Photo: Steve Martin of Natural Encounters, Inc.
“Parrot Nation” is a nonfiction manuscript in progress that covers the world of Aviculture. I have about half of it completed. All that remains are the chapters needing research that involve getting on more planes. Since I’m on airplanes about 18 days a month, I loathe doing it on my days off. However, I have to get moving and finish the research whether I like it or not.
“Parrot Nation” is also my blog. While it’s primarily about birds; parrots in particular, it also covers other aspects of living with parrots and their impact on people’s lives. It’s about whatever happens to cross my mind at the time, but in view of the fact that I have three African Greys parked in my living room, they do tend to take up a lot of my time.
I worked at the Cincinnati Zoo for 6 weeks total photographing the Zoo, the animals, the exhibits and most importantly, looking into the lives of the people who work there. Zoo keeping is not, as the Keepers themselves describe it: “Bunny Hugging”. It is viciously tough work, and for the most part, it’s not about the animals, but the care and feeding of them. I hope you find my posts and photos as eye-opening and illuminating as I did when delved into the “Back Side” of the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens.
I also spent some time at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah; the largest animal sanctuary and adoption center in the country.
Both were amazing experiences and I came away from both of them profoundly changed. This blog is about life with parrots, life in the air, any anything else crossing my path that I find interesting to write about. I hope you find something of interest and come back often.
Thanks for visiting,
Patricia
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Photo: Steve Martin of Natural Encounters, Inc.
Patricia Sund
I am so glad I found this site. I live very close to the Cincinnati Zoo and it is our favorite place in the city to go.
Thank you so much and I’m glad you found “Parrot Nation”. I had an extraordinary experience in your city and made many wonderful friends. I couldn’t figure out if the people were “Ohio Nice” or “Zoo Nice”. In the end, I discovered they were both. Please enjoy my site. It was a blast working there! There’s a lot going on here about the “Cincin Zoo” and it is now one of my favorite places in the world as well.
All the best,
Patricia
Hello Patricia. I just wanted to comment on your “Memo to Parker and Pepper” in the March 09 Birdtalk. Thanks for the laugh. Being a grey caregiver myself, I could truly appreciate your thoughts.
I will be looking for more of your memo’s and might even make it a habit to read them to my Sydney, Stirling and Emma Lynn. Emma could certainly use some reminders and hints from time to time.
Lisa Bono
laughed my ass off from Food Critics memo….thanks so much. Every issue the Memo gets first attention.
nancy
Toby Weber (the grey)
Debbie Michelle (the goffin)
and Big Lou (the oversized double yellow head)
Hi Nancy!
Well that is about the highest praise I can get from a “Memo” Reader because that’s what they’re designed to have you do! I enjoy writing them and it’s fun to compose something that’s on the lighter side.
Thanks again,
Patricia
Your site looks like a wonderful and information tool.
I Think February’s memo where your sister baby sits and leaves you the letter, that was the funniest yet. Ask how much to watch 16 and 4 dogs for a week? Lol I will make sure she has a case of liquor incas she needs it which she will!! LMAO!!
hi, thanks for the interesting articles. I have a problem maybe you can give me some advice on. We have a 2 year old Grey that we treat and take care of with the best care. He is fed the best foods (fresh vegs/fruits with formulated foods during the day with his treats in the evening with table food at times) He is socialized.He has a huge cage that is left open when we are at home. He had his yearly checkup with complete blood work and passed with flying colors. He is very smart; repeating words that he hears. So, my problem with him is that he likes to bite!! He loves my wife but is starting to bite her no,w (she gets upset and strikes him on his beak with her finger) I am afaid to pick him up after being bitten a few times once on the ear that took some time to heal. My fear is being hit in the eye! Thanks
This is an idea for Lou & any one else who has a problem with “the bite” my Cockatoo has pierced more than one ear in his life a couple of noses too. First off try and watch your bird carefully and see what mood they are in when they bite what is the “body language” the same as when they poop you can tell by their movements a couple of seconds before. Now, every time you have your cuddle or Scratch time when you feel the closest to your bird pick a word (mine is “gentle”) and during your close times repeat the word over and over in a soft voice, do it EVERY time you are close in the same soft voice it may take along time but keep doing it, Then every time your read the body language that he/she is going to bite. Yup, say the word in the same voice. I have had Princess for 17 years and I still say the word when we are close in the same soft voice. I have taken it one step further and say the word every time I pick him up (Ya, Princess is a boy) and when he gets over playful. When you do take a bite do not react I know it is hard but they read it and remember DON’T EVER HIT THEM they are not dogs and WILL fear you. the reaction to fear is . Yup “Bite” I hope you have as much luck as I have with this, but always remember they are wild animals that have been domesticated. and “if” you can not take a bite now and then maybe you would be better off with a dog
I don’t mind the bite, its the blood that I have to clean up. : ) Our phrase is “cuddle bird”. When I get the pufffy bird/flashing eyes thats the warning, I softly say “I want to see my cuddle bird” and the change is almost instantaneous. (A little treat when the feathers smooth out doesn’t hurt either)
Hi, Patricia. I’m a subscriber of Bird Talk magazine and have two Quaker parrots and a Budgie. One of my favorite sections is your column of the “Memo to Parker and Pepper”. Oh, do I get a kick out of it when you call them on the carpet about their behavior. As if they’re going to do anything about it. LOL!
Hi Cecilia!
Thanks so much for following my column. I so appreciate it!
Parker and Pepper may not do anything about it when I rant about their behavior, but I sure feel better!
Thanks so much for your visit,
Patricia
I have photos of pix I took of you (among others) at the TASC Birdshow last year. (I was helping Snowball.) This is because the photographer never gets photos of themselves. I find I cannot send these to you because I need an email address. (There are only seven pix, but they are 33MB.) Nothing great, but… I do have them. LMK.
[...] Parrot Nation [...]
Hello I have exp. with large birds and my mother and I would love to adopt at least 3of the Troy birds. I do not have any exp. with any Cockatoos so I would not feel comfortable adopting one. If you can help with any info with this you can email me. We are also trying to find out how to come out and help with feeding , watering and final removal of the birds we would love to come out for a week to help out these poor birds.
Darlyne B.
Bird people are unique. My flock keeps growing. I love your “Memo To Parker &Pepper”. Are they good flyers? I live with 4 African Greys-Dorian(Grey),Digger,Darwin and Sherlock. None of them can land on anything they aim for. i worry about them hurting themselves. I have 2 greenwings, 2 blue and golds,an military macaw. They all are good flyers. Any suggestions
Thanks so much! I’m glad you enjoy the column. I keep my birds clipped, so I haven’t had a lot of experience with keeping flighted birds in a home. I’ve worked with flighted birds in aviaries of course, but I’m clueless on how to suggest anything for you. If you have access to a large outdoor aviary that is safely enclosed, you might want to let them practice in there. That might help.
where did your chop video go? i’m bummed it’s gone.
mary
It’s not gone! Look on the right-hand column. You will find the link under “Videos: Instructional, Recipes and General.” All three Chop videos are there: “Autumn Chop,” “Chop From “The Parrot Nation”,” “Chop Video.”