About Me « Parrot Nation

About Me

My name is Patricia Sund and I live in Florida. My family consists of 2 African Greys: Parker and Pepper and an elderly Shih Tzu I rescued from my Condo parking lot I named Mattie. I’m a Flight Attendant and I write. I also like to cook. When I first got Parker years ago, I decided that if I was going to do this “Parrot” thing right, I was going to have to learn a few things. So I sat down and read absolutely everything I could find on the Internet. I bought every book, even the outdated ones, and purchased every training video available. I enrolled in and completed the Natural Encounters Inc. “Companion Parrot Training Seminars” I and II. After completing these, I enrolled in, completed and earned a Certificate of Excellence in Dr. Susan Friedman’s online course: LLP: Living and Learning with Parrots. These courses are life-changing and I recommend them highly. They will change the way you view your birds, as well as the way you view the world.

I started writing for “BIRD TALK” Magazine in 2007. In March of 2009, I began writing a column for “BIRD TALK” titled “Memo to Parker and Pepper” which is apparently making an impact. I have written articles for Barbara Heidenreich’s Magazine, “Good Bird”, internal articles for the Company I fly for, and have I’ve contributed to Phoenix Landing’s “Phoenix Beakin’” and the Alamo Exhibition Bird Club Newsletter. I have done presentations in Positive Reinforcement Training for bird clubs as well as doing children’s presentations for the Boys and Girls Club and several schools.

I worked for three weeks at the Cincinnati Zoo after meeting the Bird House Manager, Steve Malowski at the Houston Parrot Fesitval. He knew good free labor when he saw it! So in September of 2008, I packed up my stuff, entrusted my birds and dog to my good friends Shari Mirojnick, and Beverly Shwartz and took off for Cincinnati. Three weeks later I came home sore, tired and smelling like a Mackerel but man, I had fun!

I began this blog in 2008, not long before I left for the Zoo, and it became my journal of the time I spent there. Now it’s a journal of, as Barbara Heidenreich calls them, my “Adventures in the Bird World”. You’ll find posts about the Houston Parrot Festival, and my work with Shari Mirojnick: rehabilitating relinquished African Greys and our efforts to place them. I write about saving money in these difficult economic times, living with parrots, and managing to thrive and even enjoy life with my Greys. I returned to the Zoo this last September armed with a video camera, to try my hand at using it to expand my blog a bit to include video. I have other “Adventures” planned so stay tuned. I hope you find my blog interesting and come away from reading it feeling entertained, and perhaps learning a bit of something from reading it. Thanks for stopping by.

17 Comments »

17 Responses

on May 14, 2009 at 7:58 pm | Reply Sandra

Hi Patricia,
I just started reading your column in Bird Talk and love it. Partly, of course, because I have a CAG. I have had him for one year (he is 14 years old) and got him from a fellow who was moving out of the country. I have a question for you. Louie is a marvelous bird: chatters, has about 15 words, showers with my husband, steps up nicely, and is easily “read” so we don’t often get a nip. I have to admit, I had wanted a Grey that talks more than this little guy. You guessed it. I would love to get another Grey, looking for one that “talks” more. I have lots of questions: is this a legitimate reason to want one? I saw a TAG needing rehoming who had a vocabulary of 6 words at 10 months. I probably would have gotten him but my husband (who didn’t want Louie in the first place) feels it would not be good for our family. We also have a large Aussie mix who loves eating pellets Louie tosses to the floor. I have had some folks say “Stop at one” and also am worried it might really mess up the good relationship we have with Louie. Do you have any advice? My husband is a dear and it would take some convincing but I am a bit undecided about the best thing to do myself. I look forward to your thoughts should you get a chance to respond! Keep writing about your delightful Greys!

Sandra
on May 14, 2009 at 8:47 pm | Reply Patricia Sund

Just ask yourself: “Why do I want another Grey?” If it is because you want a bird that talks; well, there is no guarantee you’ll get that. If you didn’t train Louie to talk any more than he did, odds are, you aren’t going to get the next one to talk any better. And is that really a reason to adopt a parrot? If you find one and she doesn’t quite come up to speed, then what happens? Well, you keep her of course, but now you have two parrots that don’t talk much. then what?
If your answer to that question is, “Because I have the time, the space, the funds, the know-how and the love.”, then please- adopt a Grey that needs your attention.
If it is simply because you want a talking bird; well, you already know how I feel.
Believe it or not Parker isn’t a big talker. But he has a massive personality and can play basketball for cripes sake! That’s huge! But talk? Not much. He’d rather do tricks. But I wouldn’t give up Parker or Pepper for the world. They each have their own “Way”. You have to decide “Why” you want another bird. It’s not about the bird; it’s about you.
Let me know if this makes any sense. I’m a true believer in adoption and I think you would make a wonderful family for a Grey in need. Pepper was a rescue and she is so incredibly sweet to me, but when I first got her, she was hideous. But they adapt, change, learn and evolve. Please keep me posted on your thoughts. It’s a tough decision, and every one I made regarding adoption was hard. But I’m a better person for it.
Adopt a Grey. But do it because you want them for who they are; not what you want them to be.
With Respect,
Patricia
on June 21, 2009 at 7:43 pm | Reply Kathy

Hi Patricia
Were you at the Golden Cockatoo yesterday? I was there and I’m pretty sure that was you. I think that store is the greatest and their 1st Annual Customer Appreciation Day was great as well. I hope they continue that.
- on June 21, 2009 at 7:53 pm | Reply Patricia Sund
  
  Yes, I was there. I was wearing a green t-shirt and light colored cargo pants. I was with my friend Shari Mirojnick, a Vet Tech with Dr. Sam Backos, the Avian Vet. It was a great day and i think they’ll be doing more of those kinds of days again soon! Why didn’t you say hello? I would have loved chatting with you and picking your brain about stuff!
on June 25, 2009 at 9:46 am | Reply Kathy

Well you looked busy and I was shy about walking up to you. Stupid I know. I saw Shari too, didn’t know her name but she was 1 of the vet techs that worked on my cockatiel 2 weeks ago.
I was holding a baby timneh. Am kinda interested in one. I have 2 birds now a bh caique and the cockatiel. Don’t really want more than 2. The cockatiel isn’t in the best of health, Dr. Backos has her on a supplement for her liver so we’ll see how that goes. My kids found her in a tree last summer that’s how I acquired her and that’s how I became so interested in birds. Anyway I am interested in the timneh because they are smaller but I must say I am drawn to the look of the congo. Any thoughts?
- on June 25, 2009 at 3:06 pm | Reply Patricia Sund
  
  Hi Kathy,
  Don’t worry about me! I’m pretty use-friendly! Sorry to hear about your ‘Tiel, but you have no idea what kind of history she’s had and what food she was on. If she was on an all-seed diet, that accounts for the liver damage. When you get her back, get some milk thistle seed to give her. That will build up her liver.
  Are you ready for a large bird like a Grey? They are wicked smart and need a load of attention and training. If you look at my list of resources, you will find all kinds of things to read about training. I have stuff in there about diet, and basic care as well.
  I also would NOT buy a bird. Please don’t. I have my own reasons, but I think it is so special when you rescue or adopt one. Pepper is a rescue/relinquishment, and look at what happened to her! She’s a “Spokesbird” for Bird Talk…sort of, I guess!
  Please talk to Shari about adopting one. We can help. But please search your soul about getting another bird. It’s not a lot of work to go from one to two; but when you go from two to three, man it gets rough. Shari has seven Greys and I don’t know how she does it.
  Think about it and let us know. You can reach me here, and you can reach Shari at Sam’s office.
  Best of luck Kathy and I hope it all goes well with your ‘Tiel.
  Patricia
on July 7, 2009 at 3:09 pm | Reply Kathy

Just now saw your response, been on vacation. If I ever decide on getting a grey I will definately contact you or Shari.
Thanks again
take care
Kathy
on January 25, 2010 at 12:33 pm | Reply alyssa

hi patricia!
i wanted to start by telling you how much i love your “memos to parker & pepper,” in bird talk magazine! they’re always the first thing i read! it sounds like a riot at your house!!
i wanted to write to you about a recent memo, in february’s issue, about your greys in the shower. i wanted to advise to reconsider your aversion to using shower perches…
my husband and i have 10 cockatiels, 8 of which were rescued. every day, 2 of them get a turn in the shower. we have several perches mounted about shoulder-height, and have almost never had a bird go down. there are times when they are basically tail-up, enjoying the shower, and manage to hang on tight! on the one or two instances where someone has seen the bottom of the shower, they’re totally fine! in fact, about a month ago, i was in the shower with out most recent rescues. daisy, a feather-chewer who is wearing a collar which inhibits her flight, was doing her best attempt at a shower dance when she lost her balance and went down! i scooped her right up & placed her back on her perch. she was soaking wet, but none the worse for wear!
it does seem dangerous to have such delicate creatures perched in so seemingly precarious a position, but i’d almost bet that if you were to try perching parker & pepper in the shower with you, you’d probably get those shower dances that they’re so famous for! and being there with brings added comfort and enjoyment!!
good luck!
~ alyssa
- on January 26, 2010 at 7:24 pm | Reply Patricia Sund
  
  Hi Alyssa,
  Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m sure Parker and Pepper would be fine, but I just don’t trust myself. I’m positive I’d screw it up and they would end up topsy-turvy. It’s really not about their ability to perch; it’s about my fear of them getting hurt. Sometimes I do things for me. And they seem to really love their showers. So they are happy, and I’m not a nervous wreck. Great stories! Thank you for writing; it was so great to hear from you!
  P.
on January 28, 2010 at 2:06 am | Reply Mary Burks

Hi Pat, I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your stories about Parker and Pepper in Bird Talk. I have an african grey timneh named Dickens and he reminds me of Parker because I never know what he will do or say. He is a blessing to have around as he keeps me company. I am a widow and I bought him at 4 months when I was living in Florida. Now I’m back in Wis. in a senior apt. and He takes a walk with me every day to get the mail & see the other residents. He lets me know when it is time to go for mail.
I started when he was a baby to tiolet train him so he never poops in his cage. He will hold it for 8 hrs. He has a large vocabulary and is always coming out with something new. There’s never a dull moment in my household. Keep on writing!! Regards, Mary
- on January 28, 2010 at 7:29 am | Reply Patricia Sund
  
  Thank you Mary!
  Such kind words about the “Memos.” Curious about something; I named Parker after the writer and poet, Dorothy Parker. Did you name Dickens after the writer, Charles Dickens?
  Dickens sounds wonderful! I hope he doesn’t have to “hold it” for that much time very often. I know that Parker doesn’t go all night, but during the day he’s quite the “prolific little pooper!”
  I’ll try and keep up the writing! I now write the “Quizzes” on the Bird Channel. They call me “The Quiz Queen!”
on February 9, 2010 at 12:47 pm | Reply Camille

Hi! I love your memos! I have a 26 year old African Grey named Willoughby who is the light of my life. We are going to Hawaii next week–leaving from Phoenix and I need a good bird sitter for a week. I have looked online and have a few numbers but since you write for the Phoenix Beakin’ I thought you might be able to give me a good contact name.
Keep writing your wonderful column. I read it to Willoughby each month and laugh because he does alot of the naughty things your guys do. They are so smart and know much more than even we realize. It’s impossible to explain to non-bird people!
Thanks, Camille
- on February 9, 2010 at 4:55 pm | Reply Patricia Sund
  
  Hi Camille!
  Thank you for reading the Memos!
  The “Phoenix Beakin’” is the newsletter for “Phoenix Landing,” a non-profit Parrot Adoption and Education Foundation located in North Carolina. I’m unfamiliar with Phoenix and the bird scene there. But if you call around, you might be able to board Willoughby at a Vet’s office or perhaps a local Bird supply store has boarding services. Many pet stores might be able to point you in the right direction as well. Good Luck and thank you again!
  Patricia
on April 2, 2010 at 7:55 am | Reply Parental Control Phone

Thank you for all the useful dog info. I have 2 dogs and I always like reading all about dogs. Great Site!!
- on April 2, 2010 at 8:13 am | Reply Patricia Sund
  
  My blog is primarily about my parrots and bird-related subjects, but yes, I do occasionally write about my dog Mattie.
on August 19, 2010 at 12:49 pm | Reply Pam

Hi Patricia, I must have had my head in the sand for the past 2 years. I’ve always enjoyed your articles in Bird Talk, but somehow missed out on this blog. Now that it’s been discovered – I’m hooked! Thanks for sharing your heartfelt, funny, thought provoking, engaging stories and advice. I heard you speak at our LI Parrot Society (LIPS) EXPO last fall. You were great & I got some great tips as well. Life is sooooo much easier thanks to a couple sheets of newspaper on the bottom of the cage. I change them every night, and avoid the daily scrubbing, chipping and/or cursing my way through cemented bird poop. I’ve yet to make “chop,” but hope to find the recipes on the blog. Thanks to your time saving tips, I can spend more quality time having fun with Cosmo & Noodles, my 2 green-cheeked conures.
Thanks! Pam
PS – What’s going on in the picture w/the 3 greys – walking on something white with what looks like rain or water above?!
- on August 19, 2010 at 7:13 pm | Reply Patricia Sund
  
  Hi Pam!
  Nice to see you here. Thank you so much for your encouraging words and ind thoughts. I’m so pleased you like the blog.
  Isn’t the “newspaper thing” great? Love that trick! Once I began doing that I never looked back. It also saves a ton of wear and tear on your cages. Parker’s is almost 7 years old and it still looks brand new.
  Regarding the photo you mention in your PS: The photo is of my Greys at the bottom of my tub with the water running. They’re taking a shower.