either the food-holding foot or the foot used for balance/strength (e.g., it varied across individuals).

What our study could not address is anything about how the birds’ physical behavior correlates with their brain lateralization. Although Kaplan and Rogers (2021) found a correlation between the extent of left-footedness for feeding and a larger area that corresponds to the human cerebral cortex (implying more high-level processing), we did not find that the more lateralized birds were more successful; however, almost all birds were always successful, making any such measurements moot.

The real take-home message simply seems to be that lateralization is not always easily determined by use of simple tasks, and that far more research is needed to understand the phenomenon. By the way: It might be fun to keep note of how your own bird solves foraging puzzles — does it primarily use its beak, or does it involve its feet — and does it always use the same foot, and is it the food it uses to hold food?

References

Chirathivat, N., Raja, & Gobes, S. (2015). Hemispheric dominance underlying the neural substrate for learned
vocalizations develops with experience. Sci Rep 5, 11359
Colbourne, J.A.D., Hanon, L., Pepperberg, I.M., & Auersperg, A.M.I. (2024). Putting the best foot forward: Limb
lateralization in the Goffin’s cockatoo (Cacatua goffiniana). J. Comp. Psychol. Advance online publication.
Kaplan, G., & Rogers, L.J. (2021). Brain size associated with foot preferences in Australian parrots. Symmetry,
13(5), Article 867.
MacNeilage, P.F., Studdert-Kennedy, M.G., & Lindblom, B. (1987). Primate handedness reconsidered. Behav. &
Brain Sci., 10(2), 247–263.
Rogers, L.J. (2007). Lateralization in its many forms, and its evolution and development. Special Topics in
Primatology, 5, 22–56.
Rogers, L.J. (2009). Hand and paw preferences in relation to the lateralized brain. Phil. Trans. Royal Soc. B: Bio.
Sci., 364(1519), 943–954.
Ströckens, F., Güntürkün, O., & Ocklenburg, S. (2012). Limb preferences in non-human vertebrates. Laterality, 18(5), 536–575.

Chris Davis—beloved member of the Lafeber family, pioneering parrot behaviorist, and longtime friend of Dr. Pepperberg—recently passed. Instead of flowers, Chris requested donations to her favorite charity, The Alex Foundation. Between now and January, any donations will be matched to double the gift amount. You can access the donation link on the support page.

Webinar: Species Spotlight: California Condor Care In The Wake Of Avian Flu

October 15, 2024 by lafebercares

Webinar: Species Spotlight: California Condor Care in the Wake of Avian Flu

Date: Friday, November 1, 2024

Time: 12:00 pm PDT (double-check your local time with this time zone converter)

Join us for a FREE, live, interactive webinar hosted by Laura Doering, former editor of Bird Talk magazine and Birds USA magazine. Our special guest, Stephanie Lamb, DVM, DABVP (Avian Practice), will continue the fun & informative series, Species Spotlight! The California Condor is a highly endangered avian species in North America and caring for them has been fraught with challenges throughout the years. However, the year 2023 brought the new challenge of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) to the Northern Arizona flock. Dr. Lamb will take us through the difficulties of this time but also tell us an uplifting story of one special bird.

Missed our webinar? No problem! You can access the webinar in its entirety here:

Webinar: Translating Parrot: Behavior Misconceptions — Do I Have a Problem Parrot? Part 2

October 15, 2024 by lafebercares

Webinar: Translating Parrot: Behavior Misconceptions — Do I Have a Problem Parrot? Part 2

Date: Friday, November 8, 2024

Time: 12:00 pm PST (double-check your local time with this time zone converter)

Join us for a FREE, live, interactive webinar hosted by Laura Doering, former editor of Bird Talk magazine and Birds USA magazine. Our special guest, Pamela Clark, is a well-known author, speaker, IAABC Certified Parrot Behavior Consultant & retired CVT. Pamela will present Episode 11 of Translating Parrot, a Lafeber Pet Birds Webinar Series focusing on Parrot Behavior & Wellness, based on Pamela’s years of experience with a wide range of parrot species. In this episode, Pamela will discuss some of the most common complaints from pet bird owners. Why does my bird hate me? Why is my bird so bad? Why does my bird bite me or scream for no reason? Are these behaviors bad or just undesirable? Pamela’s cutting-edge approach will help you translate why your pet bird does certain things that drive you crazy, and how you can resolve the “problem behavior” in this informative series!

Missed our webinar? No problem! You can access the webinar in its entirety here:

Webinar: Hurricane Helene — Before, During, And After With Pet Birds To Protect

October 15, 2024 by lafebercares

Webinar: Hurricane Helene – Before, During & After With Pet Birds to Protect

Date: Friday, November 15, 2024

Time: 12:00 pm PST (double-check your local time with this time zone converter)

Join us for a FREE, live, interactive webinar hosted by Laura Doering, former editor of Bird Talk magazine and Birds USA magazine. Our special guest, Lisa Bono, CPBC, will share her first-hand experiences with a devastating hurricane. When Lisa presented her webinar in September on preparing for Winter, she included information on preparing for a disaster. She had no way of knowing that days later, she would have to put all of her plans and expertise to the test during Hurricane Helene. Lisa will discuss what she did to prepare, what she did during the hurricane to protect her flock, and the days following the disaster, without power, with her family & flock to care for. Lisa will share her thoughts, pictures and videos of the disaster & aftermath in this compelling and important webinar.

Missed our webinar? No problem! You can access the webinar in its entirety here:

Webinar: Ask The Vet With Tom Tully, DVM, DABVP (Avian Practice), DECZM (Avian)

October 15, 2024 by lafebercares

Webinar: Ask the Vet with Tom Tully, DVM, DABVP (Avian Practice), DECZM (Avian)

Date: Friday, November 22, 2024

Time: 12 p.m. PST (double-check your local time with this time zone converter)

Ask the Vet with Tom Tully, DVM, DABVP (Avian Practice), DECZM (Avian)

Join us for a FREE, live, interactive webinar hosted by Laura Doering, former editor of Bird Talk magazine and Birds USA magazine. Our special guest Tom Tully, DVM, DABVP (Avian Practice), DECZM (Avian), will answer your questions about pet bird health, nutrition, & care. Dr. Tully, a decorated Professor & practicing Vet at Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, is an internationally known Veterinarian who has earned specialties in Avian medicine in the United States and Europe. Having this type of access to a Veterinarian of his status is rare, but Dr. Tully believes in the educated bird owner as being the best bird steward. Dr. Tully answers each question in detail and shares his vast knowledge of birds, particularly parrots. Is your bird’s problem health-related or behavioral? Are you offering the right foods to your pet bird? Ask the Vet!

Missed our webinar? No problem! You can access the webinar in its entirety here:

Lafeber’s Global Parrot Conservation Spotlight September 2024: Brazil’s Hyacinth Macaws

October 7, 2024 by Ann Brooks

hyacinth macaw, hyacinth, macaw — Image by Kevin Blaylock, Phoenix Landing

I recently returned from Brazil, an incredible country, and the largest and most populous in South America. It is widely diverse and multicultural, and home to an enormous number of parrot species.

Unfortunately, much of South America is experiencing high fire rates, especially Brazil. I personally saw fires along the road, and there was an omnipresent haze everywhere we traveled. NASA’s global fire information map shows the extent of the current fires. We know how sensitive our birds are to respiratory toxins, that’s why they used to use canaries in coal mines to detect poisonous gases.

The parrots of Brazil are now suffering the same fate when smokey air starts to overtax their breathing. Or worst case, they are caught in the fires without a chance to escape. This is the time of year when many parrot species are beginning to build their nests and lay eggs, making the fire and smoke problem exponentially more damaging to the important breeding season.

Rebuilding After Fires

fallen nest box attached to tree — A fallen tree with nest box attached due to fires.
Image courtesy Instituto Araras Azul

Burned acuri palms at Caiman 2024
Image courtesy of Instituto Araras Azul

A couple of years ago I wrote about the incredible work of Neiva Guedes and her team at Instituto Arara Azul, bringing the hyacinth macaw back from the brink of extinction. Every time we visit Brazil, I make sure to visit with Neiva and learn about the Institute’s continuing progress and good works. Her team has expanded its reach by placing more next boxes in a widening geographic area, thus giving the hyacinths an increased chance to thrive and repopulate.

However, the fires continue to return to some areas most populated by hyacinth macaws like Sāo Francisco do Perigara (home to 15% of the hyacinth population) and the Refugio Ecologico Caimen. These are places where the Institute has seen some of its greatest successes with breeding and repopulation. But, as the globe continues to warm, these exquisite blue macaws face new and unprecedented threats. Helping the Instituto Arara Azul replace nest boxes lost to the fires is the best thing we can all do to help.

parrot nest box, nest box for hyacinth macaws in Brazil — Image courtesy Instituto Araras Azul

This month’s Lafeber donation goes to assisting the Instituto of Arara Azul with resources needed to recover from fires and assist in bringing parrots such as the hyacinth back to prosperity in the Pantanal. If you wish to help, visit the website to find out how.

Embrace The Beauty Of Birds With Amy Tan’s Latest Bestseller

October 3, 2024 by Matt Rowe

broad-tailed hummingbird perched on a feeder outdoors — Broad-tailed hummingbird by Michelle Lynn Reynolds, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Amy Tan is an American writer who began her writing journey in 1986 when her first story was published. By 1989, she published a world-famous novel known to millions as “The Joy Luck Club.” The story entails three connected stories that spent a solid 40 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. By 1993, “The Joy Luck Club” became a successful film and has since been adapted into a play. Tan has written six novels in total, as well as three children’s books, and eight non-fiction books. One of those non-fiction books is “The Backyard Bird Chronicles.”

“The Backyard Bird Chronicles,” published in April 2024, is a journal of sorts that explores the surrounding beauty of the world of birds. The route to this book began in 2016 as the author became increasingly despairing of the world of social media that spawned open hatred, spread disinformation, and has contributed to foment discord and division among the people of the world. Tan directed her sights away from this growing noise and instead focussed on the beauty of nature surrounding us.

Tan paid closer attention to her backyard and began to write about the nature that calmed her. She drew sketches and incorporated them into a cohesive collection of entries. These entries detailed her transformation and astute observation of nature, especially birds. As she wrote and spent more quality time, she paid deeper attention to the many species of birds that she encountered. She wrote of her joy at feeding a hummingbird from her hand. She noted every bird that flew within her sight and wrote details of their behavior patterns.

A Backyard Story

Critics around the world speak warmly of the 320-page book. What began as a simple journal of the birds within the world of Amy Tan’s backyard, became a soulful book of intense beauty in prose and observation. Her ability to poetically transform her interactions into a book of astute viewpoints is the bedrock of “The Backyard Bird Chronicles.”

One such journal passage recounts a childhood hope of gaining the complete trust of an avian visitor. Having placed several hummingbird feeders out, she watched silently as a male hummingbird arrived, inspected the feeder and its offerings, left, and returned again and again until it began to trust what the feeder offered. Not long afterward, she returned to the table, took food out for birds and was surprised to hear the hummingbird nearby. She picked up a small hummingbird feeder, held it out in her hand, and soon the hummingbird was feeding from it. She had gained the trust of the wild bird.

In another entry, Tan, with her heavily penciled script and her colorful drawings, ends the entry with a heartfelt “I am in LOVE.” Her observation even extends to the sickness of a bird, and to that of birds not seen before.

“The Backyard Bird Chronicles” is a New York Times bestseller that delivers a vastly different view of birds, the excitement of them, the way they eat, and many other things. It also blends those observations uniquely into the human experience.

Rare Night Parrot: New Colony Discovered!

September 27, 2024 by Laura Doering

Exciting news in the bird world! One of the world’s most elusive and rare parrots—the Night Parrot, which is found only in Australia—just got a big boost in estimated population size. That’s because a colony of 50 Night Parrots was recently discovered in a remote area of Western Australia.

How rare are these parrots? From 1912 to 1979, there were no confirmed sightings, which led many to assume the bird was extinct. According to the Wikipedia page on the Night Parrot, sightings have been reported sporadically throughout the years—some confirmed, some redacted. A roadkill specimen was discovered in 1990, and another dead Night Parrot was found in 2005. In 2015, ornithologist Steve Murphy and partner Rachel Barr captured and radio tagged a live Night Parrot in southwestern Queensland, which you can watch here.

Their exact population number is unknown, with some reports estimating between 50 to 250 individuals, which, sadly, lands the night parrot on the list of The International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Their small population numbers puts this discovery of 50 Night Parrots in perspective and offers new hope for the species.

Shedding a Spotlight on the Night Parrot

For comparison, Night Parrots are bigger than budgies but smaller than green-cheeked conures in length, but they are chunkier and have short tails. Their feather coloring, which is a yellowish-green, mottle with dark brown, black, and yellow spots, somewhat resembles another very rare parrot, the kākāpō. Kākāpōs, though, are much larger and are also the heaviest of all parrots.

The Night Parrots’ habits truly set them apart from other parrots. As their name suggests, they become active at night and hide in vegetation during the day. They also prefer to run around on the ground than flying. If they do fly, it is a short, low-to-the-ground flight as they dart back into vegetation. Their nighttime habits and penchant for hiding in the brush make them especially challenging to track.

One fascinating study suggests that Night Parrots, ironically, don’t have good night vision. In fact, their eyes are similar in size to other parrots, with smaller optic nerves and optic probes.

Researchers theorize that perhaps they developed other senses such as smell or hearing to make up for less-than-ideal night vision. A study by Flinders University team of paleontologists might explain why the species can survive with limited night vision in the dark outback. They did a CT scan on a Night Parrot’s skull and discovered that the parrot has an asymmetrical skull and ears (similar to owls), to locate where sound is coming from.

Why The Night?

A theory among conservationists and researchers about the Night Parrot’s nocturnal nature is centered on the thought that due to scarcity of water in their arid natural habitat, the parrots have adapted to staying out of the heat during the day and instead choosing to stay hidden while the sun’s out.

Inside Dr. Pepperberg’s Lab: Greys Vs. Umbrella Cockatoos — Who Likes To Work For Their Food?

September 24, 2024 by Irene Pepperberg, Ph.D.

African grey on perch by window — Dr. Pepperberg’s African greys were compared to kea parrots and cockatoos to see which were most inclined to contrafreeload. Courtesy of Dr. Irene Pepperberg

An ongoing topic of study in our lab has been contrafreeloading — working for food (or, in the case of humans, some other reward) that could simultaneously be obtained for free. Contrafreeloading is pretty much unexpected and any evidence of it is remarkable (Menzel, 1991): Why would anyone work for something if they didn’t need to do so? As it turns out, almost every species tested — except domestic cats! — contrafreeloads to some extent, depending on the task and the individual.

A few years ago, I wrote about our study comparing contrafreeloading in African greys and kea parrots. For those of who have not read that blog, I’ll summarize briefly. The main point is that the task is quite “conditional”: A particular individual may contrafreeload on one task but not another, and (as we’ll see shortly) the type of task may be species-related.

One of my students, Gabriella Smith, proposed that contrafreeloading in nonhumans would be more likely to occur if the task is fun so that the subjects get the double reward of doing something they enjoy and getting some food they would also like (Smith et al., 2021). We tested her theory with several African grey parrots and found that, as hypothesized, considerable individual variation existed both among birds and tasks — what some birds thought was fun, others viewed as work and avoided the effort.

Kea Parrots Added To The Mix

kea parrot standing on pavement with beak open — New Zealand’s kea parrots are known for their playfulness and curious nature. Does that make them more likely to contrafreeload? It depends on the task. Photo by Barni1/Pixabay

She then had the idea and the opportunity to work with colleagues from New Zealand to test whether an ostensibly more playful species, the kea parrot, would be more likely to contrafreeload. Again, our hypothesis was somewhat supported — the kea had considerable individual variation and contrafreeloaded a bit more than the African greys on one task (involving popping lids from small cups), but pretty much completely refused to contrafreeload on a task involving de-shelling a nut (Smith et al., 2022).

In the wild, kea parrots do not de-shell nuts, but we chose the task so that we would have a direct comparison with the African greys, and because we thought that, as a novel task, kea might find it interesting and fun. Unfortunately, such was not the case.

In Come The Cockatoos

Umbrella cockatoo Poly makes a choice during contrafreeloading. Image courtesy Dr. Irene Pepperberg.

But what if we could work with a playful species for whom nut-shelling was a common behavior? And where would we find enough subjects to do a meaningful study? Well, as it turned out, during COVID one of my other students, Alana Carroll, had taken a year’s leave of absence from Harvard and worked part-time at a parrot rescue — where they had four umbrella cockatoos!

No scientific studies had evaluated their playfulness, but she had worked with them for a year, reviewed lots of online videos that showed extensive playful behavior, and we found that they are closely related to other cockatoos who had been studied and whose playfulness was documented (Auersberg et al., 2014, 2015). Upon her return to school, we contacted the facility, and they agreed to let her test these birds during holiday and intersession breaks. How would these birds behave?

The data she collected only partially supported our hypothesis (Caroll & Pepperberg, 2024). We did see, as expected, great individual variation: One cockatoo, Poly, contrafreeloaded almost 71% of the time, whereas another, JJ, barely did so at all, at 4% of trials. Teddy Bear was at 25%, and Dudley was close to 58%. However, in terms of the overall relative amounts of contrafreeloading, no significant difference existed between the African greys and the cockatoos; nevertheless, more of the cockatoos contrafreeloaded at over 50% than occurred for the African greys.

Issues In Testing

Interestingly, some issues may have affected the cockatoos’ responses that were not present for the greys. The first involved housing conditions; the second involved possible boredom.

Unlike the African greys, who were all individually housed — though all could interact with other parrots — Dudley and JJ had arrived at the rescue co-housed and were kept in that situation. Dudley was clearly the dominant bird, and on occasion had stolen JJ’s reward (which was replaced). We surmise that JJ’s low level of contrfreeloading therefore might have been a consequence of his being the subordinate bird: Choosing the already de-shelled nut and eating it quickly made the most sense. If he took the nut with the shell and had to spend time de-shelling it, Dudley would have a chance to steal it! And even though Dudley was dominant, maybe he thought JJ might try to steal his nut, which could be a reason for his not contrafreeloading extensively. Of course, Teddy Bear, who was not co-housed, didn’t contrafreeload all that much. Maybe, unlike Poly, he and Dudley just weren’t all that interested in the task.

As for boredom: Well, Poly, the one bird that did contrafreeload extensively, decreased her behavior at a statistically significant rate after about two-thirds of the sessions had been completed. Maybe she became tired of the task? Moreover, at the same time, she started to want to interact with Alana a lot more, apparently losing interest in the food overall in favor of social interaction.

Nevertheless, given that contrafreeloading is a behavior that is not expected to exist at all, our findings are of considerable interest. We wonder if we could find a task that the cockatoos — or other birds — might enjoy more, and if that might affect the results?

A Foraging Lesson For Us

As for the take-home message for our companion animals — given that contrafreeloading and foraging behavior in captivity are related — don’t give up if your parrot doesn’t like the first foraging toy you provide; keep trying! You might simply have not found the one your bird finds enjoyable.

References

Auersperg, A. M. I., Oswald, N., Domanegg, M., Gajdon, G. K., & Bugnyar, T. (2014). Unrewarded object combinations in captive parrots. Animal Behavior and Cognition, 1(4), 470–488.

Auersperg, A. M. I., van Horik, J. O., Bugnyar, T., Kacelnik, A., Emery, N. J., & von Bayern, A. M. P. (2015). Combinatory actions during object play in psittaciformes (Diopsittaca nobilis, Pionites melanocephala, Cacatua goffini) and corvids (Corvus corax, C monedula, C moneduloides). Journal of Comparative Psychology, 129(1), 62–71.

Carroll, A., & Pepperberg, I.M. (2024). Contrafreeloading in umbrella cockatoos (Cacatua alba): Further evaluation of the play hypothesis. Advance online publication.

Menzel, E.W. (1991). Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes): Problem seeking versus the bird-in-hand, least-effort strategy. Primates, 32, 497–508.

Smith, G. E., Bastos, A. P. M., Chodorow, M., Taylor, A. H., & Pepperberg, I. M. (2022). Contrafreeloading in kea (Nestor notabilis) in comparison to Grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus). Scientific Reports, 12(1), Article 17415.

Smith, G. E., Greene, D., Hartsfield, L. A., & Pepperberg, I. M. (2021). Initial evidence for eliciting contrafreeloading in Grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus) via the opportunity for playful foraging. Journal of Comparative Psychology, 135(4), 516–533.

Pain In Parrots: What Parrot Parents Should Know

September 18, 2024 by Laura Doering

conure perched on branch indoors — Conure. Photo by Nina Zaychenko/Unsplash

Like us, parrots experience pain; however, how they express discomfort can differ from how we might show pain. September is Animal Pain Awareness Month, which makes this the perfect time to reflect on how we can keep our feathered companions healthy and happy by being aware of what pain in parrots might look like.

Why Parrots Hide Pain

In the animal kingdom, parrots fall into the category of prey animals. A visibly injured or sick preyed-upon animal is more likely to be targeted by a predator. With this in mind, it’s easier to understand why our feathered friends might not show outward signs of pain or illness at the onset as we would. Parrots, and many other prey animals, are hard-wired to do their best to hide signs of weakness for as long as possible. Here’s what pain awareness means for parrots.

Pain in Parrots

Changes in Vocalizations: If your normally chatty parrot becomes unusually quiet this could be a sign that they are uncomfortable or in pain.
Appetite Loss: A sudden disinterest in food or water can indicate illness or pain. A bird that refrains from eating for more than a day should be checked by an avian veterinarian as soon as possible.
Changes in Posture: A parrot in pain might sit fluffed up for long periods, perch awkwardly, or avoid perching altogether. They may also hold one leg up for an extended time without switching positions.
Behavioral Changes: If your parrot is usually playful, curious, or likes to step up onto your hand but suddenly becomes withdrawn, doesn’t want to leave the cage, is aggressive or unusually quiet, it could be a sign that they are in pain/not feeling well.
If you have multiple birds, your bird might suddenly not fit into normal flock dynamics, such as choosing to perch alone instead.
Feather Plucking or Excessive Preening: Some parrots might pluck their feathers over the area on their body where they feel pain/discomfort.

Paying attention to your bird’s normal behavior, posture, and daily routine is crucial to spotting signs of pain or distress early on. Annual health check-ups are equally important, as these visits can catch problems before they have a chance to flare up and needlessly cause your bird pain. Your avian veterinarian can also help you create a pain management plan to ease discomfort, such as medications/supplements or making changes to your bird’s environment (for example, softer perches for an arthritic parrot).

Case In Point

Years ago, my cockatiel Gracie unexpectedly flew on top of my conure Ollie’s cage. When Gracie put his beak through the cage bars, Ollie lunged at him from within the cage. Gracie let out a quick, one-note squawk, which, at the time, I took to mean, “How dare you?!” But that was it, just that one squawk, and I put Gracie back in his cage.

It wasn’t until later in the day that I noticed Gracie, perched behind a toy dangling above his perch, was intermittently shaking his head. I picked him up and that’s when I saw a small puncture at the base of his beak. In the brief moment that Gracie was on top of Ollie’s cage, Ollie managed to pinch Gracie’s beak. Thankfully, my avian veterinarian was able to treat/repair the beak, and a follow-up vet visit later, Gracie was back to his curious self. My little cockatiel literally tried to “shake off” the pain and did his best to play it off as “everything’s fine.”

How Other Pets Express Pain

Dogs

Aggression. For example, you try to touch your dog’s paw, and your dog snaps at you.
Licking. Your dog might excessively lick an area of their body that hurts.
Panting. A dog in pain might pant excessively.
Shaking. Your dog might try to “shake away the pain.”
Vocalizing: A dog in pain might yelp out in pain or whimper.

Cats

Hiding/Avoidance. They might hide under the bed or behind furniture
Not grooming: It is normal for cats to self-groom throughout the day so a lack of grooming could indicate pain.
Hissing/Growling: A cat in pain might hiss or growl to keep you away as it might feel vulnerable.

Webinar: Translating Parrot: Behavior Misconceptions – Do I Have A Problem Parrot? Part 1

September 17, 2024 by lafebercares

Webinar: Translating Parrot: Behavior Misconceptions – Do I Have a Problem Parrot? Part 1

Date: Friday, October 11, 2024

Time: 12 p.m. PDT (double-check your local time with this time zone converter)

Join us for a FREE, live, interactive webinar hosted by Laura Doering, former editor of Bird Talk magazine and Birds USA magazine. Our special guest, Pamela Clark, is a well-known author, speaker, IAABC Certified Parrot Behavior Consultant & retired CVT. Pamela will present Episode 10 of Translating Parrot, a Lafeber Pet Birds Webinar Series focusing on Parrot Behavior & Wellness, based on Pamela’s years of experience with a wide range of parrot species. In this episode, Pamela will discuss some of the most common complaints from pet bird owners. Why does my bird hate me? Why is my bird so bad? Why does my bird bite me or scream for no reason? Are these behaviors bad or just undesirable? Pamela’s cutting-edge approach will help you translate why your pet bird does certain things that drive you crazy, and how you can resolve the “problem behavior” in this informative series!

Missed our webinar? No problem! You can access the webinar in its entirety here:

Webinar: Avian Vet Insider: A Look Back At The AFA Conference

September 17, 2024 by lafebercares

Webinar: Avian Vet Insider: A Look Back at the AFA Conference

Date: Friday, October 4, 2024

Time: 12 p.m. PDT (double-check your local time with this time zone converter)

Join us for a FREE, live, interactive webinar hosted by Laura Doering, former editor of Bird Talk magazine and Birds USA magazine. Our special guest, Stephanie Lamb, DVM, DABVP (Avian Practice), will discuss her recent experiences at the American Federation of Aviculture (AFA) conference as a Speaker & attendee. Educational conferences are so important to attend when you have the opportunity. You will learn from the speakers as well as share information with other bird owners. But there is so much more to attending a conference. Dr. Lamb will share her perspective from a Vet’s point of view along with input from our host, Laura, who was there for the entire conference.

Missed our webinar? No problem! You can access the webinar in its entirety here:

Webinar: Atherosclerosis In Pet Birds

September 17, 2024 by lafebercares

Webinar: Atherosclerosis in Pet Birds

Date: Friday, October 18, 2024

Time: 12:00 pm PDT (double-check your local time with this time zone converter)

Join us for a FREE, live, interactive webinar hosted by Laura Doering, former editor of Bird Talk magazine and Birds USA magazine. Our special guest, Natalie Antinoff, DVM, DABVP (Avian Practice), will discuss the “silent” or “hidden” killer that can affect pet birds, particularly seniors. Now that our pet birds are living longer, veterinarians are diagnosing atherosclerosis more frequently. What exactly is atherosclerosis? Are there any warning signs? Can it be treated? Can I do anything to prevent it? Get the answers to these questions, as Dr. Antinoff takes us on a deep dive into this disease.

Missed our webinar? No problem! You can access the webinar in its entirety here:

Webinar: Ask The Vet With Tom Tully, DVM, DABVP (Avian Practice), DECZM (Avian)

September 17, 2024 by lafebercares

Webinar: Ask the Vet with Tom Tully, DVM, DABVP (Avian Practice), DECZM (Avian)

Date: Friday, October 25, 2024

Time: 12 p.m. PDT (double-check your local time with this time zone converter)

Missed our webinar? No problem! You can access the webinar in its entirety here:

Cameras Catch Penguin Fledglings Dramatic Leap For Survival

September 10, 2024 by Matt Rowe

group of emperor penguins standing outside on ice — Photo by MemoryCatcher/Pixabay

One of the primary animals in the Antarctic is the emperor penguin. These penguins are the biggest of all penguin species. They can be over 3 feet tall and weigh between 50 to 99 pounds. They are flightless animals given their weight. They don’t even have wings; instead, they have flappers, which allow them to become expert swimmers. With the frightening climate for the region and its potentially dire consequences, it is thought that the near extinction of the emperor penguin could come as early as 2100.

These emperor penguins were featured in a stunning French-produced film “March of The Penguins.” Released in 2005, this film showcased the hardship of penguins in their ritual of mating, care for the single egg produced, and feeding. Fast forward to 2024, and there are only 66 colonies left.

Recently, in preparation for a National Geographic special mini-series on the penguins, a photographer filmed an event that is so unusual, it has never been captured on video. The event spoken of here is around 700 fledglings jumping 50 feet off a cliff into the waters below to feed. The event was captured in the northern region of Antarctica at Atka Bay. Normally, the fledglings are born on sea ice platforms that require only a foot or two jump into seawater to feed. But 50 feet? That’s an amazing feat and one that sets new precedence.

An Incredible Dive

Once the fledglings lose their baby feathers (at around 5 months), they are prompted to jump into the sea to learn to feed on their own. This new jump from 50 feet is creating new theories as to why the penguins are that high up. It is thought that declining sea ice has forced the penguin to move to what are thought to be safer places. Now that they are on higher elevations, they must feed, requiring the fledglings to make an incredible jump to do so.

To not disturb the penguins, a camera-outfitted drone was used to film the amazing feats. The drop the penguins must undertake here is an unnerving jump. The footage shows hesitation but then a brave fledgling makes the jump. Upon entering the waters, the penguin emerges from the depth and swims happily around. That lone penguin set the tone for the rest and a mass jump was successfully undertaken. Watch that historic video footage on the National Geographic YouTube channel. With over 3.5 million views, it will be hard for you to NOT shed a tear at this need to survive pushed to the brink.

Lafeber’s New Pumpkin Spice Nutri-Berries Win Big At SuperZoo!

September 4, 2024 by lafebercares

Lafeber unveiled its newest flavor — Pumpkin Spice Nutri-Berries — at the 2024 SuperZoo tradeshow in Las Vegas and proudly took home the Runner-Up prize in the New Product Showcase Bird Category! SuperZoo is one of the largest pet retail trade shows in North America, which makes this award extra sweet! Read the full SuperZoo press release (PDF) for more details!

Bird-Building Collisions: Uncovering The Hidden Toll With Rehab Data

September 4, 2024 by Matt Rowe

wild bird — Photo by Gabriaile55/Pixabay

A sad fact is that many birds die from collisions with windows and buildings, A sobering 40% survive these collisions with the rest either dying on impact or shortly afterward, even if taken to avian care facilities. That’s an unfathomable 60% of birds that perish who strike buildings. A portion of these birds must be euthanized given the severity of their conditions when brought in by concerned and helpful individuals. The numbers, when crunched, now estimate that more than a billion birds die annually because of collision.

Recently, a paper was published on the PLOS ONE platform studying the reality of how many birds recover from a collision while being cared for and nursed back to health. It was assumed that most birds become stunned after a collision and then recover sufficiently to move on. These researchers, however, discovered that simply is not true.

The study (here) was undertaken by Ar Kornreich at New York’s Fordham University and assisted by Dustin Partridge, Mason Youngblood, and Kaitlyn Parkins. Together, they pored over 3,100 wildlife rehabilitation records of birds that collided with buildings and brought in for care. The study researched 152 avian species over several migration seasons to discover patterns that might help researchers in efforts to help reduce, if not completely eradicate building collisions. They evaluated patterns of survival and eventual release in hopes of finding a way to alleviate the issue more completely.

The Deadliest Season

One discovery was that migratory birds were far more likely to collide and die from contact with buildings during fall migration. The study also found that winter migration yielded the least number of collisions. Winter migration also had the most successful release aftercare probabilities. The why of these facts is being studied further.

Of the injuries sustained by the birds, the most prominent deaths were caused by head injuries as birds often flew straight into windows they could not see; the rest died from sustained head trauma. The efforts of the studies, which concentrated more heavily on surviving birds, are to discover the long-term effects of the building collisions and how they lead to mortality among birds.

It is hoped that better communication and effective collaborations will lead to a better understanding of how to deter birds from building collisions. More so, the hope is also directed at how to better respond to birds that have collided with buildings and brought in for immediate care that leads to survivability and release back into the wild. With the bird species populations in North America on the decline, it is important to reduce one of the major annual causes of bird fatalities by taking care to discover how to eliminate building collisions.

Currently, more than 20 cities and municipalities have legislated new laws that require safety elements in the construction of new buildings. But collisions also happen at the individual home level and apartment rises. Glass is the main culprit. Also, some cities along the migration paths have enacted laws that require buildings to turn off lights during migration to avoid luring birds downward and to their deaths.

It is good that we take this responsibility so deeply. With more effective studies, we can learn to create buildings and glass that help to greatly eliminate this threat to our feathered friends in the skies.

How Starlings Navigate Without Learning Their Routes

August 30, 2024 by Matt Rowe

starlings sitting in a row on a utility wire outdoors — Photo by Aidan Semmens/Pixabay

Migration paths for migratory birds are necessary for survival. For quite a long time — centuries — science has marveled at the pathways and how they’re so closely adhered to. The community questions how migratory birds locate their migration routes so easily, and studies have been undertaken to figure that out.

More than 70 years ago, biologist A.C. Perdeck took 14 thousand starlings off their usual path by plane, releasing them in Switzerland and Spain from their origin in the Netherlands. The birds were outfitted with leg rings for ID purposes, each with a unique code. It was discovered that older starlings adjusted their pathway to reach the normal areas they were accustomed to. Younger starlings, however, moved in a south-westerly direction but reached incorrect locations.

The younger starlings were thought to have befriended new flocks, as they are highly social and get along with others. Some hypothesize that the younger starlings merely assumed routes with their new friends. But new, more recent findings suggest that starlings do not learn their migratory pathways, they inherit them.

Guided By Instinct

By reviewing older datasets, the new study now shows conclusively that the starlings did not follow the pathways of any newfound friends but rather traveled independently and based on what they instinctively knew was correct. It is known that starlings migrate at night. With this new information merged with that of the 70-year-old Perdeck study, changes have been made to previous beliefs. Starlings (and other birds) have an inherited, direction-based inclination for migration. So, why did the younger starlings, although headed in the right direction, miss the mark when the older ones nailed it so efficiently?

It is assumed by way of the more recent study that the starlings did not so much miss the mark by means of aligning with other migratory birds, but that it was because it was their first migration. This study explores genetic and ecological differences that lead to a need to migrate and the direction of travel. The mass of data, all recorded on paper, has supplied a large amount of necessary and documented information to assist in this and other future studies.

What It Means

The importance of this study has a bleed-over effect for other things. For example, if it was determined that the young starlings were influenced by other species in migration pattern, then it indicates that birds could be influenced to adapt to different environments and habitats. This could have had a far-reaching impact on helping birds adapt. Now, we come to a better understanding that birds have built-in motivation based on season and direction that are not learned. They are naturally inherited.

The current debate continues, but science is getting smarter about birds all the time. You can explore this particular study yourself, which was published July 3, 2024.

Inside Dr. Pepperberg’s Lab: Prescription For An Arthritic Parrot

August 27, 2024 by Irene Pepperberg, Ph.D.

Griffin had his 29^th hatchday celebration in April. He is not really considered all that old for an African grey parrot, whose lifespan in captivity seems to be about 40-60 years—although my Dutch veterinarian colleague had one in his practice that lived to 99 (authenticated by the bird being passed down from one family member to another)!

Nevertheless, Griffin has been suffering from a “geriatric condition”—arthritis—for several years. The levels of pain seem to come and go, and we do whatever is possible to keep him happy and comfortable. We don’t know what worsens his condition; however, we suspect that sometimes when he feels particularly spry, he’ll overdo things—for example, climbing around his cage more than usual—which may trigger a painful episode.

Recently, Griffin had the worst flare-up ever since the condition was diagnosed. It was soon after his annual check-up, so the first thing we did was to call our vet to see if anything new had shown up on his standard tests. She suggested putting him on an anti-inflammatory drug and to call back if it didn’t provide some relief in 24 hrs. When that didn’t work, we took him in for X-rays and further tests, to ensure that it was arthritis and not something else.

“Birdie Bed Rest”

African grey parrot, grey parrot, Griffin the African grey parrot, Dr. Irene Pepperberg parrot Griffin — Figure 1. Griffin in his backpack. Image courtesy Dr. Irene. Pepperberg

The diagnosis was indeed arthritis, but there was also the possibility of some nerve issues, so he was put on a different medication. which causes him to take several naps each day! He was prescribed a busy regimen of treatments—including “birdie bed rest.” The latter basically means that he now has to sleep in his backpack carrier, so that there is no chance of him falling off a perch overnight and injuring himself. He actually looks pretty happy there! (See figure).

Griffin also gets two sessions a day with his Assisi Loop (a ring that produces a targeted pulsed electromagnetic field that helps speed healing for inflammatory and neurological conditions); laser therapy once a day, which also reduces inflammation and speeds healing; and ice pack therapy twice a day, again, to reduce inflammation and pain. We’ve also padded his perches with vet wrap or moleskin, and the railing around his cage with a bird-safe felt. In between treatments, he gets lots of tickles and attention!

Needless to say, Athena is not particularly thrilled with the state of the lab…we barely have time for her experimental trials and, although we try to give her as much attention and tickling as Griffin and lots of new toys, it is clear that Griffin is the center of interest these days. She can be quite vociferous!

Thankfully, Griffin is doing much better now, but he is clearly not yet back to normal. He has regained some use of the sore leg and foot, even scratching his head himself now. And he’ll put some pressure on the sore limb from time to time when on my hand, a perch, or a flat surface. One of the experiments we were doing with him before the flare-up requires that he shift his position on either a perch or the desk between choices in a single trial; we try to do one trial each day to track his ability to move. However, no luck on that so far…

We’ve been told that early detection of arthritis is important, because the condition is easier to treat before inflammation takes a strong hold. Birds, however, are so good about hiding pain that early detection of a flare-up is no simple matter. Nevertheless, keep an eye out and notice if your bird is consistently favoring one foot (e.g., fails to perch or grip tightly), if the feet are warmer than usual, or if the bird lists a bit to one side…all are symptoms, so get your bird checked out ASAP!

Avian Vet Insider: A Bird’s Eye View Of A Vet Visit

August 23, 2024 by lafebercares

Webinar: Avian Vet Insider: A Bird’s Eye View of a Vet Visit

Date: Friday, September 13, 2024

Time: 12 p.m. PDT (double-check your local time with this time zone converter)

Join us for a FREE, live, interactive webinar hosted by Laura Doering, former editor of Bird Talk magazine and Birds USA magazine. Our special guest, Dr. Stephanie Lamb, DVM, DABVP (Avian Practice), will take a unique and informative look at how your pet bird might perceive a visit to the Vet. Presented from the bird’s point of view, this webinar will help owners understand what their bird may be experiencing. A bird’s experience will be much different for a wellness visit than for a health issue or emergency trip. While we can’t know exactly what our birds are thinking, Dr. Lamb will explain why your bird may have certain reactions or stress levels. This can help an owner understand what might help put their bird more at ease or how the owner’s behavior and reactions could influence how the bird handles being at the Vet. Let’s take a look through our bird’s eyes in this insider’s view of the daily happenings at your Avian Vet’s clinic.

Missed our webinar? No problem! You can access the webinar in its entirety here:

The Grey Way: Preparing For Winter And The Holidays

August 23, 2024 by lafebercares

Webinar: The Grey Way: Preparing for Winter & the Holidays

Date: Friday, September 20, 2024

Time: 12:00 pm PDT (double-check your local time with this time zone converter)

Join us for a FREE, live, interactive webinar hosted by Laura Doering, former editor of Bird Talk magazine and Birds USA magazine. Our special guest, Lisa Bono, CPBC, owner and operator of The Platinum Parrot and a certified parrot behavior consultant specializing in African grey parrots, presents Episode 28 of The Grey Way, a Lafeber Pet Birds Webinar Series focusing on Congo & Timneh African grey parrots as pets. In this episode, Lisa will help you & your birds navigate the Holiday Season! Whether your holidays involve guests, parties, decorations & special foods or you prefer a quiet season with your birds and maybe a few loved ones, the holiday season has a different feel about it. Winter and the holidays can bring with it different weather, emotions, routines, & lifestyles. Even small changes can be felt by our pet birds. Lisa will discuss this special time of year and how you can make it special for your birds, keeping them feeling secure and happy. As always, Lisa may focus on some Grey-centric concerns, but her advice can be applied to any pet bird species.

Missed our webinar? No problem! You can access the webinar in its entirety here:

Webinar: Ask the Vet With Tom Tully, DVM, DABVP (Avian Practice), DECZM (Avian)

August 23, 2024 by lafebercares

Webinar: Ask the Vet with Tom Tully, DVM, DABVP (Avian Practice), DECZM (Avian)

Date: Friday, September 27, 2024

Time: 12:00 pm PDT (double-check your local time with this time zone converter)

Missed our webinar? No problem! You can access the webinar in its entirety here:

Live Owl Cam: See The Journey Of A Barn Owl Family

August 22, 2024 by Matt Rowe

close up on head of white barn owl outside — Photo by Doug Swinson/Unsplash

Owls, a unique and unmistakable species that encompass over 200 species inside its two families, are adorable, nocturnal birds. One family is known as true (Strigidae); the other as barn-owl (Tytonidae). They are found in almost every corner of the world. We have covered stories about owls and their journeys, which include being in (and emerging from) Christmas trees. They are typically solitary birds with extraordinarily heightened senses. Some of us have never seen an owl despite their availability and commonality. They’re that secretive.

Patience Pays Off

In 2017, a couple from Arroyo Grande, a small town of around 18,000 inhabitants located in Central California, set up a bird box with the hope that a family of owls might soon set up a nest. The interest began when one of the two was gifted an owl box for Christmas. (Owl boxes can be found anywhere, including on Amazon, and are largish, often stylized, wooden constructions that allow for easy ingress by owls. They are designed to provide a safe nesting place.) This gifted box was placed on an 8-foot pole with a camera installed just in case an owl decided to make the box a cozy home for a bit. But owls were uninterested in the available space and for seven years the box stayed empty until one morning in late March 2024.

Bird enthusiasts heard two barn owls inspecting the box for approval. Inspection by the owls lasted for several days before deciding that the box was indeed suitable for a family move-in. By early April, the soon-to-be mother had laid six eggs. A live feed supplied by the couple’s installed black and white camera played 24/7 on their Owl Cam Gary See YouTube page. In May, five of the six eggs had hatched and soon the parents were busy hunting and supplying food for the babies.

The parent owls were lovingly nicknamed Barney Ruble and Betty White. After the hatchings, it was quite an event to watch as the young owls received food brought by both parents. The hatchlings continued to grow and after a period, the maturing birds could be seen outside the box on their own.

See Them Yourself!

A live outdoor color camera has since been installed that focuses on the entrance to the box. The other feeds on the YouTube channel are side-by-side adaptations that provide inside and outside views of when the owls were active in and out of the box. You will warm at the site of the beautiful creatures as they hang about the temporary homestead. As of the middle of July, three of the owls were taking regular flights and returning to the home base.

Lafeber’s Global Parrot Conservation Spotlight August 2024: Golden Conures In Brazil

August 20, 2024 by Ann Brooks

Golden Conure, Queen of Bavaria Conure, Golden Parakeet — Photo by Luís Fábio Silveira

The Golden Conure, also known as the Queen of Bavaria Conure, is referred to as the Golden Parakeet in South America (Guaruba guarouba). It is endemic to Brazil and is one of the most trafficked New World parrots due to its brilliant and beautiful yellow plumage. I had the enormous privilege of meeting a few individuals in 2012 at the Lymington Foundation in the state of São Paulo, where they are part of a special breeding program seeking to salvage a rapidly declining population.

The Lymington Foundation was started in 2004 by an American couple, Bill and Linda Witikoff. It is now managed by famed Brazilian scientist, Luís Fábio Silveira. He is also the curator of birds at the University of São Paulo’s Museum of Zoology (MZUSP). Luís and biologist Marcelo Vilarta are part of the Golden Parakeet reintroduction project. This project is supported by the Institute for Forest Development and Biodiversity (IDEFLOR-Bio) and the Lymington Foundation.

While Golden Parakeets are more readily available now from captive-breeders, they remain threatened with extinction in the wild. They are currently listed by the IUCN as vulnerable, and on CITIES as Appendix 1, with fewer than 10,000 remaining in the wild. Like so many other parrot species, they face continued threats of deforestation and wildlife trafficking. It is especially devastating when traffickers cut down trees to capture the chicks because they are simultaneously destroying rare and much-needed nest cavities.

Flying the Skies Again in Belém, Brazil

But there is some growing good news. In 2017, Marcelo Vilarta and his team set up two aviaries in the Utinga State Park, a green space in the heart of Belém in northern Brazil. Golden Parakeets have been extinct in this area for over 100 years. Belém is the capital and largest city of Brazil’s state of Pará, and it is the gateway to the Amazon River. Its metropolitan area population is estimated at 2.5 million. Belém has also been chosen by the United Nations to host the COP30 climate summit in 2025.

The Utinga State Park aviaries can hold up to 10 Golden Parakeets at a time. The selected birds come from the Lymington Foundation’s captive breeding program and are chosen for their flight and socialization skills. Once established in the aviaries, they are taught to forage, recognize, and eat the kind of vegetation they will find when released – such as acaí berries and nance. They are also taught to recognize potential predators such as boa constrictors.

Once the aviary birds develop the skills required for survival, they are released into the park, which is 60% primary rainforest. Since 2018, 50 individuals have been reintroduced to the wild and, 40 of these have dispersed to surrounding areas. Each is retrofitted with a leg ring and radio collar, although tracking can be a challenge. The remaining 10 parakeets still linger in the park and visit the enclosures with the next group of parakeets in the aviaries.

For three years following the initial releases, it was discovered that the birds fed on 23 different plant species, 13 of which had not been known earlier. Golden Parakeets are critically important to seed dispersal of the acaí and nance, as well as 21 other plants native to the Amazon. Therefore, their existence is important to the overall health of the Amazon and Belém region!

This month’s Lafeber donation goes to support the Golden Parakeet reintroduction project and the hope it gives to the future of this stunning, rare species! If you would like to learn more about the feeding ecology of reintroduced Golden Parakeets, here is a very informative study.

Is Your Parrot Left-Footed?

August 13, 2024 by Laura Doering

close up on head of hyacinth macaw holding food in foot — Hyacinth macaw. Photo by Hans/Pixabay

Raise your dominant hand if you know what August 13^th is? If your left hand is up, you are correct — it’s International Left-Handers Day! In honor of southpaws, let’s take a fun, somewhat scientific, look at parrots’ and other animals’ left or right preferences, as well as some surprising ways left-handedness can affect the way we care for our birds.

Animal Instincts: Left Or Right?

Humans aren’t the only ones with left or right-handedness preferences (or left-footed, right-footed, in the case of other animals). Studies show that a surprising number of species prefer to use one side of their body over the other. For example, left-handed chimpanzees are in the minority, because most chimpanzees, like people, are more likely to be right-handed.

Next time you ask a dog to “shake hands” pay attention to which paw they offer. One study shows that male dogs are slightly more inclined to be southpaws and females are more likely to be right-pawed. A study on cats showed that female felines are significantly more likely to be right-pawed, while males are more inclined to be left-pawed.

Similarly, fish also show preferences in which direction they turn to evade a predator. And since we’re talking “handedness,” let’s include the animal with the most arms in the conversation — octopuses! Octopuses have a dominant arm to explore and manipulate objects in their environment. What about parrots?

Parrot Foot Preferences

Blue fronted Amazon eating — Offer your bird a Nutri-Berrie or other favorite bite-size food, and see which foot they hold it in— chances are, it will be the left foot!

Parrots, indeed, have a preference for which foot they use to hold food and foot toys, to step up, and more. And parrots tend to be … left footed! Offer your bird a Nutri-Berrie or other favorite bite-size food, and see which foot they hold it in — chances are, it will be the left foot! Not every parrot is left-footed; there are some right-footed parrots — just like not all humans are right-handed, with an estimated 10% of people being left-handed.

How Handedness Can Affect Parrot Care

What about left-handed caregivers; does being left-handed affect how we care for our birds? You might be surprised. Let’s take a look in the kitchen.

Something as simple as using a pair of scissors to open a bag of bird food can be challenging for lefties unless they have left-handed scissors, or have adapted to using “regular” scissors out of necessity due to the scarcity of lefty scissors in most settings.

Prepping sweet potato mash for your bird? It might be a little more frustrating if you’re left-handed. Vegetable peelers have a single sharp side that when held in the right hand allows for a smooth, comfortable motion. However, when held in the left hand, positioning the sharp side for optimal peeling results in awkward, jerky motions. Of course, this can make lefties more accident-prone.

Most kitchen gadgets and appliances, such as can openers, microwaves, and blenders, are ergonomically designed for right-handed use. This means that the handles, grips, and controls are positioned to be comfortable and efficient for right-handed people but might prove awkward for left-handed users.

If you’re preparing a special dish for your bird requiring a measuring cup, get used to metric measurements if you are left-handed. For lefties, measuring cups show the metric measurements, not the cups/ounces amounts. Instead of seeing “1/4 cup/ 2oz.” when you hold the measuring cup in your right hand, you’ll see 50 ml holding it in your left hand.

Living Life As A Lefty

Of course, most lefties are perfectly willing to adapt to right-handed scissors, peeling sweet potatoes awkwardly, or twisting their hand around while using a measuring cup to get a glimpse of the cups/ounces amounts if that means feeding their birds healthy, fun meals. One bonus of being a lefty with the parrot? You can eat next to your bird without worrying about accidentally bumping that Nutri-Berrie out of their left foot — a lefty and a lefty are good table buddies!

Unlocking The Mystery Of Iridescent Feathers In Birds

August 6, 2024 by Matt Rowe

two blue-crowned conures (blue-crowned parakeets) perched side by side on a branch preening — Photo by Ovidiu Creanga/Unsplash

The goal for all of us is to understand our beautiful birds and to learn how to help them become better at thriving in their own wild communities. This is essential to avoid the catastrophic loss of some of our beautiful species of every class of bird, particularly our beloved colorful parrot species.

Earlier, a study undertaken by Chicago’s famed Field Museum, headed by Chad M. Eliason and assisted by five other colleagues from institutions in Belgium and the Netherlands, was intended to discover if and how location plays a role in feather coloration. The study also hoped to explain the possible reality that the connection between ecogeographic and climate change influences feather colors and iridescence. For this study, a long review of a whopping 9,409 species helped explore the possibilities of location and coloration as a direct impact.

The Tropics Spur Iridescense

One aspect of the study uncovered that rapid movement toward tropical locations spurred the proliferation of iridescent species. Just as impactful were the differentiation between structural colors (iridescence, as when colors appear to change under circumstances — like feathers that display in a color but when becoming wet and with light, look like a different color variation), and pigmentary colors that do not change color under any circumstances. It was determined that all birds share common evolutionary ancestry that were exclusively iridescent. Certainly, it is the tropics where the quite colorful birds are found. Go further north and birds become more muted in appearance.

What The Data Reveals

As the researchers developed their tree of birds that became an invaluable dataset, they discovered that 415 bird species mostly originated elsewhere, bringing their iridescent colorations with them to the tropics to evolutionarily spur that trait there. They closely examined thousands of photographs and fossils of species of birds, explored their origins and migration pathways.

As more data were accumulated, the researchers concluded that the first birds were, in fact, likely iridescent by nature and that structural coloration today is an evolutionary trait carried on by DNA. The researchers are still unclear as to how and why iridescence evolved at the beginning, but as more studies like this push out the gate, that answer may soon materialize.

Still A Mystery

It is thought that weather impacts could be a part. Some birds change colors as humidity changes and so this could factor in as one reason for influence and any potential natural assistance changes might give the bird in coping with weather changes.

This study, in its infancy, is a potentially vast one with strong elements for further discoveries. See an abstract of the study.

Study Takes A Look At How Parrots Use Their Beaks To Move

July 31, 2024 by Matt Rowe

lovebird parrots — Photo by dsantandrea/Pixabay

“Beakiation” is a newly coined word to describe how birds in the wild use their beaks to move from tree to tree — similar to how monkeys do with their limbs.

A recent study was launched by the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT), with work done by Edwin Dickinson, Melody W. Young, and Michael C. Granatosky. The study involved four rosy-faced lovebirds. A runway was set up to give the birds a space to move about as they pleased. The purpose was to watch how the birds used their beaks to facilitate movement. The birds performed admirably by often using their beaks to grasp a tree limb while releasing their feet from support surfaces. They moved across spaces by grasping with their beak and “swinging” to the next location.

Faster Movement In Dense Spaces

The reasoning behind this behavioral pattern is that it enables faster movement in tree-dense areas. Flight involves a set of motor movements that require more energy than swinging requires. It also helps birds move faster than ground-based predators, much like monkeys do to evade their predators.

Birds’ beaks are amazingly strong, with a grip that can hold many times the bird’s weight. The upper beak has a hinge between the bill and the skull that allows the bird to amply flex that region. This becomes helpful — much like an extra hand — when grasping a branch to allow the bird to pull itself up. The upper beak is used as a propelling force to give the bird extra power in movement and lift. Taking nothing away from the power of the lower beak, it is clear that each part operates independently of the other to achieve great physical feats.

In the wild, using their beaks to travel more effectively helps parrots avoid ground travel, where predators might lurk. They can do as the monkeys do to get from place to place.

If you have further interest, read the original study and observation of parrot movement. Also, watch this YouTube video showing lovebirds in action.

Avoid This Deadly Mistake: Hydrating Your Bird Safely

July 25, 2024 by Matt Rowe

close up on head of male eclectus parrot outdoors — Male Eclectus parrot. Photo by Victoria Ballesteros/Unsplash

Many of the things that we do are simple automatic behavior. Nonetheless, we are still quite careful in the way that we handle ourselves to ensure the best possible results. Birds are the same. It’s important to understand just how our beloved birds are different from us in the way they breathe, eat, and other activities we take for granted. The thing to watch for is that we do not allow our normal understanding of how we do things to become how we think we can treat our birds. They are different in many ways. Today, let’s explore how they ingest water.

Water The Wrong Way Can Aspirate

Birds have an airway opening in their mouths that reacts differently in times of stress and in times of normalcy. That opening leads to the trachea, opening and closing with regularity. This physiological difference can lead to a horrible outcome if an unsuspecting person with a new parrot thinks that it is OK to introduce water into their mouths with a dropper. Birds have a controlled way of drinking water that works effectively for them. They know how to keep water from entering the opening leading to their trachea. However, when stressed, the bird’s airway opens and closes rapidly. If you use a dropper because you feel they need water, you run the high and unacceptable risk of asphyxiating the bird if even a single, tiny drop should enter the airway.

If a bird sees you attempting to drip water into their mouth, this will likely initiate a stress event. In this, the danger of several issues is introduced. A drop of water entering the trachea can lead to choking, overhydration, bacterial introduction, and a host of other problems that could lead to the bird’s death. Birds already know how to regulate the amount of water that they drink. They effectively dip their beaks, intake water, lift their heads, and let the life-giving liquid slide naturally down their throats, avoiding the airways altogether. It’s an instinctive behavior that is greatly disrupted if a person feels that water needs to be introduced into the bird’s system.

Safe Ways To Offer Water

The best way to provide water is to leave a dish within their reach. The bird will know how to deal with that. If, however, you believe that the bird is in distress because it is not drinking water, then it is vitally important that you refer the bird to a veterinarian who can get to the bottom of why your bird is not drinking appropriately and possibly help it.

The bottom line here is to warn all bird owners who are unaware of the dangers of introducing water abnormally to a bird. It is never a good idea to introduce water abnormally.

Check out this video of bird rehabber’s important PSA on this topic!

Lafeber’s Parrot Conservation Spotlight July 2024: Climate Change Impact On Parrots & Forests In Tambopata, Peru

July 23, 2024 by Ann Brooks

blue-and-gold macaws and scarlet macaws fly together in Tambopata, Peru — Macaws in Tambopata, Peru. Image courtesy The Macaw Project

The old and lush forests surrounding the Tambopata River in southeast Peru are home to clay licks that attract up to 32 species of parrots, including Amazons, Pionus, several species of macaws, and caiques. The Macaw Society (formerly known as the Tambopata Macaw Project) conducts long-term research about the ecology and conservation of parrots and operates under the direction of Drs. Donald Brightsmith and Gabriela Vigo-Trauco of the Schubot Center for Avian Health at the Texas A&M University.

One of their new projects involves looking into the effects of climate change on the forests of the Tambopata region, and how this, in turn, affects food sources and the breeding success of parrots, especially the macaws that have been part of their research studies since 1989. Having worked in the region for so long, they have a solid baseline of data and information from prior years. Their hypothesis — climate change is affecting access to food sources to sustain successful breeding. Here is more information about their new and important study, in their own words.

Protecting Tambopata’s Parrots: The Impact Of Climate Change

parrot nest boxes — Preparing nest boxes. Image courtesy of The Macaw Society

Global climate change is having major impacts on the structure and function of tropical forests and is predicted to alter the timing and magnitude of forest flowering and fruiting events. Despite the fact that these changes in fruit production will have major impacts on the behavior and survival of a broad array of keystone frugivores, there has been little study of how climate is impacting tropical forest phenology and how these impacts are cascading through local frugivore communities.

One group of iconic species that will likely be impacted by these climate-induced changes are the psittacines (macaws, parrots, and their relatives). This highly endangered group consume mainly forest fruits and seeds acting as both seed predators and fruit dispersers. In previous research, we found that Ara macao breed during the annual peak in fruit availability (November through February). However, this peak in food abundance is short enough that by the time the macaw chicks fledge local food supplies are dropping rapidly. In order to cope with this reduction in food supplies, most A. macao and their young left their breeding ranges and flew about 30 km only 15 to 38 days after their young fledged. Given the poor flying ability of young macaws, traveling with vulnerable young so soon after fledging is not ideal and suggest that food availability patterns in the forests of Tambopata may not be very good for breeding populations of A. macao. If true, this somewhat precarious situation could make A. macao and other parrot species in the region vulnerable to climate-driven changes in the local fruiting patterns.

macaws flying in Tambopata, Peru — Macaws fly over the Tambopata River with the Andes Mountains in the background. Image courtesy of The Macaw Project

image courtesy of The Macaw Society

The core objective of the study is to determine if climate change is driving systematic shifts in tropical forest phenology and how these shifts impact food availability and annual life history patterns of macaws and parrots in the Tambopata region of Madre de Dios. To achieve our objective, we will resurvey forest phenology plots first surveyed 15 years ago to document changes in fruiting patterns. These changes in fruiting will then be compared to long-term data on parrot nesting and natural history patterns from the diverse psittacine community found in the Tambopata region.

Working out of the Malinowski Biological Station, crews will be monitoring both forest plots and macaw nests to determine how both have changed since our work began back in the early 2000s. With 25 years of macaw nesting data and a spread of over 15 years in our forest data, we hope to uncover information on how the changing climate has impacted the forest and birds to date, and help us better predict how future changes in climate and forest fruiting may impact the parrots and macaws of this megadiverse region.

As part of this new research initiative, there is a need to replace some of the most popular nest boxes used by macaw pairs for the past decade. This month’s Lafeber grant goes to support this study and the new nest boxes needed! For more information, you can visit The Macaw Society website .

Unique Pairing Brings Hope For Red-Fronted Macaws

July 15, 2024 by Matt Rowe

red-fronted macaw perched on branch eating food using foot — A representative red-fronted macaw. This is not one of the parrots mentioned in the article. “Red-fronted Macaw” by Peter Tan, CC BY-SA 2.0

The conservation of parrots is an active undertaking with many components including study, experimentation, training, and more than a few other tricks to help further declining populations of birds in the wild. And with all this work, you’d hope that the population of rare parrots would be proliferating heartily. Sadly, that’s not the case in most situations. More than a few birds require unique adherence to a distinct set of environmental “rules.” When those “rules begin to deteriorate for the variety of reasons that they do, the birds find it a difficult experience.

One such population is the red-fronted macaw, of which there are less than 300 accounted for in the wild. With their incredibly small range in a desert-like location in the medium altitudinal mountains of Bolivia, these macaws faces extinction if the species doesn’t procreate at a faster rate. The climate is cold at night but warm in the daytime. The birds nest in fissures on the face of the mountain. Interestingly (and adding to the problem), these macaws are the only parrots known to inhabit a climate like the one they live in.

Unique And Endangered Macaws

The red-fronted macaw is a beautiful bird that is largely green but has a red-colored forehead with a red patch over the ears. They also have red or orange colors on their wings, and the rest of the upper part of the wing is a vibrant blue. There is a patch of red on their legs just above their feet, and they have long, blue-green tail feathers. They are around 25” inches in length.

Twycross Zoo, a large zoo located in England, has recently acquired a pair of these birds in the hope that the pair will “fall in love” with each other and find sufficient reason to mate. The birds were moved to Twycross; one from Edinburgh Zoo and the other from Welsh Mountain Zoo as part of a carefully planned conservation effort to encourage the pair to mate. Easy, you say? Not so fast.

The male macaw was the only of his kind to hatch at Edinburgh Zoo. He arrived last year and was the first to hatch for more than 15 years. Interestingly, the current zoo bird curator for Twycross was working at the Edinburgh Zoo when the bird hatched. This is an exciting moment for the curator as well as the zoo. The hope is that the birds will produce more of their kind. The plan is to help replenish the dwindling population of one of the world’s most threatened species.

Keep your fingers crossed as the pair begins to adapt to one another and possibly bring more of these macaws to the world’s stage.

New Parrot Brick Toy Is A Fascinating Blend Of Nature And Mechanics

July 11, 2024 by Matt Rowe

We like to keep our ears to the ground for anything that relates to our feathered friends. That is true when we discover how human-like they can be via scientific studies. It’s also true when we’re able to play games that give us a chance to think like a bird (the boardgame Wingspan and its various add-ons editions). We enjoy artistic photos of birds in flight or stationery, and we love bird art. We even love the occasional LEGO build kits that come our way here and there. But here’s a project that incorporates not only LEGO-like pieces but also adds mechanical pieces to animate the bird. OK, my attention is captured. How about yours?

JMBricklayer is a LEGO-like brand that utilizes the same concept of fitting multi-colored bricks of all shapes and sizes into magnificent creations. And like LEGO, their provide a high-quality experience that is fun to work with and a shareable experience for the entire family. An extra in the JMBricklayer models is that some are mechanized and/or provide lighting to add an exciting immersive effect to the completed build.

A Mechanical Parrot

Their newest parrot model is called The Mechanical Parrot. In addition to the interlocking bricks, the model provides mechanics that allow for movement of the wings, the ability to adjust the tail, and movement of the foot joints, all on a stable base. See a completed build at the JMBricklayer YouTube channel.

This new model (70154) set in the box provides 688 bricks that complete this parrot build and a detailed 32-page booklet. The bricks’ colors are vibrant and project an appreciable reproduction of a parrot. After the completed build, one half of the parrot is designed to replicate a parrot naturally, while the other half is that of a mechanized parrot.

To add to the quality, a green light via a thin tube is added to the parrot so that when a knob on the side of the parrot is turned, a green light emits to add a mysterious charm to the bird. The “mecha” side of the bird provides a transparent green wing to give it an extra exciting appearance. The finished set stands a little over 10 ½ inches tall and a little over 2½ inches wide.

Reviews for this Mechanical Parrot box have been excellent. With a package that can be built with your children (or all by yourself, of course), you can take as long as you like to savor the project. Or you can fast build it and begin to enjoy the unique creation right away. It will display nicely just about anywhere you want to place it. It would look especially nice as a nightlight for a child’s room after they built the package with you.

This unique Mechanical Parrot build is priced at $24.99 with shipping and taxes included within that price point. You can get your own project box directly from JMBricklayer. As of this writing, the company is offering an additional 20% for their mid-year sale. Should you decide to get one for yourself or your child, we hope you enjoy the experience of assembly.

Webinar: AFA: 50 Years of Aviculture – Protection, Conservation, Education

July 10, 2024 by lafebercares

Webinar:AFA: 50 Years of Aviculture – Protection, Conservation, Education

Date: Friday, August 2, 2024

Time: 12:00 pm PDT (double-check your local time with this time zone converter)

Join us for a FREE, live, interactive webinar hosted by Laura Doering, former editor of Bird Talk magazine and Birds USA magazine. Our special guest, Jamie Whittaker, AFA Conference Chair & 2^nd Vice President, will give us a sneak peek at the upcoming AFA Annual Conference, celebrating 50 years of the American Federation of Aviculture. This important conference will take place September 4-7 in Costa Mesa, California and will be 3 full days of “Everything Aviculture”! Featuring over 25 presentations by Avian Experts, including Veterinarians, breeders, authors & more! Attend sessions, shop with the vendors, participate in the raffles & auctions. Have fun with other bird enthusiasts at the social events including the Welcome Reception, a Blue’s Bash Party hosted by the Bird Endowment, and the annual AFA Banquet. There will also be a Free Family Fun Day sponsored by Lafeber Company, which will include a free-flight bird show! Come for the Conference, stay for the sights & sounds of Orange County, minutes away from Disneyland & California Adventure with easy access from the Orange County(SNA) Airport or the Los Angeles area airports.

Missed our webinar? No problem! You can access the webinar in its entirety here:

Webinar: Species Spotlight: Peruvian Parrots With Dr. Lamb

July 10, 2024 by lafebercares

Webinar: Species Spotlight: Peruvian Parrots

Date: Friday, August 9, 2024

Time: 12:00 pm PDT (double-check your local time with this time zone converter)

Join us for a FREE, live, interactive webinar hosted by Laura Doering, former editor of Bird Talk magazine and Birds USA magazine. Our special guest, Stephanie Lamb, DVM, DABVP (Avian Practice), will continue the fun & informative series, Species Spotlight! Dr. Lamb will show pictures & talk about the 14 parrot species she saw on a trip to Peru. Did you know that learning about species in their natural habitat is very relevant to providing the best life for your pet birds? Observations of wild parrots can give us clues to the behavior of our pet birds, what they would eat in the wild and how & when they would forage for food. Be sure to join us to learn about these 14 different species in their natural habitats!

Missed our webinar? No problem! You can access the webinar in its entirety here:

Webinar: The Grey Way: Moving — Applying Behavior Techniques To Prepare Your Birds

July 10, 2024 by lafebercares

Webinar: The Grey Way: Moving T Applying Behavior Techniques to Prepare Your Birds

Date: Friday, August 16, 2024

Time: 12:00 pm PDT (double-check your local time with this time zone converter)

Join us for a FREE, live, interactive webinar hosted by Laura Doering, former editor of Bird Talk magazine and Birds USA magazine. Our special guest, Lisa Bono, CPBC, owner and operator of The Platinum Parrot and a certified parrot behavior consultant specializing in African grey parrots, presents Episode 27 of The Grey Way, a Lafeber Pet Birds Webinar Series focusing on Congo & Timneh African grey parrots as pets. In this episode, Lisa will discuss how to prepare your birds for a major move by applying behavior techniques. Lisa will draw on her own experience in moving to a new State with her own flock. This information will also be useful for short trips or travel in general. While Lisa will focus on Grey-centric concerns, her advice will apply to any parrot species.

Missed our webinar? No problem! You can access the webinar in its entirety here:

Webinar: Ask The Vet With Tom Tully, DVM, DABVP (Avian Practice), DECZM (Avian)

July 10, 2024 by lafebercares

Webinar: Ask the Vet with Tom Tully, DVM, DABVP (Avian Practice), DECZM (Avian)

Date: Friday, August 23, 2024

Time: 12:00 pm PDT (double-check your local time with this time zone converter)

Missed our webinar? No problem! You can access the webinar in its entirety here:

Inside Dr. Pepperberg’s Lab: Parrot Speech Is Not Just Mimicry

July 9, 2024 by Irene Pepperberg, Ph.D.

African grey parrot Alex — Courtesy of Dr. Irene Pepperberg

It has been several years since I wrote about my parrots’ speech comprehension, and when I did so, I discussed only anecdotal evidence. I now realize that it might be useful to delve a bit more deeply into that topic, first discussing the formal studies we did with Alex, and then sharing another anecdote about Griffin and Athena.

When we started working with Alex, the first step in proving that we could demonstrate verbal two-way communication was to show that he could produce appropriate labels in appropriate contexts and transfer that production to various situations (e.g., to know that “paper” is the correct response to the small piece of index card that was the training sample, and then to understand that it is also — without training — the correct response to a large sheet of computer paper).

A Need For Both Comprehension And Production

Demonstrating speech comprehension would not be enough; the reason was simple; many nonhumans comprehend some human speech — that is, it is clear to almost every dog owner that their dog understands certain words and commands, for example—“Sit,” “Stay,” “Walk.” Many dogs even understand a lot more (e.g., see Griebel & Oller, 2012). But such comprehension is usually just a simple association: The animal knows that they get a reward for doing a physical action in response to hearing a particular sound, but doesn’t understand that the sound can be used in indifferent contexts (e.g., when the owner talks about a walk taken while on vacation and the dog runs around and gets its leash, thinking that they will soon go outside).

Comprehension is necessary but not sufficient for full two-way communication. Too, all the chimpanzee studies at the time (e.g., Gardner & Gardner, 1969; Premack, 1971; Rumbaugh et al., 1973) emphasized production. However, as the research progressed, all of us in the field realized that production by itself also was not sufficient; for example, Savage-Rumbaugh (1986) showed that a subject that learned to produce a symbol in an appropriate context might not know what the symbol really meant and needed additional training to do so. For example, apes that could use a label to identify an object might not, when given only the label, find the specified object in a pile.

We believed that by using our modeling system that differed from the training given Savage-Rumbaugh’s apes, and which demonstrated both production and comprehension (as described in a previous blog), Alex had simultaneously learned both production and comprehension — but we had to prove it. Thus, we embarked on two studies that we hoped would allow Alex to demonstrate clear comprehension of his labels.

Alex Study #1

In the first study (Pepperberg, 1990), for each test trial Alex was shown a different collection (see Fig 1) of seven physical exemplars (each collection chosen from among 100 objects of various combinations of shapes, colors, and materials) and — without any training — was asked one of four possible vocal questions, each of which requested a different type of information (e.g., “What color/shape is [designated object]?”, “What object is [designated color/shape]?”) about a single item in the collection; he was required to reply vocally to each question.

A correct response indicated that Alex understood all the elements of the question and could use these elements to guide the search for the single object in the collection that provided the requested information. He responded with an accuracy of 81.3%. Many of his errors were on labels that were somewhat difficult to distinguish vocally (rock/box — he produced “box” like “bock”) or to distinguish visually (red/purple) because of his UV vision, so the results, even though not at 100%, were compelling.

Alex Study #2

The second study (Pepperberg, 1992) was much more complicated: For each trial, Alex was shown different collections of seven items, each collection again chosen from among 100 items of various combinations of shapes, colors, and materials. He was asked to provide (vocally) information about the specific instance of one category of an item that was uniquely defined by the conjunction of two other categories (e.g., “What color is the [object defined by shape and material]?”).

Other objects exemplified one, but not both, of these defining categories (see Fig 2). Alex responded with an accuracy of 76.5%. He made the same types of errors (confounding similar colors or labels) as in the earlier study. Notably, even though the questions were more difficult, the difference in his accuracy from the first study was not statistically significant. We also tested Alex on how well he comprehended his number labels (Pepperberg & Gordon, 2005) after he had demonstrated their productive use (i.e., labeled specific numerical sets exactly). I described all his number studies in an earlier series of blogs and won’t repeat that material, other than to say that his accuracy in comprehension was close to 90%.

Griffin & Athena Have Their Say

We have never formally tested Griffin or Athena on comprehension. Keep in mind that neither of them have the same extensive repertoire that Alex had. Instead, we’ve been doing more behavioral cognitive tests with them on topics like probability, liquid conservation, and inference by exclusion, comparing their accuracy to that of young children.

However, as I’ve mentioned previously, they both understand quite a bit of English speech and continue to surprise us with their abilities — even though what we can relate are only anecdotes. Such an example occurred last week. One of my research assistants (RAs) usually keeps the birds occupied in the mornings in the living room of the apartment where they live while another RA prepares part of their breakfasts (chopping fresh fruits and vegetables) in the kitchen, out of the parrots’ view.

On this particular day, the first RA unexpectedly had to do everything by herself, and the birds were quite upset at being alone; Griffin kept calling for her to “Come here” and Athena kept whistling and threatening to fly off her cage. Finally, the RA returned to the living room, asking them if they could see anyone else around, telling them that she was the only one there and that they had to calm down if they wanted their morning meal. They both looked at her, ruffled their feathers a few times, and started to preen. We really don’t know how much they understood, but they definitely changed their behavior.

References

Gardner, R.A. & Gardner, B.T. (1969). Teaching sign language to a chimpanzee. Science, 165, 664-672.

Griebel, U., & Oller, D.K. (2012). Vocabulary learning in a Yorkshire terrier: Slow mapping of spoken words. PLoS ONE 7(2): e30182. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0030182

Pepperberg, I.M. (1990). Cognition in an African grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus): Further evidence for comprehension of categories and labels. Journal of Comparative Psychology, 104(1), 41-52.

Pepperberg, I. M. (1992). Proficient performance of a conjunctive, recursive task by an African grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus). Journal of Comparative Psychology, 106(3), 295-305.

Pepperberg, I. M., & Gordon, J. D. (2005). Number comprehension by a grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus), including a zero-like concept. Journal of Comparative Psychology, 119(2), 197-209.

Premack, D. (1971). Language in chimpanzee? Science, 172, 808-822.

Rumbaugh, D.M., von Glasersfeld, E.C., Warner, H., Pisani, P., Gill, T.V., Brown, J.V., &. Bell, C.L. (1973). A computer-controlled language training system for investigating the language skills of young apes. Behavior Research Methodology and Instrumentation, 5, 385-392.

Savage-Rumbaugh, E.S. (1986). Ape language: From conditioned response to symbol. Columbia University Press, New York.

Lafeber’s Global Parrot Conservation Spotlight June 2024: One Earth Conservation’s Unique Parrot Conservation Corps

June 30, 2024 by Ann Brooks

Patagonian conure, burrowing parrot — Flying burrowing parrots in Argentina. Photo by Daiana Lera

One Earth Conservation (OEC) has developed a replicable model for successful parrot conservation projects in the Americas by working in places that receive little attention and where parrots are threatened. OEC works in the field with local, marginalized, and mostly Indigenous people to create local Parrot Conservation Corps (PCC) consisting of conservationists who learn to conduct sustainable conservation projects as OEC supports them with training, funds, guidance, and solidarity.

For the past three years, OEC has also been developing a novel method to start new projects globally by offering year-long online PCC trainings, in English and Spanish, to teach its conservation methods and create mini teams to sprout new projects. OEC encourages participants by offering them stipends for completing the course and small grants for their projects.

The 2022-23 online Spanish language PCC resulted in 20 graduates from Argentina, Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Honduras and the completion of 10 mini-projects. The 2023-24 Bilingual online PCC currently includes more than 30 participants from Cameroon, Italy, Kenya, Switzerland, the US, and several Latin American countries.

A Mini-Project Example

Burrowing parrots, Patagonian conures — A pair of burrowing parrots, also called Patagonian conures, sit side by side. Photo by Carlos Soulier

An example of a project organized by a 2022-23 PCC participant is a parrot count completed in Argentina. This project, organized by Daiana Lera, Ph.D., focused on the burrowing parrot, also called the Patagonian conure, (Cyanoliseus patagonus), which is a neotropical parrot distributed mainly in Argentina and Chile and sporadically observed in Uruguay.

This a threatened species whose populations have decreased due to habitat loss and degradation, capture for the pet trade, and historical persecution because some consider it an agricultural pest. Daiana’s mini project included two burrowing parrot population counts conducted in December 2022 and two in February 2023, in a communal roost in the city of Bahía Blanca, in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. This roosting area regularly attracts several hundred to thousands of individuals of this species every night, and the location and accessibility of this site allow long-term estimates of their population size to be developed.

2022-23 PCC participant, Dr. Daiana Lera. Photo provided by Daiana Lera

After she finished the 12-month course, Daiana provided this feedback to OEC:

“The PCC was a beautiful experience, different from the courses I used to take. It provided me with important academic information but I greatly value the contribution on an emotional and spiritual level, knowledge and tools that I consider so important to lead a healthy life that is also reflected in the projects we carry out. These issues are generally not taken into account in training. They managed to integrate everything in perfect harmony.”

What PCC participants all share, whether in OEC’s field projects or our online course, are a passionate commitment to protecting parrots and their environment, an eagerness to learn new skills and knowledge to achieve success with their work, and the strength to deal with both the large and small challenges they may face. These activities can be replicated in the future by reaching out to more communities, co-organizing new in-person and online PCC cohorts, and training other NGOs on our process.”

Rev. Dr. LoraKim Joyner accepts the 2023 Judge’s Choice Solution Search Award. Photo provided by Lorena Velasco

OEC was recognized for its Parrot Conservation Corps program by the 2023 Solution Search contest offered by the nonprofit organization Rare, in the Unsustainable Trade Category. This competition unearths existing and successful solutions that are reducing the illegal and unsustainable wildlife trade by changing people’s behaviors. In recognition of its work, OEC was awarded the 2023 Judge’s Choice award and a $20,000 prize to support the 2023-24 PCC!

The Parrot Conservation Corps is spreading the word globally about the wildlife trade in parrots – and the necessary knowledge and passion – to people who want to do their part to protect these endangered birds. You can learn more about this program at the Parrot Conservation Corps section of the One Earth Conservation website.

New Study Shows Crows Count Out Loud!

June 25, 2024 by Matt Rowe

a crow standing on rocky ground with beak open — Alexis Lours, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Mathematics is often called a universal language, understood by all intelligences in our universe—and perhaps beyond. We know crows are incredibly smart birds. The term “crow” actually refers to all 35 species in the Corvus family. Their intelligence continues to amaze us with new discoveries. Recently, carrion crows were found to count up to four vocally, showcasing their impressive mental and vocal abilities.

Feathered Mathematicians

In a recently published paper in the Science journal, a University of Tubingen (Germany) research team in Animal Physiology comprised of Diana A. Liao, Katharina F. Brecht, Lina Veit (Neurobiology of Vocal Communication), and Andreas Nieder have gained new ground in finding that carrion crows were able to vocally count out their mathematical deductions by tallying a count. The team was aware that crows possessed numerical comprehension but wanted to determine if they could do so out loud, much as a young learning child would. The team discovered that the crows in the tests used specific vocalizations, different for each number up to four.

This amazing feat is not an easy one. According to the study abstract (here), even toddlers have difficulty in voicing numbers. Three crows were used in the tests. They were trained to caw in numerical process as certain sounds in value were played back. The sounds were four caws, three drumbeats, two register dings, and a single guitar chord. The crows would then caw (or count) out the number of the sounds heard. Other tests were performed using a visual screen with Arabic numerals in the hope that the birds would recognize and “vocalize” the number by a corresponding number of caws.

Counting Crows

With the visual cues, crows were encouraged to tap the screen to indicate they were finished with the count. If successful, the crow was rewarded with a mealworm. With the count, the birds displayed a variance of success the more they were expected to count to. At one, they recognized the number and were 100% accurate in vocalizing the number. Number two resulted in 60% accuracy, number three in 50%accuracy, and number four (the toughest number) at 40% accuracy. The birds were reportedly not appreciative of being asked to count to that level and were often attempting to finalize the unfinished count. Regardless of accuracy rates, the reality that the crows were counting at all is an amazing discovery.

Another intriguing find was that the birds paused before cawing their answer, suggesting they were actively thinking and forming coherent thoughts before responding.

What next will we discover about our feathered friends?

Webinar: Avian Vet Insider — What Your Vet Needs To Know

June 19, 2024 by lafebercares

Webinar: Avian Vet Insider: What Your Vet Needs to Know

Date: Friday, July 12, 2024

Time: 12:00 pm PDT (double-check your local time with this time zone converter)

Join us for a FREE, live, interactive webinar hosted by Laura Doering, former editor of Bird Talk magazine and Birds USA magazine. Our special guest, Dr. Stephanie Lamb, DVM, DABVP (Avian Practice), will discuss what your Avian Vet needs to know in order to provide the best veterinary care for your bird. When your pet bird is sick, it’s very stressful for the bird & the owner. The last thing you want to do is answer a lot of questions, and it can leave some owners feeling like they are being judged. But every little detail can give your vet clues to what might be going on. Some examples of things a vet might ask is cage size, room temperature, & diet. Be specific – “a big cage” is not as helpful as giving the general dimensions as well as the shape of the cage. Naming the brands of food you offer, and specifics about fresh foods & treats, can be valuable information for your Vet. Dr. Lamb will explain why certain information is needed and why it can help with a diagnosis in this insider’s view of the daily happenings at your Avian Vet’s clinic.

Missed our webinar? No problem! You can access the webinar in its entirety here:

Webinar: Parrot Confiscations And Their Welfare Implications

June 19, 2024 by lafebercares

Webinar: Parrot Confiscations & Their Welfare Implications

Date: Friday, July 19, 2024

Time: 12:00 pm PDT (double-check your local time with this time zone converter)

Join us for a FREE, live, interactive webinar hosted by Laura Doering, former editor of Bird Talk magazine and Birds USA magazine. Our special guest, Anthony Pilny, DVM, DABVP (Avian), will discuss the illegal capturing of live wild birds for the pet trade, an escalating crisis of biodiversity loss and horrendous cruelty. This illegal trade deeply affects avian welfare and conservation and can cause serious repercussions in captive and pet bird populations. The fate of the confiscated birds after they are released as evidence, is rarely a topic of welfare discussion and is not well-known within the avian veterinary community or the general public. Dr. Pilny will talk about how avian veterinarians and the public can play a positive role in changing the outcomes for these birds.

Missed our webinar? No problem! You can access the webinar in its entirety here:

Webinar: Ask The Vet With Tom Tully, DVM, DABVP (Avian Practice), DECZM (Avian)

June 19, 2024 by lafebercares

Webinar: Ask the Vet with Tom Tully, DVM, DABVP (Avian Practice), DECZM (Avian)

Date: Friday, July 26, 2024

Time: 12:00 pm PDT (double-check your local time with this time zone converter)

Join us for a FREE, live, interactive webinar hosted by Laura Doering, former editor of Bird Talk magazine and Birds USA magazine. Our special guest Tom Tully, DVM, DABVP (Avian Practice), DECZM (Avian), will answer your questions about pet bird health, nutrition, & care. Dr. Tully, a decorated Professor & practicing Vet at Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, is an internationally known Veterinarian who has earned specialties in Avian medicine in the United States as well as in Europe. Having this type access to a Veterinarian of his status is rare, but Dr. Tully believes in the educated bird owner as being the best bird steward. Dr. Tully answers each question in detail and shares his vast knowledge of birds, particularly parrots. Is your bird’s problem health related or behavioral? Are you offering the right foods to your pet bird? Ask the Vet!

Missed our webinar? No problem! You can access the webinar in its entirety here:

How Birds Master Coordinated Flight

June 18, 2024 by Matt Rowe

flock of parrots flying in blue sky — Photo by Gareth Davies/Unsplash

When you see a grouping of birds, it’s called a flock. The practice of flocking serves two known purposes: To fly together during migratory periods or to forage for food. It’s the whole safety in numbers thing.

The visual appearance of a flock is an amazing view all by itself. We’re often awestruck by the uniquely beautiful synchronicity the birds exhibit with their ordered pattern of flights. Flock flight requires amazing coordination and control, otherwise, you’d have a group of birds flying to their own whims, which would result in unsatisfactory and unproductive intent. Therefore, applied natural science is in effect as the birds fly from destination to destination. But what exactly are they doing to maintain such control, to attain a concerted effort for useful results?

Flight Patterns Go With The Flow

Birds must be heavily involved in the attention of their closest neighbors in flight. It is with that acute attention that birds can then pass on flight patterns to others with instantaneous decision-making processes during their flight as a flock. Essential rules in flight involve the interests of avoiding collision with other birds and matching the speed of others to maintain a useful intent. Imagine the intellectual and computational forces those brains must have to calculate to convey immediate intent all within a moment’s notice. As the size of a flock increases, the concern for predators seems to dissipate more than if the flock were a smaller group, but it also increases dissonance for the growing group.

Starlings depend on at least seven of their neighboring flyers to gain information of intended flight patterns. Science communities are continually evaluating these natural efforts as they could also yield useful information for the development of more effective aircraft. When the elements of aerodynamics are naturally used by birds, we pay closer attention to their successes in the hopes that we can replicate them.

Birds take advantage of the natural flow of air in the atmosphere. These flows, modified by their motion, offer a useful reduction of energy needed for the effort. But, as a group gets larger, useful aerodynamics can be impeded to cause disruptions that can lead to collision. In fact, it has been noted that larger groups experience the problem of late-following birds becoming more disconcerted in their attempts to fly with the flock. They seem to have to work harder to stay effective.

Following The Lead

In smaller groups, leading neighbors leave behind a flow of air that can lift and help maintain the flight levels of following birds. Studies have shown that the lead birds help create a better airflow for their nearest neighbors, but the wave-like oscillated air created by lead flyers gain more intensity further down the line, making it more difficult for late-following birds within the flock to maintain an effectual flight pattern.

Recent studies were done at NYU Applied Mathematics Laboratory, where a small team of researchers conducted experiments with 3D-printed flappers that simulate birds’ wings. The flappers were powered by motors in an effort to replicate and watch how air flows around birds’ wings. The experiments yielded surprising results that show how birds might specifically organize to create essential forces and use those forces to help them in their flights in various groupings. We’re learning from birds with their use of natural physics.

Inside Dr. Pepperberg’s Lab: The Parrot Singalong And Speech Project

June 13, 2024 by Irene Pepperberg, Ph.D.

Normally, I am not a great fan of “citizen science” when it involves companion animals — the situation in which scientists design an experiment and then ask members of the public to carry out the study. The scientists then collate and analyze the data.

I have good reason for being skeptical of such studies. Even with decades of experience and rigorous protocols, I still sometimes find it difficult to decide exactly when to declare a mistrial during an experiment — that is, determine when not to count a trial as part of the study and instead redo it, usually at a later date. Some mistrials are of course obvious — as when the parrot attacks the experimental apparatus instead of engaging with it! Others — like deciding if the parrot was momentarily distracted during a manipulation — might not be quite so clear and take lots of analysis of videos and notes from the research assistants performing the experiment.

So, my fear is that when asked to report the outcome of trials in an experiment that is designed to examine nonhuman intelligence, the owner of a companion animal, not having those years of experience, might “cherry pick” the data that are being submitted; that is, decide to eliminate imperfect trials that nevertheless should be counted. It is also possible that an owner, wanting to show just how smart their pet can be, might consciously submit only successful trials. Or owners might err unconsciously, inadvertently cuing their animal by not quite understanding the controls that were put in place to avoid such cuing. Even when all the data are correctly collected there is the possibility that owners will overinterpret and/or disseminate the results before the scientists have done their full analyses, thus complicating the entire scientific process.

All that said, every once in a while I find that there are situations in which citizen science can work, and I’m devoting this blog to discussing one of them.

When Citizen Science Works

The researchers involved in this study previously carried out a published survey of parrot vocal learning behavior and were very careful to acknowledge the possible limitations of their findings. They now are collaborating with a much larger group of scientists with a wide range of expertise and are massively expanding the scope of their study.

Personally, to be honest, I must make it clear that I am only peripherally involved in this study — I haven’t had the time or bandwidth to help with the design. But I do know the people involved, and I’ve been following many of their discussions. Plus, this particular study simply involves having humans record themselves and their parrots, and the researchers want the best possible samples for analysis. So, I’ll let the scientists speak for themselves (note that the letter seems to be directed exclusively to parrot owners who had participated in the previous study, but that is not the case; the researchers want as many new owners to submit data as is possible, which is why I am sending this along):

Dear “What Does Polly Say?” Participant,

A couple of years ago you filled out a survey to tell us about your parrot’s vocabulary and help study parrot vocal learning. Thank you again for contributing to that project! In case you haven’t seen it, our first set of results were published in this scientific article: “A survey of vocal mimicry in companion parrots” and was covered by multiple news outlets including Forbes and NPR. Your contributions provided fascinating data that revealed how different species of parrots “talk.”

I am emailing because our research is continuing and expanding to include a new project: The Parrot Singalong and Speech Project. We are seeking recordings of parrots singing, whistling or speaking along with recordings of models that they learned those songs or words from. We will compare the parrot speech and songs with human speech and songs to help understand what sounds parrots can copy and which species are best at it. We hope to uncover new insights into parrot learning, cognition, and musicality. We gratefully invite you to contribute to this research, and to help us spread the word by telling other parrot lovers about it. You can learn more here: manyparrots.org.

We sincerely appreciate the community of parrot companions who are making this research possible. Thank you for your contributions, past and future. We hope that you and your bird(s) are happy, healthy, and chatty.

Sincerely,
Lauryn Benedict (on behalf of the research team)
[email protected]
Professor, Associate Director
Department of Biological Sciences
University of Northern Colorado

So, please consider this chance to provide information about your parrot’s repetitions of your vocalizations! I’m sure that Lauryn would be happy to answer any questions and provide a link to the news articles if the embedding here doesn’t work.

Birds And Memory: Study Shows Birds Recall Specifics Too!

June 4, 2024 by Matt Rowe

The study focused on the episodic memory capabilities of Eurasian jays. Alpsdake, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

We all enjoy memories of places we’ve been, things we’ve done, and people we’ve met. Science likes to call the more explicit memory events “episodic memory” as it more easily encapsulates specific information that we access more deeply for various reasons. It turns out that some birds do the same thing. This discovery gives us greater insight into the brains of birds and how they recall specific instances that are important to them.

Episodic memory is the term used to describe a vivid remembrance of details that allow for explicit recall. An example would be if you recalled a memory from, say, 10 years ago. In that recall, you may be able to suddenly remember the color of a wall, the smell of a flower, or several minute details that seemed unimportant at the time. That recall might become important as such detail revealed helps fully expand that memory.

A recent study was conducted at the University of Cambridge (UK) by lead researcher, James R. Davies, along with Nicola S. Clayton (also with the University of Cambridge), and Elias Garcia-Pelegrin of the National University of Singapore on Eurasian jays, which belong to the Corvid family, a group of birds already known to be extremely smart. A Eurasian Jay can store food and remember exactly where it was hidden. They are already known to have other useful traits, which encouraged the researchers to further explore whether the Eurasian jay could go back to a memory to see if they remembered all details, even those which seemed unimportant at the time.

It’s All In The Details!

Seven jays were studied—three females and four males who were raised at an on-site open aviary. They were given a chance to remember cups with different colors, shapes, and patterns that were applied to the cups. The birds watched the researcher place food under some cups. The purpose was to discover if the jays could remember enough seemingly unimportant details about these cups to recall and find the food.

The birds were then removed for 10 minutes to disrupt the line of sight. At first, the birds watched as researchers placed food under similar cups and the bird needed only to remember the cup position. Afterward, the birds were given the same test but with cups that each had different details. As the experiment continued, it was discovered that the birds could remember distinct details about the one cup that they never thought they’d need. But the jays surprised researchers by getting it right far above what is referred to as “chance level.”

However, the tests are primarily focused on food caching scenarios. But that time is coming soon enough as researchers delve deeper into understanding the generality of episodic-like memory across various types of information and contexts. You can read the entire content of the highly fascinating study write-up by the researchers here.

Inside Dr. Pepperberg’s Lab: Griffin’s Tantrum Forces A “Less Is More” Approach

May 28, 2024 by Irene Pepperberg, Ph.D.

African grey parrot, African grey, grey, grey parrot — Griffin enjoys his “tickle.” Courtesy of Dr. Irene Pepperberg

In previous blog posts, I’ve written about our daily schedule with the parrots…how we try to balance meals, clean-up, playtime, exercise, and research tasks to ensure that everything gets done on a daily basis. Sometimes, however, good intentions are not enough, and occasionally life conspires to wreck our plans. At those times, we realize that trying to do less will sometimes result in a better outcome overall.

Last week was a perfect example. I had been traveling a lot for several weeks in a row and that always makes both Griffin and Athena, but particularly Griffin, “cranky”…he seems to believe that I need to catch up on all the missed “tickle time” that we normally have. In addition, I had several luncheon meetings scheduled for the week after my return from the most recent trip, and thus I was a bit late getting back to lab three days in a row. Griffin clearly was not pleased, and he acted out rather than perform his experimental trials.

Day 1: Griffin’s Throws a Tantrum

If it hadn’t been so annoying, the first day of his antics would have been funny. The experiment we were trying to run was a four-cup exclusion trial (he is shown that a cup on one side is empty by our removing its cover, so he can infer that a nut is in the other cup and then he has to gamble for a second nut on the other side, guessing between two cups for which he is given no information). Instead of choosing where he thought a nut would be, he grabbed one cup and used it to knock the covers off the others!

Day 2: Demand for Tickles

On the second day, we had a formal inspection from the IACUC (Institutional Care and Use Committee) from Boston University. We adhere to all their standards day in and day out, but we do go over everything a second time on the day of the inspection, just to be sure all is perfect. So, clearly, neither Griffin nor Athena got as much attention as they normally do.

By the time I came in, Griffin was more than a bit ready for his “tickle time,” and even Athena—who really prefers others in the lab to work on her quills—was begging for me to hold her. Both grudgingly did a few trials on one experiment later in the day, but they did not attend closely, and it was clear from their behavior that neither would do a full complement of work. Usually, Griffin is pretty insistent about stating “Wanna nut!” by mid-afternoon—his indication that he is ready to work—but not a peep this time.

Day 3: A Crash Landing

But the third day was even more difficult. It started with the maintenance people from the apartment complex coming in to install the air conditioners for the summer. That meant that the birds were moved from room to room to keep them away from open windows, which totally destroyed their daily schedule. After all the equipment was installed and found to be working properly, the student in charge left the birds for just a few moments to get them some special treats (reward for good behavior) from the kitchen—a very normal occurrence that sometimes triggers calls of “Come here,” but nothing dramatic.

This time, however, Griffin, who can’t fly, launched himself from his cage to try to reach her, landing on a bunch of pillows we keep around his cage for just such an eventuality…but it was still a major fall. Next, I came in with two guests and, even though these were people both birds knew and liked, their presence further disrupted the day. Athena did greet them affectionately…but not Griffin. He gave me his “slitted eye” look as he climbed to my hand and said “Tickle.”

And that was it for the rest of the day. Every time we asked him what he wanted; it was “Tickle.” Even a choice between “Nuts or tickles?” resulted in “tickle.” We figured that it was hopeless to try to do any research, as it was clear that he was not going to pay attention. Athena, who usually likes to spend time on her cage playing with her toys, was also clingy and demanding “Tickle”….so, we just gave in and held off on the research, with fingers crossed that by doing less that day we could accomplish more the next!

Mystery Illness Affects California’s Brown Pelicans

May 23, 2024 by Matt Rowe

brown pelican in flight over water — Frank Schulenburg, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

An unsettling mystery is unfolding along California’s coastlines as a mass of Brown Pelicans are turning up on California coastlines, injured, ill due to malnutrition, and starving. All these pelicans are being picked up where they’re found and moved to facilities in San Pedro at the Los Angeles Wildlife Center, with most being sent to the International Bird Rescue Center in Fairfield in Northern California.

Since April 20, Brown Pelicans have been showing up in many places in an obvious state of distress. They have been walking in search of food that they cannot find on their own. Worse, up to 40% of the captured brown pelicans have injuries resulting from swallowed fishing hooks and entanglement of fish line, an extra sadness in addition to their state of malnutrition. It is believed that since the birds are not locating their proper foods, they venture to pier locations, become entangled in fishing lines and eat fishing hooks. Some birds have even wandered into establishments such as into a firehouse in Malibu, a nearby pond at SoFi Stadium, and one even walked into a bar. The bottom line to this current dilemma is that the birds are starving to death, and the conservation community is trying to pinpoint the cause.

Searching For The Cause And The Cure

To date, there are more than 260 brown pelicans in the Fairfield facility that are being cared for. After testing, there are no indications of rampant disease that might inhibit the bird from eating even though there are plenty of fish to be had. But this stranding event, which has happened before, is in dire need of assistance from the bird-loving public. While the professionals are actively working to discover the cause of starvation, a call for help is in place. The International Bird Rescue has asked the public to donate, and to attend to wish lists on Amazon to help the facilities to care for these birds.

Back in 2022, a large-scale health-event involved around 800 pelicans. Their stay at the facilities resulted in almost half of the sickened pelicans becoming better and then returning to the wild. It is hoped that with this current batch of pelicans, the reasons for the event can be determined and then eased, while the batch of pelicans now in care can get better and be returned to the wild.

The Bay Area facility has asked the public to donate to help in this crisis. The birds in the facilities consume hundreds of pounds of fish each day. The International Bird Rescue has a posted page with links for donations not only for funding but also a wish list operated from Amazon but linking to Chewy.com.

We sincerely hope that this current event can be resolved for the brown pelicans. We all want nothing more than for the pelicans to re-establish their diet norms and become self-sufficient once again.

Lafeber’s May 2024 Global Parrot Conservation Spotlight: New Parrot DNA Database To Track Illegal Trading

May 21, 2024 by Ann Brooks

Dr. Olah examines a cockatoo feather.
Image by George Olah, PhD

George Olah, PhD, of the Australian National University (ANU) College of Science has been on the cutting edge of conservation research, tropical ecology, and sequencing technology for many years. I have been following his work on behalf of wild parrots with awe for a long time — from Tambopata, Peru, to Indonesia. He has created some remarkable documentaries about the plight of parrots while simultaneously conducting invaluable research. His latest project involves the creation of a new DNA database that will assist in tracking the illegal parrot trade, which will also benefit birds that are eligible for reintroduction back to their homes.

New DNA Database Project To Combat Illegal Parrot Trade

This story is best told by a recent press release from ANU as follows:

lab, laboratory — Dr. Olah of the Australian National University (ANU) College of Science at work in his lab.
Image by George Olah, PhD

DNA databases are often used by police to place criminals at the scene of a crime, but Dr. George Olah has something else in his sights: parrots.

“In this case, we’re not catching the parrot as a criminal,” he hastens to add. “The parrot is the victim.”

Parrots are, by number, among the most trafficked bird in the illegal wildlife trade, motivating Dr. Olah, from the Fenner School of Environment and Society at ANU, to develop a project which has been called “CSI, but for parrots”.

Bringing together criminology and conservation, Dr. Olah is creating a forensic genomic toolkit which will help authorities to track illegal trade routes.

As its first test-case, the project is starting in Indonesia, which has been identified as the highest priority country for parrot conservation. “If you want to focus on research that makes an impact, this is it,” says Dr. Olah.

cockatoo, white cockatoo — Cockatoos confiscated from illegal trade in Indonesia. Image by George Olah, PhD

The toolkit will consist of cutting-edge, but low-cost, sequencing technology which can be used in the field. Samples will be collected from threatened species, via a feather or a drop of blood taken from a chick, and then fed into a genetic database which authorities can consult when investigating parrots they believe have been taken illegally from the wild. “It will be like the human database, CODIS, which the FBI manages,” Dr. Olah says.

“For traded wildlife, we don’t yet have a DNA database like the one Interpol is using, for instance, to identify missing persons through international police cooperation. Once we have it, we can do network analysis, showing which birds are coming from which islands.

“We hope that after a few years, we would have a map which shows the main trade routes so law authorities can focus on those islands and work with communities there to see who is behind the poaching, and why.

“The database will tell us about the whole dynamics of the trade and help authorities to make a global case.” The toolkit will also facilitate the reintroduction of confiscated parrots, helping depleted wild populations to recover.

“Currently, there might be a confiscation of parrots in Java, but no one knows where in the wild they were taken from, so they end up in rescue centers. I visited a few of these centers and often they’re really crowded.

“But if we can prove to the authorities that the birds come from a particular island, then after health screening and disease testing, we can facilitate them being moved back to this origin.”

As well as being a threat to biodiversity, wildlife trafficking is increasingly a global public health issue because of its role in spreading zoonotic diseases. This is a “huge issue” for the region, Dr. Olah says. “So if we know more about the illegal wildlife market, we can safeguard not only the animal species but humans too.”

Dr. Olah, who has worked on several nature documentaries including BBC’s Seven Worlds, One Planet, hopes the project will increase awareness about the reality of the wildlife trade.

salmon-crested cockatoos, salmon crest, cockatoos — A group of confiscated salmon-crested cockatoos in Indonesia. Photo by George Olah, PhD

“There’s not much information out there about the parrot trade and lots of people assume that it’s all legal. I hope to make a film which can show what’s actually going on under the table, which is that often parrots bought as legal birds are coming from the wild.

“We can show the suffering associated with the trade, which is really horrible for the animals, and also a direct link to how the poaching is negatively influencing the wild population.”

Dr. Olah says that people are naturally attracted to the beauty and intelligence of parrots, and feel a strong connection to them as pets, but having observed them closely in the wild, he believes this is where birds belong.

“I was working with macaws in the Amazon, and when you are on top of these huge tree canopies and you see the immense, endless rainforest from, literally, the birds-eye perspective, it’s just such freedom.

“They belong to that wide open space.”

This month’s Lafeber grant goes to help support the creation of new DNA database technology to help track illegal trade routes and captured wild parrots, assist in enforcement of the traffickers, and facilitate reintroduction of confiscated parrots back to their homelands. You can keep up with this project’s videos, and results at the Stop Parrot Trade website. And you can learn more about Dr. Olah and support his very consequential ongoing work at Wildlife Messengers.

Translating Parrot: Pet Bird Behavior Q&A

May 20, 2024 by lafebercares

Webinar: Translating Parrot: Pet Bird Behavior Q&A

Date: Friday, June 7, 2024

Time: 12:00 pm PDT (double-check your local time with this time zone converter)

Join us for a FREE, live, interactive webinar hosted by Laura Doering, former editor of Bird Talk magazine and Birds USA magazine. Our special guest, Pamela Clark, is a well-known author, speaker, IAABC CPBC & retired CVT. Pamela will present Episode 9 of Translating Parrot, a Lafeber Pet Birds Webinar Series focusing on Parrot Behavior & Wellness, based on Pamela’s years of experience with a wide range of parrot species. In this episode, Pamela will answer questions from viewers about baffling behavior issues! You have heard the terms – antecedents, target training, positive reinforcement – but what does it all mean? This is your chance to ask her about something your parrot does that has you stumped. Pamela’s advice will help you translate what your parrot wants & needs in the newest installment of this informative series!

Missed our webinar? No problem! You can access the webinar in its entirety here:

Webinar: Ask The Vet With Tom Tully, DVM, DABVP (Avian Practice), DECZM (Avian)

May 20, 2024 by lafebercares

Webinar: Ask the Vet with Tom Tully, DVM, DABVP (Avian Practice), DECZM (Avian)

Date: Friday, June 14, 2024

Time: 12:00 pm PDT (double-check your local time with this time zone converter)

Join us for a FREE, live, interactive webinar hosted by Laura Doering, former editor of Bird Talk magazine and Birds USA magazine. Our special guest Tom Tully, DVM, DABVP (Avian Practice), DECZM (Avian), will answer your questions about pet bird health, nutrition, & care. Dr. Tully, a decorated Professor & practicing Vet at Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, is an internationally known Veterinarian who has earned specialties in Avian medicine in the United States as well as in Europe. Having this type access to a Veterinarian of his status is rare, but Dr. Tully believes in the educated bird owner as being the best bird steward. Dr. Tully answers each question in detail and shares his vast knowledge of birds, particularly parrots. Is your bird’s problem health related or behavioral? Are you offering the right foods to your pet bird? Ask the Vet!

Missed our webinar? No problem! You can access the webinar in its entirety here:

The Grey Way: Designing A Bird Room For Maximum Enrichment

May 20, 2024 by lafebercares

Webinar: The Grey Way: Designing a Bird Room for Maximum Enrichment

Date: Friday, June 21, 2024

Time: 12:00 pm PDT (double-check your local time with this time zone converter)

Join us for a FREE, live, interactive webinar hosted by Laura Doering, former editor of Bird Talk magazine and Birds USA magazine. Our special guest, Lisa Bono, CPBC, owner and operator of The Platinum Parrot and a certified parrot behavior consultant specializing in African grey parrots, presents Episode 26 of The Grey Way, a Lafeber Pet Birds Webinar Series focusing on Congo & Timneh African grey parrots as pets. In this episode, Lisa will discuss how to design a bird room that will provide enrichment opportunities for your birds, and give them their own space where they can be a bird! A bird room should never be isolating, and Lisa will walk you through the steps of creating a space for your birds that is customized for their needs, from play stands to lighting and everything in between. While Lisa will focus on Grey-centric concerns, her advice will apply to any parrot species.

Missed our webinar? No problem! You can access the webinar in its entirety here:

Anting: A Fascinating Glimpse Into Nature’s Spa For Birds

May 9, 2024 by Matt Rowe

crow on grassy ground with wings spread to do anting — A crow appears to be “anting” by spreading its wing feathers to allow ants to crawl over its body as it sits on the ground. Marie-Lan Taÿ Pamart, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

There are a variety of applicable ointments, salves, lotions, and powders that we use to ease or enhance parts of our bodies. It is either maintenance or a simple relief option that we resort to when the need arises. But did you know that birds (and perhaps many other animals) often resort to tactics and other forms of nature to ease, help mend, or otherwise bring a causative effect to work wonders for them? Well, yes — they do things. Things like anting.

Anting is what a bird does when it likely needs to provide its feathers and skin with an ant-secreted liquid that contains beneficial compounds. These compounds usually contain a natural chemical — formic acid — that could contribute to birds’ needs to rid parasites that form on the feathers. If left unchecked, it is known that some microorganisms that form and stick to the birds’ feathers can, over time, destroy the feathers. Formic acid is an active compound known to prevent the growth of these microorganisms on feathers. Other thoughts on the practice are that anting can help a bird by bringing liquid to the feathers to allow for removal of old preen oils so that the practice can be continued in a useful manner.

An Ant “Spa Bath”

So, what is anting? Simply, the bird can scoop up ants in their bills/beaks and rub them over parts of the feather in a practice that is referred to as “active anting.” Another process is when the bird lies over an anthill (or quite near one) with wings spread and allows the ants to crawl over their body. The bird uses their beak to agitate the ants, causing the ants to scurry over more body area. Birds don’t allow ants on the head. When ants venture too far toward the head, the bird shakes its head vigorously to remove them. This practice is referred to as “passive anting.”

Birds can substitute a variety of other insects to perform the same desired function. Some include snails, millipedes, grasshoppers, and other useful insects that can swarm a bird’s body. Other thoughts as to why some birds do anting is that they are then able to dispel the ants’ harmful secretions so that they can be ingested without harmful side-effects. Other scientists suggest that some birds perform anting simply as a sensory effect. They suggest that the birds find the sensation of crawling ants to be pleasurable and therefore an addictive habit.

Birds That Do Anting

There are thought to be over 200 bird species that ant regularly. And while we’re not exactly sure why a bird performs the practice, the narrowing of probabilities seems to have the reason close by, with removal of microorganisms as the most plausible reality.

Famed ornithologist John James Audubon first recognized the intriguing anting process with turkeys that used anthills to allow ants to swarm their bodies.

Some notable bird species inclined to do “anting” include:

American robins
Babblers
Blue jays
Brown thrashers
Carolina wrens
Common ravens
Crows
Eastern bluebirds
European starlings
Gray catbirds
Northern cardinals
Owls
Pheasants
Song sparrows
Turkeys
Waxbills
Weavers

Wisdom The Albatross: Love And Legacy At 72!

May 6, 2024 by Matt Rowe

Laysan albatross standing on ground in groups — In March, Wisdom was photographed still dancing with potential mates, still seeking the perfect match. Wisdom_231203_jhp5.JPG, Jon Plissner/USFWS, Public Domain

Wisdom is a Laysan albatross that we have written about before. Back in 2021, Wisdom was 70 and still laying eggs. She was banded in 1956 as a young bird and is currently recognized as the oldest banded bird in the wild. But now, Wisdom has shown herself yet again, this time in search of a new mate. Her previous mate, Akeakamai was her only mate since 2012 (Laysan albatrosses are monogamous in relationship). He has been missing for two mating seasons and is thought to be dead.

In Search Of A New Partner

Recently, Wisdom, whose tag number is famously known as Z333, has turned up testing out potential suitors in the usual dance form. Her home is within the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, and it is here in the North Pacific Hawaiian set of islands that she has lived for quite some time. It is said that the Laysan albatross usually begins laying their egg in December, but Wisdom at possibly 72 years of age, has earned the right to not have to live her life by the “standard.” In March, Wisdom was photographed still dancing with potential mates, still seeking the perfect match.

Jonathan Plissner is the supervisory wildlife biologist who works for the Pacific Region of the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service in the Midway Atoll Refuge. He has estimated that over the many years Wisdom has been monitored, she has produced 50 to 60 eggs with successful hatching of at least 30 chicks during her lengthy lifespan. That gives her an amazing legacy with a family tree that she will never realize the importance of.

In December, Jon Plissner reported on X (formerly Twitter) that Wisdom was spotted in the area for her nesting period but that her usual mate was not in attendance. Nevertheless, Wisdom is in search mode. Jonathan Plissner has stated that Wisdom “…looks quite spry for a septuagenarian.” (You can follow the news about Wisdom, and other amazing facts on the USFWS X account).

An Annual Tradition Of Nesting

Every year, millions of seabirds arrive in the refuge to nest and raise the hatchlings so that they can become productive seabirds on their own. In December, the USFWS counted almost 500,000 Laysan albatross nests. Other recently taken photos show that there are now thousands of chicks on the island being attended to by their parents. They are growing and beginning to predictably wander from their nests indicating their growing ability to become independent.

Wisdom has shown a unique lust for life as she is now 20 years older than the average lifespan of the albatross family. All told, Wisdom is estimated to have flown an amazing 3.5 million miles within her still-active lifetime.

Combining Camera Tech With Bird Watching

May 2, 2024 by Matt Rowe

wild jay perched on snow-covered branch outside — Photo by TomaszProszek/Pixabay

Birds in the wild and their many species, all full of colors and shapes, are so much fun to watch. But it is often difficult to carve out the minutes from a busy day to dedicate to a bit of “watch time.” With technologies becoming more sophisticated by the day, it’s fun to discover that an enterprising company has married a traditional bird feeder with an internet-enabled camera with alerts to give you instant access to a feeding bird.

The Bird Buddy feeder is a small but tough plastic set that can sit on a pole, hang from a tree, or even attach to an outside wall of your house (if there are no distractions that could scare a bird from landing). The feeder has a molded trough that is constantly kept filled by stored seed within the clear housing. The housing is lightweight, weather-resistant, and designed to be safe for birds.

A Digital Eye On The Birdie

Attached to the housing is a focus-point, smart high-resolution camera module that will identify the bird on your feeder perch and also alert you via your smart phone that one is feeding. You can also video the bird activity and even live stream it for others. The photo capability is set at 5 mega-pixels, and the video is set at 720p. The packed-in microphone provides clear audio. The camera delivers a 120-degree field of view and is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery with an included USB-C cable for recharge. The wi-fi connectivity of the camera is available on 2.4 GHz and via bluetooth. The battery has a charge span of around 15 days with minimal video streaming: five or more days depending on active and continuous streaming.

You can also bling up the feeder with add-ons, such as an attachable solar roof to keep the camera charged, an extendable perch for the fussier and larger birds, a suet-ball holder, a rotating wall mount, and a package that includes a jelly holder, a water bottle, and a fruit stake to add an orange to the feeding regimen. The downloadable app allows up to three people to connect to your camera so they can also watch the action. (There is a pro subscription that allows for up to 10 people to connect to your unique camera.)

The company maintains a growing database of activity the moment it happens. This network captures photos and shares them with those who visit the website. More importantly, photo captures can help the company contribute migratory information to those who can take advantage of the information.

For hummingbird fans, the company is prepping the release of a similarly decked-out feeder designed exclusively for hummingbirds. This unit and its separately available add-ons can currently be pre-ordered.

Inside Dr. Pepperberg’s Lab: Griffin “Games” The System!

April 30, 2024 by Irene Pepperberg, Ph.D.

African grey parrot; African grey, grey parrot — African grey Griffin. Image courtesy Dr. Irene Pepperberg

Last month, I wrote about how we were having issues with getting Griffin to work on a complicated 4-cup task because he didn’t like testing when Athena was at his back and how simply rotating the apparats 90° took care of the problem. Well, we then had another problem—Griffin was now eager to work, but the issue was that he had figured out how to maximize his nut intake; thereby, making it difficult to complete the study as planned! ‘Tis an interesting story.

I didn’t explain the actual task last time, but it is critical to do that now so that it is clear how cleverly Griffin manipulated and outwitted us. I still won’t go into all the “gory” details but will highlight the important bits. So, let’s follow the logic of the figure to describe the procedure:

Which Cup Has The Nut?

You show Griffin 4 cups, A, B, C, D (a) and that all are empty. You cover A and B, and hide a nut in one of them (b). You next cover C and D, and hide a nut in one of them (c). You then show Griffin that A is empty (d). (Note that you change which cup is shown “empty” on each trial, so that Griffin can’t detect a pattern…this is just an example.) So, if Griffin understands the logic, he should deduce that, given that one nut was in the A-B side and that A is empty, his best bet is to chose B because there has to be a nut there; he could chose C or D, but because he doesn’t know which cup has the nut, he would have only a 50% chance of success. After he chooses B (which he did almost all the time), he is given a second choice.

Now, knowing that A was shown to be empty, and that he emptied B, if he wants another nut, he has to gamble; that is, deduce the logical if not optimal choice. If he guesses right, he gets another big nut. If he guesses wrong, he should get nothing. But, we knew from a previous experiment (Pepperberg et al., 2019) that he would be frustrated and might refuse to make a second choice if he failed to get any reward…thus, we gave him a tiny sliver of nut if he chose an empty cup, so that he would be encouraged to continue the study.

After we had done the rotation of the apparatus, Griffin decided to be a bit innovative. He had previously completed an interesting study (Pepperberg & Hartsfield, 2014) where he had learned about how choice of one option leads to two rewards and choice of the other leads to one; the concept involved balancing certainty and uncertainty. He seemed to apply that logic here…now, after seeing that A was empty, and knowing that B was certain, he began the trial by gambling. He knew B had a nut; if he gambled, he figured he’d get either a big or small nut and then could get the certain nut on the second try. But he did something even more clever.

Griffin’s Gamble

The first two times, he won the gamble, so he got a big nut and then on his second choice got the certain nut; he ended up with two big nuts. No problem with our protocol, though we noted that he was not quite doing what we expected. The third time, however, he chose an empty cup when he gambled, and I gave him the tiny reward. On his second choice, he correctly figured that the cup next to that one would be full, and got a big reward. Hmm… he showed he understood the logic, but that wasn’t what we had intended—he was supposed to switch sides. And, before we could react, he then did switch sides, and grabbed the certain reward!

Thus, he managed to get more than the two big nut rewards…he got two plus the tiny bit! Although we felt that he was still demonstrating an understanding of the logic, we feared that colleagues criticizing the study could argue that he was just working his way down the line of cups, seeing what he could get without really thinking…Clearly, that was not what we wanted! Thus, we decided to discourage gambling—the next time he gambled at the beginning of the trial, we pulled the tray away to show him that the behavior was not acceptable…and he got nothing. The expression on his face was priceless! It was clear that he was shocked. In his mind, he had not done anything wrong! He had simply figured out how to game the system…and was obviously upset that he was being punished. He then refused to do any trials, on any study, the rest of that day. Point taken!! (To be blunt…who was the smart one?)

Our plan now is to give him two choices total, and then pull the tray. If he gambles, wins, and switches sides, we will let him get his nuts, but will call it a mistrial and redo the trial to maintain our protocol. If he gambles, loses, and gets a small nut, we’ll let him do a second trial to get a large nut…but, again, we’ll call it a mistrial and redo the trial. We hope that that way he will realize that he can never get 2+ nuts, but not be so discouraged that he won’t do any more work that day. FINGER X’D!

References

Pepperberg, I.M., & Hartsfield, LA. (2014) Do Grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus) succeed on a “complex” foraging task failed by primates but solved by fish? J. Comp. Psychol. 128:298-306.

Pepperberg, I.M., Gray, S.L., Cornero, F.M., Mody, S., & Carey, S. (2019). Logical reasoning by a Grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus)? A case study of the disjunctive syllogism. Behaviour 156:409-445.

Webinar: A Look Back At The Phoenix Landing Wellness Retreat, Part 2

April 29, 2024 by lafebercares

Webinar: A Look Back at the Phoenix Landing Wellness Retreat, Part 2

Date: Friday, May 17, 2024

Time: 12:00 pm PDT (double-check your local time with this time zone converter)

Join us for a free, live, interactive webinar hosted by Laura Doering, the former editor of Bird Talk magazine and Birds USA magazine. Our special guest, Lisa Bono, CPBC, will report on the second day of the recent Phoenix Landing Wellness Retreat held on April 6-7, 2024, in Asheville, NC. This unique meeting is designed for pet bird owners and offers lectures on many aspects of pet bird care. Lisa will continue her coverage of the event, building on her previous webinar on April 26th, where she spoke about day one of the event.

Missed our webinar? No problem! You can access the webinar in its entirety here:

Chris Davis Virtual Celebration of Life/Memorial

A Lifelong Bond With Animals

Transforming Our Understanding of Bird Behavior & Care

Behind The Name

What Does A Bird That Looks Like Dracula Eat?

A Look At Pesquet’s Parrots In The Wild

Museum’s Beginnings

A Go-To-Source For Scholars & Scientific Communities

Parrot Rangers in Action

Join the Parrot Pilgrimage

Birds That Poison

Birds That Vomit

Left Foot Or Right Foot?

Switching Foots

Rebuilding After Fires

A Backyard Story

Shedding a Spotlight on the Night Parrot

Why The Night?

More on the Night Parrot

Kea Parrots Added To The Mix

In Come The Cockatoos

Issues In Testing

A Foraging Lesson For Us

Why Parrots Hide Pain

Pain in Parrots

Case In Point

How Other Pets Express Pain

An Incredible Dive

The Deadliest Season

Guided By Instinct

What It Means

“Birdie Bed Rest”

Patience Pays Off

See Them Yourself!

Flying the Skies Again in Belém, Brazil

Animal Instincts: Left Or Right?

Parrot Foot Preferences

How Handedness Can Affect Parrot Care

Living Life As A Lefty

The Tropics Spur Iridescense

What The Data Reveals

Still A Mystery

Faster Movement In Dense Spaces

Water The Wrong Way Can Aspirate

Safe Ways To Offer Water

Protecting Tambopata’s Parrots: The Impact Of Climate Change

Unique And Endangered Macaws

A Mechanical Parrot

A Need For Both Comprehension And Production

Alex Study #1

Alex Study #2

Griffin & Athena Have Their Say

A Mini-Project Example

Feathered Mathematicians

Counting Crows

Flight Patterns Go With The Flow

Following The Lead

When Citizen Science Works

It’s All In The Details!

Day 1: Griffin’s Throws a Tantrum

Day 2: Demand for Tickles

Day 3: A Crash Landing

Searching For The Cause And The Cure

New DNA Database Project To Combat Illegal Parrot Trade

An Ant “Spa Bath”

Birds That Do Anting

In Search Of A New Partner

An Annual Tradition Of Nesting

A Digital Eye On The Birdie

Which Cup Has The Nut?

Griffin’s Gamble

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