SunnyBird

However, apple seeds are poisonous and should be avoided. Right?

That's a mynah bird! I never new it had those big white stripes on its wings. Beautiful. Are they friendly?

Thanks Caitlin! Actually it has slats across the bottom and a newspaper fits perfectly on it. No alterations necessary - it's just that often I forget to put some down - :blush:

I have marble floors (usual in Greece) so there's really no harm done, just a little vinegar and a paper towel and all gone!

Hey Salsa -

Can you do this?

Or this?

ha ha ha you know I luv ya baby!!!

Yours, Sunny Boy

I saw this old clothes hanger (do they call it a butler?) at the flea market and the light bulb went on. I needed a high stand that wouldn't take up a lot of space and would be sturdy but light and easily movable. It even has wheels. Well, how about it? I wrapped a couple of toys around the top of it and I bought this scarf hanger thing from IKEA. Sunshine love to climb up and down it.

Do any of you have converted furniture for playstands?

I have an old metal scale with sliding weights which goes up to 12 kilos, I think. I use it to weigh my cats, too! Simba still thinks he can fit in it (he's 9 months old and he weight 5 1/2 kilos!!) :woohoo: Selini's on the stool waiting her turn...

Now THAT is impressive!

I am so sorry and I feel very deeply for you too. I lost my Alex - it will be one year in February - also very suddenly, no avian vets in Greece either, the vet I took him to examined him but did not tell me that he was dying - although I think he knew. He died on my chest covered by my jacket in the car on the way home from the vet. I will never forget the death spasms. That helpless feeling is horrible. I wasn't going to get another bird but I'm glad that I did. It has not changed my feelings for Alex but it has given me back a lot of joy.

Elena - zoi se sas

I bought a couple of sticks of sugercane from an Arabic supermarket (but they were already dried on the outside - color brown and waxed, I think). I have them in the fridge and Sunshine does love it - do you think I can cut them in to pieces and freeze them? I never thought of that. I don't expect to find any more any time soon.

Cooper sounds exactly like you! Tickle tickle, sometimes I'm not sure who's talking - so funny! MINI ME!!!!!

Beautiful! How many birds do you have?

For anyone (like me) who doesn't know what a cere is:

The cere (from the Latin cera: wax)[1] or operculum[2] is a soft, fleshy swelling found on the beaks of certain birds. Hawks, parrots, doves, skuas and budgerigars are among the birds that have ceres. The word 'cere' is often used synonymously with 'beak', although the two are not identical. The cere plays a role in indicating the reproductive stage of certain dimorphic birds, and also has a key function in respiration. The nares are located within the cere.

The nares connect to the inner beak, which is in turn connected to the respiratory system.[5] Thus, the cere plays an important role in respiration, and the protection of the nares.

A bird's beak serves many purposes -- such as eating, grooming, and of course, singing! The beak is an extension of the bird's jaw bone, and is covered in keratin, the same substance that makes up our fingernails. The top part of the beak is called the cere, and is where the bird's nostrils, or nares, are located.

Cheers,

Renate and Sunshine (who's cere is the only thing that doesn't smell.... )<br><br>Post edited by: SunnyBird, at: 2010/01/08 16:28

Jayd wrote:

From what I've researched so far [can't find much] is that the musky smell that a amazon puts off comes from the area of the "cere". Still trying to find out more....Any suggestions any one? :unsure: Jay

http://www.plannedparrothood.com/sniff.html#ENTRIES

Sorry I don't want to offend anyone but S.N.I.F.F.? It may be a good idea upon reflection but it is still hysterically funny lol! What else will they come up with!!

{Feel-good-0002006E}

My friend just sent me this video clip link - check it out! Even if you are not interested in cooking it's fun to watch!!

I love the photo with the closed eyes. Beautiful feathers on a beautiful bird.

So sweet, does he often preen the other birds?

Thanks for sharing - he's a beautiful bird. How old is he?

That's odd. I didn't know that the odor was related to excitement. Where does it originate from? They do not have an oil gland for preening like the african greys do - do they have another gland which creates this odor?

Did you know that if a parrot grabs you with his beak and you blow on it (like when blowing out a candle)he immediately lets go? Try it. It's a trick I learned from a pet shop keeper and it has helped (my young daughter especially) to keep from getting bitten many times. :cheer:

According to Rosemary Low, writer and conservationist, there are 28 species of amazon parrots:

orange winged

blue fronted

yellow crowned

yellow shouldered

cuban

hispaniolan

yellow billed

white fronted

yellow lored

red spectacled

tucuman

puerto rican

vinaceous

lilac crowned

green cheeked

red lored

scaly naped

white faced

mealy

blue cheeked

red browed

red tailed

red necked

St. Lucia

Imperial

St. Vincent

Festive

black billed

yellow faced

Under these there are several sub-species.

The countries in which they occur are Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Caribbean Islands, Central America, Colombia, Ecuador, the Guianas, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Venezuela including Trinidad and Tobago.

There is no "standard" amazon. Each one evolved to fit a different set of circumstances. Some amazons that are well known in aviculture are less suitable as pets than, for example, the ochrocephala (yellow crowned) sub-species. They are superb, not just because they are good mimics but because they greatly enjoy interacting with people and are tremendous "show offs". No parrot is perfect in a captive situation because that is not where it evolved to be. Howver, compared with most parrots, the disadvantages of amazons are minimal. While they can be noisy, especially early in the morning, and more vocal during the breeding season, in a pet situation it is much easier to divert an amazon from screaming than, for example, a cockatoo. Many amazons love to sing-along and singing to them can change their screams into an out-of-tune attempt to join in.

A disadvantage of certain amazons is that during the breeding season most males become difficult to live with as pets. The worst offenders are male blue-fronts, double yellow-heads, yellow-naped and salvins - all species that are otherwise wonderful companions. They are good pets precisely because they are extrovert and fearless. The more timid species, such as the Tucuman, are not sought as pets and they are not aggressive towards people. Some species are naturally more aloof and others are almost inherently friendly.

So be warned! An amazon is not just a green parrot. Not all members have the same degree of adaptability, ability to mimic or take pleasure in human company. Don't think that the various species vary only in plumage color - observe and hear as many species as possible before making a choice as a prospective pet. Having said that, there is always an element of uncertainty when obtaining a parrot because the personalities of these birds are as varied as those of humans.

In short, Amazons are treasures among parrots.

The "Oratix" Project

http://www.freeparrots.net/parrots/index.html

A study of wild amazons in the gulf of Mexico resulting in a documentary which seems quite interesting.

Some beautiful oratrix (double yellow heads) and one with particularly colorful markings which I have included here.

<br><br>Post edited by: SunnyBird, at: 2010/01/07 22:27

Last night when we stopped at a fast food place on the way home from our country place, we were eating in the car and Sunshine was on my shoulder (oh that reminds me of the old John Denver song ! ) he was having a ball taking bites out of my sandwich and eating french fries... Guilty as charged :blush: We don't indulge often but it is so hard to say no!!! At least we don't go over 1 walnut a day - luckily he can't break them open himself yet cause he keeps climbing onto the walnut bowl...

That's really nice. Sounds like you've got a real friend in Tango. Lucky Tango, too.

Sunshine, our YCA, has been on 4 long trips with us so far. During the first 3 trips he traveled in his vacation cage (see the photos in the amazon room)but it took up so much space. He was a little nervous at first but then he settled in when he saw that our daughter and our 2 cats (all sharing the back seat with him) were relaxed and enjoying themselves).

I got the pak-o-bird carrier for my birthday recently and used that in the car this time. He doesn't like it so much due to the space constraints but he was comfortable. On the way back yesterday evening, I let him out after about an hour on the road and he sat on my shoulder and on the head rest above my head for the next 2 hours. He loved being free in the car and was not stressed at all. He was preening himself and my hair, butting in on our conversations, but in the end I had to insist he go back in the carrier only because he was so sleepy and couldn't sleep where he was. He couldn't tuck in his one leg since he had to grasp the headrest with both feet. Next time I will try putting a window perch up to see how that goes.

It was his idea to stay out and since he was behaving I let him. The same thing happened with the cats when they were younger and thus they can travel with us for hours with no problem. They do not need to be caged since they are not afraid or anxious, but used to it and just sleep most of the time.

Glad you checked in to let us know! Looking forward to your news and input!

Here are some photos I took in our caravan trailer while we were on vacation. Since Sunshine's vacation cage is small I try to let him out often. Sunshine can do a full split and I'll try to get him on camera doing that later

Sunshine coming out of his cage. He always shuts the door on his way out... (notice Selini watching)

I hang some toys from a hook in the ceiling for amusement and to keep my wood paneling...

Hey mom, so your taking photos again?

Let me have a closer look at that camera! (Notice Simba fat cat who has woken up by now from the commotion watching lower right.)

No, mom, you can't get rid of me that easy!! :laugh:

Cheers!

Renate and Sunny